Chapter 10 Unmatched Territory

• "Do you really think this is fine?"
• Cecilia finally broke the uneasy silence with Larry, her mind still swirling in confusion.
• "This banquet hardly does justice to you, I agree," Larry replied earnestly, a smile softening his features.
• Cecilia remained speechless.
• "Yeah, yeah ... given Ms. Faraday's standing, this affair falls short," Zacharias interjected promptly from the sidelines.
• In truth, Zacharias was just as perplexed. The extravagant favour shown to Cecilia by Heaven International's CEO puzzled him deeply.
• She's but a nobody, yet now she garners so much adoration and attention.
• Can anyone shed light on this mysterious turn of events?
• Behind them, Cecilia's classmates watched in bewilderment at the unfolding spectacle.
• Previously vocal critics like Claus and Celia now stood silent, their expressions uneasy.
• "Why the grand display? She's just a disgraced lady," Laura's envy was palpable, nearing its zenith.
• "Fear not, Laura," Thomas assured her, his voice resolute. "You're my partner. No one will overshadow you. A girl from a forgotten lineage and a man of no import mean nothing to me!"
• For Thomas, this was a matter of honour.
• Having been rebuffed by Zacharias earlier had wounded his pride deeply.
• He could not let it pass unanswered.
• "Yeah!" Laura nodded emphatically.
• The Heaven International Hotel gleamed with opulence, its halls ablaze with golden light.
• "Mr. Cuban!" Cecilia turned to Zacharias with a gentle smile. "Tonight is my friend's birthday celebration, a gathering of companions. Might you consider ... "
• "Oh, you do not have to take that formal tone with me, Ms. Faraday. Give me your orders should you need anything."
• Zacharias quickly added, "It is an honour and privilege to serve you, Ms. Faraday."
• Zacharias could not afford to disregard anyone under Keith's special instructions, regardless of Cecilia's identity.
• Cecilia remained silent, shrouded in confusion.
• Zacharias pressed on, "I understand what you were trying to say, Ms. Faraday."
• With these words, Zacharias scanned his surroundings.
• The guards and numerous executives and staff discreetly vacated the hall.
• He added, "Whatever you dictate, just summon me. I shall not interrupt your reunion now!"
• Stepping back, Zacharias turned aside, passing Larry.
• "So that brat has you guys calling him Mr. Forester now?" Larry blurted.
• It was as if lightning had struck him Zacharias. He almost tripped and fell over himself.
• That brat? Zacharias knew Keith, of course, but he'd never seen anyone calling him 'brat' before.
• In Shoresea's business circles, Keith was invariably addressed as Mr. Forester upon introduction.
• And yet here was this man, not only using Keith's true name but also referring to him so informally.
• Zacharias knew this man was Cecilia's spouse.
• "Do you ... know Keith?" Zacharias' voice barely reached Larry's ears.
• Regret flooded Zacharias immediately after he posed the question.
• His thoughts churned violently. He wasn't foolish. Keith, of such standing, wouldn't attend to a girl from a lesser lineage without substantial backing. The only reason for his support meant this girl had someone more powerful than Keith backing her.
• Zacharias paled suddenly, his body trembling. "You ... you're the young ... "
• "It's good you know. No need to reveal it!" Larry's tone was light. "Come with me!"
• After Larry spoke, he strode purposefully away, Zacharias trailing closely behind.
• Cecilia observed their departure with a detached air, confident that Zacharias recognised Larry as her husband.
• They reached the grand entrance of the hotel.
• From his pocket, Larry produced a medal. "Today marks my wife's birthday. I want her to know pure joy. Take this, head to Shoresea military, and brief them. They'll understand what's needed!"
• Zacharias quivered as he beheld the medal. Its touch was chilling, its weight substantial, its surface gleaming with solid gold, and etched with the words 'Unrivalled Homeland.'
• Those words instantly conveyed to Zacharias the profound significance of the medal.
• "I pledge to fulfil the task!" Zacharias declared fervently, his spirit inflamed, standing resolute as though poised for battle.
• For Zacharias, glimpsing the medal of Estagon's fabled young marshal was a moment worth a lifetime.
• "Remember, discretion is paramount. Should the media find out somehow, you know what'll happen." Larry's voice was calm yet firm, his gaze fixed on Zacharias.
• Should the news of the young marshal's existence in this hotel be made public knowledge, it would shake the city.
• "Yes, sir!"
• After standing at attention, Zacharias pivoted and departed, his thoughts swirling, acknowledging the magnitude of encountering the legendary young marshal, a figure of unparalleled brilliance.
• In the opulent hall ...
• "Cece, I never knew you had ties with a high-ranking figure at Heaven International. I must have been blind not to see!" Laura smiled warmly at Cecilia.
• To her, Zacharias's deference and courtesy could only be explained if Cecilia had some affair with a significant figure at Heaven International.
• That was obviously Laura's envy talking.
• "Laura, you've always been my best friend. How could you slander me so?"
• Cecilia never thought her friend would be so hideous within, but here she was.
• Cecilia was chaste—her interactions with men had never extended beyond the innocent touch of hands.
• "Cece, don't get upset." Laura smiled softly. "You're stunning. It's normal to have flings. Do you really think your useless husband can provide for you forever?"
• "Exactly!" Celia chimed in. "Back in university, Cece was the campus belle, a goddess to many. Even if she's kept by someone, it's standard. It's just a pity for your husband!"
• "And that husband of yours, heh ... he's utterly worthless!" Thomas added nonchalantly. "You're better off without him!"
• Briefly, words exchanged like swordplay.
• Their scornful faces were unmasked.
• They couldn't bear seeing Cecilia surpass them. The envy had roots in their school days.
• "What are you guys saying ... "Cecilia's fragile form quivered, her visage darkening.
• At last, she saw through Laura and her classmates.
• "Darling, what's wrong?" Larry entered, noting Cecilia's dampened eyes. "Someone bothering you?"
• "N-no!" Cecilia denied, shielding Larry, mindful of Laura's partner, Thomas, a force to reckon with.
• "Nothing? Are you sure?" Larry probed further. He wasn't naive.
• "Truly, nothing!" Cecilia shook her head anew. "Just a bit of grit in my eye, nothing more!"
• That was far from enough to deceive Larry.
• Larry's eyes surveyed, unusually chilly.