Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Nicholas lounged lazily on the sofa, not bothering to look. He already knew where the party was going to be held.
This whole situation felt very odd. Before all this, the Vance family’s eight young men had received super VIP cards to the Atlantis Hotel & visa t no more than three people had ever held the cards, but no one had verified if that was true
But the fact remained–the eight men of the Vance family were now holding those eight cards.
Nicholas thought for a moment and said, “This might have something to do with the Vance brothers‘ disappearance, if that’s the case, the Atlantis Horet is looking more and more suspicious.”
Richard and his seven brothers had vanished for half a month in Lostara. Oriston Academy was the gatekeeper, and all external forces connected to Lostara were well known to them. But this hotel, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, was seriously strange.
At that moment, Edward slapped his thigh. “This just means my future granddaughter–in–law has great luck. No one else has that kind of forture. But that’s not important. What matters is–what gift are you planning to give her, Nick?”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow and replied, “Haven’t decided yet.” He had just received the invitation to the coming–of–age party and hadn’t had time to figure out what to give.
Edward signed, clearly disappointed. “I can’t believe you’re my grandson. You’re such a fool!”
Nicholas, used to being scolded, didn’t take it to heart. He decided to think carefully about what to give–it had to be something different from the gifts those tasteless men would give.
Then his gaze fell on an urgent message from Brent: [Sir, the latest news is that Solar Flare from the Queen’s Fan Club will make an appearance at the Race of Champions in three days. After five years, she’s finally willing to show up.]
Nicholas immediately stood up and walked toward the door.
“Stop right there. Where are you going?” Arnold frowned. “Didn’t I tell you to spend more time on family matters? And now you’re running off again.”
“You’re still in your prime, Dad. I’m sure you’ve got this covered,” said Nicholas.
Arnold scoffed. “Don’t give me that. I’ve been grooming you as the successor. You should’ve finished all your credits at Oriston Academy long ago. But you’re just hanging around, trying to slack off. You think I don’t know that?”
He bellowed inwardly, ‘I want to retire. But since he refuses to take over, I can’t!”
Nicholas replied nonchalantly, “You and Mom could always have another son. Then you can train him to be your successor.”
As he looked at his arrogant son, whose refined features and distant expressions mirrored his own so closely, Arnold felt furious.
He thought, ‘This brat has always known how to hit where it hurts. I should have had a daughter back then–a cute and sweet daughter. Look how the Vance family’s young men pamper their sister. This brat is utterly unreliable.‘
When Nicholas decided to leave, no one could stop him.
Suddenly, Edward’s gaze became serious. “Let him go. It’s his choice.”
“But being a gatekeeper isn’t easy,” Arnold said, rubbing his nose.
The greater the responsibility, the greater the danger, and that place was especially dangerous.
Nicholas had always been cool, independent, and arrogant enough to look down on everyone since childhood.
Arnold had watched him grow from an adorable little kid into a young man. And now, Nicholas spent less and less time with his family, always leaving for
1/3
Chapter 40
some important business while they stayed behind.
Arnold was an indifferent man, but at that moment, unusually, his eyes flickered with concern. He couldn’t help but wonder if letting him for tax liht path was the right decisión.
Inside the Graceville Manor, Sharon sat on the sofa in the living room, surrounded by a hundred high–end custom dresses. There were all sorts of designs
each one the latest model for the year, and some specially made by renowned designers.
Each maid presented a dress, explaining its features in great detail.
Sharon felt like most of these dresses were pretty much the same white, dreamy, ladylike, and exquisite. Honestly, those adjectives didn’t really have.
much to do with her.
But then her gaze landed on a black gothic dress.
Joan immediately spoke up. “Ms. Vance, this is the last piece by the famous designer Zero. It’s called Queen of the Night. It’s bold and striking, but, as you can see, it’s black.”
Traditionally, at coming–of–age ceremonies, all the girls wore white princess dresses and crowns, shining with pride and elegance.
Richard’s face darkened. “Who sent this black dress? Are they blind?”
The butler nervously explained, “It was sent by the Atlantis Hotel. They said it would match the theme of the party.”
Marvin frowned in disapproval. “It doesn’t match at all. My sister should wear a pure white princess dress to this party, looking like a princess on her high pedestal.”
But Sharon wanted to be a queen. She touched the black dress and said, “Marvin, I really like this one.” Her previously indifferent demeanor shifted, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Seeing this, Marvin froze for a moment before quickly changing his stance. “Well, now that I take a closer look, this black dress is actually amazing. It’s got real character. Your taste is one–of–a–kind.”
His sudden change of heart was a bit awkward, but flattery always worked. Sharon’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Joan was used to the idea that whatever Sharon said was
right; if one disagreed, it was their fault.
Richard cleared his throat and said, “I think it’s… fine, too.” But he was sad that Sharon didn’t pick the dress he liked.
His seven brothers all nodded in agreement, feeling a similar sense of sadness.
In the end, the decision was made–Sharon would be wearing the black dress to the party.
Sharon knew Cameron had deliberately sent her this dress. It was the last piece Sharon had designed five years ago. After her friend’s accident, she had never felt like designing anything again. She never expected she would get a chance to wear it again.
At that moment, the butler walked in. “Sir, Wayne is here with two men. He says he wants to apologize to Ms. Vance in person.”
“Who does he think he is? Does he even deserve to see my sister? What a shameless man,” Marvin said.
He almost cursed, but then remembered his sister was present and quickly composed himself, determined to maintain the image of the ge
brother.
Richard nodded. “Right, exactly.”
3/2
lder
Chapter 40
Sharon smirked faintly. “He’s really persistent, isn’t he?”
“I’ll go take care of him for you.” Jeffrey suddenly stood up, his already cold face turning even frostier. “Don’t worry. No one can trace the poisonilnik Even if he killed Wayne, no one would even know.
Sharon shook her head. “No need. I want to see what’s going on outside.”
Taking someone’s life is the easiest way, but it’s a way of release, not revenge.
Joan pulled up the live feed from the security cameras on the tablet and handed it to Sharon. On the screen was a bloodied man, with his arm broken
Sharon immediately recognized him–it was Sam, the slick–haired head of security. She wasn’t planning to do anything, but then she noticed the man behind Sam, and his figure looked familiar. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she walked out.
Sharon reached the gates and, through the iron bars, saw Wayne. This once elegant, spoiled young man now looked quite worn.
“Shari, these two have offended you. I’ve brought them here for you to vent your anger on. You can do whatever you want–beat them, kill them–fil handle the aftermath,” Wayne said.
Sharon looked at Sam. “Trash like him is just a waste of air.”
Sam shuddered and pleaded, “Ms. Vance, I’m so sorry. I was completely wrong. I’m just a stupid scumbag who isn’t worth anything. Please forgive me this once. I still need to take care of my parents and children.”
“Oh, and why should I care about that?” Sharon, wearing a white dress, looked kind and innocent. Yet, her eyes carried sharp, worldly wisdom. ‘Does he really think I am so easy to fool?‘ she thought.
AD
Comment
