The people at the table noticed something was off, but no one broke the mood, and they kept the atmosphere lively and cheerful.
The New Year's dinner lasted for three hours.
Grace Linney had known for some time that she wouldn't be joining them to celebrate the New Year elsewhere. After dinner, she gave a red envelope to Florence Fuller in front of Old Mr. Gardiner with a friendly smile and asked, "Florence, are you sure you don't want to celebrate the New Year with us elsewhere?"
Florence Fuller accepted it with a smile and said, "Thanks, Mom, but this plan was set long ago, and I can't cancel it."
"Going to that manor every year gets boring anyway," Old Mr. Gardiner sighed, "I don't like going either."
Florence Fuller had a flight at one in the morning, and since Old Mr. Gardiner wasn't a night owl, he retired to bed around eleven. Florence also packed her belongings, planning to head straight to the airport.
"I'll take you."
