This gift drew the most audible gasps. Did Tabitha just grant the Blackwell company an entire trade route? It was priceless! It would solidify their influence across the state even further!Even Alexander lost his composure and drooled at the deeds. "This is the most precious gift I have received today, dear. Tell your father he will remain my lifetime friend."Tabitha smiled gracefully and returned to her seat. She had left the entire community shocked through her mind-blowing present. Macintosh and Mountbatten made sour faces as they had clearly been exceeded.The head usher announced, "The presentation has formally ended with this gift. Guests, kindly relocate to the entertainment hall, where we have arrangements for poker and billiards. Of course, we'll keep the wine flowing..." Dorothy stepped forward as the zealous guests rose from their seats. "Wait! The presentation ceremony isn't complete yet!""Who is left, Grandma?" Damien asked curiously. All the major and minor families

Dorothy piped up. "Oh, please tell everyone how fake Carol's dress is!"Robbie tilted his head to the side and offered the old woman a wider smile. "Oh, Mrs. Blackwell, you are adorable, but I hate disappointing you." "What do you mean? It's a counterfeit, right?""On the contrary, the dress that Carol is wearing is indeed the real, genuine, nine-gem royal gown! It is currently priced at three-million dollars!"The crowd broke into a spontaneous buzz. "What? She has the actual item!""How did Carol get the expensive dress?""Was the gown stolen?""Is she wearing a three-million-dollar dress? The most expensive clothes in this gathering!"Dorothy looked as if she had swallowed a bug. She was speechless for a minute, looking from Robbie to Carol in confusion. Finally, she gathered her composure and began. "Robbie… Do you mean the girl stole the item from Miss Angela Kaufmann?"The expert purveyor shook his head. "I don't know how Miss Atelier got it. However, I can say one thing with

"I… I need more time…" Carol said, balling her fists. There was little she could do at this point. What difference would her efforts make if the Triumvirate of Springfield didn't want the Blackwells in the ambitious Rapids Project? Alexander Blackwell had made an unrealistic demand in the first place, and Carol was an idiot to accept the challenge. Was his ultimate wish to eradicate the Atelier family? Was she a mere source of entertainment for them?If Alexander wanted, he could make them disappear with a snap of his fingers. Nobody would come to her defense.Tears welled up in Carol's eyes, but she fought them back. She didn't want to give Dorothy the satisfaction of having broken her."So… Do you finally admit you are worthless?" Dorothy posed with a sneer. "Did you really think you could waltz into the Blackwell family with a pretty face, and we would hand out freebies? Pedestrians like you make me sick!"The old woman turned to her husband. "Alex, she has confessed her failure.

Victor emerged from the brambles of a lush hill forest and stopped at the edge of a precipitous cliff. A thousand feet drop separated him from the massive Dusanis lake that spread all the way to the horizon. At the center of the crystal-clear water body was a small island shrouded in fog and mist. Victor took off his camouflage jacket to reveal a high-tech fabric swimsuit. The usual clothes he wore in public were often designed to hide his superhuman body. However, in a swimsuit, Victor's actual shape was revealed.The young man was as athletic as an Olympic sprinter, as muscular as a marine, and as flexible as a gymnast. However, his true capabilities were far more advanced. Every inch of him looked foundry-crafted and almost picture-perfect, like the Vitruvian man. A bystander would see him as a mythical Greek god.Victor's senses picked up someone approaching, but he did not react. A slender figure in camouflage emerged from the bushes a few seconds later, right behind him. Vict

"I have no idea," Gary replied. "He just disappeared off the face of the earth one day. Last time he was seen having coffee with Rose Atelier."Courtney raised an eyebrow. "Do you think she made him vanish?"The middle-aged man shook his head. "I don't think so. Rose is a harmless woman, incapable of protecting herself. Forget about hurting others or attacking a Blackwell family member."The beauty nodded. "Alright. Keep looking for clues.""I will. About Carol… what do you want to do?"Courtney's lips twitched into a sinister smile. "Her brother, Josh, joined the Black Dragon gang, right? Butter him up and make him lose truckloads of money to the Black Dragon lieutenant, Thorn."Gary scratched his head. "What will that achieve?""Thorn is a greedy fellow. All he knows is money and how to extort it. If Josh owes him cash and cannot pay, Thorn will kill the brat."The middle-aged man's eyes widened. "Kill an Atelier? Wouldn't that upset your grandfather? He appears to be favoring the g