sbdcsierra Chapter 256: Melodi Family Birthday Party (Part 6)
Chapter 256: Melodi Family Birthday Party (Part 6)
There were already many guests gathered in the hall. As the host of the banquet, the photographer was greeting the guests while glancing at Conan intentionally or unintentionally.
Vermouth had already arrived and was casually clinking glasses with some guests while greeting them with a wine glass. She was also secretly looking at Conan.
On Conan's side, the personnel composition is a bit complicated. There is an explorer who shows off his new clothes like a peacock spreading its tail tail, a novelist with a hardened fist, a composer who stops the novelist from losing his temper, an entomologist who remains unmoved, a psychologist and a patient showing their affection, and a knight who acts as a light bulb.
The Soul of the Umbrella arrived a little late, and Xie Bian greeted Joseph as soon as he came up: "Mr. Melodi, I haven't seen you for many years. I hope you are well. The former young master is now the master." Fan Wujiu stood in the back with a straight face and said nothing.
The photographer smiled upon seeing this. "It's been a while, indeed. Mr. Xie and Mr. Fan, how's the Dongfang family's business doing? I heard you two suffered a great adversity in your childhood. Mr. Xie seems to have recovered, but Mr. Fan seems to have some underlying illness... I have some newly developed special medicine that might be able to help you."
There was a certain tension in the conversation between the two parties. Xie Bian showed a formal smile and said, "The root of my brother's illness is not a big problem. I will find a way to solve it myself. Master Melodi, please don't worry about it."
After saying that, Xie Bian turned and left. Fan Wujiu stroked his black umbrella and followed his brother away.
The photographer continued to smile as he watched the two brothers disappear among the guests, without showing any displeasure.
Then, a girl who looked around a little uneasily caught Conan's attention. Her dress looked exquisite but a little ill-fitting, and she also refused the wine glass handed to her by the waiter.
Conan looked closely and saw that it was a cheerleader. The knight had come to her side and seemed to be talking about something.
Because Kogoro Mouri went to brag with other guests, Ran and Sonoko, who were strolling around, also saw the cheerleaders.
Sonoko immediately went over to greet her enthusiastically: "Lily, long time no see! Didn't you finish your exchange student life and go back home a while ago?"
After all, Sonoko grew up in the Suzuki Group. She realized that since a cheerleader could appear at such a banquet, she was either brought by a friend like Xiaolan, or she had a special identity and was directly invited by the organizer.
The cheerleaders were also very happy to see their former classmates: "Xiaolan, Sonoko, long time no see. I really feel that the atmosphere here doesn't suit me. If it were a large-scale sports meeting, it would be fine, but this kind of banquet... to use more official words, it has too much of a commercial atmosphere."
The knight politely saluted the cheerleader. "Don't say that, Miss Baril. You are now the sole heir to the Baril family. Although the Baril family has suffered losses in the mining industry, the wealth you are about to inherit is not to be underestimated."
Xiaolan was a little surprised: "Heir? I didn't expect your identity and background to be so exaggerated, Lily."
The cheerleader was somewhat helpless: "Actually, my biggest wish is that my brother can get better. Here's my plan: we'll use part of our grandfather's inheritance to treat my brother's illness, part of it to build a new ranch dedicated to raising horses, and then, after my brother recovers, we'll use the rest of the money to live together."
Sonoko gave a thumbs up and said, "That's a great idea. However, my family's foundation is inherited by my sister, so I don't have to worry about the issue of heirs."
Conan noticed some details: "Hey, Mr. Richard, why do you want to get close to Sister Lily?"
The scene suddenly became extremely awkward. Okay, could such a relationship-building statement be said directly? The knight almost couldn't continue acting.
"Because my situation is somewhat similar to Miss Barrier's. I am the son of the Sterling family who was displaced. My parents finally found me, the heir, but they both passed away unexpectedly due to a dispute over the family business, leaving only my sister and I to depend on each other."
"However, the Sterling family's wealth is nothing compared to the Baril family. I am now eager to find a reliable partner."
Conan narrowed his eyes: But Sister Lily is so young and has no business talent at all. Sooner or later, her wealth will be lost. How could Mr. Richard choose such a partner?
No, it is more likely that the Dongfang family represented by Mr. Xie and Mr. Fan is trying to win over the Balier family, which is now managed by Sister Lily. However, it would be too obvious if the two brothers came forward, so they pushed Mr. Richard out as the middleman.
Ah, this complicated relationship is really troublesome. Conan showed his crescent eyes.
Listening to the knight's tragic story, Sonoko couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for him. "So, Mr. Richard, what are your plans for the future? Will you continue performing with the Golden Rose Theater?"
The knight said thoughtfully, "I'll perform in the troupe first to earn some money. When I save enough, I'll move to a big house with my sister."
This is so inspiring! Sonoko showed an admiring look, and even Xiaolan supported the knight's idea.
[Ms. Farrow: A big house? One with lots of stairs?]
[Air Force: What a loss.]
[Doctor: Honestly, if Conan knew Richard's true identity, he'd probably drop his eyes out of shock.]
[Fire Investigator: A Tribute to the Evil Stairman, Richard the Great.]
[Aviator: Let's not talk about Richard for now. Recently, we have a new member in the science department, Miss Wendy Ford.]
[Meteorologist: Hello everyone.]
[Fire Investigator: Wendy, Wendy, could you please put your magical weather bottle thing in my backpack? I'd really like to see what happens if I fill my airbag with water vapor.]
[Meteorologist:?]
[Mechanic: Florian is like this, you'll get used to it.]
Suddenly, Conan recalled what the knight had said: the Baril family had suffered losses in the mining industry. Mining? He could just ask Uncle Norton directly, since he was the director of the mining company.
So Conan ran to the explorer and said, "Hey, Uncle Norton, do you know anything about the Baril family?"
The prospector answered readily, "Of course. Old Baril and I were competitors. He had been targeting me over several mines, so as soon as I heard he was dead, I immediately took over those mines. I also took advantage of the fact that their subordinates were unaware and acquired most of their mining assets."
"Well, business opportunities are fleeting. I'm just good at seizing them."
Conan was somewhat helpless: "But if that's the case, the inheritance that Sister Lily can get will be much less."
"The Baril family's main business isn't mining. The hidden wealth of these old nobles is unimaginable to us. The inheritance that Lily you mentioned will receive is enough for her to live a wealthy life in the future. Don't worry about it."
The composer came over to recount the feud between the prospector and old Baril: "Norton used to be a miner in a mine owned by the Baril family. Back then, the Baril family didn't treat miners very well. It's been quite difficult for him to persevere and reach his current position."
The explorer laughed. "What's that saying? 'I came, I saw, I conquered,' right?"