BXBX NOVEL Chapter 96: Black Cat Part 2
Additionally, atop the walls, non-harmful red lasers created a barrier, ready to sound the alarm if any unauthorized entry was attempted.
Inside, a grand mansion came into view, boasting the architectural elegance of Greek Revival style Mansion.
The white columns, sturdy and impressive, lined the front of the structure, supporting a triangular pediment that added a sense of grandeur.
The walls was adorned with simple yet elegant details, such as moldings and trimmings, reminiscent of classical Greek architecture.
Large windows with shutters adorned the sides of the mansion, showing the warm light from inside.
Completing the scene, a meticulously maintained garden enveloped the mansion, enhancing its already impressive elegance.
In a location where land prices cost a lot, the wide area of this mansion spoke volumes. Its sheer size and opulence were proof to the wealth and influence of its owner in Summit City.
On the long drive way, a crimson limousine adorned with a horse emblem on the side pulled up to the grand entrance.
The entrance itself boasted a spacious brown wooden door capable of accommodating four individuals at the same time.
Positioned at the door were ten individuals—five maids and five butlers—each respectfully bowing their heads in greeting to a figure of utmost importance.
The maids wore clean white uniforms with delicate lace trimmings, while the butlers sported tailored black suits with white shirts and satin bow ties.
Both exuded elegance and professionalism in their attire, reflecting their roles in this place.
"Welcome home, Lady Cyril," the assembled staff greeted in perfect unison as the daughter of the mansion's owner stepped out of her luxurious ride.
Cyril acknowledged the staff with a subtle nod before proceeding inside.
As she passed through the familiar halls adorned with paintings, luxurious furniture, and exquisite carpets, she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that enveloped her.
Despite the beauty of this place that typically inspired appreciation in others, for Cyril, the surroundings only served to unsettle her further .
This warm place felt suffocating, and she wanted nothing more but to leave this place right away.
'Calm down, you won't be seeing this place again,' she reassured herself silently, her thoughts turning to the future she had tirelessly worked towards.
As she walked through the grand hallway of the mansion, the soft glow of chandeliers illuminated her path, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the polished patterned wooden floor beneath her feet.
After a few minutes, she finally reached the entrance to the dining room.
The double doors stood imposingly before her, carved with intricate designs that spoke of the mansion's storied history.
With a steady hand, she pushed them open, revealing a scene that almost made her want to vomit.
A long table, capable of accommodating up to thirty people she hated, stretched before her. Every seat was occupied, save for one—the chair reserved specifically for her.
When she settled into her seat, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the tall windows.
Despite her efforts to conceal it, the sadness in her eyes could not be hidden, mirrored back at her from the glass.
"Big Sis, I'm glad you decided to join us for our family dinner," spoke a girl slightly shorter and thiner than Cyril, sharing her features with blonde hair and green eyes.
Though not as beautiful , she was still a looker compared to the average standards
"Yes," Cyril replied with a fake smile.
In the outside her little sister might act friendly, but within their family, genuine warmth was a rare commodity.
Greed for money and power had always permeated their interactions, and she had witnessed firsthand how these desires could fracture familial bonds.
Even in this gathering, she was certain that she had been summoned solely out of their own self-interest.
"Cyril, you've reached legal age already, and I believe it's time for you to consider settling down," spoke the next individual, a middle-aged woman with long hair elegantly tied at the back.
Like Cyril, she too had blonde hair, but her eyes were a more common shade of blue—a typical combination in Summit City.
This woman was Cyril's stepmother. Among the head of the families offspring, Cyril was the sole individual with a different mother.
She was the product of one of her father's affairs—a fact that marked her as a bastard child.
Initially intended to be given away at a young age, but Cyril's fate took a different turn when her father, was impressed by her beauty, and decided to place her with a temporary family.
Since then, she had received financial support, but her father remained largely absent from her life. Even her step-siblings regarded her with a certain degree of distance.
'So, it's finally time,' she sighed inwardly.
She had long anticipated this moment. There was only one reason why her father had kept her close—to utilize her for a political marriage.
A woman of her beauty would be in high demand among other affluent families.
Fortunately, Cyril was a smart girl.
The moment she discovered her hidden power as a divergent, she concealed this truth from her family and secretly joined the Veiled Nights.
She devised a plan to sever all ties with them once they force her for an arrange marriage .
Initially, her goal was simply to become strong enough to defend herself against any potential repercussions from her plan.
However, now that she had secured a ticket to a Tier 3 city, she could finally escape this place , and severe all ties with them once and for all.
Without voicing any protest, she simply smiled and nodded like a dutiful daughter. They proceeded to eat their food in silence, maintaining their fake smiles.
Eventually, her father broached the topic of the man to whom she was supposed to be married.
'Vincent Hewlet?' Cyril felt a chill run down her spine after hearing that name.
Vincent Hewlet was a 40-year-old man who had recently inherited his father's technology empire. He had been married before, but his wife had died because of an unknown disease .
Rumors circulated, suggesting that the wife had met her end at the hands of her own husband. But, due to the influence of the Hewlet family, these allegations were neither investigated nor proven.
However, the issue here wasn't his age nor his track record.
It was the corporation he owned—Hewlet Pantheon Corporation, a conglomerate with business permits to operate in 20 Tier 4 cities and 5 Tier 3 .
To make matters worse, the headquarters of Hewlet Pantheon Corporation was situated directly in Green Valley, the central hub of these cities.
'This is bad, I need to escape as soon as possible,' Cyril thought to herself urgently. She realized that once she transferred cities, she would have to disappear completely off the map.
However, the main obstacle was her own family.
If she vanished, they would undoubtedly spare no effort in locating her. And with the resources of Hewlet Pantheon Corporation at their disposal, it wouldn't take long for them to track her down.
Cyril was aware that despite being a criminal organization, the Veiled Nights lacked the power to stand against a conglomerate, especially with the influence of the Chamber of Commerce looming over them.
'I need to think of a way,' she mused, her heart beat quickening because of the stress.