When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 179

When Jethro had first proposed the alliance, it was Zelina who had personally visited her family. So, they had met before.

At the time, Zelina had been perfectly pleasant—after all, Artina was the girl her youngest son had chosen. She was young and pretty, and she had been appropriately demure upon learning of her incredible good fortune.

Now, however, Artina was laying on the charm, convinced that her enthusiastic and affectionate display would win Zelina over completely.

But to her utter shock, Zelina paid her no attention at all. She subtly shifted her body, causing Artina’s outstretched hand to grasp at empty air.

Artina froze, mortified. Her friends, who had been grinning in anticipation of Henrietta’s downfall, felt their smiles falter and their faces fall.

Zelina continued walking forward without a backward glance.

Yosef, surprisingly, remained seated as his mother approached. Henrietta, sensing a breach of etiquette, leaned in and whispered, “Shouldn’t we… go greet our mother?”

Yosef turned to her, a faint smile playing on his lips. He leaned closer, his voice a low murmur in her ear. “Henrietta, I am the head of this family.”

Henrietta’s cheeks flushed. He was so close, she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. For a fleeting moment, she thought she felt his lips brush against her ear, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly composed herself and nodded. “Oh. Right.”

In such a public setting, especially when dealing with a serious matter, the head of the family did not need to rise, even for his own mother. It was tradition.

Their intimate exchange did not go unnoticed. Matteo, watching from a distance, clenched his fists. Their relationship was far closer than he had imagined. Not only had Yosef come personally to defend her, but his mother had as well. And the way they interacted… it was too close for comfort.

As Zelina drew nearer, Cheryl, who had been kneeling in silent penance, rose to her feet. Yosef said nothing. She and Calvert then stepped forward, followed by a retinue of bodyguards and the hotel manager, to formally receive Zelina on Yosef’s behalf.

“Yeah, Artina, what’s going on? First Jethro’s brother ignores you, now his mother? Are you sure you’re really engaged to Jethro? You weren’t just bragging, were you?”

None of them had actually met Artina’s mysterious fiancé; they had only her word to go on. Now, faced with this overwhelming display of power, all of which was directed against them, they were beginning to have serious doubts. And if Artina had no one to back her up, they were all in deep trouble.

“Seriously, what is happening?” another whispered frantically. “We only did this because you told us to! If we’ve made an enemy of Yosef because of you… we’re dead!”

Artina, already smarting from the humiliation, bristled at her friends’ accusations. “What are you panicking for? So what if Yosef and his mother are siding with Henrietta because of their family ties? I’m practically a member of the Nash family now! They can’t do anything to me.”

“And besides,” she added, her voice dropping to a desperate whisper, “Jethro isn’t even here yet. Just calm down!”