“Luke, what happened to you?”
Brian Bell never imagined that Luke would suddenly cough up blood, and it didn’t seem like he was pretending either.
Luke quickly covered his mouth and waved dismissively, whispering, “I’m fine!”
After wiping away the blood from his lips, Luke coughed lightly and said, “Mr. Bell, for some reason, I can’t see through your daughter Bella. Her aura is imbued with an otherworldly mystique, setting her apart from mere mortals.”
Hearing such cryptic words gave Brian Bell a headache. What did Luke mean by ‘not like ordinary humans’? Could his daughter be some divine reincarnation?
However, seeing as Luke had just spat blood, whether genuine or not, it felt inappropriate to probe further.
“Luke, should I have someone take you to the hospital? I can’t leave my position here.” Brian Bell genuinely feared Luke might collapse suddenly, which would certainly be an ill omen for the day’s celebration.
Luke glanced towards Bella and said with feigned calmness, “That won’t be necessary, Mr. Bell. Might I join your daughter at her table?”
“This… Of course,” Brian Bell found it hard to refuse. Luke Murphy was renowned in their circle of affluent businesspersons. With such a request from him, what could Brian possibly say?
William was seated between Bella and Emily. Emily was gossiping, curious about why William was also present.
“William was invited by me,” Bella casually glanced at her younger sister, thinking if Emily continued her inquisitive line, their secret might be inadvertently revealed.
Emily, always in awe of her elder sister, stuck her tongue out playfully, refraining from asking more after that look from Bella.
William noticed as Luke Murphy and Brian Bell approached their table.
Did that Soulmancer really try to divine Bella’s marital fate?
Unbeknownst to him, even though William had been hiding his power, his energy field within a hundred meters was disrupted. Even if Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, were alive, he wouldn’t be able to divine anything or anyone nearby.
Fortunately, that Soulmancer’s capabilities were not profound, and the question he wanted to divine wasn’t crucial; otherwise, the consequence might have been more severe than just coughing up blood.
In the old Norse tales, Tyr, trying to discern William’s origins, had perished on the spot, his soul scattering, unable to reincarnate.
Luke should count himself lucky that he was merely trying to divine Bella’s fate and not William’s.
“Miss Bell, may I join you for dinner?” Upon reaching their table, Luke Murphy politely inquired.
Bella looked somewhat taken aback. Although she didn’t believe in divination, she knew that Master Astrologer Luke was a revered guest in the circles of the wealthy. Attending her father’s celebration, shouldn’t he be seated with other notable guests? Those at Bella’s table were mostly younger generation members.
“Of course, please have a seat, Master Astrologer Luke,” a young man at the table said as he stood up with a pleasing smile, “I’ll find another spot.”
With no other choice, Bella simply nodded in agreement.
“Thank you,” Luke Murphy nodded in appreciation and took a seat opposite Bella.
His sitting caused a hint of awkwardness among the young attendees. Brian Bell then patted Emily’s shoulder, “Emily, switch tables. I need to speak with William.”
Having come this far, Brian intended to engage in a thorough conversation with William.
William wasn’t fazed in the slightest and just turned slightly to smile when Brian sat down.
It was intriguing how, in their first meeting, Brian Bell was already middle-aged. Time flies, and five decades can feel like the blink of an eye, a reality that indeed evokes deep reflection.
Perhaps the era when gods existed was slightly better. At least people from that time lived longer, not having their surroundings and loved ones change so dramatically in just a short span of a century or even a few decades.
Brian Bell and William exchanged glances, sensing an inexplicable oddness. Having been in the business world for many years and always holding a high position, Brian exuded an aura of authority. It would not be an exaggeration to say he had a commanding presence that demanded respect without uttering a word. Most young people would instinctively show a reverent attitude when facing him.
Yet the look in William’s eyes was…
Strange. It was as if an elder returning to his hometown saw the child he once knew, now grown up.
And in William’s eyes, that child was Brian.
Brian Bell looked up and addressed the other young attendees at the table, “I need to discuss something with William. You all should move to another table.”
The young people at this table were mostly from the Bell family’s younger generation. Given Brian Bell’s tone, they had no choice but to get up and switch tables with a smile.
Brian was doing this out of respect for Luke.
After all, considering Luke’s status, it wasn’t suitable for him to be seated among a bunch of younger attendees. By asking the younger generation to change tables, there was also the possibility of inviting more important guests or experts to join this table later.
“William, right?” Brian Bell leaned on the table with both elbows, clasped his hands together, resting his chin on his fingers. Without looking at William, he asked in a nonchalant tone, “What does your family do?”
William chuckled, “I’m an orphan, with no family to speak of. I used to work at a bar, but I was let go yesterday.”
An orphan who worked at a bar and was recently fired?
That’s it?
Brian Bell, raising an eyebrow, cast a glance at Bella, “So you’re saying you met Bella at this bar?”
Sensing the tension in the air, Bella felt it was not her place to interject, but she couldn’t just let her father continue interrogating William this way.
“Dad, you’re being too intrusive. Isn’t that a bit rude?”
Brian Bell responded bluntly, “You can see it that way. Right now, I’m speaking to William, so keep quiet!”
Although Bella held back her words, she remembered her grandfather. If her grandfather had advised her to befriend William, then he must know William, right?
Realizing she was in a tight spot, she decided to reach out to her grandfather, hoping he’d intervene.
Bowing her head slightly, she sent a message to her grandfather, Daniel Bell: “Grandpa, I invited William to dad’s banquet, and now he’s questioning him.” .
She could only hope her grandfather would see her message, uncertain of his response.
Unaware of Bella’s discreet action, Brian Bell continued his inquiry, “William, how long have you known Bella?”
William replied with a smile, “Two days. Including today, it’s been three.”
Only three days!
Clearly, William was just an actor Bella had hired from the nightlife scene.
Brian Bell, cutting straight to the chase, asked, “How much did Bella pay you?”
Expecting William to deflect or cover up, he was taken aback when William responded candidly, “A thousand dollars for a meal.”
At that moment, Bella wished the earth would swallow her whole.
She had made a mistake.
A terrible mistake.
She had hoped that even if William didn’t agree to pretend to be her boyfriend, he would at least play along for the time being. But he spilled the beans immediately. How could she face this embarrassment?