When Tori had revealed who she told Henrik to send an invitation to, Ilyana and Albert began yelling at once, spooking Alexander who was in his basket next to Tori. The other two teenagers had bombarded her with questions starting with why to are you crazy.
She was not. At least not in extre ans.
Henrik had told her that Annikas party would have a lot of business associates and their families. It was basically a networking event. When Tori asked why Annika didnt invite more friends, Henrik had replied that his sister had a few friends from childhood, but didnt seem to be close to anyone in her current school.
That was why many of the nas on the guest list were familiar to them; they were rchants from the guild or people theyve worked with or heard of previously.
Tori knew Alessa needed contacts within Horizon and thought that by introducing her to other rchants or businessn, perhaps Alessa could go to them for guidance rather than depend on Adrien. Resettling a person within a new environnt could drastically change how a person behaved.
Thus, the move to invite Alessa to Annikas birthday party was also a strategic move for Tori. For most of the other love interests, Tori found that they were able to be pulled out of Alessas sphere of influence with so help. Constantine seed like the exception, because he didnt need much help, if any, but Gideon had Piers to influence him. Tori was well aware of the fact that if Piers wasnt on her side to help her force his brother to question things and assert his loyalty, then Gideon would still be clinging to Alessa.
Fabian still had so connection to Gideon, which Tori hoped would eventually pull him further away from Alessa. Montan was trying to get his life together with her and Axton paving the way, so he had no ti for Alessa, while Dimitri, for everything hed said and done, still had his parents. Tori knew they were trying their best to help their idiot son.
They werent doing the greatest job, but she knew they were trying.
Tori had given up on Tom Fields, as Tom had been Alessas friend since childhood. That was a bond Tori didnt think she could, or wanted to, break. As long as Tom didnt attack her directly, shed leave him alone.
Toris main opponent was Adrien. There was no way she could separate the two easily. Even if there was a way to pull Adrien away, Tori didnt want to be the one to do it.
She figured she could try with Alessa instead to lower chances of working with Adrien. Introduce her to new, better people; help her get trustworthy resources; not let the people who were depending on her suffer so much.
Tori really couldnt swallow another orphanage incident.
Ilyana had ranted that she didnt need to do so much, and Tori had tried to assure her it was fine. It was just one invitation; it was up to Alessa to make sure of the opportunity. Although, admittedly, knowing that Adrien would also be present, there was a high possibility that he could get involved and also make more connections and still be intertwined with Alessa.
At the sa ti, if their theory that Annika was led to do questionable work by Adrien was true, then Adrien could be distracted with keeping up appearances. The variable here was Adrien.
Tori had pursed her lips and wasnt sure the outco would be favorable, though she could at least claim that she tried to help Alessa. About an hour outside of Viclya, Tori decided to drop by Des Champs just to see. It wasnt that she didnt trust Sonia and the others to report to her, but if there was an escalated conflict, she wanted to step in.
After all, sending Alessa to the Skuldsens party was her idea.
Ilyana had excitedly agreed, and Albert had been reluctant, but after thinking about it, also agreed. Tori called Tobias at Duel and asked them to prepare a few simple sheets of cake for Annikas birthday. At the very least, they wouldnt show up empty handed.
Tori didnt expect to arrive at Des Champs to Annikas declaration and Adrien in the middle of abandoning her.
Im sorry to interrupt. We were coming back earlier than expected, so we thought wed co by. I called our bakers to prepare a cake as a gift.... Toris eyes swept over the crowd and settled on Annika and then Adrien and Alessa. She narrowed her eyes and walked forward.
Her face was dark as she approached Adrien. He seed to tense upon the sight of her. Tori reached forward and ripped his arm off of Alessas shoulder before grabbing her and moving Alessa to the side and standing in front of her.
Adrien choked back a yell and looked at her, as if unable to believe shed done such a thing.
Countess Guevera-
Do you honestly think well let you walk out of this restaurant with an unrelated girl almost half your age? Tori said in a low, dangerous voice. Looks like I ca in just in ti to save her.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd and Adriens pale face reddened with indignation. He frowned and narrowed his eyes. Countess Guevera, I dont know why youre implying such a disgusting thing-
You know very well why. A voice spoke up behind him before Tori could answer. Adrien looked over his shoulder and found Henrik inches from his face with a murderous expression. I dont care how much you play with won your age, but to target young won who havent yet beco adults and are over a decade younger than you is disgusting.
Hes a decade older than Annika? Madam Skuldsen, who had co to support her daughter at her side, gasped and looked at Adrien to Annika and back.
Soleil didnt have any sort of legal restriction on age gaps between partners, but there was social convention. It was generally inappropriate for a large age gap when one of the involved was so young. Child marriages had been banned during the Unification Period and betrothals made between families were considered unofficial and not legally binding. Engagents couldnt be made official and have contracts involving them done until fourteen, with marriage at the earliest at sixteen.
Even then, too large of an age gap was looked down upon when one of the prospective partners was so young.
With Madam Skuldsens exclamation, it was shown that she didnt know, aning Adrien and Annika kept it hidden, which hinted that the actions would be frowned upon. The gazes of nurous eyes moved towards Adrien with a glint of suspicion and disgust.
He looks young, but hes not as young as you think, Henrik said, never taking his eyes off of Adrien.
Von Dorn. Tori saw him near-by, clutching a womans cloak. Did you escort Hart? He seed to snap out of his daze and nodded. Take her back to Lyce. Fabian stepped forward and Tori felt a tug on the sleeve of her blouse.
Countess Guevera, youre mistaken, Alessa said in a feeble voice. Adrien isnt as you say he is.
I dont have to say anything about him. Look at his actions, Tori said in a firm voice. Baroness Hart, you dont seem to understand. Its not safe for you with him. Alarm-filled Alessas face and she shook her head.
No, youre wrong-
No, youre wrong, Tori snapped with an air of finality. Alessas eyes widened, and Fabian removed the ns coat already on her shoulders and replaced it with her cloak.
Alessa, lets go, he said in a quiet voice as he tried to take her away.
Alessa shook her head once more and her eyes reddened and rimd with tears. This isnt right. I know Adrien-
Did you know that he was leading on a fifteen-year-old old girl who worked in his store? No. You know what he allows you to know. Von Dorn, take her back! Toris voice was cold, and she looked past Alessa to give Fabian a nod. He nodded back and pulled a stunned Alessa back.
Wait, a mont! Adrien frowned and took a step forward. Alessa, dont listen to them-
Are you going to pretend youre innocent after leading my sister on? Henrik asked. He heard a choked cry behind him. Tori looked past him, at a tearful Annika who was wiping at her eyes. As wonderful as it was to shut down Alessas usual pathetic protests insisting on misunderstanding and besmirching Adriens reputation, Tori felt both guilty and pity for Annika.
Young Mr. Skuldsen, I did no such thing-
Then why did you take my sister out for als alone?
She wanted to discuss running a business.
Why did you tell her to call you by your given na when none of the other employees do? Henrik seed to refuse to accept any of his answers.
I did not tell her to do such a thing, she started calling by my given na herself. I didnt want to be rude, so I allowed it.
Why was it necessary for you to tell her that youd wait for her? Henrik asked in a sharp voice. Before Adrien could answer, he continued. Even in the context you claim, it makes little sense to have to wait for her to have a store before guiding her. You claim to have taken her out to als alone to discuss running a business, so there is no reason to wait for a store. My sister also said that she said she liked you and you reciprocated. You are an adult man with plenty of social experience, which is clear with how you do business. There should be no reason for you to misunderstand her statent. You knew what she ant, and you led her on so she could gather information for you.
Not that you told them to, Tori said with a smirk as Adrien opened his mouth. He looked back at her and frowned. Thats the key thing, isnt it? You keep it vague, drop so hints to manipulate them, and lead them on, but if they are caught or no longer useful, you claim that you cant be blad because you never directly told them. She pursed her lips and nodded slowly. Thats quite a con youve got going.
She saw a brief hatred flash in his eyes as he looked at her, but quickly hid it. He gave her a stern look instead. There is no con, Countess. I wanted to guide a young fellow rchant to the best of my ability. To think my actions would be misconstrued-
Then maybe its best that you stop guiding young people, Guildmaster Skuldsen stepped forward and stood beside Henrik, blocking Annika from sight. You are no longer welcod here, Mr. Rosiek. Please leave.
Adrien glanced around and saw all the curious gazes cast his way. He gritted his teeth and lowered his head, but shook it once.
Youre making a mistake. This is defamation and as rchants, you should know how that would affect-.
Its only defamation if its false, Henrik cut him off.
Why are you still standing here? Guildmaster Skuldsen almost shouted as his eyes reddened. Leave!
What are you waiting for? Tori asked as she gave him a cruel smile. Another table to run into? It can be arranged.
Tori watched him carefully as he took a deep breath and stood up straight. He gave the Guildmaster a small bow of his head and picked up the coat Fabian had tossed over a nearby chair and walked out without a word.
The atmosphere was awkward, as expected. Tori looked towards Henrik, silently asking if he wanted her to intervene. He turned towards his sister and his parents who had gone to try to calm her down, and then nodded.
Tori took a deep breath.
Esteed guests, why dont we allow Miss Skuldsen a mont to gather herself, Tori said as she took a step forward and made a subtle move to shield Henrik and his family. Ilyana appeared and stood beside her as Albert motioned for the staff who carried in the box to bring it to the kitchen. Ive had so cakes prepared for tonight. I hope you all can wait a mont for the kitchen to serve it. Its a soft sponge with a light liquor, cream, and fruit slices. Please have so as an apology for such a scene.
Several guests nodded understandably, and Tori glanced over her shoulder. Annika was back on her feet and being led to the back of the restaurant by her mother and brother. Guildmaster Skuldsen remained to try to do damage control with their guests. Tori wasnt sure if Annika would reappear, but considering the circumstances, shed act as if Annika would retire for the night to allow the girl a way out.
She looked around the room and found JP nearby. She lifted a hand and quietly beckoned him closer.
What is it? he asked as he reached her.
Tori leaned forward and lowered her voice. How much can you ruin his reputation with tonights drama?
JP raised his brows and thought for a mont. I dont know, but Ill make it a personal challenge.
He slipped away and Tori motioned for Sonia and Ewan to co closer. How many people here do you know? she asked.
A few. There are so neighbors. We can distract them, Sonia said. What about you?
Im going to do so rounds and try to ease the crowd, Tori replied. She looked down at her clothes. She was wearing her usual travel clothes to the delta and awkwardly stood out in the sea of suits and dresses.
Countess Guevera. She turned her head and gave a respectful greeting nod to the flustered Guildmaster. Thank you for coming.
She shook her head. I asked that Henrik invite the Baroness to open her business connections. I should apologize to you for pressing my will into your familys business at the ti.
Henrik was allowed to invite his own friends and had a few reserved seats. He told us about Baroness Hart coming for that reason. I heard about the orphanage incident, the Guildmaster shook his head pitifully. I can see why youre concerned that she doesnt know what shes doing.
Im sure thats clearer now more than ever, Tori replied. Please allow to try to distract the guests. If you wish to see Annika, the others and I will try our best out here.
No, no, I am her father. I need to be here. Her mother and godmother will be of more help, Guildmaster Skuldsen told her. He frowned and lowered his eyes. Tori wasnt sure if he was more angry or disappointed. I knew he wasnt a good person. I didnt know that Annika was so close to him, but to think hed go this far...to target my daughter like this.
Since we t him and having heard his reputation, I always found it suspicious that he was able to have achieved so much without any backing or existing groundwork. Hed either be so sort of genius or hiding sothing, Tori said as her eyes narrowed, recalling his swagger in front of her at the bookstore. And hes not a genius. Hes just a manipulative asshole.
She wandered off and began doing social arounds through various circles. She greeted familiar faces, lanted about the turn of events that evening, and discussed the anger and frustration at Adrien.
Unsurprisingly, many guests did not have a positive opinion of him to begin with. There were those who were jealous of his quick success, but a good portion had their own suspicions about him. Fanning the anti-Adrien flas was almost too easy.
I didnt think hed made this many enemies, but I guess since hes such an amazing rchant, they need to work with him even if they think hes sus. Tori moved to another table as the restaurant staff was distributing the cake slices.
No one was in the mood, but for the sake of normality and easing the worries of the hosts, they accepted the desserts.
It took so ti for Henrik to co out and he also continued to make his rounds, as well as apologize to the guests for the scene. The party ended soon after that, leaving the Skuldsens, a few relatives, and Henrik and his friends.
The small group sat around a table in varying states of exhaustion and frustration as the restaurant staff cleaned up around them.
Hows your sister? Tori asked quietly as she slumped back against a chair. Henrik played with an empty wine glass in front of him.
She really believed that he liked her. He bought her gifts, they talked through the comcry often, and he gave her preferential treatnt at work. Even her pay was above average, Henrik said. He targeted my sister early on.
Ewan reached over and patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Is this the first ti shes liked soone? Sonia said in a wry voice.
I dont know, Henrik said, gritting his teeth. But she was sure he was interested and said she wanted to help him. She admitted to digging through my room to look for information on our businesses; I cant help but wonder what else she tried to do for him.
Tori knit her brows together. He didnt do anything to your sister, did he? Was it all verbal and gift giving?
Henrik froze for a mont and clenched his hands. I dont want to ask. His face paled and Tori didnt push it, rembering that though Henrik was Annikas brother, they werent close.
Considering what she knew of Adrien, he wouldnt have gone past verbal petting and showering Annika with gifts to win her over. No need to do more than necessary to gain her trust. Anything more would be too risky, especially since he clearly planned to use her for information.
However, after she turned sixteen, it would be a different story.
If Annika was still useful enough, who knows what he wouldve done. Tori shook her head and didnt want to think about it. As pitiful as it was to see a girls heart broken at her sixteenth birthday party, Tori would rather have that happen than for Annika to have been taken advantage of further and used against her family.
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