A Mountain Of Gifts 2

The guests moved to the dining hall, and the Grand Blackwell Banquet began with fanfare. The main course, drinks, and desserts were bountiful with indigenous and exotic platters. Professional musicians played slow music near the tables. Guests drank, reveled, joked, and laughed. They also talked business since the Blackwell gathering was an excellent platform for industry bigwigs to meet.

Carol felt out of place. Instead of speaking to old businessmen who eyed her lecherously and invited her over, she joined her family table.

"Sweetie, why don't you try to seduce Damien?" Martha asked her with irritation. "He has almost slipped out of our grasp!" Ronald nodded his agreement to his wife's suggestion.

Carol sighed. "I'm not sure I want to marry him anymore, Mom."

Martha exchanged glances with Josh and Ronald. "Have you lost your mind, child? Damien is the one who will make us filthy rich!"