Chapter 403 The Calm Before the Storm
Francesca sat in front of the mirror, carefully examining herself.
Forty-three years had passed, but even now, whenever she closed her eyes, the scene from that day would replay in her mind.
It was so vividly that she could even recall the position of every shard on the ground.
Suddenly, a sharp pain brought her back to reality. Francesca looked down at her hand.
The bodyguard had removed a shard embedded in her palm, causing Francesca's face to contort in pain.
She cried out, and the servants quickly disinfected and bandaged her wound. "Mrs. Carnegie, it will be done soon."
Francesca said, "It's fine, you do your job. I can bear it."
The servants said, "Mrs. Carnegie, maybe you should stop breaking things. You get hurt every time, and you already have too many scars."
Francesca replied, "Really? Too many, huh? Then schedule a scar removal surgery."
As she spoke, Francesca seemed numb to the pain.
Paige had finished her breakfast and returned to the study. Raymond followed her. "Francesca might attend the banquet tonight."
Paige said expressionlessly, "Of course she will."
Raymond added, "She wants to see you now, to talk about her..."
Before he could finish, Paige interrupted him. "I don't want to see her, nor do I want to hear anything she has to say. Raymond, tonight is too important for us. She is not worth wasting a single second of my time."
After breakfast, Pearl handed over all the preparations for the evening's banquet, including the dresses, to Amelia.
Paige also called Julian to have his subordinates guard the disfigured man.
For this unexpected, hastily arranged banquet, Paige had made the necessary arrangements.
However, she needed to have complete control over the security. If she couldn't ensure that, the evening might end disastrously.
Regardless of the outcome, personal safety had to be a top priority.
After discussing with Julian, Paige laid out the security plans.
Then, Paige carefully reviewed the information sent over by Louis, roughly determining which members of the Hamilton family and the Russell family she would meet tonight.
Pearl quickly organized the information and handed it to Paige. "Ms. Ellison, an important figure from the Russell family has arrived, likely for tonight's banquet. The details are on the last page."
As Pearl spoke, Paige took the last page from the stack of documents.
She read aloud, "Joshua Russell. Emory's uncle. The younger brother of the head of the Russell family, managing the family's new ventures like technology and biotech labs."
Paige took a deep breath. There was some overlap with her own business.
It seemed the Russell family had thoroughly investigated her situation. So, the attendees tonight would be those managing similar businesses.
Paige reviewed the information and asked. "Can we find more details on Joshua?"
Pearl answered, "It will take time, and we don't have enough right now."
Paige nodded and memorized Joshua's appearance from the photo.
After all, she would meet him at the banquet tonight.
Pearl continued, "From the Hamilton family, the youngest son, Dennis Hamilton, is attending. He is currently the most favored in the family, but he is third in line for inheritance. If the Hamilton family took this banquet seriously, or not seriously enough, it shouldn't be him attending."
Paige said, "If they took it seriously, it should be the first in line. If not, it shouldn't be the most favored Dennis. So, what does the Hamilton family mean by this?"
Raymond, listening nearby, suddenly spoke up, "I remember, Dennis is not a direct descendant of the Hamilton family."
Paige immediately looked at Raymond. "You mean Dennis is an illegitimate child?"
Raymond nodded. "That's right. Although everyone calls him the youngest son of the Hamilton family head, his mother's status is quite ordinary."
Paige said, "Got it. That makes sense. The Hamilton family doesn't care about me, a small figure who hasn't established myself yet. But Dennis has quite the ambition."
The Russell family, due to overlapping business interests, took her actions very seriously.
Emory, the first in line, had arrived in Arcadia early and likely meddled in many affairs. Now, Joshua was here too.
Tonight, other nobles and prominent figures from Arcadia would also attend.
For Paige, tonight's banquet carried immense pressure.
Most importantly, there was still no news about Andrew and Margaret.
"I can't wait any longer." After reviewing the documents, Paige decided she had to take the initiative.
Raymond asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Paige said, "Open The Ellison Mansion and invite some people for lunch. I need to investigate the Hamilton family and the Russell family and find out who took Andrew and Margaret before the banquet officially starts. If I can solve this problem beforehand, the evening banquet will have one less issue."
Raymond reminded, "They might not come."
Paige retorted, "No, they will! Don't I have something they are interested in?"
Raymond asked, "You mean the clues to the secret funds?"
Paige nodded. "Yes, enough to pique their interest, right?"
Raymond took a deep breath. "This is too dangerous. It's like hanging meat to attract wolves."
Paige took a deep breath. If her identity were revealed at the banquet, she knew it would be very troublesome.
And after hearing what Cecil said, knowing that Wesley indeed had other candidates, if she lost and yet knew so much, including clues about the secret funds, would the Hamilton and Russell families really let her and Raymond off the hook?
It would likely be relentless pursuit!
At least, solving the immediate problem and dealing with these two families could be done later.
Paige explained, "The clues to the secret funds, who among the former five great families doesn't know? Over the years, everyone has been secretly fighting for them. Might as well put it out in the open. At least, it can help me get through this crisis."
Raymond asked, "You want to bring out the disfigured man locked in the room?"
Paige replied, "Not yet! We still have the fake one, don't we?"
It was the counterfeit Raymond had specially made during his 'wedding' with Lily.
Raymond suddenly smiled. "If that's the case, getting through this crisis will lead us into a mad scramble for clues and maps. There will be no peaceful days left for us, only countless dangers lurking around. Assassinations, ambushes, all sorts of unexpected events might happen. Paige, are you sure you're ready?"
Paige retorted, "Haven't I been preparing for five years in the island prison?"
Raymond nodded. "I'll handle the security pressure. I'm your last trump card."
Paige said to Pearl, "Pearl, make the arrangements."
With Raymond's agreement, what reason did Paige have not to go all out?
Pearl understood Paige's intention and immediately took the invitations to personally extend them.
Sure enough, Paige's strategy successfully attracted the Hamilton family and the Russell family.
Before lunch was even ready, they had all arrived at The Ellison Mansion.
Emory and Jenny from the Russell family showed up, but Joshua, mentioned in the documents, did not.
Instead, Joshua sent two young representatives, clearly just to gather information under the guise of a meal.
Nevertheless, Paige welcomed them.
She personally greeted them, her attitude slightly warmer than when Emory had visited last time.
However, most of her smiles were directed at Jenny.
After greeting the Russell family, Dennis arrived.
Pearl personally went to receive him and introduced him upon arrival. "This is Ms. Ellison, Xanthe Ellison."
Paige looked over. Dennis was a typical mixed-race individual, exuding a strikingly attractive aura at first glance. He was such a handsome man.
Paige couldn't help but glance at Raymond. Dennis's beauty was of a different kind compared to Raymond's.
Completely different styles, but Paige felt that Dennis's allure was somewhat similar to her own.
Both had that kind of dazzling, overwhelming beauty.
Paige extended her hand amicably and shook Dennis's. "Mr. Hamilton, your beauty is well-deserved."
Dennis smiled. "Ms. Ellison, you too, are a deserving rose."
Paige glanced at Jenny. "We already have a rose here today."
Jenny was also beautiful; otherwise, she wouldn't have earned the title of 'rose.'
Dennis greeted them. "Jenny, Emory, long time no see."
As they chatted, they followed Paige to the dining room.
At the table, after several rounds of intellectual sparring, it became clear that everyone was after the clues to the secret funds Paige held.
They even hinted at potential cooperation.
Dennis said to Paige. "By the way, I brought a gift with me to Arcadia."
Paige asked, "What gift did Mr. Hamilton bring?"
Dennis replied, "I heard something significant will happen at tonight's banquet. My gift will do my best to help Ms. Ellison reclaim her rightful place among the three great families."
Paige asked, "Three great families?"
Dennis nodded, "As everyone knows, there are only two top families left in the world. Even if Ms. Ellison has the identity, she hasn't truly returned to our circle."
Emory asked, "So, Dennis, did you bring your family's media? Are you trying to create a buzz for Ms. Ellison?"
Dennis retorted, "Isn't that what Joshua suggested?"
Paige's face darkened. She thought tonight's challenge was only about Andrew and Margaret.
She didn't expect the Hamilton family and the Russell family to prepare a big surprise for her.
If she guessed correctly, tonight, if she were labeled an impostor, the news would spread worldwide immediately.
She would become a target of universal disdain!
Paige asked Emory, "Mr. Russell, do you have any special gifts for me?"
Emory smiled. "Of course, but unfortunately, Ms. Ellison, you declined. I also prepared a big gift, but mine isn't to be given away. I'm looking for a partner because this project is too big for me alone."
Paige understood clearly now. The Hamilton family and the Russell family had actually reached a consensus on her false identity.
They intended to use tonight's banquet to oust her from the position of the Ellison family heir.
Previously, they had been vying to win her over.
Unexpectedly, the situation changed so quickly, and the Hamilton family and the Russell family suddenly cooperated.
However, with the Douglas family's precedent, Paige could understand.
While the three families might be more stable by checking each other, the Hamilton family and the Russell family would gain more by completely dividing the Ellison family.
Paige's mention of the gift made Emory and Dennis raise their glasses.
It seemed they hadn't reached an agreement on this point.
After the lunch, no one gave Paige a satisfactory answer.
After all, when it came to the clues to the secret funds, no one was willing to give them up. Naturally, the Hamilton family and the Russell family had their differences.
The answers weren't satisfactory, but their behavior was.
As she saw them off, Paige realized that tonight's crisis might have a glimmer of hope.
As for who would give her that hope, Paige couldn't guess yet.
By the afternoon, Paige had completely given up on finding Andrew and Margaret before the banquet.
As that was the opponent's trump card, sure to be revealed at the banquet.
At four in the afternoon, Paige sat in front of her makeup mirror.
She was the absolute protagonist tonight. With a fifty-fifty chance of winning or losing, and since Dennis had brought top-tier media, she had to present herself in the best possible state.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Francesca also sat in front of her makeup mirror.
Behind her hung a dress from a top luxury brand, handcrafted over two years.
Its splendor and luxury were extraordinary.
On her makeup table was a large black velvet box.
It looked historical.
Francesca opened the box, revealing a set of dazzling, luxurious jewelry.
The necklace featured a large, radiant diamond.
The makeup artists beside Francesca were stunned, having never seen such a large diamond.
As Francesca gently caressed the diamond, a slight smile appeared on her lips. "Finally, it's time to strike! A storm that can't be avoided, if I can't shield you from it, then I'll stake my life to turn the world upside down. Why not?"
After speaking, Francesca picked up the necklace, not allowing anyone else to touch it, and put it on herself.
The large diamond, when facing the light, refracted a hint of crimson, as if it were stained with blood.
At six in the evening, the Universe Group's banquet officially began.
All the guests arrived on time including Dennis and the three from the Russell family.
Paige and Raymond didn't arrive early; by the time they got there, it was nearly seven.
As they got out of the car, arm in arm, they exchanged a glance. Raymond asked, "Are you ready?"
Paige nodded. "This is the first tough battle to reach that position. Thank you for being by my side, Mr. Carnegie. After stepping into this banquet, who I will become, even I am not sure."
Raymond gently kissed Paige's forehead. "No matter what identity, one thing will never change—you will always be the one and only Mrs. Carnegie in the world!"
Paige smiled faintly, composed herself, and turned to look at Julian, who was following them.
She asked, "How are the arrangements?"
Julian nodded. "Everything is ready."
Paige nodded slightly. In the next second, her eyes became resolute and powerful. She ordered, "Let's show our most distinguished guests a surprise first!"
As soon as Paige finished speaking, a voice came from behind. "Let me present today's surprise!"
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