Blackstone Code-Chapter 423: Water and Fire

Lynch was a gentleman. His comment was a good-natured joke, and he even took the initiative to ease the awkwardness between them without pressuring Anna to call him Uncle.

“Have you always been like this?” Anna walked beside Lynch, still recovering from his teasing, but before her father returned, she had to maintain the appearance of a harmonious relationship.

People from lower classes often yearn for the upper class, believing money and status can escape harsh fate. But no matter how wealthy you are, there will always be those richer or more important. Don’t fool yourself into thinking no one is above you.

The higher you go, the harsher and more ruthless society becomes—just like Anna now.

Though wealthy with an enviable family name and a privileged father, enjoying everything without effort, 95% of people dream If only I were her… yet they don’t see that behind the glamour lies many troubles.

Those oppressed by bosses can angrily throw reports in their faces and declare quitting because they have nothing to lose.

Anna couldn’t do that. Even if she disliked Lynch, she had to stay by his side until Mr. Patric returned. That’s how high society works.

You can dislike someone personally, but the social structure runs on rules—you can’t let your emotions break those rules.

Anna’s role, given by her father, was to accompany Lynch. If Lynch left, the blame would fall on her.

As Lynch said, he and Mr. Patric were equals. If there was any friction, it wouldn’t be Lynch’s fault.

Unless it was a serious mistake, most faults would end up blamed on Anna.

She enjoyed privileges others didn’t but had to bear certain burdens in return.

“Me?” Lynch tilted his head, looking at the shorter girl. “What about me?”

“You make people angry!” Anna said seriously, truly upset despite knowing it was a joke. For a moment, she almost called him Uncle Lynch.

That thought embarrassed her. Whether she said it or not, she had lost—lost in her heart.

“You’re here?!” Lynch was about to speak when a familiar female voice rang out—it was Severella.

Sure enough, Severella quickly approached, apologizing to those she disturbed, and stood by Lynch.

Though quick movement in such a setting is impolite, when people saw Severella’s youthful, flawless face, their displeasure turned to tolerance.

Everyone knew Mr. Wadrick had only one daughter, destined to inherit everything unless he suddenly had several illegitimate children before dying.

How could anyone show displeasure toward such a charming, young, beautiful lady?

Lynch caught a subtle sign as he turned: Anna’s hand clenched tightly on her dress’s hem. There seemed to be tension between Anna and Severella.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming!” Severella stood facing Lynch. It had been just a day since they last discussed writing, but the day had felt unusually long to her. Ȑ𝐀ΝốᛒƐŠ

She had never experienced time dragging so much; things once fun and engaging now bored her.

That’s why Mr. Wadrick brought her out—her inexplicable low spirits needed a change of scenery.

Lynch smiled lightly. To Severella, his smile was golden, drawing her full attention. “I didn’t know you were coming, so I didn’t mention it.”

Though the event wasn’t very formal, it wasn’t just a social gathering either—important matters were to be discussed and many influential people attended. Bringing a companion was proper, though not mandatory.

Lynch had expected Mr. Wadrick to bring his wife, not Severella.

Severella didn’t mind. “We…” She wanted to continue yesterday’s conversation, having spent a dull evening brainstorming new ideas, hoping for Lynch’s approval. He seemed insightful in some ways.

Before she could speak, Anna stepped forward. “Good afternoon, Sister Severella…”

Severella’s gaze shifted reluctantly to Anna. After a moment of eye contact, her warm smile cooled slightly. “I didn’t see you earlier.”

“I was right here,” Anna shot back.

“Really?” Severella’s smile faded, “Well then, hello, Miss Anna.” Her tone changed, as if she became a different person.

This was the first time Lynch saw Severella’s sharpness. Her hello left Anna standing awkwardly, unable to respond.

Anna couldn’t say, Yes, I’m fine, Sister Severella, or I’m not fine ever since I saw you. Given Severella’s expression, everyone sensed Anna was an extra presence.

Anna’s clenched hand on her dress showed her unwillingness—one of the upper class’s unwelcome realities: constant comparison.

This wasn’t common in ordinary society. Here, attitudes polarized.

Those who had lost the chance to inherit core resources and given up on themselves were treated with great tolerance, no matter their excesses, as long as they didn’t break fundamental rules.

The strict few often questioned who was truly fortunate.

Meanwhile, potential heirs faced harsh scrutiny—even minor faults sparked gossip.

No one actually talked about how much toilet paper these two girls used—just an example, a small joke.

This reflected challenges these elites faced. They had to appear better than others, at least in appearance.

Severella had published books and owned a fashion brand—many ideas weren’t entirely hers, but she had to keep up.

Everyone claimed to be self-made. Failure meant criticism: Mr. Wadrick should have more children; his daughter doesn’t deserve to inherit everything!

Though Anna and Severella had little real contact, comparisons were inevitable, so their encounters lacked warmth.

In this comparison, Anna was clearly at a disadvantage, partly because her father had more children. Mr. Patric wouldn’t support her unconditionally, so she lost to Severella.

Her competitiveness was her way to prove she wasn’t worse than Severella.

The two girls locked eyes. Some noticed but quickly looked away—they didn’t want trouble.

After a few seconds, Severella changed the subject. Anna said nothing more—she had already lost this battle.

“What were you talking about just now?” she asked naturally, standing beside Lynch with a curious expression. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”

After the initial confrontation where one had clearly won, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

“I was at Saint Secheka for an interview today and happened to run into Miss Anna,” Lynch replied.

Severella looked surprised. “I thought you’d choose one of the Society’s southern academies. Those are closer to York State.”

There were Society academies in the south as well, far nearer to Lynch’s current residence than Eminence. Traveling there would have been much easier—unlike Eminence, which took one or two days each trip, far too distant.

Severella’s expression shifted again. “So, you’re my junior?”

She had also graduated from Saint Secheka. Her bestseller, How to Quickly Fit Into College Social Circles, was written while she was studying there—a place she held special affection for.

With the new ideas sparked by her conversation with Lynch and based on some of his suggestions, she planned to write a new campus novel, adapt it into a screenplay, and push for its release!