C8 Party

Barbara quietly left the room and then headed towards the hall.

She joined her family and guests like nothing had happened.

Patrick who has been looking for Barbara for a while quickly spotted her and called out to her

"Hey Barbara, your mum and I have been looking for you all around, we wanted to take some family photos, where have you been?"

He asked, demanding an explanation.

Barbara then lied saying "My dress was a bit tight, so I had to adjust it to my fitting " She answered dryly.

Patrick replied "It's fine, let's join the others and get this picture part over with "

Barbara had a breath of relief as her father didn't query her much.

She then had a cold smile and waited for the outcome of her deeds.

The whole family was gathered and then pictures were taken, they looked like the perfect family.

The guests watched the family take photos and we're all admiring Johnson's family not only because they looked perfect.

They were all incredibly good-looking.

Johnson then raised his glass to toast

"I want to toast to my family members who stood by me when I was on the brink of death, they were the backbone for my recovery, but a special grandchild of mine deserves special recognition"

As soon as those words came out of his mouth, the guests wondered which of the grandchildren he was referring to.

"I bet it's the beautiful one in an emerald dress, she looks like a proper lady, maybe it's the other one seeing that she's always scarce"

They spoke within themselves.

"A toast to my special baby girl Deborah who couldn't even phantom the thought of something happening to me and then to you fine people my guests," Johnson said.

Every one of the guests turned their attention towards Deborah and had a look of admiration on their faces.

A round of applause followed and then the ceremony began properly.

Elizabeth and Barbara stood and felt so angry and jealous as Johnson didn't even acknowledge them specially.

They looked at Deborah with disdain and wished they could wipe her out of the face of the earth.

Such was their hatred for her.

Amidst the celebrations, Edward and Joe went over to where Johnson was and said

"It's time sir ".

Johnson replied "Very well then, you have my permission "

They both left the hall and started checking the whole mansion.

Edward and Joe took the necessary equipment to detect the diamond ring, a special kind of ring detector.

They searched the staff rooms first and did a thorough job as no one was within the vicinity.

Joe then said to Edward "Are you sure we aren't looking in the wrong place, maybe the ring is where we least expect "

"How do you mean Joe " Edward asked.

Joe then suggested that they check the rooms of Jonson's family members.

They first entered Elizabeth's room which was quite luxurious.

A lot of designer bags, shoes and dresses could be seen.

They quickly scanned the whole room and found nothing.

The same was carried out in Barbara and Patrick's room.

Johnson had given them the Masters' password which could open the whole mansion, so they had access.

When they came close to Deborah's room, they were a bit hesitant and they wanted to even skip it.

Edward just told Joe " Let's get it over with once and for all "

Joe agreed and they both entered the room, they scanned the room and draws but couldn't find anything.

As soon as they were about to leave, they saw a portrait of Deborah's late mum Elena.

They were busy admiring the beautiful woman when the detector started making a sound.

BEEP BEEP!

Hearing the sound, they both looked at themselves with surprise and shock.

Both of them were so close to the portrait.

They then decided to scan around the area,

A diamond necklace could be found, but that won't trigger the detector.

Joe scanned a bit more and there and then

The diamond ring was seen.

They didn't know how to feel, whether to be happy about finding the ring or

Telling Johnson who the culprit was could break his heart or worse cause him another stroke.

Joe and Edward were silent for some minutes and then Edward decided to break the silence saying

" We would just have to relay the news to Johnson, we will have to be very subtle not to trigger the old man's health conditions "

Joe nodded his head in agreement.

They both stood up and left the room having mixed feelings.

At the hall, the guests seemed very entertained and were just having fun.

It was time to dance and everyone picked a partner.

Patrick and Elizabeth were the first to open the floor, other couples followed.

Most of the young men who didn't have a partner approached Deborah and Barbara saying

" Can we have a dance with you fine ladies? "

Barbara picked one of the young men whose parents were very rich, influential and famous too.

His name was Jandel.

He was also handsome and was a bit reserved.

If his mom hasn't forced him saying

"Jandel won't you go over and introduce yourself to the young girls over there, they come from a respectable family like ours " she said

At first Jandel didn't want to then his eyes caught Deborah and he changed his mind.

Barbara wasn't his first choice, he only chose her because Deborah had politely declined.

The Dean then walked up to Deborah asking her why she didn't have a partner.

Deborah smiled and said " I don't feel like dancing right now sir"

Dean Ronald then told her he was still going to dance with her regardless and then took her to the dance floor.

He held a gentle smile and said" I'm not as strong as I used to be, you would have to go easy on me ."

Deborah laughed and in a moment she felt happy.

Adrian came and whispered to his father the Dean saying

" I will take it from here Dad, you've had a lot of fun for one night"

The Dean murmured in a sarcastic tone which made Deborah laugh out loud.

Adrian held her hand gently and started slowly.

As soon as they were on the dance floor,

Everyone wondered who the young man was.