Free Web NovelChapter 170: Party (2)
Jack entered the party alone. After he argued with Beth, he didn’t know where she went to stay since she didn’t have another home that he was aware of. Jack had yet to look for her to place her somewhere so his child would be safe. His attention was on Scarlet and the man she was letting think that he would be in her life for a long time. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Jack looked around the guests for Scarlet. She was the only reason he cared to attend. It wasn’t like her to miss any of the palace’s parties so he knew he would have the chance to speak to her here.
Jack clenched his fists, ignoring the pain from the burn he did to himself last night. It was foolish of him to leave his home to start a fire but he was blinded by rage. At first, he was going to the gates to speak with Scarlet but knew that she wouldn’t let him inside so he did want he could to bring her outside.
"Jack, you are alone today? Where is Beth?"
Jack walked by the nosey woman who he didn’t need to answer to. They should stop remembering Beth and remember seeing him with Scarlet again. He remembered the times when he and Scarlet would enter a party and all heads would turn as if they were the host.
Now, most only glanced his way because they wondered why he was without Beth as if Beth was more important than him.
"Where the hell is she?" Jack wondered as Scarlet wasn’t anywhere in sight. He didn’t think she was late because she liked to be on time to respect others’ time. "Is she not attending?"
Jack hated to think that he had wasted his time coming all the way here when he could have gone to the hotel where she would most likely be at this time.
"Mr. Humphrey," Madilyn greeted the man of the hour.
"Queen Madilyn," Jack returned the greeting.
Madilyn looked around for the little thing he recently kept on his arm. How could he come without Beth after what they planned for Scarlet? "I see that you came alone. Is there trouble with Beth? It is a time when women are to be careful at this time in pregnancy."
"She is fine. I apologise for her not being present after you were so kind to send her an invitation. Beth had something she could not miss to take care of," Jack lied.
"I see. Well, it is good to see you here. I feel like your visits are few since you are no longer with Scarlet. My husband wanted to speak with you if you do not mind," Madilyn said, turning around for Jack to follow her. She continued to look around for when Scarlet would show.
"Was Scarlet not invited?" Jack asked.
Madilyn smiled to mask what she felt. "Why would you say that? You of all people should know that the palace will always invite Scarlet to every event that we have. Whether she attends or not is up to her. Why do you think that we did not?"
"Because she is not here and it is not like her to be late," Jack answered.
Something was going on here and he did not like it. Jack still had a few relationships with some Collins as business was business but he had been prepared for the king to not want him near. Was the reason the king wanted to see him to talk about the divorce?
"I like that you still know her well. It’s a shame that your marriage ended. I quite liked the two of you together. You are both so good when it comes to business. From what I saw when Scarlet visited the palace, she looked sad over the divorce. Oh, look at me," Madilyn covered her mouth. "Bringing that up when you are engaged."
"It is fine. It is very fine," Jack replied, more motivated to go after Scarlet now that he heard what the queen said. Those around them thought it made sense for him and Scarlet to be together again. He had to continue fixing everything.
"Jack Humphrey," Luke greeted Jack, extending his hand for a handshake. "Thank you for coming to the palace."
Luke glanced at his wife, questioning why she only brought Jack to him. He had made it quite clear that Beth was to come as well.
"Thank you for the invite. The palace continues to hold the best parties in all of Lockwood and perhaps, the kingdom. I am grateful that you still invite me despite what occurred between Scarlet and me," said Jack.
"That was between the two of you. You didn’t do anything to me so, why should I stop inviting you or your family? Don’t worry. Scarlet wasn’t upset that I invited you to the ball or here today. Honestly, I feel sorry for you," Luke said, patting Jack’s arm.
"What do you mean? What was there to be sorry about?" Jack asked as he failed to get what the king wished to say.
"I grew up with Scarlet so I know how she can be. I can’t imagine having to spend a day with her and she is a bit too cocky, isn’t she? I see why your marriage didn’t work. She needs to be humbled a bit so she can step in line, don’t you think?"
"Ha," Jack licked his lips. He understood why he continued to be invited to the palace even though the king should be on Scarlet’s side. "She is something wonderful."
"Who is?" Luke asked.
"If I were still upset with her, I would be pleased to be part of whatever you are planning for Scarlet, but I must tell you that I plan to get back my wife," Jack revealed. He wouldn’t stand here and let even the king try to do something to Scarlet.
An attack on Scarlet was very much an attack on him.
Luke thought Jack was mad for wanting to go back with Scarlet after everything that he said about her. Luke wasn’t the one to start all of that gossip. Jack was. "Have you forgotten what you told the town about her? About the child or how she tries to rule you?"
"I have not forgotten. You can’t be surprised that I would want to go back to her. When even the king has to work with others to get back at her for whatever she did to you, you must admit that she is a woman that you cannot let go. Thank you for the invite but I have other places to be," Jack said, bowing his head slightly then parted from Luke.
What other woman could have the most powerful man against her and still be on top? Jack had to see Scarlet now.
