Chapter 15: The Costa Family's Banquet

"Father, why are you having a banquet at this time? And using my name? I won't go!" Laura's voice was cold, filled with anger.

Giulio furrowed his brow. "You have to go, even if you don't want to! I've already spread the news. If you don't show up, where will the Costa family's reputation go?"

Laura pursed her lips, her gaze still icy.

"My daughter, don't make it difficult for me. I have no other choice. You're already of age, and if you don't find a companion soon, our Costa family lineage will end!" Giulio pleaded earnestly. "You're the only one left in our direct line. If you keep going like this, you'll truly drive your father to an early grave."

Beside them, the Costa family matriarch, Anna, also looked distressed. "I've been dreaming of seeing my grandson. Just listen to your parents and find someone suitable. If you continue like this... I might as well die!"

As she spoke, a few tears welled up in Anna's eyes, eventually spilling down her cheeks.

"Mom!" Laura's expression finally changed. No longer cold, she couldn't bear to see her mother cry louder and louder. "Fine, I'll go, is that enough?"

After saying that, a hint of sorrow flashed across her face. She turned and left, unnoticed by anyone. In that instant, a glistening teardrop traced a curved path, falling to the ground.

Seeing his daughter's figure disappear, Giulio's helplessness vanished from his face, replaced by a calmness. "Alright, stop crying. She's already gone."

Anna raised her head, her eyes slightly red, but with a smile in her eyes. "It's about time we tried this tactic. If we push a few more times, we'll have a grandson."

"Isn't it all because of you?" Giulio huffed. "You said to give our daughter some time, but it's been seven years. We waited until that scoundrel Henry came back. Back then, I wanted someone to kill him, but you didn't allow it. Now Henry is in Freton, and it can't be us who makes a move. If our daughter finds out, she'll surely hate us for life."

Anna retorted, "How was I supposed to know that Henry would use some scheme to captivate Laura? The young masters of the Harris family, the Lewis family, the White family, none of them were interested. We had to wait for Henry to return."

"Well, if we talk about Henry's luck, it's truly something. He was kicked out of the Miller Family. After the Miller family was cornered by Thomas, they coincidentally encountered the Tiger Gang issue; otherwise, they would have died. They couldn't just sit idly so as not to let that beast find another opportunity to get entangled with Laura."

"I've never really looked up to the Miller family back then, and now they're declining even more. They don't even have the qualifications to form an alliance with our Costa family."

Giulio nodded in agreement, "That's right, the Miller family has long been rotten to the core. For now, the two of us must do whatever it takes, deceive, or even... resort to force, just to secure a good future for Laura! By the way, have you told the gatekeeper? Only guests with an invitation card are eligible to attend the banquet. Don't let that beast, Henry, sneak in!"

Anna gave him a dismissive look, "Do you still doubt my abilities? The Costa family's banquet is not something a fallen family like the Miller family can attend."

At night, the Costa family mansion was brightly lit, and countless nobles dressed in luxurious outfits with smiling faces engaged in lively conversations in the magnificent hall.

"The Costa family is truly influential. Look, even the aristocratic families from other provinces have specifically sent people to attend this banquet."

"Is that the young master of the Russo family, spanning over five major provinces? The person beside him, could it be Ravinia? The symbol on his body represents the Greco family of Ravinia, right?"

Those knowledgeable nobles changed their expressions, not daring to disturb these true scions of noble families, even stepping away from them.

The gap in status had reached a certain point where trying to please them would only bring humiliation. Only the young masters of the four major local aristocratic families had the qualifications to converse with them.

"Look, even Enrico has come?"

Whispered conversations broke out, pointing toward a gallant man in the distance.

Enrico appeared elegant and poised, showing no signs that his father's corpse was still hanging at their doorstep!

Sensing others whispering about him, he looked coldly in their direction. The busybodies quickly averted their gazes, engaging in lively conversations with those around them, concealing their prying eyes.

Knowing that these people were mocking the Lewis family, Enrico felt anger in his heart, but now was not the time to explode.

The Lewis family, even in times of trouble, couldn't be mocked by just any small family!

"I don't know what the mayor means by not allowing me to retrieve my father's body."

Enrico secretly resented it, but he had no choice but to comply with the mayor's wishes and continue to maintain the current status quo.

In his heart, he had some speculations, feeling that the mayor had completely lost his temper and wanted to stabilize the Tiger Gang first. Then waiting for a chance, a mighty blow that would instantly destroy this chaos.

This has already gone beyond the scope of the Lewis family, something he couldn't speculate on.

Engaging in conversation with some influential friends, Enrico occasionally glanced toward the depths of the hall.

It wasn't just him; most of those who came here looked the same.

Later, Miss Costa of the Costa family will make her appearance from that direction.

The Costa family is formidable, with influence spanning across the political, business, and military realms. Even the Harris family, where the governor of Freton province resides, dare not claim they can easily suppress the Costa family.

There is currently a very profound hidden danger within the direct lineage of the Costa family, and that is the absence of boys, with only Miss Laura as the only heiress!

In other words, as long as Laura is wedded, waiting for the older generation of the Costa family to retire, the entire Costa family will be within one's grasp. This temptation is something no family can resist.

"She's here!"

The moment Laura appeared from the corner deep in the hall, everyone at the banquet took notice.

They had long been aware of the beauty of Miss Costa, but seeing her again now was still breathtaking!

She wore a black strapless gown, exquisitely designed, with an elegant embroidered pattern on the trailing hem. With every step, it swayed like the night sky, unable to conceal Laura's graceful figure.

Her long hair cascaded gently, and her enchanting brows and eyes carried a hint of sorrow. Below her straight nose, her vibrant red lips were delicate and tender. Her beautiful black hair was simply tied at the back of her head, reflecting her fair and supple skin, slender shoulders, and captivating curves.

In these past years, Laura's strong and independent image had overshadowed her beauty so much that they almost forgot how stunning she was.

Yet, amidst the gazes of the crowd, Laura remained calm, as if no amount of admiration could stir her heart.