The sunset glow at the edge of the sky is purple and red, and the setting sun reflects the clouds in the sky from below, which looks very beautiful. Under the clear sky, seagulls are circling in the harbor, and the tide at the seaside is dyed golden by the setting sun.
Teams of armed men in various uniforms stood in front of a sea cliff, with each side standing on their own side and confronting each other. After a long time, several carriages separated the crowd and slowly drove into the mansion on the sea cliff hill. At this time, the mansion was brightly lit with candles.
After the two sides from the five major chambers of commerce completed the inspection together, they slowly retreated and let the maids and attendants go in to prepare dinner.
The sky gradually darkened, and the wind was moist and slightly cool from the sea water, but it was still very comfortable.
Loran Hill stood by the window, letting the breeze lift his sleeves, pass through his fingers, brush his wrists, and then enter the bustling hall.
Tonight, not only the top leaders of the five major chambers of commerce gathered in this mansion, but other celebrities and neutral organizations in Hopeland were also invited, such as the former Blue Singer Lady Filia, the leader of the White Cross Sword, Master Helang, the Bishop of the Pure White Church, Zhu Ya, and of course the alchemist Zenep.
The lights in the hall were bright. After experiencing the fierce conflict in the past few days, the celebrities gradually relaxed at this moment. In their view, the Chamber of Commerce was still mainly about making money. What was there that could not be discussed? As long as the two sides stopped the civil war and could return to their previous prosperous and comfortable life.
In the gradually lively hall, some violinists began to play. They were sitting in the corridor around the hall on the second floor. The sound of piano also began to be heard. From time to time, the sound of wine glasses clinking could be heard in the venue. Servants carried various delicacies and walked among the crowd.
"You're still here, Miss Lacy."
Melu was still wearing a light green dress and walked slowly towards her. There was a man beside her, none other than Gerd, who was wearing a black suit and protecting her. Seeing Melu and Lacey talking, he did not move any closer and stood aside.
"Aren't you lonely here alone?"
Melu asked, then stood with Loran Hill, looking at the seaside scenery outside the window.
"I'm not lonely. In fact, I quite like being alone. It makes me feel at ease and comfortable."
"Oh, I can't do that. I really like the feeling of being with my family, relatives and friends. Even if we don't say anything, just watching them talking and laughing gives me a faint sense of happiness." Meilu's eyes were full of nostalgia.
"Really? I rarely experience this kind of emotion because I am the only child in the family. My father is away from home all year round and I only have my mother to accompany me. But my mother can't understand my feelings, and I often want to escape her love for me." Loran Hill recalled his past.
"Why run away? Isn't love wonderful?"
"Because this love contains too many expectations, it is too heavy. I cannot be the perfect child in their eyes."
"I can't be as hardworking, diligent, and tireless as my mother expects."
"I'm quite timid. I want to be lazy and give up, but in the eyes of the elders, this is shameful and a disgrace."
"How can you give up so easily? Do you know how much I have paid for you?"
"I can't refute such a great love. I can only try to live in discomfort and inferiority." Loran Hill lifted her hair that was messed up by the wind.
"I can't tell, Lacey, do you also have low self-esteem?"
"Yes, I have. My mother has almost never praised me. She is always able to detect my weaknesses and expose them."
"Mel, you know what? Children rely on their parents for everything. If their parents don't approve of them, it's a terrible thing."
Meilu seemed to understand a little, but continued to ask curiously.
"But you are very confident now, as if there is a light shining on you."
"Hehehe, no, it's not that serious." Loran Hill smiled and covered his mouth.
"Indeed." Melu looked at Roland Hill in front of the window. Her clear eyes reflected the candlelight in the hall, emitting a natural and peaceful atmosphere. It was a kind of calm pride and confidence, so shining that people couldn't help but fall into it.
What exactly made her break out of her cocoon and become a butterfly?
The banquet in the hall gradually reached its climax. Some people began to spin and dance at the ball. Their fluffy skirts floated up slowly as they spun, like blooming lotus flowers of various colors.
Many violinists on the second floor of the hall also played cheerful music, and the pleasant notes danced to the beat with everyone in the hall.
Adley and Wick from the Tisiphone family sat at a small table on the side, with candlesticks and glass wine glasses on the table.
"Why, don't you want to go dance with your fiancée?"
Wick looked at Fengno who was surrounded by a group of close friends and said to Edley.
"If I go now, I'm afraid I'll be humiliated and ridiculed." Edley smiled as he drank the crimson wine.
"Her personality is easy to understand, and there will be plenty of time to coax her later."
"You're still so good at playing with girls' minds."
"What about Miss Lacey? Are you not obsessed with her anymore?" Wick continued.
"Yeah, her."
Adli picked up the wine glass and looked at Loran Hill in the distance, letting his figure sway slightly in his sight through the transparent red wine liquid.
"It's still so dazzling." He sighed and continued.
"As long as she behaves herself, she can still survive."
"But if she were so obedient, she wouldn't be so attractive to you," Wick added.
"yes."
"This reminds me of a saying from the East, which is so apt."
"What?" Wick asked curiously.
“If only life could be as it was when we first met.”
"That night, after I expressed my goodwill, she drank the glass of wine, her cheeks flushed, and her smile was as beautiful as a flower. It was so touching."
Adley's tone was vague, as if he was reminiscing and lamenting.
"Will you be sincere too, Edley?"
"Sincerely? If it's a highly desired goal, then it is."
"Will you be soft-hearted then?"
"Not really. I can even kill her myself."
"Then I feel relieved."
Wick looked at his brother. His short black hair cast a faint shadow on his eyes under the copper chandelier, and his pupils reflected the entire hall, as if he was thinking about something more distant.
Outside the brightly lit hall, Hopeland had already entered night, with twinkling stars. Braziers burned quietly on both sides of the avenue, illuminating the surroundings. Ropes were hanging from the cliff below the mansion, and black figures followed them up.
The head of the Yagtilin family, Jerlink, is unwell, so his second son Daniel will host the banquet and subsequent negotiations tonight.
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