Chapter 223 How Presumptuous


    The grand hall of the Harmonfield Hotel was wrapped in an oppressive silence.


    Ruby, daughter of the leader of the Brookhaven Martial Alliance, had unleashed words that were shockingly rude and unjust.


    Ms. Silva was a guest of honor, invited by the very alliance Ruby represented.


    As the celebratory host, Ruby''s actions were nothing short of disappointing.


    It appeared Ms. Quinn''s upbringingcked the refinement one would expect.


    Wilhelm and Finn exchanged anxious nces, caught in the tension between Vera and Ruby.


    They longed to intervene, to coax Ruby into restraint.


    Yet they understood the depths of her fury all too well.


    Once Ruby decided on a course, no one could deter her.


    Pampered by her father Ronald throughout her life, Ruby was ustomed to having her wishes fulfilled.


    There was one case that involved the daughter of one of Ruby''s grandfather''s students.


    At school, she had a rival in that girl, whose beauty captivated everyone around her.


    The girl''s eyes shimmered like those of a woond sprite, entrancing all who beheld her.


    Gentle and kind, she garnered the affection of peers and teachers alike.


    Frequent praise flowed to her, particrly for her enchanting gaze.


    Such admiration only stoked Ruby''s jealousy.


    One fateful afternoon, Ruby deceived the girl into a hidden corner.


    Shemanded the children of the elders, who always ttered her, to blind the girl. They gouged out her eyes.


    When the girl''s father discovered this horror, he nearly lost his sanity.


    Understanding that Ruby was the leader''s daughter, he reluctantly confronted Ronald and Kyler.


    To his disbelief, Ronald offered no reprimand to Ruby. Instead, he allowed Kyler to punish the disciple severely.


    Ronald made it clear that as long as his granddaughter was pleased, nothing else mattered.


    From that day forward, both the disciple and his daughter vanished without exnation.


    Their fate became a dark secret, lost to time.


    After that incident, no one in the Martial Alliance dared to defy Ms. Quinn.


    Over the years, many simr events unfolded.


    Regardless of the severity, Ronald and Kyler swiftly intervened to restore order.


    In their view, this world belonged to the powerful, while the weak had no voice to speak.


    Ruby''s happiness eclipsed every other concern, it seemed.


    But Finn knew all too well how dangerous her displeasure could be. Anxiously, he spoke up, his voice tentative. "Ms. Silva, maybe... maybe you should just hand over the ne to Ruby ..." Vera''s gaze sharpened, her voice like ice. "This ne is a gift from Robin. No one is taking it from me."


    Ruby''s mouth twisted, a storm of anger brewing, ready to spill-until a voice, low andmanding, resonated from behind them. "Ms. Quinn, is something the matter?"


    Every head turned toward the stairs, where Jason descended with a grace that seemed practiced, his presence an immediatemand for attention.


    The fury in Ruby''s eyes waned just a flicker, but enough to soften her tone.


    She shed him a smile and nodded. "Mr. Neville, how nice of you to join us."


    Jason''s gaze swept between the two women, his tone courteous yet unyielding. "Ms. Quinn, are you dealing with some ... unpleasantness?"


    Ruby''s finger flicked dismissively at the ne around Vera''s neck, her voice colored with feigned innocence. "That ne belongs to me, Mr. Neville! And yet she refuses to return it. How does one exin such audacity?"


    A faint crease appeared on Jason''s brow as he nced at Vera. "So you are Ms. Silva," he began smoothly, though his words carried an edge. "If the ne is Ms. Quinn''s, I would suggest returning it. It''s just a piece of jewelry, after all; hardly worth spoiling the atmosphere tonight."


    Vera blinked, her surprise evident. "Mr. Neville, you must have misunderstood. This ne was bought for me by Robin at your family''s auction for five billion. So how it could suddenly be hers is beyond me."


    Jason merely shrugged, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Ms. Silva, whatever tale you tell is irrelevant to me," he replied, his tone disturbingly light. "Ms. Quinn ims it''s hers, so it is hers."


    The murmur in the hall grew louder as his words echoed, disbelief tinged with scandal.


    "Did Mr. Neville really just say that? I can hardly believe my ears," someone whispered, shock thick in their tone.


    "The Nevilles are the most revered martial arts family, and they''ve always held to principles and fairness. For Jason Neville, their future leader, to say something so ridiculous... it''s just stunning," muttered another. "Isn''t Jason supposed to be the perfect gentleman, an example of integrity? I never thought he''d say something so... absurd."


    "And Ms. Quinn too-both of them, together ... well."


    ...


    Ruby caught Jason''s eye, a quiet understanding passing between them like an unspoken promise. They shared a fleeting smile, one that hinted at a connection that needed no words. Momentster, Anthony arrived, his expression a mix of shock and rm as he absorbed Jason''s stance. He stepped closer, pulling Jason aside to murmur, "Sir, this isn''t ... it''s unbing..." Jason brushed him off without a thought. "Mr. Anthony, stay out of this. It''s hardly worth worrying about."


    Anthony nced at the onlookers, who watched the exchange with curiosity and wariness. Resigned, he took a step back, honoring Jason''s decision, if reluctantly.


    Emboldened by Jason''s support, Ruby turned back to Vera, her voice cool, her words edged. "You heard Mr. Neville, didn''t you? Take off that ne and return it, or you won''t like what happens next." Vera''s jaw tightened, her words sharp. "This ne was a gift from Robin, given to me on my birthday. I''m not surrendering it to anyone."


    Jason, observing Vera''s defiance, moved closer. "Ms. Silva, since Ruby is interested in the ne, you''d do well to pass it to her."


    "It was auctioned by the Nevilles. I''ll transfer the money to you here and now, or I''ll even add another 150 million if you simply hand it to Ms. Quinn." Anthony, rmed, reached out again to Jason, his voice low but urgent. "Sir, we can''tpromise the Nevilles'' standards like this-"


    Jason''s re was steely, and his voice left no room for argument. "Mr. Anthony, enough."


    With a defeated sigh, Anthony stepped back, his disapproval evident but silenced.


    A pleased smile spread across Ruby''s face as she nced at Vera.


    "You heard Mr. Neville. Just give me the ne now, before things turn ugly."


    "Besides, this ne originally belonged to the Nevilles. How can you cling to it like this? It''s embarrassing."


    Vera''sugh was icy, her gaze as piercing as steel. "An heir of the most powerful martial family and the cherished daughter of Draconia''s leading alliance-both admired both envied. Yet, you''re both as tactless as schoolyard bullies. It''s almostughable."


    She turned to Anthony, her tone daring, "Mr. Anthony."


    "Is it truly the policy of the Nevilles to forcibly reim items sold at their own auctions? I''d like to hear your family''s official stance on that."


    Anthony managed a strained smile. "Ms. Silva, forgive me. The Nevilles would never...


    "1


    Jason''s sharp gaze halted him. "Mr. Anthony, hold your tongue. I decide how things are handled for the Nevilles."


    Anthony''s face tightened with frustration, and he sighed, voice low, as he tried again to reason. "Sir, please. Each word you speak represents the Nevilles...


    Jason''s veneer of charm fell away. "Enough! You''re a butler, Anthony. Don''t presume to lecture me."


    With a resigned nod, Anthony swallowed his frustration. He turned to Vera, an apology in his eyes.


    "


    "Ms. Silva, forgive him. Our young master ... he''s still learning. Rest assured, the Nevilles will address this. For now, it may be best if you go."


    Vera nced at Anthony''s worn expression, her own face shadowed with disappointment. "Very well," she said quietly, exhaling. "I''ve wasted enough time here." She turned to leave.


    But Ruby wasn''t ready to let her go. Swiftly, she caught Vera by the sleeve, yanking hard.


    The fabric tore with a harsh rip, splitting from the shoulder down. Vera grasped the torn edge of her dress, cheeks flushed with anger.


    "Ms. Quinn, is this the sort of dignity the Brookhaven Martial Alliance teaches?"


    Jason frowned slightly at Ruby''s actions but didn''t retreat. He took a step toward Vera. His voice was cold.


    "Ms. Silva, just give Ruby the ne. No one here wants to see things turn ugly."


    A hush fell across the hall. Each person struck silent.


    Ruby, childish in her demands and heedless of consequence, had already crossed a line.


    And Jason-usually the pride of the Nevilles-now stood beside her, unmoved by reason.


    The disbelief on every face was clear.


    Vera herself felt her pulse quicken, astonished at how far they would stoop.


    Vera''s gaze burned into Jason. "The Nevilles built their legacy on integrity, admired by everyone, yet here you are, tearing it down with every word."


    A bitter smile tugged at her lips. "So the Nevilles'' reputation is nothing but a shell. You want the ne? And what gives you the right? Do you even know how absurd you sound?"


    Jason''s expression darkened, the


    charm he wore so easily dissolving


    into something sharper, more


    menacing. "In this world, strength is


    I


    what matters. When I say to hand


    over the ne, you hand it over. I


    have no patience for your defiance."


    The room seemed to hold its breath, every eye in the grand hall fixed on Jason, the shadows casting his face into something both stern and cold.


    Any trace of the Nevilles'' distinguished heir had vanished entirely.


    Ruby, emboldened by his words,


    smirked up at Jason, then turned to


    Vera. Shejabbed a finger in Vera''s direction. "I''m done repeating myself give me the ne, or I''ll


    sw novel.ne


    rip it off along with that dress"


    Vera let out a tiredugh. "You''re mad. Robin gave me this ne. I would rather die than let you have it."


    Jason''s brow knit at Robin''s name, recognition flickering briefly in his eyes. He leaned toward Anthony, lowering his voice. "That name, Robin ... It''s familiar. Does he mean something to us?"Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Anthony started to answer, "Sir, Mr. Ramsey is-" But his words were cut off as Ruby acted.


    With no warning, Ruby lunged forward, clutching the Eternal Moonlit ne around Vera''s neck. She pulled hard, her movements rough and deliberate.


    The delicate chain snapped, and a thin line of blood marked Vera''s neck, stark against her pale skin, where the ne had been torn away.