Chapter 190: Lingering Scents
“Phoebe, how does it taste?”
Phoebe blinked, still a little dazed. She hesitated before answering honestly, her voice small and slightly hoarse.
“Mmm, it’s so bitter…”
“Is that so? Then go ahead and swallow it now.”
“mhmmm?”
“Of course. This is part of serving him.”
“All of it?”
“All of it.”
Phoebe tilted her face up and looked at Ray, her expression carrying a hint of timidity.
“I-if that’s what Mr. Ray would like…”
She pressed her lips together tightly, a flash of resolve appearing in her eyes. In the end, she gathered her courage and swallowed everything down.
Ray looked at her gently. “Honestly, Phoebe, you don’t have to force yourself.”
Phoebe slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze. The corner of her lips curved into a small, shy but determined smile.
“B-but… wouldn’t it make you really happy if I did this? Mr. Ray has done so much for me before. I remember every single thing. If it’s just something small like this, I’m sure I can manage it!”
“Besides,” she added softly, “as we spend more time together in the future, I’m sure… I’ll gradually get used to it.”
Looking at the docile yet stubborn girl before him, Ray couldn’t help but smile helplessly. He reached out and gently stroked her head.
“Alright then. Since Phoebe has such determination, I’ll gratefully accept it.”
Cantarella watched them with a faint smile.
“Though I’ve never tasted it before, the flavor… truly is just as the books describe. Though the concentration is a bit thin, as if it’s been somewhat diluted.”
She leaned in gracefully and lifted Ray’s chin, forcing him to meet her eyes.
“It seems you’ve been quite affectionate with Carlotta lately. As much as I’d love to continue, today’s circumstances are rather special, so I’ll let you off the hook.”
She smiled, her voice carrying a hint of promise.
“Then, we shall continue this next time.”
…
…
“Young Miss, everything has been arranged as you instructed.”
“Good. In any case, today’s banquet is of utmost importance. You must be on full alert, there can be no mistakes whatsoever. You may withdraw now. If anything arises, report to me immediately.”
“As you command, Young Miss.”
As the footsteps of the attendants faded away, silence returned to the room.
Ever since that rain-soaked night that had changed everything, Carlotta had officially become the designated heir of the Montelli family.
To hone her abilities, her grandfather, Francesco, had specifically entrusted her with full authority over today’s crucial talks with the Fisalia family.
Carlotta turned her head, her gaze falling upon the clock on the wall.
Only half an hour remained until the banquet officially began.
According to the scheduled proceedings, she would serve as the Montelli family’s plenipotentiary representative and negotiate the terms of cooperation with the head of the Fisalia family.
In a gesture of the Montelli family’s sincerity, she had even made concessions on several clauses.
Though this was all for the sake of the family’s future, whenever Carlotta thought of that jellyfish woman and all the things that had happened before, she couldn’t help but seethe with irritation.
She knew full well that Ray was her boyfriend, and yet Cantarella still had the audacity to put her hands all over him and even sent photos to provoke her!
Forget it. Why stoop to her level?
Surely she, Carlotta Montelli, was not so lacking in magnanimity.
“Come to think of it, where on earth has that Ray gotten to?”
Carlotta lifted the cup of black tea on the table and took a small sip, trying to calm the emotions churning inside her.
That man should have arrived an hour ago. He’d even sent her a message confirming it.
But now…
He was completely unreachable.
“What on earth is he doing? Does he not realize how important today’s banquet is?” The girl gently traced the rim of the porcelain cup, murmuring softly to herself.
Her words had barely faded when a rhythmic knock sounded at the door.
Carlotta blinked in surprise, then quickly adjusted her posture, reining in her more casual demeanor. She cleared her throat lightly and looked toward the door. “Come in.”
With permission granted, the visitor pushed the door open and entered.
When the girl saw clearly who it was, a flicker of delight sparkled in her eyes, but it was swiftly replaced by her innate elegance. “Ray? Where have you been just now?”
“Young Miss.” Ray smiled gently. “I happened to run into a few old friends outside and chatted a bit longer than I intended. I lost track of time.”
“Old friends?” Carlotta paused for a brief moment. She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, her gaze lingering on his face.
“Is that so? As I recall, back when you worked at the bank, aside from Zani, you didn’t seem to have many acquaintances you kept in touch with.”
“How could that be?” Ray maintained a composed expression. “I’ve always been quite sociable. Besides Zani, naturally I have other colleagues I get along well with.”
Carlotta kept her eyes narrowed, pondering his explanation.
After a brief silence, she suddenly rose to her feet and stepped closer to him. Gently rising onto her tiptoes, she leaned in near his collar and sniffed carefully, like a wary little cat. “Why do I get the feeling… there’s a whiff of perfume on you?”
Beneath his eyes, a flash of unmistakable panic darted across Ray’s expression after all that intimate contact just now, it would have been difficult not to pick up their scents.
“Ah, well, that… must have rubbed off on me by accident?” He took a subtle half-step back, his tone relaxed and natural. “The main hall is full of people, and since everyone knows who I am, it’s only natural they’d want to strike up a conversation. As the Young Miss is well aware, those socialites are always in the habit of dousing themselves in heavy perfumes for occasions like this. Coming and going among them, it’s hard not to pick up a trace or two.”
Hearing his explanation, Carlotta remained skeptical.
She had a feeling the man standing before her was hiding something from her, she just didn’t have any proof yet.
“Why do I get the feeling… you’re keeping something from me?”
“How could that possibly be?” Ray’s expression turned earnest, his right hand resting lightly over his chest. “My loyalty to the Young Miss, Heaven and Earth can bear witness, the Sun and Moon can attest to it.”
The corner of Carlotta’s mouth twitched slightly, as if she were forcibly suppressing some emotion. “Does saying things like that not make you blush?”
“Every word comes straight from the heart,” he replied without flinching.
After all, he’d only spoken of loyalty. He’d never promised that loyalty was reserved for one person alone.
“You…”
Carlotta’s lips quivered faintly, but in the end, she could only let out a long sigh and spread her hands in resignation. “If only it really were just as you say. Anyway, the banquet is about to begin. No, ‘banquet’ isn’t quite right, it’s more of a negotiation. Come on, we’re almost out of time.”
“I’m rather curious myself to see what kind of surprise that jellyfish has prepared for me.”