Chapter 10


    Her haughty tone had an edge of yful sassiness that made Lucas'' heart skip a beat. But it didn’t


    take long for him to catch on.


    She was trying to seduce him on purpose.


    Lucas frowned. "Chloe, cut the act. Even if you were stark naked, I wouldn’t bat an eye."


    He turned on his heel and added, "I''ll be waiting in the car."


    Ten minutester, Chloe slid into the car beside him.


    Lucas, reclining in the backseat with his eyes shut, said, "Danny, take us to Valley Vista Manor."


    An hourter, they arrived at the foot of the hill. The car wound its way up the mountain road,


    nked by towering sycamore trees whose leaves formed a canopy, plunging the road into a cool,


    green twilight. It was like a tunnel of foliage.


    After what felt like ages, the scene opened up to a breathtaking view. A grandiose building


    reminiscent of a castle slowly emerged into sight.


    The ce was buzzing with activity. The sprawlingwn was dotted with luxury cars, and a small


    army of waiters in crisp white shirts and ck vests were busy weing guests.


    A waiter directed Chloe’s car to a spot in the open-air parking lot. They were then led into the


    mansion.


    The massive, ancient doors swung open to reveal a red carpet stretching from inside the building,


    guiding the guests. Chloe''s eyes widened at the intricate patterns on the carpet.


    It was a handcrafted Persian rug from Isfahan, woven from a mix of wool, cotton, silk, gold, and


    silver threads. The colors were vivid, and the craftsmanship was impable. This rug, by any


    standard, was top-tier. Each square meter of it was worth $200,000.


    Seeing the seemingly endless red carpet, Chloe couldn''t help but gasp. Everyone knew the Sartori


    family was loaded, but now, the scale of their wealth was crystal clear.


    Inside the vi, the opulence was even more staggering. The walls disyed precious antique blue-


    and-white porcin, a massive British antique clock, and chandeliers from Europe and China.


    And this was just the first-floor banquet hall. Who knew what other treasures this ce held?


    Marian''s hosting style was quite traditional. There were a hundred tables set for guests. Round


    tables lined the sides of the carpet, and each seat was already assigned as per the invitations.


    The Moncada family''s seats were at table 99.


    "Hey, look over there. The guy in the ck suit—he''s the director of the National Land Agency. And


    that person in white—isn''t that the mayor of Riverbrook?"


    "Forget the mayor of Riverbrook, even the mayor of Eldridge City is here, along with several high-


    ranking officials. Marian really went all out."


    "That’s why Riverbrook only got two tables out of the hundred, and they''re ced at 99 and 100."


    "Being invited is already quite an honor."


    The conversation was between Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Hocks, the elitedies of Riverbrook''s high


    society. They also happened to be friends with Chloe''s mother, Leah, so Chloe knew them well.


    Now that Chloe had run into them, she had no choice but to greet them. "Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Hocks,


    good evening."


    They spot Chloe, and a flicker of pity and regret crossed their faces.


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    "Chloe, dear, you made it."


    "Your mom and sister are presenting a gift to Marian. You should go say hello."