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Chapter 7: Lakeside Banquet: The Hunted Heir
publish date:
2026-03-05 23:59:33
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VELVET RAIN Chapter 8: Lakeside Banquet: Misunderstandings and Confession
The private estate on the shores of Lake Washington sparkled like a brilliant pearl in the night. Sheng Yin Media's sixtieth birthday celebration for Old Morgan had drawn nearly all of Seattle's elite. An enormous crystal chandelier descended from the ten-meter-high dome, its millions of Swarovski crystals refracting dazzling light, illuminating the entire banquet hall as bright as day. The air carried a fragrance specially blended by a top French perfumer.Catherine stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows in the black evening gown Jessica had prepared for her, her fingers unconsciously stroking the velvet fabric of the skirt. The gown was simply cut, with fluid lines that perfectly accentuated her slender waist, yet it made her feel profoundly uncomfortable."Relax," Jessica approached with two champagne glasses, handing one to her. "You look absolutely stunning tonight, really."Catherine took the glass, her fingertips icy. "I just feel... like I don't belong here.""Nonsense," Je
VELVET RAIN Chapter 7: Lakeside Banquet: The Hunted Heir
On a Seattle winter night, the rain fell like a gray veil, clinging to the eaves, window frames, and the distant lake, so fine it seemed almost constant. The air was thick with the damp scent of earth, mingled with the faint, resinous aroma of burning pine from the fireplace—a fragrance that whispered of ancient forests. Sterling Manor was eerily quiet, save for the soft crackling of the wood popping in the fireplace, like an echo of a suppressed heartbeat. The study was warm, the heat wrapping around the room like a woolen blanket, yet William Sterling's fingertips remained cold—a chill that seemed to seep into his very bones, a persistent reminder of the weight he carried.He clutched the gold-embossed invitation, his knuckles turning slightly white. The invitation, from Sheng Yin Media, was politely restrained, highlighting only one line: Mr. Morgan's Sixtieth Birthday Banquet. On the surface, it was a birthday celebration, but at its core, it was a dinner for capital exchange."Yo
VELVET RAIN Chapter 6: An Unexpected Invitation
Seattle mornings are shrouded in a light mist, with fine drizzle falling like a veil on the windowpane. The streets are not yet fully awake, and the occasional, slow, low foghorn from the distant harbor adds to the city's tranquility. It was in this tranquility that Catherine was awakened by a series of phone calls from Jessica."Kate! You didn't even tell me you weren't going home for winter break? Don't you even consider me your best friend?" Jessica's voice is always bright, like sunlight suddenly streaming in on a sunny day.Catherine propped herself up in bed; the wound on her leg had scabbed over, but it still ached with every movement. She looked at the pale gray water stain on the ceiling, a wave of weariness washing over her. The hostel she was staying in was small; the old wooden floorboards creaked underfoot, but a pot of mint sat on the windowsill. "I've been busy these past few days and didn't want you to worry, so I didn't tell you," she said softly."Come out and see
VELVET RAIN Chapter 5: The Library Encounter
Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington was the closest thing to a magical world on this campus, affectionately dubbed "Hogwarts" by the students. On a late autumn afternoon, sunlight streamed through the soaring Gothic stained-glass windows, casting kaleidoscopic shadows onto the ancient oak tables. The air was thick with the distinct aroma of old paper—the scent of centuries of accumulated wisdom—mingled with faint dust and wood wax, creating a sense of profound tranquility. As a top student in Art History, Catherine's favorite hiding spot was the innermost corner of the Special Collections. There was a massive floor-to-ceiling window facing the famous century-old red maple on campus, which was currently ablaze with fiery red leaves. But today, she had no mind to appreciate the scenery outside. The pressure of finals week was crushing her like a mountain. It wasn't just about maintaining the 4.0 GPA required for her full scholarship, but also about that damn thesi
VELVET RAIN Chapter 4: Undercurrents - The Vanishing Cinderella
Midnight, twelve o'clock.The private club "The Vault" in downtown Seattle.This place was the social ground for the top circle, membership-based, with extremely high privacy. There was no ear-splitting electronic music, only a top jazz band humming softly, the sound of the cello flowing slowly in the air, yet it couldn't soothe the irritability in William's heart.William sat in the corner booth, his slender fingers playing with an empty wine glass, his expression lazy, but his eyes revealing an indescribable boredom.He didn't want to come originally.He was long tired of such occasions of exchanging toasts and fake politeness.But returning to the empty manor, that inexplicable sense of coldness upset him, as if that figure wearing a beige coat was still swaying before his eyes, and the air seemed to retain the faint fragrance from her body."Heard you brought a girl back to the manor tonight?"Julian leaned over, his face wearing that signature bad smile. He was William's childhoo
VELVET RAIN Chapter 3: Rejection and Disguise - Secrets in the Rainy Night
Dinner was over, but the rain outside hadn't stopped; instead, it was falling harder, pattering against the window, sounding annoying.William swirled half a glass of red wine in his hand, sinking into the soft sofa, staring at the girl opposite through the dark red liquid.After a few glasses of wine, Catherine's originally pale face finally had some color, like a touch of pale pink spreading on white paper, revealing a fragility that made one want to protect her. Her eyes were a bit glazed, but she sat straight, her hands placed dutifully on her knees, looking exactly like a primary school student accepting a teacher's inspection.Watching her tense appearance, an impulse to tear this layer of disguise to shreds inexplicably rose in William's heart."Where are you staying tonight?" William asked casually. His tone sounded nonchalant, but his mind was clear.Catherine froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat."Four Seasons Hotel."She blurted it out, answering very quickly, even
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