The Villain's Wife (WN)

Seeing Lily defend her, Eliza felt a sudden warm feeling inside. She smiled inwardly as she eyed Harringfort's expression. Growing up, Eliza was not the type that would just keep quiet from the things that disturbed her. However, the engagement with Harringfort is not only one of those simple things that happen every day. It was something that involved two countries and their father's relationship with each other.

It was a deal.

And breaking this deal… was akin to hurting her parents. So, she chose to keep quiet and just go through with whatever it is that her father wanted. After all, this was her responsibility. However, seeing Lily act like this in front of her seemed to awaken something inside— something warm and comforting. Something assuring.

She lifted her head, meeting Lily's penetrating gaze. Slowly a smile bloomed in Eliza's face. She was about to say something when the clicking sound of glass interrupted them. Everyone turned their heads towards the Grand Duke, who was standing next to the Duchess in the main table. He was with his knight commander and leading executives. Of course, Pierre was standing next to him. 

"Good evening." His voice was not loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear. "I hope everyone is having a nice evening." Smiling, he eyed each and everyone in the hall. For a few seconds, his gaze lingered towards Lily and Zhou Jingren to his left before moving towards the other guests who attended the banquet.

"First… I would like to thank everyone for coming in here despite the changes in schedule." He continued. "There had been some emergencies that needed our attention. So we were forced to change the dates and time of the banquet. And for this… I would drink this glass of wine." Without waiting for anyone to answer him, the Duke gulped down the wine in his hand.

To some, this was an astonishing action. However, both Lily and Zhou Jingren understood the stress that he must have felt inside him right now.

"The reason why I wanted to have a banquet a few weeks before the thirty-first is that I have a significant announcement to make." The Grand Duke said. The smile on his face didn't falter. "As we all know, one of the biggest problems that we have is the housing crisis. Housing in this part of the world has become more and more expensive every year. To put it nicely, this is one of our younger generations' burden in the past few years. And to put it bluntly, it is causing a lot of people to leave our country. We are now considered an ageing country as fewer and fewer people chose to start a family in this country." He eyed his wife and his knight— the man who had been poisoning him and his wife. 

The Duke was beaming, on the outside, his eyes sparkling with happiness— an expression that took him a lot of time to practice when he was younger. However, only God knows that all he wanted was to punish the man and the people who endangered his family. "I am happy to announce that our country will soon open its doors to Facci Group and Zhou Capital's venture together to help us with the housing crisis." He forced himself to continue smiling as he met Pierre's sharp eyes.

"That's right, folks. This will be a new venture that would make our housing prices lower than the market price. It would open to new real estate that would attract young families and more… investors!" He said before he raised another glass of wine. "I would like to thank Mr. And Mrs. Zhou for the opportunity that their company will provide our country!" he said. "To a more prosperous future!"

"To a more prosperous future!"

"To a more prosperous future!"

"To a more prosperous future!"

"To a more prosperous future!"

"To a more prosperous future!"

The sound of glass clanking erupted, followed by cheers and some applause. Everyone, including Zhou Jingren and the other's, raised their glasses and drank their wines. Each has a happy expression on their faces. Facci Group is well known in Europe, while Zhou Capital is well known in Asia. This partnership would surely open to more and more opportunities for them to earn and invest! To the nobles from Luxembourg, this is the best news that welcomed them this year.

However, to Harringfort, it was akin to a hard slap in the face. Here he was talking about planes and expensive hobbies. Flaunting how many planes he was able to customise throughout the years, how many yachts he made with nothing but his talents and money as he tried his best to impress Lily and everyone around him.

While Zhou Jingren is throwing away money to help this small country solve a housing crisis? Harringfort balled his hands into fists. He could feel the blood in his throat from the anger that had been boiling inside him. Once again, Zhou Jingren beat him!

Was this another luck? Harringfort could not help but feel he had been trying too much. He wore the best outfit, all in white, the best shoes and jewellery. His hair was fixed, his eyes shone against the light as the smartest of the smartest words flowed out of his mouth. He was here to win!

Yet, in the end, Zhou Jingren simply gave millions for a project, and now, people are flocking towards him, praising his actions and business mindedness! He let out a sharp sigh before he excused himself out of the crowd. He needed air! He needed to breathe!

When Harringfort reached the palace's balcony, he immediately kicked the concrete statue that stood a few feet away from him.

"Aw!" he hissed when he felt the pain on his foot. "Fucking statue!" he glared at the statue. "You stupid statue!" He almost could not contain the anger inside him as he let another sigh.

"You were trying too hard."

Harringfort almost immediately turned to the person who walked behind him.