"Bo- boyfriend?" Grover was startled and looked Phoebe up and down with an extremely odd gaze. He then looked at Han Shuo with an even more odd gaze, as if he couldn't believe it and confirmed once more, "Is he really your boyfriend?"
"Of course!" Phoebe nodded affirmatively and reached out with a blushing arm to hold Han Shuo's left hand, as if to prove their relationship.
As if an egg had been shoved into his mouth, Han Shuo's mouth gaped wide open with a dazed look on his face. He only reacted when he felt Phoebe's small hand secretly tighten around his arm. He laughed dryly and nodded, but didn't open his mouth to explain anything.
An elder of the trading firm who was chatting cheerfully with Grover couldn't help but ask Grover in a low voice, "What's the background of this kid?"
Grover didn't say much and only shot a look at the person, then moved aside a bit and said with a smile, "Since he's Phoebe's boyfriend, then there's no problem. Hurry up and come in."
Forcefully pulling Han Shuo along, Phoebe's expression was as usual as she walked into the great hall. She smiled at a few of the elders along the way and then pulled Han Shuo towards a place with fewer people.
Inside the great hall, waiters were carrying platters of fruit and fine wine, placing them on a wide square table in the center. An enormous chandelier hung overhead, emitting bright light. The entire great hall was decorated magnificently, surprising a country bumpkin like Han Shuo quite a bit.
However, what surprised Han Shuo the most was Phoebe's words just now. When he saw that there was no one around, Han Shuo immediately smiled wryly at Phoebe, "I say, Miss Phoebe, what do you mean by this?"
Casually picking up a goblet, Phoebe poured herself a cup of rosy fine wine and gracefully took a sip. She then said, "Don't think too much, I'm just finding a cover for your identity. There's no other meaning. If I didn't say this, I'm afraid you wouldn't have been able to come in at all."
Nodding, Han Shuo sighed helplessly and said, "I knew that nothing good would come out of coming with you!"
"You have to act a bit more naturally, I'll help you deal with it. This is our Guild's annual gathering, and all the elders will be here. As bold as Grover is, he wouldn't dare make a move at this time, so we don't have to worry!" Phoebe spoke softly to Han Shuo, but her eyes continuously scanned the surroundings.
Similarly picking up a goblet and pouring half a cup of wine, Han Shuo took a sip and felt that it was quite sweet and sour. After a moment of careful observation, Han Shuo discovered that many of these Boozt Merchant Guild members had brought their families as well. There were twenty to thirty people in the great hall, and among them were old elders, handsome youths, as well as a few attractive women and dignified young ladies.
Without exception, all of these people were richly dressed and their actions were refined and courteous. It looked like this was the style of the so-called upper class. Grover held a goblet in one hand as he shuttled back and forth among these people, greeting everyone kindly and appearing to be quite familiar with them.
"The Boozt Merchant Guild has always been controlled by our Boozt family. My father was originally the chairman, but because I've always been traveling, the old thing temporarily took over the position when my father died. However, don't look at how he seems to be on good terms with many of the elders. No one really knows what's going on behind the scenes. Otherwise, it would be useless for me to come back! "
Phoebe explained to Han Shuo in a low voice as Han Shuo silently observed the surroundings. Han Shuo's thoughts raced when he heard Phoebe's words and he suddenly said, "Your father, how did he suddenly die? Did you not know anything about it beforehand?"
A trace of murderous intent flashed through Phoebe's eyes when she heard this question. She then lowered her voice and said with a cold face, "I'm still investigating how my father died and haven't found any evidence yet. Because I've never been in the Guild, there are many things I'm not clear on. The elders likely don't believe me and their attitudes are all uncertain. What I need to do now is win the support of these elders. Otherwise, I won't be able to shake the old thing's position in the Guild with my own strength alone. "
Han Shuo understood from Phoebe's words that she was also suspicious of his father's death. He didn't say anything else and held his goblet as he observed the people in the hall, silently weighing his options.
After a while, a few more people arrived in succession. Finally, an old man with grizzled sideburns walked into the great hall with the help of a steward.
Many people in the hall came over to greet this person when he appeared. When Phoebe saw this, she immediately pulled Han Shuo along and hurried over. She quickly explained in a low voice, "He's Andrew, he founded the Boozt Merchant Guild with my grandfather. He's one of the most senior members of the Guild now, and even Grover doesn't dare be too presumptuous in front of him. If he helps us, we won't be so passive."
Phoebe bowed in a reserved manner when she arrived in front of Andrew and said with a joyful smile, "Grandpa Andrew, why have you come as well?"
"Eh, it's our beautiful little Phoebe. Grandpa hasn't seen you in a long time! Heh heh, you've grown so tall. "Andrew's left hand leaned on a cane and his right hand was supported by a steward as he chuckled merrily at Phoebe.
"Good niece, don't just talk and hurry up and let the old man sit in the hall. The old man is getting on in years and must be very tired after riding the carriage all the way here. He can't stand like this anymore. " Grover said this to Phoebe when he came over and walked towards Andrew, seeming to want to take Andrew to sit on his side.
"Heh heh, it's fine. Little Phoebe and I had a great time chatting. It's been a long time since we've seen our little Phoebe!" Andrew avoided Grover's support and lifted his cane instead, walking towards Phoebe and Han Shuo.
Grover's brow furrowed involuntarily as he watched Phoebe lead Andrew to the other side with a face full of surprise. His gaze roamed over Andrew's body, seeming to be thinking about something.
When Phoebe, Andrew, and Han Shuo had walked to the other corner of the hall and sat down, Grover had already raised his wine cup and chuckled, "Founding elders of the Boozt Merchant Guild, today is our Boozt Merchant Guild's annual gathering. I'm very happy to be able to see all of you again this year. It's a pity that my dear brother has passed away due to his health. This is a truly tragic matter. "
"Don't be sad, Grover. Currently, the Chamber of Commerce is in good order under your management. I think the president would be very pleased if he knew of your hard work!" One of the founding members suddenly spoke up. As soon as he spoke, another two people beside him echoed.
Han Shuo watched these people's performance with cold eyes. He already had an idea in his heart and understood that these people must have a close relationship with Grover. They were only expressing their attitudes by saying this.
At this moment, Han Shuo, who was sitting next to Phoebe, clearly heard Andrew give an extremely low snort. Phoebe was closer to Andrew and naturally heard it clearly. She couldn't help but look at Andrew with pleasant surprise and exchange a look with Han Shuo.
"The chairman has passed away, but our Boozt Merchant Guild can't keep the chairman's position empty forever. I think we should take advantage of this time's gathering to properly discuss the matters of the new chairman. What do you all think?" The same person raised his voice and spoke up. The two founding elders who had responded earlier spoke up again to express their agreement. Grover's face was calm as he sat there, continuously surveying the surroundings. His gaze lingered on Phoebe and Andrew for a bit longer.
"Of course, the chairman's position can't be left empty for too long, but the question of who will be the chairman is an important one!" A broad-headed founding elder spoke up in a low, muffled voice not too far away.
"What's there to discuss? Of course Grover should be the new chairman. After the chairman passed away, Grover has always been in charge of the Guild's business. The Guild has been stable and orderly in Grover's hands. Everyone has seen that. Apart from Grover, I don't think anyone else has the right to sit in this position. "The person named Grover abruptly stood up and raised his voice, winning the agreement of the other two.
Grover stood up with a smile on his face and put on a modest and hypocritical expression. He'd said some things about his limited abilities and that he didn't dare take on the role, but the other three had firmly expressed that he was the only one. Their cooperation could be considered to be tacit.
"Uncle Andrew, who do you think is most suitable to be the new chairman?" At this moment, the founding elder with the low, muffled voice looked at Andrew from afar and asked.
As he spoke, the gazes of the other Senior Elders gathered on Andrew. It seemed like they were all waiting for Andrew's response.
Andrew looked at Phoebe, who was forcibly putting on a calm expression. He rose slightly and chuckled softly, finally opening his mouth to say, "It's not an old fellow like me, because I don't have many days left to live, heh heh!"
Everyone smiled kindly when he said this. Grover also smiled and seemed to heave a sigh of relief, as if he'd been very afraid that Andrew would step forward and fight for the chairman's position with him.
"However." Andrew swept his gaze across the crowd and continued, "I feel that little Phoebe has already grown up. Since she's the chairman's daughter and a member of the Boozt Family, she should be the most qualified to be the new chairman according to reason. Why hasn't anyone mentioned this?"
"No, absolutely not. Miss Phoebe is still too young and has always been traveling outside. She doesn't know the matters of the Guild at all. If she's the chairman, she may drag down our Boozt Merchant Guild's business. "It was still the founding elder who'd always defended Grover who immediately protested fiercely.
"Kilo, that's hard to say. Although Miss Phoebe is young, I think she understands the big picture and has a sense of propriety in her conduct. Perhaps she can bring the Guild to greater development if she's in charge!" An elder suddenly opened his mouth to speak. The founding elders who'd been silent all along suddenly echoed when they saw Andrew express his support for Phoebe. There were still three or four founding elders who didn't say a word, as if expressing their neutrality.
"How, how can this be? We can't use the Guild's future as a test subject for her abilities." That Kilo, Grover's loyal supporter, immediately spoke up noisily.
"Why not? If I remember correctly, the old chairman was only 23 years old when he was in charge of the merchant guild. But with the help of Andrew and a few other old gentlemen, the old chairman grew up very quickly and made the Boozt Merchant Guild flourish with each passing day. I think that Miss Phoebe should be able to do the same. Not to mention that with all of us supporting her, there won't be any big problems." The man continued.
Grover's face had darkened since Andrew's words. He finally stood up at this moment and said to Phoebe, "Good niece, this boyfriend of yours was once an errand boy at the Babylon Academy of Magic and Force, and had the status of a slave. Don't blame uncle for being meddlesome, but if others find out that you're with him, it will affect our Guild's reputation! "
When these words left his mouth, some of the elders in the hall immediately focused their attention on Han Shuo. They couldn't disguise their expressions of disdain and disdain.
Han Shuo was startled and finally understood that Phoebe's worries weren't without reason. It looked like he'd underestimated the power of Grover and "Shadow Ghost." He hadn't thought that they'd be able to discover his origins with just a name. It was a good thing that he'd spent most of his time in the cemetery of death these days. Otherwise, if he'd stayed in the Academy, he might've long since been assassinated by experts.
"Uncle, what do you mean by this?" Phoebe suddenly stood up at this moment and glared angrily at Grover with a frosty face. She wanted to shed all pretense of cordiality and yell.
"Good niece, don't be angry. I just want to tell everyone that your foresight doesn't seem to be very good. In order to be in charge of the Boozt Merchant Guild, foresight and wisdom are the most important. If you have to choose your future husband from among the slaves, then I think everyone won't be at ease in letting you be the chairman. "Grover still wore a peaceful smile on his face, but the words he spoke were quite malicious.
"A person who would murder his own brother for the sake of profit, and continuously send out killers to harm his own niece, I think he's even more unworthy of the chairman's position." Han Shuo also stood up and looked at Grover with a cold, fearless smile, as if he didn't know how deadly his words were. Pausing, Han Shuo spoke again under the astonished gazes of everyone present, "Please remember, I am now a student of the Babylon Academy. I no longer have the status of a slave, and never will in the future!"
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