Chapter 260: The Left Path
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, while the two pairs were separated from the main group of guests, Andrew’s eyes relentlessly searched for them through the crowd gathered in the living hall.
He had been near the outdoor bar getting drinks for the ladies when the sudden storm caused a panic. The rushing crowd pushed him inside through the doors right next to the bar.
He had tried to look out for Jade, but the heavy storm reduced visibility to almost nothing. The sudden power outage only made things worse.
Now that everyone was inside, he realised none of the people he had arrived with was anywhere in sight. He asked around, but every person gave him the same disappointing no.
While Andrew decided to wait a little longer, the mansion staff began lighting the hall with candles.
Just then, a voice cut through the crowd.
"May I have your attention, please?"
Andrew looked toward the centre of the living room, spotting the bride and groom standing near two other couples.
One couple was Richard and Clara Wilson, Cedric’s parents.
Beside them stood a man with sleek brown hair and a thick moustache, accompanied by an elegant lady who closely resembled Gwen. Andrew quickly realised they must be the bride’s parents.
The man with the moustache continued, "As you all know, my name is Vance Prescott, and I am the father of the bride." He offered the crowd a practised smile. "My apologies for my late arrival. I was occupied with a few last-minute arrangements. In any case, I welcome you all to the Prescott Mansion."
He gestured toward the windows before adding, "Since we are on an island, tropical storms sometimes arrive unannounced. Please accept my apologies for this inconvenience. Although we can no longer have a pool party, a very special feast is currently being prepared for everyone. I request that you join us in the dining area in a short while, where the staff will guide you. Until then, please don’t panic because of the power outage. We are actively working to restore the lights, so please avoid wandering around in the dark."
As soon as he completed his speech, Cedric, standing nearby, grew noticeably pale. A soft cough escaped his lips, drawing a few eyes toward him. He offered everyone a weak smile. "Sorry about that."
Vance studied his soon-to-be son-in-law with a calculating gaze, but before he could say anything, Cedric was seized by another coughing fit, this one far more violent than the first. His body shook as he doubled over.
Panic flashed across Gwen’s face. "Ced! Are you okay?"
She hurriedly rubbed his back, but the moment her hand touched him, Cedric abruptly shrugged it off before turning away from the crowd as another cough tore from his throat.
Nobody noticed the brief, sharp clench of Vance and Gwen’s jaws at the way Cedric rejected her touch.
Cedric’s parents immediately rushed to his side.
"Son!" Clara cried, gently supporting him. "Can someone please get him some water?"
Richard rested a reassuring hand on Cedric’s shoulder. "Let’s get you somewhere you can rest."
Before they could lead him away, Vance gestured towards two men dressed in security uniforms.
"Don’t worry about him," he said smoothly. "It seems he’s inhaled a little too much dust from outside. I have a doctor staying at the mansion. Why don’t I take him to a room while the three of you continue attending to the guests?"
Richard and Clara exchanged uncertain looks.
Clara immediately protested, "No, I should go with him."
"Aunt Clara, don’t worry, I’ll go with Cedric. I’m sure he will appreciate having me there." Gwen spoke up suddenly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
To the crowd, she looked every bit the devoted fiancée worried for her partner, leaving Cedric’s parents no choice but to swallow their protests.
"Alright, but call me if you need anything," Clara said softly.
"I will," Gwen replied. She followed closely as the two security guards supported Cedric, with Vance trailing right behind them, leaving a restless, curious crowd in their wake.
Cora Prescott, Gwen’s mother, placed a reassuring hand on Clara’s shoulder. "Oh, don’t worry, Clara. I think he simply needs some rest. The guests are beginning to whisper amongst themselves. We should tend to them before everyone becomes unnecessarily alarmed."
Clara stared at Cora for a long moment before offering a faint smile. "Y-yes, I suppose you’re right."
With that, the three parents turned back toward the room, seamlessly mingling with the crowd and addressing the guests as if the entire incident had never occurred.
Andrew, who had been quietly observing everything unfold, couldn’t shake the strange feeling settling in the pit of his stomach.
Watching the scene as an outsider who knew none of these people, one detail stood out to him above all else.
The sharp way the groom had shoved the bride away, as if he couldn’t stand her touch.
.....
Back to Jade and Cillian...
When they peeked outside, they blinked in surprise at an old tunnel-like passage stretching endlessly ahead of them. It was built from dark stone bricks, with several side passages branching off in different directions, while the flames of oil lanterns flickered ever so slightly, making the entire stretch appear even more ominous.
"Why does this remind me of a place where a final boss resides?" Jade whispered, clinging closer to Cillian’s back.
Cillian turned to look at her, raising a brow. "Final boss, huh? I didn’t take you for a gamer."
Jade offered a smug smile. "Well, I like to play. It’s a great way to release stress," she whispered back.
A small grin played on Cillian’s lips. "I guess we should test those skills sometime."
"You play too?" Jade asked in surprise.
"I play many games," Cillian replied proudly, mischief dancing in his eyes.
Jade narrowed her eyes at him. "Now I can’t tell if you’re talking about video games or real life."
Cillian simply offered her a low chuckle in response.
Jade rolled her eyes. "Either way, you won’t be grinning once I beat you."
"We’ll see," Cillian mused.
Just then, another distant groan echoed through the tunnels, instantly drawing their attention back to their surroundings.
"Now, let’s see who is dying out there," Cillian said, turning his focus back toward the dark passage.
"I don’t think that’s funny," Jade whispered warily, her eyes drifting back down the corridor.
"Sounds funny to me. Now, come along, Red." Cillian replied as he began walking.
Jade ignored his nickname for her and followed right behind his heels, keeping her distance while never letting go of his shirt.
As they walked, the heavy metallic stench grew thicker in the cold air, mingled with something foul and unrecognisable, until they came to a stop where the path split three ways.
Looking past his shoulder, Jade asked, "Which way do you think won’t lead us to an early demise?"
"Hmm, why don’t you take a guess?" Cillian replied, eyeing a particular passageway.
Jade scanned the three dark tunnels before pointing. "Let’s take the right one."
"Okay," Cillian nodded, turning and taking the left path instead.
Jade’s brows furrowed in confusion. "Hey, I said right."
"I heard you," Cillian replied nonchalantly. "Think of this as my answer to your question."
Without another word, he continued down the left passage, where the lantern light grew dimmer and dimmer.