Georgia’s POV
By the ti we reached the Knight mansion, night had already fallen.
Katie and Amara had been brought earlier by the bodyguards since I barely had ti to breathe after the contract signing and official announcent of the partnership between the Knight Group of Companies and Urban Paradise Farm.
Even Ella and Vicky didn’t have ti change, we were all still in our sleek corporate suits, our na tags still pinned, walking into the mansion like we were coming straight from a boardroom into a ball.
The living room was already filled with guests, soft music flowing in the background. Benjamin Knight stood near the center, towering with his usual quiet command, one hand holding Katie’s tiny one as he introduced her to their guests. My heart clenched watching my daughter smile shyly beside him, her curls bouncing as she nodded to each person he ntioned.
I slipped my arm through Nick’s and leaned close enough for only him to hear. "Who are they?" I whispered, tilting my head toward the elegant cluster of people surrounding Benjamin.
Nick chuckled softly, his breath brushing my ear. "The couple beside Dad — that’s his younger sister and her husband. The ones speaking with Violet are Dad’s cousins. His younger brother passed away last year. His family lives abroad now, so they couldn’t co tonight."
I scanned the room, reading every glance, every polite smile. "And whose side are they on?" I asked bluntly.
Nick turned his head to look at , amusent lighting up his eyes. "You really just said that?"
"What?" I whispered back. "You said it yourself — Violet doesn’t like us. I have to know who’s neutral and who’s potential trouble. ’Know thy enemy,’ right?"
He laughed quietly, shaking his head. "That’s exactly why I laughed. I like how you think."
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "Relax, love. They’re harmless. Not the scheming type. They keep their shares, stay out of the spotlight, and enjoy the peace that cos with it. They’re not loyal to anyone, just to their own serenity."
I arched a brow, still half-suspicious. "So they’re Switzerland."
"Exactly," Nick said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "And tonight, Switzerland ca for dinner."
I couldn’t help but laugh under my breath. But still, as I watched Benjamin bending down to help Katie up onto a chair, sothing inside softened.
Katie’s face instantly brightened the mont she spotted us. Her little eyes lit up like stars, and before I could even say a word, she ca running toward us with her tiny arms stretched wide.
"Mommy! Daddy!" she squealed, her voice echoing through the hall.
Nick bent down just in ti to scoop her up, spinning her once before settling her on his arm. "Well, don’t you look absolutely beautiful tonight, young lady," he said, grinning as he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Katie giggled, her cheeks turning pink. "You look handso too, Daddy," she said shyly, and Nick chuckled while I couldn’t help but smile at the sweetness of it all.
Benjamin’s deep voice broke through the mont. "What took you so long? Dinner’s been ready for over an hour," he teased, though there was more amusent than irritation in his tone.
Nick turned to him with a mock sigh. "Dad, you left us in the boardroom after the contract signing. Georgia and Ella were practically mobbed—your investor friends wouldn’t let them go without asking a hundred questions each."
Benjamin let out a hearty laugh. "Well, that just makes prouder to have such brilliant daughters-in-law," he said, giving Liam a knowing wink before signaling Alfie to proceed.
"May I have everyone’s attention, please," Alfie announced politely. "Dinner is ready. Kindly follow to the dining hall."
The long table was set beautifully, silverware gleaming under the warm lights, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted herbs and baked bread. Benjamin took his usual place at the head of the table, but tonight, he looked unusually relaxed—almost lighter.
He gestured toward Katie, who was still perched happily on Nick’s arm. "Co here, young lady," he said with a fond smile. "You’re our guest of honor tonight."
Katie’s eyes widened in surprise before she slid down from Nick’s arm and climbed onto the chair beside Benjamin, who helped adjust her napkin like a proud grandfather.
Then Benjamin stood and lifted his glass, his voice calm but warm. "A toast," he said, and the room quieted instantly. "To new beginnings, to innovation, and to the brilliant won in this room who reminded us that growth—whether in plants or in people only happens when you believe sothing good can bloom."
The clinking of glasses followed, a soft chorus of warmth and laughter. My heart swelled as I tried to blink away the tears threatening to spill.
When I glanced across the table, Katie was laughing with Vicky, her small hands animated as she spoke. Nick reached for my hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Don’t worry about anything tonight," he whispered, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "Just enjoy this mont."
Dinner went beautifully—just the way Benjamin had planned. The laughter was constant, the clinking of glasses unending, and the food... exquisite. But by the ti the panna cotta was served, sothing in started to crash.
Maybe it was the exhaustion catching up, or the nerves finally letting go after holding them tight all day—but the mont I took a spoonful of dessert, my stomach gave a clear warning. My head started spinning, and I suddenly felt hot all over.
"I’ll be right back," I whispered to Nick, pushing my chair back quietly. I think he said sothing, but I couldn’t make it out through the dizzy haze.
The only thing I knew was that I needed a bathroom—fast.
But this was only my second ti in the mansion, and I had absolutely no idea where to go. So, in my dazed state, I made a quick decision: follow the maids. I slipped through the service door they’d been coming in and out of, hoping it would lead sowhere useful.
It didn’t lead to a bathroom. It led straight to the kitchen.
Every chef and maid turned to look at like I’d just burst onto a movie set uninvited.
And before I could say a word, the nausea hit hard. I rushed to the sink, leaned forward, and lost every bite of that five-star dinner.
The room fell silent except for the sound of retching—and then, a familiar hand touched my back, firm yet gentle.
"Hey, hey... breathe, baby," Nick’s voice ca softly beside , his palm moving in slow, comforting circles on my back. "Are you alright?"
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