Viole's loud outburst caused an abrupt hush to fall over the room, turning all eyes towards her. Even Barlor and Linda paused their conversation to look her way. Realizing she had drawn unwanted attention, Viole's face flushed with embarrassment. She quickly softened her tone, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice. Are you alright, sir?"
The old gardener, stooped low, continued to gather the fallen roses, murmuring apologies under his breath. Viole's attempt to save face came off as insincere, and Linda noticed the shift in the crowd's demeanor. The moment had already passed, and Viole's forced politeness did little to reverse the damage.
When Viole's eyes fell on Linda standing next to Barlor, her confusion turned to disbelief. "What is she doing here?" she muttered under her breath. Barlor's brow furrowed at the sight of Viole's unexpected presence. Linda quietly observed Barlor's reaction, realizing that he hadn't anticipated Viole's arrival. It was clear that Viole had come of her own accord, disrupting the plans.
This wasn't how things played out in her previous life, Linda reflected. Back then, Barlor had brought Viole to such events, earning her the favor of influential figures like Kurt Lane, which paved her way to success. But this time, Linda had assumed that Viole's absence from Barlor's side meant she wouldn't show up. She was wrong.
"Mr. Wayne!" Larry's voice cut through the tension as he hurried into the room. Barlor's tone was sharp as he demanded, "Why is she here?"
"I... I thought she might be of help," Larry stammered, his gaze dropping to the floor. Barlor sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. He had always been lenient with Viole, but tonight was different. With Linda by his side, Viole's intrusion was unwelcome.
"Viole isn't familiar with this environment. You should have known better," Barlor chided, before turning to Linda with an apologetic glance. Linda calmly sipped her champagne, seemingly unbothered by the unfolding drama. Barlor finally relented, "I'll talk to her for a moment. I'll be back."
Linda merely nodded, fully expecting Barlor to go to Viole. His inability to detach from her was nothing new. As Barlor approached Viole, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I just wanted to see the event, that's all," she explained, her voice trembling.
Barlor's stern expression softened. Despite her misstep, Viole had always been a diligent student, someone he had personally mentored. "Larry will take you home," he suggested gently.
But Viole reached out, grasping Barlor's sleeve in a plea. "Please, let me stay. I want to learn, to prepare for my studies abroad." Her desperation was clear, and Barlor hesitated, unable to refuse her. "Alright, you can stay," he finally agreed. "But stick with me."
Viole's relief was palpable, and she eagerly nodded. Larry, however, looked uncertain. "What about Mrs. Wayne?" he asked.
"Stay with her," Barlor instructed curtly. "Make sure she doesn't cause any trouble like last time."
Linda, who had been watching their exchange, caught Larry's uneasy approach. "Did he go to her?" she asked, her voice steady.
"Yes, Madam," Larry confirmed. "Ms. Stale is a key asset to the company, after all."
Linda's lips curved into a small, unreadable smile. "I understand," she replied, her gaze returning to the scene unfolding across the room. Viole was now standing beside Barlor, speaking with a group of prominent business figures. Despite her academic achievements, she was clearly out of her depth. The seasoned professionals humored her, their polite smiles barely hiding their disinterest.
The situation grew more uncomfortable when Viole struggled to communicate with an elderly businessman from Xenosia, who only spoke his native tongue. As Viole looked helplessly at Barlor, Linda stepped forward. Without hesitation, she engaged the man in fluent Xynish, effortlessly navigating the conversation. The man's eyes lit up as he responded, clearly pleased with Linda's proficiency.
Viole, startled, finally noticed Linda. They were both dressed in black, but where Linda exuded grace and elegance, Viole looked more like she had stepped out of a discount store. Viole forced a smile, though her clenched fists betrayed her frustration. "Linda, I didn't know you could speak Xynish so well."
Linda smiled back, offering no explanation. Barlor, who had been quietly observing, was surprised by Linda's linguistic skills. "What did you tell Mr. Stephen to make him so happy?" Viole asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I simply mentioned that the land he purchased near the Southeast Sea will be quite profitable," Linda replied nonchalantly.
Viole's brow furrowed in confusion as she contemplated the seemingly unassuming piece of land in question. "That land? But isn't it just a remote area?"she questioned, her curiosity piqued. Linda, with a casual shrug, responded, "Perhaps."This exchange revealed Viole's skepticism towards the land's potential, contrasting with Linda's more enigmatic perspective.
In a past life, that very same piece of land had transformed into a bustling tourist destination, its value skyrocketing. Frederick Stephen, a shrewd investor, had recognized this potential and made a strategic investment. Viole, however, failed to envision the land's future worth, illustrating a difference in foresight between her and the astute Stephen.
Barlor, observing Linda's calculated demeanor, couldn't help but be intrigued. "How did you know the land would sell well?"he inquired, his interest now fully engaged. Linda, maintaining her enigmatic aura, met Barlor's gaze evenly. "Just a hunch,"she cryptically replied, leaving Barlor to ponder the depths of her knowledge and intuition. The air was thick with intrigue as the conversation hinted at hidden depths and untold stories, drawing each character into a web of mystery and speculation.