Chapter 444: Who Schemed Against Whom (8)

But when the car stopped, the staff was different from last time, and the number of flowers had changed. The only constant was that they were still for her—still the same fresh, gorgeous roses.

Meanwhile, in the meeting room, Preston Patterson was already prepared. Almost everyone from the club had arrived, and they were all waiting for Seraphina Sterling.

“Director, I don’t think we should wait for her any longer. I saw her shopping in The Gilt Alley earlier today. She’s probably scared and doesn’t dare to show up! So she’s using this as a way to quietly back out.” Shelby Fenton’s drawling voice was laced with deliberate contempt. She had rushed all the way here just to witness the showdown between Seraphina Sterling and Preston Patterson! But while she had made it, Seraphina was still nowhere to be seen.

“Seraphina will be here. If she makes a promise, she keeps it. Something must have held her up on the way. It’s only been a few minutes. I’m sure Director Patterson can wait, can’t he?” Marshal didn’t address Shelby Fenton directly, but every word he spoke was a defense of Seraphina Sterling.

“You’re Marshal from the College of Industry and Commerce, right? You have that much faith in Seraphina Sterling? You’re the one who lent her that one hundred thousand, aren’t you? I hope you had her sign an IOU. If not, you’re in for a world of hurt. I saw her on a shopping spree in The Gilt Alley with her roommate today. She doesn’t have the kind of money to be spending in a place like that! What’s more, she also went to Apex Collections and bought a set of their latest limited-edition porcelain jewelry. Go on, guess how much of the money you lent her is left?”

Shelby Fenton was sparing no effort to sow discord. The mere mention of that limited-edition porcelain jewelry set stung her. That was what she had planned to wear to her grandfather’s birthday banquet! Now, that plan was ruined.

The crowd was stunned by Shelby Fenton’s bombshell. Everyone present came from a well-off family, and nearly all of them were Aethelgard natives. They knew exactly what kind of place The Gilt Alley was. ‘Going on a shopping spree there?’ They couldn’t help but look at Marshal with pity; they figured he must have been scammed. Someone who couldn’t even afford the club’s activity fee suddenly had enough money for a shopping spree in The Gilt Alley? It was obvious where that money had come from.

The object of their pity, Marshal, remained perfectly calm, his signature smile never leaving his face. “Hey, did I forget to mention? My one hundred thousand is still in my account. Not a single cent has been touched.”

Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. If it wasn’t Marshal’s money, then where did Seraphina Sterling’s come from? If she really had enough money for a shopping spree, she should have been able to pay the club’s activity fee.

“Miss Fenton, you’re the one who’s underestimating Seraphina. She’s not nearly that simple.” Marshal’s smile grew even more profound.

“Hmph. She’s just a country bumpkin. For all I know, you two cooked this up together, putting on this deliberately mysterious act to build her up! Or perhaps you’re trying to wrap her in the glamorous facade of a wealthy heiress, so that even if she loses to Director Patterson, she’ll have an excuse to stay in the club. Did you really think you could fool us with such a simple little scheme? In my opinion, she’s simply scared and not coming!”

Shelby Fenton remained as arrogant as ever. No matter what anyone said, she only trusted what she saw with her own eyes. And to her, Seraphina Sterling was, from head to toe, a country bumpkin.

Several people nodded in agreement. ‘So it was all just a show to stay in the club!’ If that was the case, then it all made sense.

Marshal didn’t bother explaining further. He had experienced Seraphina’s formidable nature firsthand, more than once. ‘If someone wants to be cannon fodder,’ he thought, ‘why should I stand in their way?’

“I’m so sorry. I ran into a little something on the way, so I’m late.” Seraphina Sterling walked in, holding a bouquet of roses, and the atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Her skin was naturally pale, like fine porcelain, and against the vibrant roses, she possessed a beauty that was beyond compare. It was enough to take one’s breath away.

“Getting flowers sent to you? Or was that a confession?” Marshal’s playful voice broke the silence, pulling everyone back from their daze.

“It was a huge delay. If I hadn’t been trying to find out who sent the flowers, I would’ve been here much earlier.” Seraphina Sterling casually placed the bouquet on the table. The most frustrating part was that, after all her questions, she still came up with nothing. It was the same pale pink card as before, with the same message: Hello, Seraphina. The same simple words, yet she still couldn’t figure out who sent it.

“So someone’s pursuing you. What’s there to show off? Plenty of people pursue me!” Shelby Fenton, unable to stand Seraphina being the center of attention, sneered from the sidelines.

Seraphina had thought Shelby Fenton might not make it to this club meeting. To be precise, it wasn’t really an official activity; they just needed the club officers to witness their stock selections. New members weren’t required to attend, and their absence wouldn’t be marked. Yet, Shelby Fenton had come anyway.

“You’re right, there’s nothing to show off. Let’s begin.” Seraphina didn’t even spare Shelby Fenton a glance as she walked directly to the large screen. They had to make their purchases before the market closed.

Being rebuffed so nonchalantly by Seraphina felt to Shelby like punching a wad of cotton—soft, with no impact whatsoever.

“Do you want to go first, or should I?” Preston Patterson was more than ready. His focus on the stock market trumped all else.

“After you, senior.” Seraphina smiled faintly. ‘I can’t take too much of an advantage, after all.’

“Alright.” Just as Preston Patterson stood up, Shelby Fenton called out to stop him.

“Wait! Before we start, we should lay down some ground rules. Once one person has chosen a stock, the other person cannot choose the same one. What if you just copy whatever Director Patterson picks? Wouldn’t that be cheating?”