Darkstone Code-Chapter 794 - 0792 Before the Party

"This isn’t a film festival’s red carpet, you’re walking too slowly," Lynch gently reminded her as they entered the gala, "People won’t speak nicely of you in magazines or newspapers just because you walk slowly, they’ll only mock you."

Penny lowered her head, feeling a bit sullen, but she still didn’t dare oppose Lynch’s opinion, "I understand, I’ll definitely walk faster next time."

As the two entered the venue, the President and First Lady approached them.

"I’m glad you could come, Lynch...," the President’s face was beaming with a warm smile. He introduced his wife to Lynch, "This is Barbara."

The First Lady appeared to be a bit older than the President, which might be a characteristic of Federation women; when men and women of the same age stand together, the man tends to appear younger, while the woman looks somewhat older.

The skin on her face was slightly sagging, adding some wrinkles, yet she still appeared to be a kind and gentle elder.

"Hello, Lynch, he often mentions you," Barbara extended her hand to shake Lynch’s, though by social etiquette, she and Lynch didn’t need to shake hands.

Of course, feminists consider this one of the traits of a patriarchal society oppressing women’s rights, where women have a clearly lower status than men in social settings.

However, since Barbara was one of the organizers of tonight’s gala, she couldn’t be seen merely as an "appendage" of the President, and Lynch needed to show some respect for this identity.

"I am young, there will always be things I don’t do well, I hope the President isn’t too troubled when mentioning me!"

Lynch’s humble words elicited a good-hearted laugh from the President, who patted Lynch on the arm, "You’re a likable young man, I won’t be troubled by you!"

After all, he was so generous with his money, the President wouldn’t be troubled.

The First Lady extended her hand to the somewhat hesitant Penny, "Hello, young and beautiful lady, have I seen you before?"

Penny seemed dumbfounded, staring blankly at the First Lady without any response.

She was "startled"; after all, this was the First Lady, the most dignified woman in the country, bar none, and she actually offered her hand to me for a handshake, my goodness...

Penny’s mind was in chaos, so much so that she didn’t think to reply to the First Lady, instead of standing there dazed.

Thankfully, Lynch reacted quickly, "She’s an actress, been in some films." Lynch rescued Penny from her awkwardness; being slow to react was also a faux pas, and he chimed in just in time.

Penny regained her composure, apologized with embarrassment and shame, "Sorry, ma’am, I... I’m too excited, you and the President are my idols, I don’t even know how to express what I feel inside!"

Saying nice things never displeases people, especially when it comes from a young and pretty girl; people tend to be more forgiving toward them.

The First Lady smiled, waiting for Penny to shake hands with her, then laughed and said, "When I was young, I was sometimes like you, getting tongue-tied in front of famous figures. You’ll get used to it eventually."

Seeing the next pair of guests having finished their walk on the red carpet, Lynch temporarily bid farewell to the two.

After leaving the President and First Lady, a waiter came to guide them to their seats.

"Your seats are in the third row, please follow me..."

Each seat at the venue had a name tag attached to its back; the seats were limited, and even if someone sneaked in with someone else’s invitation, they’d find no place to sit.

Those invited by the President and First Lady to the charity gala were all high society figures, even public personalities.

These people were well known, and holding someone else’s invitation would be utterly useless.

Nonetheless, every time a social event of this scale was held, some would find ways to sneak in, given the prestige of the attendees.

Making contact with anyone in this circle could be a monumental opportunity for the average person.

Once they found their seats and sat down, Penny seemed very excited, though she tried her best to restrain it, her nerves kept making her eyes widen from time to time!

The guests were mostly of high social status, far beyond the social tier of a celebrity like Penny.

In lower tiers of society, actors, singers, or other performing artists might have significant social status and influence, but in the real upper class, these people aren’t much different from ordinary folks.

A single call could bring their bosses and those big stars to all kinds of gatherings, where they’d have to be cautious, flattering, and say complimentary things; such people can’t be truly considered upper class, they are merely a group of actors or valuable ornaments.

It was precisely because of the vast difference in social status that Penny was so shocked at this moment.

"Did we just talk to the President and the First Lady?"

She seemed to have just realized, filled with both shock and regret, "Did I perform poorly, for heaven’s sake, you should have warned me!"

"That was the President and First Lady, not even our boss or our boss’s boss has met such prestigious figures, let alone shaken hands or spoken with them!"

Lynch glanced at her sideways, "I told you before we came here, we’re attending a charity gala organized by the First Lady!"

Penny stiffened her neck after hearing this, "I thought you just got an invitation from somewhere, you didn’t say it was a personal invitation from the President and First Lady!"

She felt it wasn’t her fault because she had attended many similar galas with the help of her broker before.

Not expecting to sit comfortably inside the gala, but hoping to walk the red carpet and have some coverage in the next day’s papers—’Famous actress appears at a certain event’s red carpet.’

Attending and being personally invited are two completely different experiences.

Although she believed Lynch was impressive, he shouldn’t be impressive enough to have the President and First Lady be so accommodating.

She underestimated Lynch.

Lynch didn’t pay much attention to this, "I not only know the Federation’s President and First Lady, I can visit their home at leisure, and I even know the Emperor of Gafura, and had intimate relations with his sister!"

Penny’s mouth dropped open, and a hint of sly pleasure crept across her face as if she suddenly thought of something, "So does that mean I’m on the same level as a Princess?"

Lynch was momentarily taken aback by the question and just stared at her.

She explained slightly, "You’ve been with a Princess, and been with me, so does that make me and the Princess..."

Lynch flicked her forehead, "What are you thinking, just sit tight!"

The reality told Lynch she couldn’t sit tight; although she didn’t do anything inappropriate, whenever new guests arrived, she would whisper excitedly in his ear.

Among the people arriving, she knew most of them and could narrate some of their stories; she knew more about these people than Lynch did.

When Mr. Wardrick arrived with Severa, Penny couldn’t help but exclaim, "Did you know, Severa is the most envied by girls across the Federation."

"Besides having a great father, the fashion brand she runs is very popular among young girls, she also writes books, and it’s rumored to be adapted into a film soon."

"She does everything perfectly, everyone wishes they could become her."

Her tone was filled with unabashed envy and jealousy; to Penny, Severa might as well be the ’ceiling’ of existence.

After saying this, she fell into silence because she suddenly realized that among all the female companions at the venue, she seemed to have the lowest status.

For a girl who is somewhat materialistic but also has pride, it’s a huge blow.

Outside here, she is always the center of attention, the subject of conversation, but here, most of these people probably haven’t even heard her name.

She deeply sensed the feeling of being a ’background figure’ she typically neglects during events.

Next came Mr. Akiner and his daughter Anna, Penny didn’t even want to talk anymore—another ’Princess’ had arrived.

In the Federation, although there are no royal titles, people generally consider girls like Severa and Anna as the nation’s Princesses.

Suddenly, it’s quite disheartening.

Then, two young members of the Duncan Clan also arrived, and the most important guests were now all present.

Mr. Jeruno did not attend personally; at his level, unless the President publicly invited him enthusiastically, he wouldn’t attend any event casually.

Not to mention this gala was organized by First Lady Barbara, which made it less likely for Mr. Jeruno to attend; coming would feel beneath him.

It seems ridiculous that the First Lady’s invitation is considered lowering status to a capitalist, but that’s reality.

When someone possesses a significant portion of the nation’s wealth, the President, to them, becomes merely a replaceable symbol.

Even the President wasn’t upset about Mr. Jeruno not attending; he didn’t see it as a problem.

With everyone’s arrival, the charity gala officially commenced.

The First Lady first explained the origin of the charity gala and projected the touching photo onto a large screen.

The well-dressed gentlemen and ladies exhibited expressions of compassion, admiration, sadness, and exclaimed softly.

They completely forgot that a random accessory they wore could potentially save tens, hundreds, or even thousands of such children.

Only knowing to be sad when it’s time to be sad makes someone understand what it means to be a person!