This scene made all the elders stand up collectively.
Stunned, shocked, bewildered.
"Nora Scott! What did you do?!"
"Quickly release the two elders!"
"Since the establishnt of Biel Hall, no Hall Master has dared to treat the elders like this! Nora Scott, do you want to rebel?!"
...
Except for the long-since-defeated Elder Carter, the rest of the elders couldn’t sit still, even those seventy years old, who couldn’t help but be enraged at this mont.
Amy Mansfield and Barton Mansfield exchanged a glance, sowhat anxious.
These elders are not young and strong, with their old arms and legs, even a small fall might be fatal. While it might be understandable for soone of their age to have a fatal accident, if it happened during a eting convened by Nora Scott, it would be an entirely different situation.
The responsibility would fall on Nora Scott.
"Please, elders, remain calm." Rosie Sullivan, who was constantly observing the living room scenario, spoke again, "The place where the two elders fell has protective padding, they are fine, you will see them first thing tomorrow morning. The Hall Master asked to remind you, this is her ticulously designed chanism Villa. Anyone who dares to challenge, feel free to try. Even if any one elder successfully escapes, she will voluntarily step down."
At first, no elder took Rosie Sullivan’s words seriously, but by the end, they suddenly beca intrigued.
Successfully escape!
Voluntarily step down!
They couldn’t wish for more!
"Ridiculous, does she think that after we leave, we won’t choose to jointly force her to step down?" An elder sneered.
"To force the Hall Master to step down, it needs unanimous consent from all seven elders." Rosie Sullivan remained very calm, "Otherwise, ask Elder Carter, would he like to change the Hall Master?"
The soul-absent Elder Carter was suddenly called out, his expression as bad as could be.
The other elders turned their heads, hoping to see Elder Carter stand up and resist, but unexpectedly, he appeared soulless, listless, with no response, as if he had tacitly agreed with Rosie Sullivan.
Now, the group of elders was more bewildered: what horrific experience did Elder Carter go through this afternoon? How did he beco so defeated in such a short ti, losing all fighting spirit?
Because Elder Carter did not cooperate, the atmosphere imdiately beca exceedingly awkward.
The elders fell silent.
Rosie Sullivan seed more relaxed and triumphant, "Rest well, elders. We’ll et again tomorrow. Goodnight."
The elders: "..." Please, may your Hall Master and you have an accident tonight and not wake up again, as we seriously don’t want to see you tomorrow.
Rosie Sullivan turned off the sound.
Amy Mansfield and Barton Mansfield indicated that there were two rooms on the first floor with beds, three in each room, and the sofa could also make do. The elders could discuss among themselves and then choose the beds.
The elders were so angry they nearly spat blood.
Wherever they went, they were treated as VIPs. Before attending the eting, they thought about how to put the new Hall Master in her place, how to assert the stature and authority of the Elder Council, but who could have predicted they’d suffer such a crushing defeat upon arrival, repeatedly struck down and unable to rise.
They couldn’t believe what they had experienced throughout the day.
The transition from paradise to hell, that’s what it felt like.
Once high-ranking elders, after attending a feast, ended up like prisoners effectively held captive, completely cut off from the outside world, not a soul responding to their calls for help.
How could they possibly have the mind to sleep?
Seeing the down-and-out elders, Amy Mansfield approached Barton Mansfield and whispered, "Brother, it’s my first ti seeing the Elder Council in such a desolate state."
Barton Mansfield glanced at her.
Amy Mansfield imdiately zipped her lip.
Yet Barton Mansfield faintly smiled.
The long-unchanged internal structure of Biel Hall, because of Nora Scott’s appearance – finally began to crack.
The old era is destined to leave.
Now, they could finally let go of so cumberso and restraining rules, freely spread their wings, to do what they wanted to do.
That day is coming soon.
*
In the study, Rosie Sullivan watched the monitors, yawning with fatigue, but still forced her eyes open wide, fearing she might miss any delightful expression from the elders.
The night grew deeper.
The impact on the elders was too great, asides from Elder Zhang who remained calm throughout, none of the other elders went to bed.
Elder Zhang casually entered a room, picked a bed and laid down.
Elder Carter was sitting on the sofa, still in that morose state, motionless, practically like a machine without thought or soul.
The remaining three elders, either trying to find a chanism to leave or randomly smashing things to vent frustration.
The whole living room was a tragic ss, a complete wreck.
And—
In the middle of the night, an Elder trying to find a way to crack the chanism unknowingly triggered sothing and vanished without a trace. The other two elders, utterly exhausted, finally realized the peril of this chanism Villa. After sitting in a daze for half an hour, they headed to a room together and lay down wearily.
The night was truly torturous.
*
Nora Scott and Fátima ca and went freely, unimpeded. They left the villa that night, each returning ho to enjoy themselves.
It wasn’t until the next day that they t again outside the villa, and they accessed the second-floor study through a secret passage, continuing to watch the show.
After a day of tornt, the next day, the elders obviously cald down a lot.
The three elders who fell into the trap were released early in the morning by Rosie Sullivan. Overnight, the three seed to have aged by years, their spirit completely gone, incapable even of mustering the energy to curse at Nora Scott.
Sitting in front of the monitor, Fátima glanced over casually, clicked her tongue, and asked Nora Scott, "Does this count as elder abuse?"
"Probably," Nora Scott nodded without a hint of guilt, "But it also counts as acting on behalf of justice."
Having seen the various cris of these Elders, Fátima refrained from comnting.
Aside from Elder Zhang, the other elders have committed various wrongs throughout their lives, directly or indirectly harming many for their own gain, and even causing deaths and family destruction...
None of them is worthy of sympathy.
"This Elder Zhang is an odd one out," Fátima said, staring with interest at Elder Zhang, the calst among the elders, "The other elders are easy to deal with. What about this blemish-free one? What do you plan to do?"
The Elder Zhang in Fátima’s words was the only one who did not make a statent when Master Vaughn passed the Hall Master position to Nora Scott.
He took a neutral stance.
His life had been dedicated to his duties, not achieving much but also holding no incriminating evidence.
Yesterday, while the other elders panicked, he alone sat motionless in a corner, observing the unfolding unbelievable eting like an outsider watching a farce.
Nora Scott, nonchalantly, said, "A person who values the bigger picture will make a smart choice after watching this play."
Fátima turned her head, "Not just that, right?"
Even if Elder Zhang knew Nora Scott was determined to have the elders sign, it was sowhat idealistic to think he would comply without a hint of resentnt given the offense by a junior.
After all, if they could endure for seven days, even if Nora Scott really did not want to let go, their followers and bodyguards would co to rescue them.
Although Nora Scott found a suitable excuse to "trap them for seven days," only these seven days were free.
During these seven days, if she could not get the seven elders to agree to sign and make them realize that trying to overthrow Nora Scott would bring disaster upon themselves...
Nora Scott’s action would be considered a failure.
"...He lacks money," Nora Scott added slowly.
"..."
Fátima blinked and glanced at the large boxes on the table, suddenly understanding.
With the topic laid bare, Nora Scott stated straightforwardly, "He’s lived an honest life with no savings. His son died unexpectedly, and his only grandson got into trouble abroad, requiring a sum of money to solve the issue."
Fátima asked, "Will he take it?"
"It’s a gamble," Nora Scott smiled with carefree ease, leaning bonelessly on the rattan chair, shaking the ga console in her hand, "Fifty-fifty."
A gambler.
Even if Nora Scott learned to be cautious, considering matters thoroughly before acting, she couldn’t repress her gambler’s nature.
Loves the thrill.
Enjoys the thrill of winning a gamble.
Fátima chuckled.
*
On the second day, Amy Mansfield and Barton Mansfield received their breakfast and lunch on ti, but the elders didn’t eat much.
So, especially as noon approached, began feeling increasingly anxious, sensing that sothing bad might happen.
Just like Elder Carter’s experience yesterday.
However, for the entire morning, Rosie Sullivan made no move.
After lunch, the group sighed in relief, thinking Nora Scott might indeed only be investigating Elder Carter’s misfortune to create the illusion that "she has evidence against everyone," scaring them into signing their nas.
Luckily, no one fell for it.
They were relieved.
However, just as they began to relax, the speaker blared once more—
"Good afternoon, elders. I hope lunch was to everyone’s liking. This noon, let’s discuss the seven great sins of Deputy Walt—"
Mr. Walt (acting), who was the second most confrontational with Nora Scott yesterday: WTH???
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