The charity banquet finally concluded in a seemingly perfect atmosphere. The massive amount of funds raised was enough to make any charity organization ecstatic.
But for Coletta Mortari, this banquet left behind only a bone-deep sense of defeat and an incredibly scalding Gilded Pearl worth ten million Shell Credits.
She practically fled the banquet hall, not even bothering to retrieve the pearl that had turned her into a laughingstock, merely instructing a waiter to deliver it to her room later.
She walked alone on the still-bustling streets of Laguna. The slightly cool night sea breeze could not blow away the gloom and humiliation in her heart, and the neon lights blurred piercingly in her eyes.
"Coletta?"
A clear voice carrying a hint of surprise came from the street corner.
Coletta looked up blankly to see Xiakong Toccata hugging her theorbo, standing under an inconspicuous streetlamp. She seemed to have just finished a street performance. Her short red hair stood out under the light, and her green eyes were filled with concern.
"Xiakong..." Coletta's voice was slightly hoarse, carrying a nearly imperceptible sob. Before her friend, the strength she had forced herself to maintain instantly crumbled.
"What's wrong?" Xiakong immediately noticed her abnormality and walked over quickly, looking her up and down with worry. "Did the banquet not go well? You look terrible."
Unable to hold it in any longer, Coletta pulled Xiakong into a relatively quiet alley nearby. Like spilling beans, she poured out everything that had happened at the banquet, especially how Cantarella had step-by-step lured her into the sky-high price trap.
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, her eyes turning red.
"...Ten million! I was played like a fool by her! She never even wanted that pearl! She just did it to make a fool of myself, to make me look like an impulsive, brainless sucker in front of everyone, in front of... him!"
Coletta's voice was full of grief, indignation, and self-loathing.
Xiakong listened quietly, her brow furrowing slightly. She gently patted Coletta's back to comfort her.
"That Family Head Cantarella..." Xiakong mused, her tone complex. "I've heard many rumors about her. The name 'Poison' is indeed no trifling matter. Her methods... are truly formidable and terrifying."
In her tone, besides sympathy for her friend and wariness toward Cantarella, there was surprisingly a faint trace of marvel and even admiration for that powerful sense of control.
"But, Coletta, why did you jump right into her obvious trap?"
"I... I just couldn't accept it!" Coletta clenched her fists. "I don't want to lose to her every time! Whether it's on the council, or... in other aspects!"
Xiakong looked at her and suddenly smiled, a smile that carried a soothing power like the night breeze: "But, Coletta, you are you. You are the Second Young Miss of the Mortari family—young, beautiful, wealthy, and kind-hearted, with your own ideals and persistence."
"Why would you go and compete in methods and scheming against that unfathomable 'Poison'?"
She pulled Coletta toward a nearby street diner that was still open. "Let's go. I'll treat you to something hot. Grieving on an empty stomach is no good."
The two sat in a corner of the diner and ordered some simple food.
As Xiakong plucked her strings, playing a few soothing notes, she said softly, "Although I don't really understand your complex power games, I've met many people and sung many stories. Someone like Rover..."
When she mentioned this name, her face flushed slightly. "He has experienced so much and seen so many sights. Do you really think what he would truly appreciate is a woman who only knows how to play tricks and schemes?"
Coletta froze for a moment and looked up.
Xiakong continued: "I feel he might value authenticity, courage, and perseverance more. Just like how he was willing to help me back then, even risking becoming my accomplice—not because of what I could give him, but because he saw my courage in wanting to expose the truth and persist in singing."
"Just be yourself, Coletta," Xiakong looked at her sincerely. "Your sincerity, your effort, your desire to make Laguna a better place—these are your most precious qualities, and they are things no one can imitate or take away."
"Why insist on pitting your shortcomings against someone else's strengths?"
These words were like a clear spring, slowly flowing into Coletta's anxious and aggrieved heart.
She savored them carefully. Yes, wasn't her failure tonight exactly because she allowed herself to be led by the nose by Cantarella, falling right into the domain her opponent excelled at most?
Be herself...
Rover appreciates authenticity and courage...
A thought flashed through Coletta's mind like lightning.
She jerked her head up. The radiance reignited in her blue-red eyes. It was no longer anger and grievance, but a fighting spirit laced with a bit of slyness and excitement.
"Xiakong! You're right!" She grabbed her friend's hands. "I can't always play by her rules! I'm going to open up my own battlefield!"
"Eh?" Xiakong was taken aback by her sudden shift.
"In a few days, our Mortari family will be hosting a maritime networking event, inviting council members and important figures. It's meant to ease the atmosphere and promote cooperation."
Coletta spoke quickly, her opal-like eyes shining brightly. "When the time comes, you must come! As a special guest performer! Sing and play for everyone on the sea!"
"Me?" Xiakong pointed at herself in surprise. "But... people from the Convent will be there, right? I'm still..."
"What are you afraid of!" Coletta looked incredibly confident now. "With me there, and Rover there, who would dare touch you? This is the perfect chance to show those hypocritical priests what a true 'voice' should sound like! Besides..."
She leaned close to Xiakong, lowering her voice with a subtle smile. "Don't you want to see him again too? This is an excellent opportunity!"
Hearing that she could see Rover again, Xiakong's face turned even redder. She hesitated for a moment, but a light of anticipation appeared in her eyes.
To be able to sing in front of him, perhaps... even speak with him again...
"O... Okay!"
Xiakong finally nodded firmly. Though she still had misgivings about the Convent, her support for her friend and her longing to see Rover overrode everything else. "I'll go! Do I need to prepare any special songs?"
"Prepare your best song, the one that best represents 'freedom' and 'authenticity'!"
Coletta planned excitedly, "I want everyone to see that what the Mortari family brings isn't just money and commerce, but culture and vitality! That's not something people who only know how to play politics and poison can bring!"
At this moment, Coletta seemed to revert to that energetic young girl, only her eyes held an added layer of determination settled after experiencing setbacks.
She might still be unable to outplay Cantarella's deep scheming, but she had found her own way to fight back.
Seeing her friend regain her spirit, Xiakong also smiled happily.
She began to look forward to that gathering on the sea, anticipating her music and singing drifting across the vast ocean, floating right into that person's ears.
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