"Yes?" Vina picked up the call, wondering why Clovis called her at this time.

"Hey, Vina. Do you want to go on a vacation? We'll be heading to the Elseingarde family, not just us, but a few other families are going to be here as well."

"Clovis? That's…" Vina panicked and couldn't help but glance at Silvia, who was sitting across the table. Maya remained silent while watching from the side.

"What's wrong? You don't want to?"

Vina gulped, not knowing how to answer.

Silvia, of course, heard everything. She just chuckled and nodded as if telling her to go.

Vina didn't know how to react anymore and just followed what Silvia wanted. She answered, "Okay. When is it?"

"Seven days from now."

"All right. I'll be there."

"Good. Bye!"

Vina hung up the call with a hollow laugh. She was scared of what Silvia would do next.

Silvia continued to chuckle before saying, "Maya. Look at him."

Maya smiled wryly. "Young Master seems to have grown."

"He's very clever and I like it. His grandfather, Michael, only ran away from me." Silvia smiled. It looked like she didn't have to worry about the Hacfield family with Clovis there.

"Madam…" Vina felt like lowering her head, unable to face Silvia.

"What's wrong? You don't want to go? Just go. It's rare to have a good time with him and the rest. You need a good relationship with the rest, after all."

Silvia waved her hand as if telling her to go away. "Just go. Pack your luggage now and go."

"Y-Yes." Vina nodded furiously.

Once Vina left, Silvia turned to Maya with a big smile. "The boy has grown up to the point he dares to plot against his great-grandmother. What should I do now, Maya?"

Maya smiled. "I think we need to pop some champagne."

"Bring the best one." Silvia winked playfully. "Still, I can't really let this go just like this, can't I?"

"Yes?"

"Bring these two files—ZGR-006 and LGGS-001. I want to give him a gift." Silvia smiled.

Maya smiled wryly. It looked like it had come to this point as well. "Yes, Ma'am."

Silvia added, "Also, you should join the vacation."

Maya shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm satisfied to be here."

"I'm grateful for everything you have done for me. However, I also wish for you to finally confront your own life, Maya. It has been so long since Lily died…"

Maya fell silent for a moment before saying, "I will fetch the files."

"…" Silvia could only sigh, looking at Maya, who had been escaping from reality. "That kid… She is already in her fifties. She has always blamed herself for Lily's death. Helping me to atone for her sin, even though she shouldn't feel the burden."

…

Meanwhile, the Elseingarde family had gotten busy as well.

Ezekiel and Lues were preparing for the Libation Fiesta's arrival.

"So, the grandson-in-law is visiting." Ezekiel smiled.

"Yes." Lues nodded. "According to Christina, everyone will be coming. Though it's really everyone. Apparently, they're also inviting their families. This is the list."

Lues handed over the document before giving the information. "What do you think?"

"I don't see the problem." Ezekiel nodded. "Have you notified the government?"

"Yes. I've notified them. They've been communicating with Absalom about it."

"How about their safety?"

"We have dispatched our people as well to the border. Unfortunately, we have no way of protecting them outside this country."

"Do they know about it?"

"Yes."

Ezekiel nodded. "All right, then. There doesn't seem to be any problem."

"Are you sure about this, Father?" Lues tilted his head in confusion. "There is no joint training whatsoever. Although I understand about the Libation Fiesta, coming with all their families is a bit…"

"You don't have to worry about that." Ezekiel shook his head. "It's true that the grandson-in-law is coming with full force. In a way, it makes us look like we're doing something for him.

"However, the grandson-in-law should know that our status is equal, so he won't do something that makes us look bad. Even Christina will probably complain.

"That's why you don't have to worry about it. Well, from what I know, he is going to show all his paintings to our people." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"What?" Lues was startled. "You mean all those paintings? Aren't they stolen?"

"No. It must be a ploy. However, we can't really show everything right away as well, or else there will be leaks of information. That's why I want you to get a list of the trusted people for the time being.

"Don't tell them anything yet. Just recall them or give them a mission near our place. Once everything is sorted out, the grandson-in-law will handle everything. I don't know the details as well, but that's the gist of the situation."

Lues fell silent. The paintings were probably of a higher value compared to the joint training. After all, the effects would be instant.

At first, accepting Clovis' sudden demand would make them look weak, as if they were Clovis' subordinates. However, thanks to the reward, it would change the narrative.

Clovis understood the situation between them. In the end, Lues couldn't make another argument.

Ezekiel sighed. "You have been doing pretty well. However, you need to be sharper. Sometimes, you don't have to see everything as it is. You need to focus on the meaning behind it. Besides, his visit this time won't make us look weak.

"Instead, people will think we're close. Why? Because of Christina. You may have been a bit too reserved."

"I'm sorry." Lues sighed.

"No need to feel so down. You have made a mistake, but it doesn't mean you're doing a bad job. It's good that you're thinking about the family. That's what matters most. Just make sure to keep learning and improve. Okay?"

"Yeah." Lues nodded solemnly.

"All right. Make the list right now and handle the matter. I will be supervising the process."

"Got it."

Once Lues exited the room, Ezekiel sighed before taking out a pamphlet. "I have told him what he should know, but it's time for me to prepare for another thing. Let's see… We have another topic to discuss."

Ezekiel looked at the pamphlet, which showed a picture of a wedding.