The Villain's Wife (WN)

Unedited

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The initial purpose of the banquet was to introduce Lily as a part of the royal family. However, since Princess Mikaela sent the invitations before Lily could refuse, they had to make it look like this was another banquet held to celebrate an achievement they recently had.

Another issue came when Lily got exhausted because of her trip. This valid reason made Mikaela and the Duchess reschedule the banquet. Of course, this was never a problem for noble families. This was mainly because the actual goal of these nobles is to interact with the other businessmen and important individuals from the neighboring countries of Luxembourg.

Business — that was the primary goal of attending these events.

They wanted to broaden their influence and take advantage of Luxembourg's open economy. Business and Influence. Isn't that what everyone wanted? Unfortunately, Harringfort was never here for the same reason.

He was only here to show off. He was not here to build connections with these people who had been dancing in the hands of the Spectre for years now. He was here to make Zhou Jingren aware that he can touch him through the people that Lily knew. That he is an accomplished man, someone with significant influence in many countries.

On the outside, Harringfort was smiling as he discussed things that did not interest him. His face would occasionally morph into something serious while pretending to show some interest in the current topic. His eyes would then dart to the enormous doors of the ballroom hall, waiting for Lily and Zhou Jingren to arrive.

He could not help but wonder what would Zhou Jingren think about his presence tonight. Would he finally crack and show some fear in his eyes? These thoughts, however, reminded him of Zhou Jingren's emotionless gaze, making him frown. How could he forget that humiliation that he suffered that night? He gritted his teeth before his right-hand man, Yi, reminded him that they are currently in a public place.

With his reminder, Harringfort immediately told everyone around him who showed concern that he was fine. Just a little thirsty but obviously, he was enjoying the current event.

"I heard that the Duke called us out tonight because of some important announcements about our economy and some other plans that he had for this year? He was planning to announce this news at the beginning of the year banquet, which will happen in the thirty first of January." He heard the noble beside him say. Harringfort responded with a smile.

To be honest, the economy of Luxembourg was the least of his concern. Its changes would not affect him in any way. "As one of the countries with the lowest debts in the EU, I believe Luxembourg is going to have an excellent year. Your words, however, made me wonder about these plans." He pretended to show interest and started talking about Luxembourg's undisputed pro-business environment. "With its… broad banking sector, I believe the country will flourish, not only in Europe but in the world."

As expected, his words were immediately met with nods of approval. After all, he was talking to businessmen who had invested their millions in the industry of this country. Moreover, most of these people were born and raised either in Luxembourg or in its neighboring countries.

"Do you think it will be another bank?" Another one asked. The country is a financial hub, it is only normal for another bank to slither its way into Luxembourg. "Our problem is currently housing or real estate. I believe we don't need another bank and someone from the financial institution, no?"

"Housing? If a private organization or company that they would say that they would make such a venture possible, I would definitely invest millions in this project."

"Same!" Just like Hong Kong and Singapore and every small country in the world, one problem that had been knocking on Luxembourg's doorstep was the housing, expensive real estate properties. This problem had threatened a lot of low-income families over the years. Everyone in this room believes that addressing such a thing should be the priority of the Duke, and of course, half of them were already expecting that the Duke would address such concerns tonight.

Or why would the Duke called them for a banquet just days before the thirty-first beginning of the year banquet?

Harringfort on the other hand was forced to bit his tongue to prevent himself from retorting such stupid claims. The Country is small, it simply lacks building space, and the growth of Luxembourg's population is causing the imbalance of supply and demand.

As many people wanted a living space, the cost of real estate would surely rise to meet the laws of supply and demand. Moreover, Luxembourg is not the only country that had been experiencing this problem. He lowered his gaze, avoiding everyone's eyes.

Without problems like this, each country like Luxembourg and Hong Kong and even Singapore would become the richest and the richest in the world. Would the Spectre really allow such things to happen? To maintain the peace of the world, Spectre had to intervene.

The Spectre's solution is simple — and it involves all the banks in the US and UK. The solution involves robbing the middle class of their hard-earned money. To put it simply, this housing crisis that everyone had been so worried about was nothing but a design project that the Spectre did to each country. They also wanted to use this method to earn from them while giving each government problems. Create some problems, let its citizen believe that something could be done about it. Let them hate the government then boom! They have a very good reason to form a left part.

It was a simple and effective play that had been done since the beginning of time. Harringfort hid the disgust in his face as he continued to talk to the rich businessmen who already started to talk about favors and alliances. 

"Please…. Welcome… her highness Eliza Nassae with her very good friend and CEO of Facci Group, Madam Lily Facci Zhou, and her brother Mr. Yuanfeng Qin." A high-pitched voice of the attendant interrupted their conversation.

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I apologize for the unedited chapters. My proofreader is currently very busy. So I don't have someone to edit again. My apologies.