Chapter 16: Chapter 16 - Whispered Insult
Theo Williams’s face drained of color, his entire body shaking from what could have been fear or rage.
Harvey Brown stood dumbstruck beside him, nervousness etched across his features.
"Theo... Mr. Williams, quit the jokes. She... there’s no way she could be Mabel Sean..." Harvey wiped sweat from his brow, his voice insistent despite his trembling.
"Yes, how could Mason Raymond possibly know the Sean family’s daughter? Theo, are you confusing her with someone else?" Lyla Lucas asked with obvious skepticism.
Theo shot them an icy glare. "I witnessed River City’s most respected figures pouring her wine and laughing with the Chuzzle Battle Zone commander. What do you think that means?"
Harvey’s face turned ashen instantly. The wineglass in his hand quivered noticeably.
"That’s impossible, absolutely impossible!" Lyla hissed through clenched teeth. "Mason Raymond is nothing but a worthless failure. How could he possibly know the Sean family’s daughter?"
"I can’t explain how they met," Theo sneered, "but you’d better start praying for your own survival."
With that cutting remark, Theo turned to leave.
Harvey lunged forward, desperately grabbing Theo’s wrist. "Theo... Mr. Williams, please help me... without your help... I’m finished...."
"Help you?" Theo laughed coldly. "Why would I do that? What power do I have to help you anyway? You know how those Capital City people operate, don’t you?"
"Mr. Williams, I’m begging you! We’re friends!" Harvey clung desperately to Theo’s arm.
"Friends?" Theo scoffed. "Who are you? Do I know you? Keep your distance from me." He shook off Harvey’s grip and walked away without a backward glance.
Harvey collapsed onto the sofa, sweat beading across his forehead.
"Honey, try not to worry. Maybe... maybe Theo mistook her for someone else..." Lyla whispered in attempted reassurance.
"Bullshit!" Harvey’s teeth clenched harder. "This is entirely your fault! If not for you, I wouldn’t have offended Miss Sean!" He slapped Lyla hard across the face.
Lyla cupped her stinging cheek, sitting silently.
Harvey took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. After a moment’s consideration, he said coldly, "I haven’t done anything directly to harm Miss Sean. Later, you’ll come with me to apologize."
"Listen carefully – if Miss Sean demands you kowtow to her, you’ll do it without hesitation, understand?" Harvey roared.
Lyla, still holding her cheek, whispered, "I... understand."
Despite this, Harvey remained visibly anxious. He inhaled deeply and continued, "About Mason Raymond – he’s always treated you like a goddess. Find a way to beg for his help!"
Hearing this, Lyla suddenly pouted. "Why should I beg that loser?"
"Shut your mouth!" Harvey struck her face again.
"You’d better follow my instructions! If something happens, I won’t protect you!" Harvey growled through gritted teeth.
Yet Lyla remained defiant. "What could possibly happen... I don’t believe she has any real power over me..."
Harvey’s fury escalated at her words. How had he ended up with such a foolish woman?
"Listen carefully," Harvey said, struggling to contain his rage. "One word from the Sean family would be enough to erase you, me, the Lucas family, and the Brown family from existence."
Lyla verbally agreed but didn’t truly take his warning seriously. How could someone accustomed to privilege ever willingly humble themselves?
In Lyla’s mind, even if Mabel Sean were from a prominent family, the worst consequence would be losing a business opportunity. Harvey was clearly exaggerating!
"If I get the chance, I won’t show any special respect to Miss Sean. I’m a ’Miss’ too!" Lyla thought privately.
"Honey, you’re worrying too much. The Sean family probably isn’t that petty..." she said, looking at Harvey. "Besides, as Theo suggested, you might be the young person the Sean family wants to support."
For Lyla, this seemed more logical. After all, Mason Raymond was, in her view, completely worthless. How could such a person attract the Sean family’s daughter?
Harvey didn’t respond, though he clung to that slim hope. Despite Mabel and Mason’s apparent closeness, Harvey knew Mason well – he was just a failure.
Regardless of their relationship, the Sean family would surely support someone capable, not a loser.
"I hope you’re right," Harvey murmured with a sigh.
He’d mentally reviewed every potential candidate in River City, and truly, none seemed more suitable than himself.
Just then, the venue fell suddenly silent.
Several spotlights converged on the stage.
"Please welcome Miss Mabel Sean!" the host announced enthusiastically as a young woman in a flowing white dress gracefully walked onto the stage.
The moment she appeared, she commanded everyone’s attention.
Her beauty was absolutely stunning.
"She’s gorgeous..." someone whispered in awe.
This Mabel Sean appeared completely different from the gentle woman who had been with Mason Raymond earlier.
Though her lips formed a slight smile, she exuded an aura of inapproachable elegance, like a majestic mountain of ice.
Everyone stood transfixed by Mabel’s beauty. The venue grew so quiet that individual breaths could be heard.
"Hmph, just a bitch," an out-of-tune voice suddenly cut through the silence.
The words came from none other than Lyla Lucas.
Though barely audible, somehow her comment seemed to reach every ear in the room.
Instantly, countless pairs of eyes turned toward Lyla Lucas.
