At the dinner table, Fors handled Helen's probing with ease.
She was not an innocent, worldly-naive girl like Audrey. She knew perfectly well what she should and should not say.
As a bestselling author, she had already fabricated her background and identity that morning. She had even deliberately let Helen see that she was lying, to disrupt the other woman's judgment.
If Hobart had not reiterated before dinner that Extraordinary Abilities were forbidden at the dining table, Helen would have planned to use "Charm" to make Miss Fors fall for her and reveal her true feelings.
However, Helen could tell that Hobart's words had been less of a reiteration than a warning.
Defying his intentions might cause their cooperative relationship to collapse.
At the end of dinner, Fors wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "Hobart told me that you are a guest.
"Since you are my fiancé's guest, I will show you sufficient respect. But you should know that I am the mistress of this territory!"
Helen looked in surprise at Fors, who had seemed so amiable all along. This was already a very clear warning: I tolerate you only because you are a guest, but you should also know who the mistress here is.
She suddenly smiled. So this is what nobles are like? No matter how amiable they appear, their territorial instincts run deep.
After saying that, Fors tossed her napkin onto the table, rose, and left.
Although Hobart knew this was part of Fors's act, he was still struck by how cool she looked.
Helen said pitifully, "Your fiancée does not welcome me."
Hobart merely smiled. "If there were a man with ill intentions around Fors, I would have castrated him long ago."
With that, he rose and left as well.
Watching Hobart's retreating