BXBX NOVEL Chapter 313 313 Quiet!
Chapter 313 313 Quiet!
Madeline, already seated at one end of the table, caught sight of Nexus and gestured animatedly for him to join. "Come on, come on! I thought you would miss the celebration feast!"
"I couldn't miss this," Nexus chuckled, taking a seat. Nora settled in next to him, still grinning from ear to ear, while Crystal occupied the chair on his other side, arranging her plates with evident satisfaction.
"I've been preparing this feast since we escaped from Fitch and that monster," Madeline shared, taking a sip of her wine. The goblets, adorned with intricate patterns, gleamed in the candlelight.
At that moment, Monica entered the hall, her face glowing with radiance, and her steps light. Taking a seat closer to Madeline, she chimed in, "Hope I haven't missed a thing!"
"Not really," Nora replied, laughter dancing in her eyes. "Mom was just about to talk our ears off with how she planned the feast." The room echoed with laughter.
"Come on, I wasn't talking that much," Madeline protested with a playful smile, drawing more laughter from the gathered company.
"Oh, you talk a lot, Madeline," Selina added, entering the hall and overhearing their banter. She took a seat near Monica, giving her a knowing look. The two shared a brief glance and smiled at each other.
"You too, my best friend?," Madeline laughed, appreciating the playful teasing.
As everyone settled in, Madeline suggested, "Well, if you don't want me to talk your ears off, we need to start stuffing our mouths with this food!"
"Yeah!" The cheers resonated through the hall as they delved into the feast. Crystal, already indulging in the delights before the cheers, managed a muffled "Yeah" with a full mouth.
Nora, between bites, turned to Nexus. "What about Ni Yang?"
At the mention of Ni Yang's name, Selina, mid-sip of her wine, choked and began coughing, her face turning red. Monica chuckled lightly at Selina's reaction.
"Are you okay, Selina?" Madeline asked, concerned.
"Yeah, yeah," Selina managed to respond, recovering. "It went down the wrong pipe."
Returning to Nexus, Madeline inquired, "Yeah, where is Ni Yang? He should be here celebrating with us."
Nexus, wearing a small smile, replied, "Ni Yang asked me to send his apologies. He couldn't be here to celebrate the destruction of the Howard family due to some personal matters."
"Oh, I hope he's good?" Madeline inquired, genuine concern in her voice.
"Yeah, he just needs to sort some things out," Nexus assured.
Selina glanced at Monica, and their eyes communicated a shared sentiment. They wished Ni Yang were here, and a subtle understanding passed between them.
"Nexus," Madeline's voice cut through the air, carrying an air of purpose, "I have a proposition for you." Her eyes sparkled with determination as she locked onto Nexus, who turned his attention fully to her, intrigued by the sudden shift in conversation.
"We have some pressing matters in the family business," Madeline continued, "and I could use a reliable assistant. Someone I can trust."
Nexus, though appreciative of the family's hospitality, felt a reluctance bubbling within him. His mind was consumed by the allure of alchemical discoveries and the untapped potential of his Heavenly Flame.
"I appreciate the offer, Madeline," Nexus responded diplomatically, "but my current endeavors require my undivided attention. I'm afraid I won't be able to assist you with family matters." His words were measured, a polite refusal crafted with the intent of maintaining focus on his personal goals.
Madeline, undeterred by Nexus's initial response, leaned forward. "Nexus, the Russell family could use your expertise. We have a unique situation that requires a delicate touch. I'm confident you can handle it." Her eyes held a glint of expectation, challenging Nexus to reconsider.
Nexus, in the midst of forming a firm decline, found himself interrupted by Nora's unexpected plea. "Nexus, please, we really need your help. The family is facing challenges, and Madeline can't handle it all alone. Besides, it would mean a lot to me."
The desperation in Nora's eyes was palpable, a silent cry for assistance that tugged at Nexus's empathetic core. Unbeknownst to Madeline, Nora harbored her own motives, a desire to draw Nexus closer on a personal level. Her plea was a subtle dance of hidden intentions.
Madeline, unaware of the intricate dynamics, pressed on. "Nexus, your assistance would be invaluable. I assure you, it won't take much of your time, and we'll make it worth your while." The entreaty was coupled with a persuasive tone, an attempt to sway Nexus's decision.
Feeling the weight of Nora's unspoken plea and sensing the importance of familial bonds, Nexus sighed inwardly. "Alright, Madeline, I'll help you with the family matters. But I must emphasize that my primary focus remains on my own pursuits. I hope you understand."
Madeline, seemingly satisfied with Nexus's reluctant agreement, nodded appreciatively. "Of course, Nexus. Your expertise will make a difference." Little did she know the intricate dance of motivations occurring beneath the surface.
As Nexus reluctantly accepted, Nora's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. Her hidden agenda had found success without revealing the true depth of her motives.
The news of Fitch's demise echoed through the Howard family estate like a tempest, leaving chaos in its wake. Servants and guards, once bound by fear of the deceased patriarch, were now set adrift in a sea of uncertainty. The atmosphere in the Howard castle was thick with tension, a palpable unease that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Madeline, swift in her actions, took advantage of the swirling chaos. As the guards and servants scurried about, looting the house, she stepped into the role of a commanding figure. Her presence, once overshadowed by Fitch's tyranny, now emerged with newfound authority.
Standing in the center of the square, Madeline raised her hands, a gesture that demanded attention. The chaos hushed to a low murmur as eyes turned toward her. The square, once a symbol of Howard dominance, now bore witness to a changing tide.
"Hear my voice, everyone," she declared, her voice projecting with a commanding force. The members of the Howard family, both privileged and servile, looked towards her, curiosity and skepticism etched on their faces.
"I will be taking over the Howard house following Fitch's death," she continued, her words cutting through the uncertain murmurs that bubbled among the crowd.
"Quiet, people," she chastised, her gaze stern. The atmosphere, already laden with tension, grew still at her command.
The uncertainty in the crowd turned into a mix of murmurs and whispered doubts about Madeline's authority. Unfazed, Madeline raised her hands, and as if responding to her will, the clouds overhead changed, casting a gloom over the square. A hush fell over the onlookers as they witnessed the manifestation of her powers.
"I said quiet," she repeated, not raising her voice but letting her power do the talking.