With the Count of Monte Cristo laughing, the banquet in the mansion came to a climax.

After the initial warm-up, most of the guests were already drunk, and the courteous etiquette at the beginning had been put aside, and people began to talk and laugh loudly with each other, no longer having to worry about the eyes of others, and the grand banquet was like a festival for everyone, and they could take the opportunity to relax.

At this time, the role of the host is very great, he needs to put on an after-party show for the guests so that they do not get bored. And people are speculating about what this frighteningly rich foreign tycoon has in store for everyone, so much so that it is unashamed to say that he wants to impress everyone.

"Everyone, it looks like everyone is having a great time, and I'm glad that the food and wine I prepared have been approved by you." The Count looked triumphant, straightened up, and faced all the guests, "But I suppose you will not be able to satisfy your curiosity about the Count of Monte Cristo just by eating and drinking?" You don't expect more from the Count of Monte Cristo than just a few glasses of wine, right? In your hearts, you're still looking forward to what new drama I can bring to the table, so that the well-informed Parisians can surprise them once, right?! ”

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

It has to be said that today's earl is radiant, just a few words witty like pearls, easy to mobilize the emotions of the guests, every time a question is asked, people will respond loudly, once louder than the other, and finally the candles on the wall are slightly shaken, everyone is looking forward to what kind of after-entertainment program this rich man from a foreign country is going to give this glorious banquet.

"I understand your expectations, and, to be honest, I've wondered how I can be so creative that my guests will be both excited and surprised...... Admittedly, it was a very difficult task, and after thinking about all the ideas and rejecting them, I almost thought I couldn't do it anymore, until then - I found it, and here I found everything I needed. ”

The Count's serious face suddenly reappeared with a smile, and then suddenly increased his voice.

"First of all, the stage, I thought about building a stage here, but then I ...... I found it necessary for me to do such futile work, for the stage was already prepared for us—" The Count of Monte Cristo smiled lightly, and then exaggeratedly spread his hand and pointed to the ceiling with a picture of a chandelier, "This house is a great stage in itself!" Before it fell into my hands, it was in the hands of many masters, and their joys and sorrows, their lives, were not a drama for us in itself? What other drama could be compared to France itself? How many outstanding plays have been staged in this stormy country, this country of luxury and passion? Isn't Villa Otei one of the best stages?! ”

At the earl's words, the smiles on the people's faces vanished, and they looked at each other in disbelief.

What is this guy talking about?

People who have a good instinct have now sensed that something is wrong.

The Count, who was unusually excited, had a light in his eyes, and his high-pitched tone and fierce movements all indicated the passion in his heart, which came either from extreme excitement, or from fierce hatred, or both.

And Charles, who is half an insider, feels even worse now.

The Count is like a hunter who sees his prey in a trap, what is he going to send to his prey?

He concentrated his full attention and began to ponder the implicit meaning of the other person's words.

"Villa Otei is the best stage—"

He knew that the Villa d'Oteuil, which was the villa of the Marquis of Saint-Merand in Paris before, and the Marquis of Saint-Merand happened to be the father-in-law of the Attorney General of Villefort, and the couple was usually not in Paris, and the villa was used by his daughter and son-in-law.

Villefort –

Charles couldn't help but turn his head and scan the crowd before finally finding the Villeforts.

The Inspector General of Villefort's face was very ugly, as if he sensed that something was wrong, and his eyes were always on the Count of Monte Cristo, although he pretended to be calm on the surface, but that panicked look could not be concealed, if it were not for everyone looking at the Count, I am afraid that others would also notice his abnormality.

The lady next to him seemed much more normal, only a little doubtful, frowning slightly, and it didn't seem to have much impact.

What's going on?

Just as Charles was about to pay attention to the Count of Monte Cristo again, two other acquaintances suddenly appeared in Charles's gaze.

The big banker Baroness Tangral and his wife.

The couple is as jeweled as ever, highlighting the nobility of the rich, but the two of them are in a rather bad state now.

The baron's originally scorched face was now even more iron-blue, and therefore even more terrifying. His sinister gaze scanned between the Count and his own lady, and anger and anxiety were revealed.

Did he perceive something?

And his wife was even worse off.

Today, Madame Tangral is still radiant, wearing a long purple dress and her hair coiled, graceful and charming.

When she was young, she was a famous beauty in the social world, and now she is still charming, not only her gorgeous face is still very delicate, but also has some mature charm, coupled with her husband's financial resources, she is still one of the focal points in the social world.

But now, her expression was very strange, strangely pale, revealing full tension, and even a sense of anxiety that a catastrophe was coming.

What the hell is going on?

Villa Otei, how did you get involved with her? Charles's mind was filled with doubts.

There weren't many secrets in high society, so he also knew a little bit about the Baroness through court rumors.

The Baroness came from a noble family with a privileged but already middle-class family, and when she was a teenager, she married a retired officer named Baron, Nagoni, but within a few years of marriage, her husband fell ill and died, leaving her widowed and childless.

Later, a few years later, she married the nouveau riche Baron Tangral and became the wife of a big banker.

There are really not many traces of intersection with the Attorney General of Villefort and the Villa Oteuil.

Charles kept his doubts in his heart, and then continued to observe quietly, waiting to see what kind of medicine the Count of Monte Cristo was selling.

At this time, Monte Cristo also stopped its tirade.

"Well, with all that said, I think you're all a little impatient...... Seeing is believing, and now we are all ready, please come with me! ”

At the same moment the door of the drawing-room opened, and the people, captured by the strange atmosphere, unconsciously parted to the two sides, making way for the Count of Monte Cristo.

And he was not polite, striding forward with his head held high, and there seemed to be an indescribable joy in his expression.

He didn't talk to anyone until he passed by Charles, when he looked away slightly, leaving Charles with a meaningful look.

It was like showing off, it was like provoking, as if it was saying to Charles, "Come on, come on, come on!" You can't stop me! ”

Charles hung his head and didn't speak, but his fists clenched inadvertently.

The pride of the Tréville family made it difficult for him to endure this silent contempt and challenge.

Well, come on, I'm going to see, in France, can you do whatever you want, or can I turn the tide?

As the Count of Monte Cristo stepped out of the gate, the guests followed him out, and for a moment, men in all kinds of formal clothes and uniforms, women in long dresses with glittering jewels, rushed to the door, and then passed through the narrow corridor, all the way to the backyard, to the garden of the villa.

Then, to their surprise, the guests discovered that there was already a whole band waiting in the garden.

As soon as the people gathered, the band began to play.

The melody is light and intense, and most people can hear it, this is Chopin's "Grand Waltz Magnificent in E flat major".

But no one danced, because they found that right next to the band, every flower bed and railing was arranged with colorful lanterns, and these lights were brilliant and illuminated the whole garden, which made the band's performance even more fantastical.

The soft light focused on a small clearing behind the band, where the Count of Monte Cristo, dressed in a black coat, stood.

"That's right, this is the stage in Paris!" He raised his right hand a little frantically and raised it towards the gloomy sky, "This is the center of the drama!" ”

There was a long silence in the crowd, and it seemed that everyone was secretly wondering if the Count of Monte Cristo had suddenly gone mad.

"So, what play are you going to exhibit?" An old gentleman with gray hair asked in a low voice, "Count, you have given us a great sense of anticipation, but there are so many theaters in Paris, and our people have long since nourished their appetites, and ordinary boring plays are not applauded—"

"There's no need to make any drama, because life is the biggest drama, sir." The Count of Monte Cristo smiled and bowed, "Everyone, think about it, who are the people who can live in such a mansion?" What kind of life are they living? I can't help but wonder if you're curious, at least I'm curious. So, it is precisely because of this curiosity that when I rebuild this villa, I can't help but want to preserve some traces of the lives of the owners of the past—their lives, their joys, their sorrows, their possessions, and their losses...... Looking at these things, I feel like I'm reading a book. The chapters of this book, some exciting, some worrying, some unbearable, but they are all so interesting, even a little scary......"

Before anyone could ask him, he continued, "I inevitably need to turn over the garden when I renovate the villa, and the flower beds that the old owners have carefully arranged have been abandoned for many years, but it is still a pity to knock them down now, so I would rather leave everything behind...... Including the most bizarre items in it. ”

"What the hell is going on......" said the Attorney General of Villefort at this point. Count, what the hell have you dug up? ”

His face was completely pale, and anyone could see that it was definitely not normal.

"Oh, I forgot, this villa was once owned by your father-in-law...... Your Excellency the Prosecutor. The Count of Monte Cristo looked at the Attorney-General with a smile, then bowed slightly, "Allow me once again to pay tribute to the late Marquis Saint-Meran, whom I have not offended once today, who has sold the villa for many years, and who would want to hold such an old gentleman responsible for everything in the villa?" ”

"Responsible for everything?" People immediately fried the pot and whispered one after another.

What had the Count dug up in the garden to make such a serious statement?

The prosecutor of Villefort, who was a client, seemed even more overwhelmed, and he turned his gaze blankly, as if to find some support for himself to understand the current situation, but the whole garden, which seemed so familiar and so unfamiliar, he really couldn't find anything.

In a daze, his gaze fell on Madame Tangral, who remained in the shadows.

And the lady was already shaking, as if she was about to faint.

He quickly opened his eyes wide and waved his hand slightly, wanting to use this way to imply that the other party should not panic now, and everything can still be controlled.

"What the hell is going on?" His lips trembled, and he hissed the Count.

"You'll know when you see it." The Count of Monte Cristo smiled dashingly, then applauded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what I found will definitely surprise you...... More useful than any play I've ever prepared, more impactful, and more memorable...... Well, keep your eyes open, you're going to know what I've found in a moment......"

While he was explaining, with the clanging sound of chains colliding and the accompaniment of melodious music, in front of the Count of Monte Cristo, in the dark shadows, suddenly an object was slowly rising.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the object for a moment, and people held their breath and concentrated their greatest attention on the object gradually breaking away from the black curtain and revealing its silhouette in the iridescent light.

It soon became apparent that it was a small wooden box, with a little iron sheet wrapped around the edges, and the four corners of the iron sheet were now connected with thin chains, so that it could be pulled up at the same time.

The top of the small wooden box is wrapped in colorful ribbons that cover the top side, but it looks like an ordinary wooden box.

Charles looked at the Attorney General of Villefort and saw that the other man's eyes were now wide, as if he had seen something suddenly appear that should not have existed at all.

And he immediately looked at Madame Tangral again, and this lady was even worse, her face was sweating profusely, and her face was already as dead as ashes.

Only those who have been found by the evil spirits in Hell will have such a terrible expression.

The Count of Monte Cristo admired with great interest the various expressions of his guests and savored the sweetness thereof, when the little wooden box rose to his chest, and with a slight stretch of his hand he was able to lift the silk cloth that covered the top.

"Your Excellency the Attorney General, guess what's in there?" The Count of Monte Cristo looked at each other with a smile, "I promise you'll be wrong." ”

"you kidding!" The Attorney General was already a little out of control, glaring at the Count of Monte Cristo, "What the hell are you doing?" ”

"Ah, it seems that our Excellency the Attorney-General is as serious as the rumors, and has no sense of humor......" The Count of Monte Cristo was not angry, but smiled again, and sighed, "well-then, I will show you what is the absurdity of this but real thing in this villa!" ”

At the same time that his exaggerated voice reached the ears of the people, he raised his hand and lifted the silk cloth hanging from the box.

Everyone's eyes widened instantly.

After seeing what was inside, they unconsciously opened their mouths again.

Inside the small wooden box were the bones that had dried up in one fell swoop, and judging from the volume of the bones, it should be the remains of a baby.

The skeleton was white and looked like it had been dead for many years, and at this time, the baby's skeleton was facing each guest, its mouth open as if it were about to cry.

Deathly silence.

No one knows why the Count of Monte Cristo prepared such an after-show, let alone why there are such baby bones buried in a villa.

For a while, no one even knew how to face this peculiar "aftershow".

In any case, the Count of Monte Cristo did not break his promise, and he did prepare something for the well-informed Parisians that they had never seen at any other banquet.

But...... It doesn't seem to be what everyone was expecting at all.

A deathly silence hung over everyone, except for the band still dutifully playing the Waltz, dedicating their talents to a stage where no one danced at all.

Thump.

I don't know how long it took for someone to make a noise among the guests, breaking the eerie silence.

"Lady Tangral!" Some people screamed.

Mrs. Tangral fainted.

This is also normal, where have the ladies of the upper class seen this kind of battle, it's strange not to be scared.

"Ahh For a moment, as Madame Tangral turned on the switch, as if she had finally reacted, a large number of women covered their faces in unison, and then screamed loudly.

"Ahh

These high-pitched hiss seem to pierce the sky, but even at this time, the band is still playing faithfully, making people feel even more in an incredible place.

Charles is in this incredible place.

But instead of screaming, much less flustered, he went to the side of the Prosecutor of Villefort and looked intently at the Count of Monte Cristo.

The Count, on the other hand, seemed very happy, and the shrill screams did not affect his mood, but he smiled, opened his hands, and stood beside the small wooden box containing the remains.

"You bastard, you're lying!" At this moment, a trace of bloodshot finally appeared on the pale face of the Attorney General of Villefort, "I don't have ...... at all"

Charles pulled him behind him and stopped him.

Obviously, this matter has something to do with the Attorney General, and the more he says in public, the more unfavorable it will be to him.

Although Charles didn't know what he had done, it was certainly the right thing to do not let him speak in such an emotional moment.

The Inspector General of Villefort seemed to have finally reacted to such a sudden pull by Charles, and then glanced at the young man gratefully, and then gasped violently, and his eyes were already on Madame Tangral, who had fainted to the ground.

The fainting lady was carried out of the garden by the crowd, ready to send her back to rest, while the other guests had also gone a lot, and for them the impact of the day was too great to forget to say goodbye to the master.

And the Count of Monte Cristo had no intention of holding back, just quietly watching the people leave, and for him it was all expected in the plan.

Within three days, everything he did in the villa today would be the talk of high society, and at that time, everyone would be speculating about where the bones came from.

This is just the beginning, and the reckoning between him and his enemies will not end so simply.

Even if someone stops it...... The results will not change either.

"What exactly do you want to do? Earl. Just then, the blonde young man's words interrupted his thoughts.

The young man stood before him.

Handsome but tough, energetic and ambitious.

But even so, he couldn't stop himself.

"The enemy persecuted my soul and trampled on my life, that I might dwell with the eternal dead in a kingdom closed by darkness...... Lord, make them fearful that they are mere human beings! The Count looked up and replied with a laugh.

The Count's laughter reached Charles's ears, and the quotation from the Old Testament Psalms of the Bible now sounded ominous.

He hated his enemies and was willing to use his own switch to save them from the doom, and now his revenge had begun in an orderly manner, and although Charles did not know when this brutal drama began, he knew that he was already in the middle of it.

What role will I play?

He's gone mad with hatred, and if I ever try to stop him, he'll see him as a thorn in the side.

When he thought that he had to face the hatred that had accumulated for more than 20 years, and the hatred engraved in his bone marrow, even if he was not afraid of heaven and earth, he couldn't help but shudder.

"O Lord! Rise up in your wrath and stand up against the wrath of my enemies. He couldn't help but quote a scripture as well.