Outside the luxurious duplex presidential suite in the ancient castle, dozens of men in neatly pressed black suits stood in two solemn, respectful columns flanking the door.

Among them stood an exceptionally elegant, pale-skinned middle-aged man in formal attire, exuding the aura of ancient aristocracy. At this moment, however, he was positioned behind an old man with deep red eyes and white hair, adopting the posture of an aide following a great personage.

This sight immediately shocked and even terrified Apel, who had come to open the door. She knew exactly who the elegant, pale-skinned man was: the Chief Steward of the esteemed Brad Family, a major figure at the pinnacle of power in Italy! They had met once before, and she had received a stern command from him…

But now, she truly couldn't fathom why the Brad Family's Chief Steward, a man whom even high-ranking Italian officials wouldn't dare to slight, would assume such a humble stance before another old man. Could it be...?

At the shocking realization, Apel's soft lips trembled and parted. She looked at Old Brad again, her eyes filled with awe and nervous trepidation.

Who else could command such respect that even the esteemed Mr. Syria would act so humbly, if not *that* person?

"Es-Esteemed Mr. Old Brad, g-greetings," she stammered, bowing her head. She was like a frightened kitten, utterly terrified.

She could hardly believe it. That such a great man would personally appear before her. This was the true master of the Brad Family. Even Mr. Syria, a man so venerable in her eyes, was merely his servant. How could she not be nervous and afraid in the presence of such a legendary figure?

However, Old Brad merely shot her a dismissive glance, ignoring her as if she were air. Then, to Apel's utter astonishment, he spoke respectfully to the person inside the room. "Esteemed Sir Chen, I am Old Brad. May I have permission to enter?"

Apel's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg. It was unbelievable. Old Brad was such a legendary figure! Even the leader of Italy would have to be careful and respectful in his presence. But now... he was being so polite, even reverent, toward a young Easterner like Chen Fei...

In that instant, Apel felt her mind cease to function, her beautiful eyes a whirlwind of shock and bewilderment. A sudden shiver ran down her spine as a pair of cold, indifferent eyes fixed upon her.

CREAK.

The exceptionally elegant, pale-skinned middle-aged man, Syria, slowly pulled the door partially shut. His cold gaze fell upon Apel again as he spoke calmly, "Madam, if I'm not mistaken, the esteemed Mr. Chen hasn't touched you yet, has he?"

Hearing his words and flat, indifferent tone, Apel couldn't help but shudder violently. A flash of panic crossed her eyes as she tried to explain, "Esteemed Mr. Syria—"

"I have no desire to hear your explanation."

The elegant middle-aged man cut her off. His expression turned glacial and his tone menacing. "Miss Apel, you have made a foolish mistake. Perhaps you don't understand what a great man Mr. Chen is, but if you had an ounce of sense, you would have remembered and followed my instructions. Your smile, your charming and pure body—they should have been completely dedicated to pleasing Mr. Chen. Instead, you've done nothing!"

"I imagine the esteemed Mr. Chen is very displeased right now. And when a great gentleman like him is unhappy, trust me, Miss Apel, it will be a disaster for you. Men, take her away," Syria commanded, his face still a mask. The chilling cold that crept into his voice, however, said it all.

He waved his hand, signaling the men in black to take the foolish woman away to receive the punishment she deserved.

This Mr. Chen, from some country in the East, was a man even Old Brad, the Clan Leader of the Brad Family, had to treat with the utmost respect. Yet this foolish woman had ruined his mood and deprived him of a pleasant afternoon. Most importantly, Syria himself had arranged everything. How could he not be furious that such a major oversight had occurred?

Even he was beginning to feel a sense of dread. If the esteemed Mr. Chen was displeased, then he, Syria, would inevitably share the blame.

Hearing the Chief Steward's anxious and cold tone, the men in black dared not disobey. Though many were fans of Apel, they started toward her with expressionless faces and a hint of pity in their eyes.

"No, esteemed Mr. Syria, please listen to my explanation! Please, listen to me..." All the color drained from Apel's delicate face. Her voice and gaze trembled with fear as she desperately tried to explain.

But was her explanation of any use now? Clearly not. Syria had already turned his head, ignoring her completely as the men in black closed in.

BANG!

In the next moment, an invisible mirror seemed to materialize in their path. The men slammed into it hard. A series of muffled thuds echoed as they were thrown backward. Witnessing this, the expressions of both Syria and Apel changed dramatically. The former was flustered, having an idea of what had happened, while the latter was simply bewildered, not understanding the sudden turn of events.

CREAK.

Just then, the door behind them was pushed open. A young man with an Eastern face stepped out. He smoothly wrapped an arm around Apel's supple waist and squinted at the increasingly panicked Chief Steward of the Brad Family. "Mr. Syria," he said with a smile, "a proper Italian gentleman wouldn't joke with a beautiful lady like this, now would he?"

Instantly, Syria's pale forehead and the back of his neck went cold, breaking out in a dense sweat. He realized he had made a terrible mistake.

A jolt went through him. He immediately bowed deeply to Apel, who was in Chen Fei's arms, and apologized in a tone of unprecedented respect, "My apologies, respected Ms. Apel. Please forgive my crude joke from earlier. I offer you my most sincere apologies."

The complete reversal in attitude left Apel stunned. She hadn't expected such a swift change of fortune. Nor could she have imagined that Chen Fei was so powerful. A single sentence from him had terrified the esteemed Mr. Syria, Chief Steward of the great Brad Family. To think he would offer such a solemn apology to a 'minor starlet' like her.

She was too shocked to process it all.

Seeing this, Syria, though inwardly helpless, did not dare to straighten up without permission from 'that man'. He remained in his deep bow, head lowered, and said nothing.

Chen Fei reached out and gently pinched Apel's dazed, pretty cheek. "If you keep zoning out like this," he teased, "Mr. Syria's back is going to break."

His words snapped Apel out of her trance. Realizing the esteemed Mr. Syria was still bowed before her, she hastily reached out, flustered, to help him up. "Respected Mr. Syria, please, get up..."

As Apel's hand approached, Syria tactfully leaned back, avoiding her touch. He finally stood up straight but kept his reverent expression. "Thank you for your magnanimity, beautiful lady."

"Syria, you may go."

Just then, Old Brad walked out from the room with a smile, his eyes a deep red against his snow-white hair. He first shot Syria a frowning glance, then turned to Chen Fei with a grin. "Sir Chen, the dinner is nearly ready. Shall we proceed?"

He paused, his crimson eyes falling on Apel in Chen Fei's embrace, and his smile widened. "Oh, and beautiful lady, if you don't mind, perhaps you could join us? What do you say, Sir Chen?" From the preceding scene, he had clearly understood Apel's importance to Chen Fei. His attitude had shifted from disregard to a direct invitation to dinner.

To receive such a personal invitation from Old Brad would have made high-level Italian government officials ecstatic. For a "mere starlet" like Apel, it was an unimaginable honor. She was so shocked and delighted she could barely breathe.

That was Old Brad, Clan Leader of the Brad Family! A man who stood at the absolute pinnacle of power in Italy. And he was inviting her to dinner? What an incredible honor!

Still, she managed to suppress her elation. After collecting herself, she turned a beseeching gaze to Chen Fei.

"Brother Fei~"

She wasn't foolish. She knew that the sudden change in attitude from the respected Mr. Syria, and even the great Old Brad, wasn't because of her. It was all because of the Eastern man beside her, who held her with a faint smile on his face. She had to ask for his opinion. Whatever he said, went.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.