“Celineina...” Louis looked over the financial report, his voice heavy. “I considered many possibilities, but I never expected...”
“I never expected that you would resort to falsifying data!” Louis said, pointing at Celineina, his hand trembling slightly.
“Do you think I can’t see through this? The report claims that the revenue of your regional branches has tripled across almost every city.”
“In just one month, tripling the revenue everywhere? Who do you think you are, the Goddess of Wealth?!”
“And what if I told you it’s all true?” Celineina looked at Louis, her expression unshaken by his anger.
“I can produce the funds to back this report. And if you don’t believe , Father, you can send soone to the Antica Duchy to verify it. See for yourself whether I’ve falsified anything.”
“Hmph.” Louis snorted coldly. Though Celineina appeared confident, who was to say she wasn’t just putting on an act to fool him?
“I’ll have soone investigate this matter later. If there’s any issue, prepare to step down and return ho.”
Louis snorted again, his tone dismissive.
At that mont, Donny approached with a polite smile, holding a glass of wine.
“Uncle Louis, a toast to you,” Donny said, raising his glass with a smile.
“Mm.” Louis’s expression softened, his smile returning.
After all, Donny was the son of a duke and potentially his future son-in-law. Louis couldn’t afford to offend him.
At the sa ti, he shot Celineina a aningful glance.
“Celineina, Young Master Donny here is being so polite. Aren’t you going to return the gesture?”
“...” Celineina said nothing. She silently poured wine into her glass, suppressing her disdain for Donny, and forced a smile as she raised her glass in a toast.
“I heard that your Napolis branch has been having so difficulties lately, Uncle. Would you like to put in a word with my father on your behalf?” Donny said, feigning concern.
“Haha, that would be wonderful.” Louis laughed heartily, patting Donny on the shoulder as if they were close friends.
“Well then, I won’t disturb you young people any longer.” Louis excused himself, leaving Donny and Celineina alone.
Donny’s gaze turned predatory as he looked at Celineina.
But just then, a figure appeared beside her.
“Miss Celineina, would I be fortunate enough to share a dance with you?”
The three of them froze upon seeing who it was.
The black-haired, violet-eyed young man exuded charm and poise. It was none other than Orson.
“Orson...” Donny murmured his na.
Hearing this, Louis imdiately recognized who he was dealing with.
“Oh, so that’s who it is.” Louis turned back toward them, his gaze cold as he looked at Orson and Celineina standing together. They made a striking pair. “So, Celineina, the reason you were so confident earlier was because you’ve found yourself another backer.”
Donny also stepped forward.
“Young Master Orson, I didn’t expect you to know Celineina,” he said, his tone polite but his smile insincere. He extended a hand. “It’s been a while, Young Master Orson.”
“It has been.” Orson shook Donny’s hand. “You’re as unchanged as ever, Young Master Donny.”
“Haha, should I take that as a complint?”
“Of course.” Orson nodded, then turned back to Celineina. “So, Miss Celineina, would you care to answer my first question?”
“Mm.” Celineina nodded, quickly realizing that Orson was trying to help her out of this situation.
“Hold on.” Louis stepped forward. “Young Master Orson, I don’t know what Celineina has promised you to gain your help.”
“But I hope you understand sothing. No matter how powerful a noble may be, they have no right to interfere in another family’s affairs.”
“Mm.” Orson nodded. “Which is why I’m rely inviting Miss Celineina to dance. Nothing more. Or are you suggesting, President Louis, that I have ulterior motives for your daughter and intend to ddle in your family’s inheritance matters?”
“...” Louis was montarily speechless, unsure how to respond. Donny stepped in to fill the silence.
“Young Master Orson, if I’m not mistaken, you’re already engaged, aren’t you? Inviting a young lady your age to dance—don’t you think that’s disrespectful to your fiancée?”
“And besides, Celineina will be my future wife. Don’t you think your actions are highly inappropriate?”
“Oh?” Orson raised an eyebrow and turned to Celineina.
“Celineina, since when did he beco your fiancé?”
“Never,” Celineina replied, shaking her head.
“You see?” Orson said, turning back to Donny. “Celineina isn’t your fiancée. And...”
“If you ask , Young Master Donny, compared to the romantic escapades you left behind in the capital, this is nothing.”
Donny stood frozen, too furious to speak.
At this point, Louis finally lost his temper.
“Orson! Your family has only been dukes for a re decade. Before that, you weren’t even worthy of attending social events like this!” Louis shouted, pointing a finger at Orson. “Your family is nothing but a bunch of nouveau riche!”
“Oh? So having a centuries-old lineage makes one inherently superior?” Orson retorted, looking at Louis with disdain. “And if I recall correctly, President Louis, wasn’t your Bonaventura family also founded in your father’s generation? It hasn’t even been that long.”
“If anything, your family is just another group of nouveau riche.”
The tension in the room instantly escalated.
At that mont, Celineina’s two brothers arrived at the scene.
“You, you!” Louis stamred, his face red with anger.
“Young Master Orson.” Mark, the eldest brother, stepped forward. “I understand you’re unhappy with my little sister’s situation, but there’s nothing we can do. We were born into a rchant family, with no one in politics.”
“And compared to the Antica Duchy, the Napolis Duchy is objectively a better option for an alliance...”
“So you’re saying that regardless of Miss Celineina’s feelings, you’re willing to force her into a marriage with soone she doesn’t like?” Orson countered.
“...”
“Orson! Do you think Celineina even likes you?!” Louis shouted angrily. “She’s just using your status to oppose and get to cancel this marriage!”
“You’re nothing but a pawn in her ga!”
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