Soothed by Charles's soft voice, Fran, who had just woken up from a nightmare, fell back into a deep sleep.

Although she had broken free from her drunken state, Fran's face was still flushed, and against the background of her golden eyebrows and eyelashes, this sleeping face looked so lovely that Charles's original anger slowly disappeared.

Hey, who doesn't do something ridiculous when they're young? Aren't I like that myself?

He has always doted on his sister, and he quickly excused his sister.

At that moment, Mademoiselle de Tangral, along with three maidens, Matilda and Mary, entered the room, apparently to visit Fran as well.

They seemed to have drunk a lot, so their faces were a little red, and they also had some smell of alcohol on their bodies, and suddenly there was a smell of alcohol in the air.

"Mr. Treville, is your sister alright?" As soon as she saw Charles, Eugenie hurriedly asked.

"Miss Tangral, you're overdoing it." Charles, who couldn't be angry with his sister, suddenly had an outlet for catharsis, and immediately turned his head to look at Eugenie, "I brought my sister here to enjoy your singing, not to drink with you." ”

"I've been nervous for so long, I have to relax." Eugenie replied with a smile, "Drinking with friends in my spare time is part of life for me. ”

"I understand how much you value your friends, but you get drunk by hiding together...... That's not like a lady, is it? Charles was still a little relieved, "Think about it, if anyone saw you famous ladies like this, what would they think?" ”

With that, his gaze swept over the other two, and Matilda and Mary felt ashamed and avoided his gaze.

"Oh, everyone is already so tired of living, do you still care what others think? They can think whatever they like, even if they are ladies. Eugenie shrugged her shoulders in a dashing manner, "Mr. Treville, I thought that a young man of your calibre would not be as cautious and afraid of frivolous gossip as ordinary people, but did I misread you?" ”

Being blocked by Eugenie like this, Charles suddenly had nothing to say.

However, he was not angry, and Eugénie's response to himself made him find the other party amused.

He looked again at the only daughter of the great banker.

She was tall, with thin eyebrows, slightly squinted eyes, and a slightly mocking smile at the corners of her mouth, which looked graceful and luxurious against the background of the expensive dress she was wearing. Her face was a little red, like a shy child, but her sneering smile and eyes full of willpower brought some fortitude to her charm.

Maybe a little cynical, but she is by no means a child to be manipulated. Charles made a judgment in his mind.

If Valentina is a thorny rose, then she must be a flowering cactus.

Although Charles is not particularly fond of such sharp and rigid women, he respects this type of person.

So he didn't dwell on Eugenie anymore, but walked to Matilda's side.

"What about Her Royal Highness?" He leaned into Matilda's ear and whispered.

"yes...... Oh my God, I forgot. Matilda suddenly came to her senses, gave a start, and immediately apologized to her friends, and left the room with a somewhat floating footstep.

"I'll take care of Fran." Mary took the initiative to walk up to Fran, who was still sleeping, "Sir, I'm really sorry, I didn't expect her to fall down so easily...... Otherwise I'll have stopped it. ”

"There's no need to apologize so solemnly, it's not a big deal in the first place." Charles shook his head, "Just pay attention to it in the future." Then I'll bother you next. ”

He nodded to Mary and strode out of the room, as Eugenie walked out with Charles.

As the protagonist of tonight, she certainly has a lot to do.

The two of them walked down the hallway together, and Charles suddenly felt the urge to talk to each other.

"Your father, Baron Tangral, hasn't come forward today, isn't he at home?" He asked in a whisper.

"No, he's at home, receiving an important guest." Eugenie shook her head. "I guess he'll be there later."

"Oh, ......I see," Charles nodded, and then secretly wondered who the guest worthy of such a solemn reception by Baron Tangral should be.

"I don't usually tell me about my father, and I'm not interested in asking him what he's doing." Eugenie suddenly turned her head to look at Charles, "If you want to find out something about your father from me, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, I can't help you much. ”

"Uh...... You misunderstood me, and I certainly wouldn't do such a boring thing to you. Embarrassment, Charles quickly denied it, and then changed the subject, "Seriously, my friend and I have been talking about you all day today. ”

"Huh? Why? Eugenie was a little surprised.

"You wouldn't be so surprised if I told you why—I am a friend of Monsieur Albert de Marsève." Charles replied with a smile, secretly glad he had diverted the subject. "Then, I noticed that you had been unapologetic to Albert today, and that you didn't even make eye contact......"

"Him?" Eugenie understood, but instead her eyes narrowed slightly.

Poor Albert!

As soon as she saw Eugenie's reaction, Charles couldn't help but sigh.

It was evident that although the two sides were already talking about marriage, this Miss Tangral was not interested in Albert.

"Mr. Treville, I think you may have noticed some rumors in the social world, yes, in which Albert and I did connect - but at this point, rumors are rumors after all." Eugénie straightened up and said to Charles seriously, "I am my father's only daughter, and my father has raised me since I was a child, and has been infinitely gracious to me, so I obey my father's orders, and he will marry me to whomever he wants—but, as long as my father hasn't really spoken, I have the right not to treat someone as my fiancé, you know?" ”

"I see." Now that the other party has said this, Charles can only sigh.

It seems that Eugenie really has no good impression of Albert, but it is conceivable that if the two really get married, I am afraid that it will only be a superficial couple.

However, in high society, aren't such types of marriages abound? Charles only sighed, and didn't want to say anything more.

Anyway, by any standard, Albert could get a lot of benefit from this marriage, and even if his fiancée didn't like him, it wasn't a big deal compared to these benefits - besides, feelings were cultivated, and maybe they could be cultivated later? Albert is a very likable young man......

"It's good that you get the idea." Eugenie nodded again, her gaze still so scathing, "Besides, I have another request, sir, I don't like to be the talk of others, especially in this kind of thing. So, in the spirit of our friendship, I sincerely ask you not to participate in the small talk about me in private, is that okay? ”

Although it was only a request on the surface, her attitude was very serious, and naturally exuded an awe-inspiring nobility, almost making people forget that her father was not a nobleman even ten years ago.

What a strong character. It can be a good friend, but it's hard to be a good wife, poor Albert.

"Okay, I see." Charles bowed solemnly, and the two men parted.

With infinite regret for Albert, Charles returned to the living room.

It was already evening, and the guests began to gather in the spacious living room of the Tangral Mansion, and the scene was no different from ordinary social gatherings.

Charles walked back to Albert de Malceff and André Cavalcanti, and while they were chatting, Baron Tangral, who had disappeared for most of the day, finally appeared in the hall holding his wife's hand.

Although today's visitors are all young people, who would dare to be disrespectful to the famous Baron Tangral? When the big banker appeared in front of everyone, all the people who were talking immediately looked away, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

However, despite the incomparable amount of money, the couple walked hand in hand with a warm smile and a calm host's grace...... However, in Charles's opinion, the appearance of the two men is somewhat incompatible.

Baroness Tangral has always been known for her beauty in the social world, and today she is even more radiant because she has deliberately dressed up, although she is nearly forty years old, but she is wearing a low-cut dress, and a large area of skin is revealed, these skins are still very freshly maintained, and there are no flaws to be seen, as white as cream, and on the full chest, the gemstone necklace shines, so beautiful that people can't help but hold their breath.

And the husband next to her is not so pleasing to the eye.

Baron Tangral was short, a little shorter than his wife, and his skin was scorched and wrinkled, and even in a delicate gown, he could hardly hide his old age. In addition, although he had a smile on his face, his gaze was very wandering, as if his attention had drifted away from other places, his eyes were full of indifference, fine wine, beautiful women, fine clothes and jewelry, everything here did not arouse his interest, and in his dry body, there seemed to be only one desire left - the desire for money.

Against the backdrop of her shriveled and scorched husband, Mrs. Tangral looked even more glamorous, so much so that even Charles had the feeling of "flowers planted on xx" in her heart.

From this point of view, it is understandable that Madame Tangral has found a lover for herself......

While Charles was still in reverie, the Tangrals reached the center of the hall, and their daughter, Eugenie, came to the side of her parents.

Tangral's family of three gathered, and the jewels were dazzling, revealing the demeanor of the rich and noble family to the fullest.

To Charles's relief, Miss Tangral had inherited her mother's rather than her father's appearance, so that even though she had a stern and stern personality, she was still charming, and the smile on her face softened her by the dazzling candlelight of the crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

Under everyone's attention, Baron Tangral cleared his throat and then spoke leisurely.

"Thank you to all the guests, you are willing to take time out of your busy schedule to attend the little girl's birthday party, I just heard your applause, I can see that you have given a very high evaluation to the little girl's singing, I must thank you all solemnly." With an indifferent smile, he nodded to the four directions, "I won't hide it from you, at my age, I don't care about my reputation at all, I just care about my daughter - I have been worried about my daughter before, after all, although my daughter has a good talent, her personality is really not very approachable, so I am worried that she may not be able to make friends, but seeing so many people gathered today, I am much more relieved......"

He sighed softly, then turned to look at his daughter.

At this time, there was a little more tenderness in his gaze, which was probably the last bit of human emotion in his heart.

"Eugenie, from today onwards, you are an adult, and Dad is happy. You are my only daughter, a continuation of my bloodline, and my pride. I watched you go from a baby to the beautiful girl you are today, and I am proud to see you go from a child who knows nothing to a beautiful and talented lady, I never dared to expect myself to have such a child, but God Almighty has given me a perfect gift, and I am extremely grateful to Him. Baron Tangral stretched out his dry hand and gently stroked his daughter's hair, "When I saw you born, I knew that you were the sustenance of my future life, I am willing to give everything for you, I will use all the resources I can to create a carefree life for you, I am very happy, I have done it so far, and I hope to be able to do the same in the future." ”

I have to say that Baron Tangral's words are not the same as ordinary words, there is no false rhetoric, but full of affection, even if there is an element of artificiality in it, but there must be a lot of sincerity.

A person can do good and bad things at the same time, and when he plans to use his daughter as a bargaining chip to marry into the royal family, it may not be completely a calculation of interests.

"Dad, thank you for raising and educating me for so many years, without you, I would have nothing." There were some tears in the corners of Eugenie's eyes, and she was obviously touched by her father's affection, "I have always been proud of you, so I am ashamed that I have only enjoyed what you have given me for so many years, and have not helped you in any way......"

"Don't say such stupid things, you make me happy, it's the biggest help, daughter." Baron Tangral patted his daughter on the shoulder again, "Okay, there are so many people here today, don't put on a discouraged face." ”

Then, he picked up the wine glass on the table next to him and looked at the guests around him.

"So, on this celebratory occasion, let's make a toast to Mademoiselle de Tangral!"

"Eugenie!" "Cheers to Eugenie!"

The guests, of course, were sensible, and they raised their glasses to celebrate Eugenie's birthday, including Charles and his friends.

For a moment, the atmosphere was so warm that cheers echoed everywhere in the spacious hall, as if they were participating in some kind of celebration.

Then, the servants brought desserts one after another, and the host and guests began to enjoy a rare happy time together.

As with all gatherings, people began to get together in twos and threes again and start their conversations.

At this time, Lucien Debret, Madame Tangral's lover, came to the Baroness's side.

This tall and handsome young man is one of the most high-profile rising stars in the government today, so even Baron Tangral had to give him three points, although he and Madame Tangral have always been eyebrows, but the Baron has never seen it, even if he has become the object of ridicule of the playboys in Paris, the Baron does not care at all.

"Lucien!" After seeing her lover, Mrs. Tangral's smile was obviously a little warmer, "How are you doing?" ”

Because of the quarrel with her husband before, the baron deliberately separated himself from his wife and Lucien, and they had not seen each other for several days, so as soon as they met, Madame Tangral could not avoid suspicion, and began to ask directly, but Baron Tangral's face did not change at all, as if he had not heard anything.

"Thank you, ma'am." Lucien bowed, then took Madame's silk-gloved hand and kissed it gently.

Then he looked up at his lover's daughter, and smiled in what he thought was the kindest.

"Happy birthday, Eugenie."

However, contrary to her wishes, the smile did not provoke any response from Miss Tangral, who avoided her gaze slightly, as if unwilling to face the man who had taken away her mother and made her father a laughing stock.

"Thank you, Mr. Debrey." She just replied coldly.

This cold response made Debray slightly embarrassed, but after a long time of training, of course he would not be intimidated by such a small blow, he just turned his head without a trace and looked at Baron Tangral.

"Dear Baron, we've been talking about your daughter every day lately, and not just about her birthday."

"Oh? What's that talking about? The baron looked at each other as if in confusion.

"We're talking about your daughter's upcoming wedding." Lucien immediately replied, "When are you going to put up the notice?" I think poor Albert can't wait. ”

In France at this time, the newlyweds would post notices in a special place for ten days before getting married, inform the public, and ask for opinions about the newlyweds (of course, it is likely to be just a formality), and after ten days, if there is no negative news, then the two will go into the church and start a happy or unhappy marriage - Lucien is actually asking Eugenie and Albert when exactly they will be married.

However, to his surprise, the baron's face sank slightly, "Marriage? What marriage? I don't remember who the little girl is engaged to now. ”

"Huh?" Not only Lucien, but even the other guests who could hear his words raised their heads in surprise.

Nowadays, although rumors have always been flying in the social circles, the news that the two families are going to marry has been rumored for so long, and it has already received various unofficial confirmations, so everyone thinks that this is already a certainty, and all that is missing is when it will be announced.

However, at this moment, Baron Tangral denied the existence of the marriage contract in such a public occasion, which was almost a breach of the contract.

Did something happen? Or is there something else going on? Almost everyone is thinking in secret.

But in any case, the baron's doing so would definitely worsen his relationship with Marshal's family, after all, it was almost an offence to the dignity of the other party.

All of a sudden, people looked at each other, not understanding what was going on.

"You...... You mean, you don't plan to marry your daughter to Albert de Marsève? Lucien steadied himself, and then asked again.

At this moment, the whole living room was almost silent, and everyone looked at Baron Tangral in a daze, waiting for the first hand of a big news in the social world.

Baron Tangral did not disappoint them, and he calmly sneered.

"Albert is a lovely young man, and if you ask me if I would like to have him my son-in-law, of course I do. However, the Malseff family and I have not yet had in-depth negotiations on this, so I am not sure whether Albert would marry my daughter, and the rumors about them are speculation rather than fact. His smile was dry, making people feel a little uncomfortable, "Of course, if my daughter is obsessed with Albert, then it goes without saying, I will do whatever it takes to have such a son-in-law." Daughter, what do you think? ”

"Father, I am your daughter, you have given me everything, you have the right to marry me to anyone, I don't want my likes and dislikes to interfere with your judgment." Eugenie still had a straight face, and replied coldly as if it were a machine, "I only obey your orders, please choose for me." ”

"Oh......" All of a sudden, all sorts of exclamations sprang up from the corner of the living room.

The baron's words, although ostensibly supportive, have clearly indicated that he does not want to enter into a marriage contract with Marshal Malseff's family at the moment, and Mademoiselle Eugenie does not seem to have the intention of marrying Albert, that is...... The marriage has now been put on hold.

That's the big news that everyone was waiting for.

What's going on?

What happens next?

No one knows, but surely, the Malsev family has been disgraced in it.

In the midst of the commotion, Charles turned to look at Albert, whose face was already red and white, and he didn't know what to say.

My poor friend!