There Is No Lie In This World Chapter 24: The Velvet Invitation

It was perhaps half an hour after Luc left. Just as Elune was tidying up after I finished the heavenly breakfast, we heard a knock at the door.

"I will get it, Miss Roen."

Elune was quick to respond, and hurried to the door and opened it. Curious who it might be- since I rarely received visitors to my office other than Cain, Abe, and Luc, I followed her with cautious but keen steps. But imdiately after she opened the door, Elune gasped and closed it again.

"Who is it?" I asked her. More curious than alard.

"We need to contact the Mistress."

She probably ant Luc.

People addressed her in many different ways—’Luc,’ ’the Mistress,’ ’Ma’am,’ and, as Abe occasionally slips, ’the Boss.’ But whatever title was she was addressed with, she commanded respect, authority, and sotis - it seed - fear.

There was a knock on the door again. It wasn’t aggressive, but it definitely sounded a little firr.

"It’s kind of rude to shut the door on them like that... isn’t it?" I asked Elune. Nervously.

"But I don’t think the Mistress would approve," her voice mirrored my own nervousness.

"Am I in danger?" my heart started to beat faster.

"I will call Cain and Abe."

Elune’s answer wasn’t particularly reassuring - why would I need Cain and Abe if these visitors were not dangerous? And why - and how - would I be receiving guests that are potentially dangerous in my own office - at the top floor of the Roen Tower? Wasn’t I supposed to be... safe here?

"We ca to deliver a ssage from Councilor Zhen," a man spoke just outside the door. His voice was stern and commanding. It signaled that they weren’t going to leave until the ssage was delivered, as if their life depended on it.

The ever-cheerful girl was now visibly nervous - more than before. She had just called in Cain and Abe to co.

The n outside - however many there were - didn’t exactly bang on the door, but there were several more knocks, each ti growing slightly louder.

Then it stopped.

Elune placed her ear against the door to check what was happening outside, looked over at , and mouthed ’Abe is here.’

After another thirty seconds or so, we heard the knock again.

"Elune, this is Abe. Open the door."

It was unmistakably Abe’s voice, although it sounded uncharacteristically tense.

Hearing the familiar voice though, Elune finally opened the door again.

Abe put on a friendly smile that I could tell wasn’t so genuine.

"Miss Roen, these gentlen are sent by Councilor Zhen," he introduced.

"Ni... nice to et you," I greeted.

Two n said nothing, just silently bowing their head, bending their body ninety degrees to show the deepest respect. After that, one of them presented with an envelope that had a wax seal. I hadn’t seen anything like this before except in the movies.

"Miss Roen, you have been invited for a tea with Councilor Zhen," the man spoke.

Elune ca close and whispered in my ear, "It’s the lady with velvet gloves."

That helped rember the lady I saw in the Senior Council the day before.

In the absence of Luc for guidance, I looked at Abe for guidance.

"I recomnd you attend, Miss Roen."

"Where is Luc?" I inquired.

"She is not in the tower now," Elune answered instead.

I felt anxious. Although this ’lady with velvet gloves’ looked relatively less scary than others I saw at the Senior Council, she still carried an aura of high status, like soone who lived on a different plane compared to before I joined the Roen Group - but now, I reminded myself, I was Lin Roen the Heiress.

I didn’t do a very good job at hiding the tremble in my hand, but nevertheless, I accepted the envelope with two hands and brought it back to my desk, rembering there was a letter opener in the drawer. It wouldn’t have been appropriate to rip this envelope open.

Although there was only a single sheet of paper inside, it felt heavy. The paper was thick with rich texture, almost feeling like it was woven with a thousand threads. The hand writing was very elegant, the words simple and polite.

Miss Roen,

Please grace the Zhen Tea Room with your presence at your convenient ti.

Councilor Lian Zhen

It wasn’t as if I could actually choose a convenient ti when her two n were waiting outside my door with Elune and Abe looking nervous - I couldn’t possibly decline. Also, my gut feeling told that Councilor Zhen was the kind of woman who didn’t send invitations - she sent summons.

I quietly resented Luc in my heart for leaving alone at a ti like this.

First, she sent back to my room alone last night, then brought Elune to look after this morning - although she was great - and now she’s away when I’m requested for a one-on-one eting with a Councilor.

I placed the letter in my drawer and headed out of the door. The two ssengers from Councilor Zhen began to escort , and I was surprised that Abe wasn’t following .

"Abe... you are... not coming with ?"

"Coucilor’s staff will guide you, Miss Roen. I will contact the Boss imdiately,"

Abe gave a smile, but I saw it - sothing clenched behind his easy expression. He didn’t like letting go alone.

Of course.

Everyone in this Roen Tower had their place in the hierarchy. As close as Abe was to Luc and seed to work under her direct command, it wasn’t his place to challenge the ssengers sent by a Senior Councilor. I was genuinely scared of what might happen to .

But surely - I told myself - a mber of Senior Council won’t do anything harmful to ... right?

I tried my best to steady my heart, and not look at the floor as I followed the two n in oriental collar suit sent by this Councilor Lian Zhen.

I brought my hand to my chest and felt the brooch I was ceremonially awarded and pinned on by Luc during the first Council eting. Its silvery surface felt smooth to the touch, and I felt it reciprocated the heat of my shaky hand.