Chapter 222
Chapter 222 Might Makes Right Harmonfield Hotel Crown Banquet.
The hall buzzed with laughter, the voices of the elite families of Brookhaven intertwining in a harmonious symphony. Ruby stood at the center of it all, surrounded by young men and women who lavished her with compliments and playful jests. Then, a stir broke through the festivities.
Guests quickly stepped aside, forming a path through the crowd.
"Mr. Neville, Mr. Anthony, welcome!"
The two deputy enforcers of the Brookhaven Martial Alliance bowed deeply, their respect evident.
All eyes shifted toward the entrance.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
Through the large doors stepped an older gentleman accompanied by a striking youth.
The older man was Anthony, the loyal butler of the Neville family.
The young man, Jason Neville, was the pride of his lineage, the first grandson of Tristan Neville, the family patriarch.
Not only was Jason renowned as the most skilled martial artist among his peers, but he was also celebrated for his striking good looks.
He was the object of fascination for many young women from affluent families, all eager for his attention.
Among the common folk, tales of Jason's extraordinary presence circulated like wildfire, but few had the fortune to witness him firsthand.
Tristan held Jason in high regard, often showering him with affection and rigorous training.
Every lesson Jason learned was a testament to Tristan's commitment to molding him into a capable leader, preparing him for the weighty responsibilities that awaited.
Tonight, as the Brookhaven Martial Alliance celebrated, the Quinns extended a formal invitation to the Nevilles.
Tristan, seeing an opportunity for his grandson, sent Jason along with Anthony to gain experience and learn the ways of the world.
At 18, Jason exuded charm and confidence.
Upon entering the grand ballroom of the Harmonfield Hotel, he immediately captured the attention of several young women, their eyes sparkling with admiration.
Ruby, engrossed in her surroundings, felt her pulse quicken as she caught sight of him.
She had never encountered a young man so captivating in all of Brookhaven.
Ruby's pulse quickened, warmth rising in her cheeks.
Her eyes were drawn to Jason, and an undeniable spark flared within her.
With a swift check of her outfit, she navigated through the crowd and approached him. "Mr. Neville, hello! I'm Ruby Quinn. Welcome to the celebration for the opening of the Martial Alliance branch." This marked Jason's debut representing the Nevilles at such a grand occasion.
Ruby's unexpected arrival brightened his day, capturing his full attention.
In the realm of martial arts families, few women possessed such bold enthusiasm.
As Ruby stood elegantly before him, Jason felt a stirring in his heart.
He gave a slight nod, working to maintain a composed exterior, though a thrill of excitement coursed through him.
Yet his thoughts were already wandering to Ruby, captivated by her charm.
Anthony briefly exchanged greetings with Ruby before reminding him, "Sir, you should meet with Mr. Quinn on the second floor first. We can continue our conversation afterward." Ruby struggled to conceal her joy, offering a warm smile. "Mr. Neville, please, go ahead."
Jason nodded in return, his gaze softening as he held her eyes.
He followed Anthony and two deputy elders of the Brookhaven Martial Alliance up the stairs.
Ruby's heart raced as she watched Jason's graceful figure vanish from view.
She replayed the memory of his inviting smile, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm and Finn experienced a swelling of envy.
In Jason's presence, they felt small and inconsequential.
They recognized the stark contrast between themselves and him, from lineage to looks and skill.
Just then, their focus shifted as a stunning woman entered the hall.
Dressed in a flowing white gown, she drew their attention.
Her beauty was striking, her tall frame exuding an air of purity and grace.
Yet, it was the Eternal Moonlit diamond necklace that adorned her neck, glinting in the light, which truly captivated their eyes.
Her allure was elevated by the stunning necklace that graced her neck.
The newcomer was Vera.
Her family had long supported the Brookhaven Martial Alliance during her mother's reign, which had forged connections with the Quinns. After a moment of astonishment, Wilhelm and Finn instinctively inclined their heads in her direction. "Hello."
Vera scanned the hall, looking for familiar faces among the crowd.
Spotting Wilhelm and Finn beaming at her, she returned their greeting with a courteous nod.
Wilhelm approached her with a warm smile. "Greetings, lady. What name should I call you?"
"I'm Vera Silva, representative of the Silva Group," she responded, her smile genuine.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Wilhelm Dixon, representative of the Dixon Group here in Brookhaven," he introduced himself.
Before Wilhelm could say more, Finn stepped into the conversation. "Ah, Ms. Silva! What a delight to finally meet you!"
Vera recognized the confident tone in Finn's voice. "And you are?"
"Ms. Silva, you might not know me, but I've certainly heard of you," Finn answered smoothly.
"I'm Finn Eaton, associated with the Brookhaven Martial Alliance."
"I recently read an article about the Silva Group, and I must say, it left quite an impression," he continued, his excitement palpable.
"Your leadership has propelled the Silva Group from a lesser company in Harmonfield to a leader in the business arena."
"I genuinely admire what you've accomplished!"
Vera regarded Finn with increasing disdain as he rambled on.
She maintained her smile, opting for silence, well accustomed to men who spoke too much.
"Ms. Silva, that necklace you wear-could it be the famed Eternal Moonlit?" Finn's eyes widened with intrigue.
His inquiry drew the attention of nearby young men and women.
The guests in the banquet hall turned to focus on the necklace that hung from Vera's neck.
They soon recognized that the Eternal Moonlit, which had recently been thrust into the spotlight with a staggering price tag, was right in front of them.
In an instant, envy filled their gazes as they regarded Vera, captivated by the rare gem.
"This Eternal Moonlit is simply breathtaking!"
"I've never laid eyes on it before!"
"I've only heard whispers about the legendary Eternal Moonlit, said to be worth a small fortune. Seeing itin person, it truly does live up to the legend!"
person
"Ms. Silva looks absolutely radiant. That necklace fits her perfectly! It seems as if the Eternal Moonlit was crafted just for her!"
"Today, Ms. Silva outshines everyone here!"
...
Vera hadn't anticipated such attention when she donned the Eternal Moonlit.
Now, she regretted her choice, having intended only to blend in and then slip away unnoticed.
Instead, she had unwittingly become the focal point upon entering the hall.
Without Robin or any familiar faces around, the spotlight felt uncomfortable.
In that moment, she longed to escape.
But young socialites from wealthy families were already converging around her.
They marveled at Vera's beauty, elegance, talent, and her exquisite attire.
Their admiration was relentless, and they gushed about the Eternal Moonlit diamond necklace.
Before long, the crowd that had once surrounded Ruby had shifted entirely to Vera.
Ruby's smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold glare aimed at Vera beneath the dazzling lights.
"Give me back my necklace!" a voice pierced the air in the banquet hall.
All chatter ceased, and an eerie silence fell over the room.
Everyone turned to locate the source of the outburst.
Ruby fixed her icy gaze on Vera, her eyes sharp with anger.
Without thinking, the crowd retreated, forming a corridor between the two women.
"The Eternal Moonlit belongs to me! Hand it over! You are not worthy to wear it!" Ruby exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Vera.
All eyes darted between Ruby and Vera, uncertainty clouding their expressions.
They struggled to comprehend the unfolding drama.
Vera stood momentarily frozen, grappling with her surprise.
"Did you even hear me? Are you deaf?" Ruby's voice sliced through the tension, sharp and accusatory.
"Who do you think you are, parading around in that expensive necklace? You don't deserve it! You brazen woman, hand it over right now!" Vera's shock deepened. She hadn't anticipated such a crude display from Ruby, the daughter of a powerful Brookhaven family. With a cool smile, she responded, "Ms. Quinn, have you had too much to drink?"
"That Eternal Moonlit necklace was purchased for me by my friend Robin at the Rosewood Hotel auction for five billion dollars." "How did it become yours all of a sudden?"
Ruby's face flushed with anger, her jaw clenched tight. "I'll repeat myself: I want that necklace. It is mine!"
"I could offer you five billion, but you'll need to remove the necklace and bow to me and apologize first!"
"You and your friends battled me for it at the auction. I haven't forgotten that yet!"
"How dare you flaunt it in front of me at this celebration!"
Vera laughed lightly. "Ms. Quinn, I understand you are the daughter of the Brookhaven Martial Alliance leader. Your family wields great power, but that doesn't give you the right to act so entitled."
"Ha! Power means everything! Whoever holds it makes the rules!" Ruby tossed her head back with pride. "Everything I desire has always been mine!"
Vera's tone turned cold. "This necklace is a birthday gift from Robin. I will never give it to you!"
At that moment, a wave of murmurs washed over the banquet hall.
"I was there at the auction. The necklace was indeed bought by a man named Robin for Ms. Silva."
"If it's hers, how can she just demand it back? Ms. Quinn is crossing a line."
"Ms. Quinn has powerful connections. She wants that necklace; surely she can't just let it go."
"Even with her influence as the daughter of the Brookhaven Martial Alliance leader, her behavior is unacceptable."
"Everyone, be quiet. You all know Ms. Quinn has a notorious temper. Crossing her isn't a smart move."
Ruby huffed, her eyes burning with anger. "Did you hear me? If you don't return that necklace, don't expect me to hold back!" "Mr. Eaton, take that necklace from her," she ordered.
Finn shifted uneasily, glancing from Vera to Ruby. "Ruby, I don't think this is the right thing to do..."
"What did you just say?" Ruby's tone was sharp.
Finn quickly fell silent, his words dying on his lips. "Ms. Quinn, I ... "
"Get out of my way! You claim to care for me, yet you can't even manage this simple task. Why would I ever consider you?"
Finn shook his head, surrendering to the situation.
Ruby's gaze turned icy as she
approached Vera. "I'll give you one
last chance: Hand over that
necklace willingly, or I will take it e
from you myself, right here and now! And tear your clothes away while I'm at it!"