Chapter 9 A Tight Slap

• Vanessa instantly recognized Hugh and was so frightened that she turned to flee.
• Cassius grabbed his wife by the arm. “What's the matter with you?”
• “Hurry! Run! That's the executive administrator of Fourwaters Union. W-We have been caught,” Vanessa stammered, her mind a complete mess.
• Hugh was also startled by Vanessa's reaction. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Cassius gave him a cold glance.
• Hugh, an experienced person, immediately understood what the glance meant. He gently pulled out a black card from his pocket and turned to leave after handing it to Cassius respectfully.
• Cassius stroked the black card thoughtfully. This should contain Fourwaters Union's profits for this quarter.
• Beside him, Vanessa was wholly stunned. “What's going on? Mr. Gunderson...”
• Upon catching a glimpse of the Goldbird Blackgold Card in the man's hand, she blinked as realization dawned on her. “Isn't that the virtual card from Monopoly?” She reached for it as she spoke. Sure enough, it's identical to the previous ones.
• She casually tossed it into her bag, which was already loaded with a stack of black cards.
• As she recalled how easy it had been for Cassius to enter the elevator, Vanessa seemed to have understood everything. “So Mr. Gunderson plays this game too? You're friends online, so he discreetly opened the back door for you, right? No wonder you know about that elevator.”
• “That's right. You know, Mr. Gunderson can only be considered my lackey in that game,” Cassius said, rubbing his nose awkwardly.
• His words rendered Vanessa speechless. “In-game and reality are totally different. He helped you this time, but I don't even know how you're going to return the favor.” She briskly walked down the corridor. “We must quickly look for the president of Fourwaters Union and return the dress.”
• Cassius chuckled behind her. “Darling, the president of Fourwaters Union isn't in there...”
• “Zip it! If we can't find him, we'll write a note and leave the clothes.” Vanessa glowered at him. “It's all your fault. You just had to sneak in. I could've just handed it to the receptionist outside.”
• They were currently in an awkward situation.
• Vanessa wandered around, huffing in frustration. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she marched into the hall where the banquet was held.
• The spacious hall was filled with socialites gathered beneath the gorgeous crystal chandelier. A beautiful waitress appeared with a smile, carrying a tray full of unknown beverages and liquor.
• While Vanessa was complaining internally, a loathsome figure appeared across from her again.
• The swaying figure in the dazzling evening dress was none other than Jenny.
• Sh*t!
• Vanessa let out a cry of surprise. She spun around and fell into the arms of Cassius standing behind her.
• At that moment, Jenny was socializing cheerily. When she saw the two, her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. “Hey, you two! Stop right there!” She rushed over in her high heels and grabbed Cassius' sleeve. “H-How did you get in?”
• Cassius wrapped his arms around the pale Vanessa and flashed a faint smile. “I came in to see you fulfill your promise, Ms. Lambert,” he said with a chuckle.
• Jenny was livid. Jenny was furious. Realizing something was amiss, she turned around and shouted for security. “Someone, come quickly! Two thieves have sneaked in!”
• Her cries drew everyone's attention, and the lively banquet hall instantly fell silent.
• Despite the differing gazes, they were enough to make Vanessa break out in a cold sweat. She had nowhere to hide.
• After pushing the man aside, Vanessa spun around and bowed humbly. “M-My apologies. We'll leave right away.”
• “Trying to escape, huh?” Jenny sneered, holding a glass of champagne. “I bet you sneaked into Fourwaters Union's banquet to steal something.” She lifted her champagne glass and ruthlessly splashed its contents on Vanessa's face. “Here's your reward. Now get lost!”
• In an instant, light chuckles echoed throughout the banquet hall.
• As the tycoons in Horbah were all well-educated and refined people, they naturally would not taunt and curse someone in public like Jenny. However, their gazes and curled lips were like pins stabbing Vanessa in the heart. At that moment, even the air seemed to be filled with disdain.
• Vanessa's long hair was still dripping with champagne. Her lips quivered, and she burst into tears, not simply out of humiliation but even more so because she could not defend herself.
• She felt she had no right to refute since she had indeed sneaked in from the back door.
• Just then, the man assisted her in wiping away the liquor with a tissue.
• Vanessa raised her head, trembling as she stared at him. She wanted to say something but held back. She spun around and ran to the restroom while sobbing.
• However, Jenny had no plans to let Cassius off. “I can't believe she has the nerve to cry. What good is the security here for? And you, loser, watch over your wife, and don't go around stealing other people's—”
• Before she could finish speaking, Cassius lifted his hand and gave her a tight slap.
• Jenny covered her face as her mind instantly went blank.
• This scoundrel slapped me. I can't believe he did that. How dare he slap me in front of so many people?
• After a momentary silence, Jenny exploded with rage. She stomped her foot as she bellowed, “I'll f*cking kill you. Security! Where's the security?”
• The black-clad security personnel around them frowned and wanted to approach.
• However, Hugh coldly made a gesture nearby, and those well-trained security personnel slowly stepped back, no one taking any action.
• Jenny continued screaming and did not know what to do after the awkwardness.
• Why? Why aren't any of the security personnel taking action?
• While covering her swollen cheek, she spat some harsh words before running to complain about the matter to her father.
• Cassius stared at her retreating figure, his eyes blazing with anger.
• Only after a long while did he finally calm down and pick up a glass of white wine.
• Just then, a young man in a blue suit who was with Jenny exclaimed, “What the heck! What kind of man are you to hit a woman? Make it f*cking clear to me now. Why did you hit Jenny?”
• Cassius replied indifferently, “Why can't I? She was acting like a shrew and even insulted my wife. I'm merely helping her parents teach her a lesson.”
• After saying that, he gently sipped his wine.
• The young man flushed crimson with rage. “Don't think I don't know who you are. You're a mere pauper and a live-in son-in-law. Are you even worthy of drinking such fine wine from a winery in Ustrana?”
• Cassius glanced at the wine bottle beside him before chuckling in amusement. “Winery in Ustrana? Dude, you don't even know Ferropenian?”
• The young man seemed baffled.
• Sweeping a glance at the people present, Cassius remarked nonchalantly in fluent and elegant Ferropenian, “Idiot! This is a mint-flavored white wine from a top Ferropenian winery, and it can help with bad breath. You should drink more because your mouth stinks!”
• What? What language is he speaking?
• Naturally, the young man could not understand Ferropenian and looked utterly confused.
• The socialites at the side who had returned from studying abroad could not help but burst into laughter.
• They began to see Cassius in a new light.
• Cassius ignored them and strode forward as Vanessa was back.
• Her hair was dripping wet, and she looked even more worn out.
• Cassius's heart ached. He swiftly removed his jacket and draped it over her. “Let's find a place to rest for a while.”
• However, Vanessa resisted, raising her swollen eyes and uttering somberly, “Cassius, don't you think we've embarrassed ourselves enough? I wish to go home. We're leaving now!”
• Just as she was speaking, there was a clamor outside.
• The members of the Seltzer family had finally arrived, appearing at the entrance with the gold emerald invitation.