The Greatest Showman #1370 - Drink with You

Andre looked at Arthur and Edith, both deflated, and couldn't help but smile smugly. He stretched out his right hand and declared, "I'm willing to admit defeat."

Renly, ever curious, leaned forward. "What did they lose?"

Edith, who had been sulking moments earlier, now grinned mischievously and gestured to Arthur. "His humidor."

Renly raised an eyebrow, an amused smile creeping onto his lips. He knew the humidor well. Arthur had bought it at a private auction years ago. Though the item itself wasn't worth much—only two thousand pounds—it held sentimental value. It was the first private auction Arthur had attended at just fourteen, making it a unique keepsake. Additionally, there was a watercolor painting of a beautiful woman lying within the cigar box, further making it one of a kind.

Andre had always been curious about the humidor. He would joke about wanting it, and Arthur would firmly refuse. Over time, it became a running joke between them. Today, however, Andre had succeeded in his quest.

Renly knew that Andre was just playing around, though. The humidor would likely be handed over—after all, Andre's integrity was on the line—but Arthur would make sure to receive something in return, especially with Andre's influence. Arthur had recently struck out on his own, and Andre's connections could prove invaluable.

"Andre," Renly said with a smile, "how about you share some of that with me?"

Andre snorted and, feigning seriousness, replied, "The bishop taught me not to make deals with demons."

Renly's expression remained calm. "Then, has the bishop taught you the consequences of refusing to make deals with demons?"

Andre rolled his eyes. "You can always shut up, you know. It won't affect our friendship." Edith, seated beside him, giggled at the exchange.

Not missing a beat, Andre turned to Renly. "Hey, what about your bet? Edith has a wager that Captain America from Hollywood will join us for a meal or afternoon tea. I think this is the perfect opportunity for it."

Renly's lips curled into a faint smile. "You all think I'm some sort of great devil, don't you? Are you sure I'll be happy with that?"

Everyone fell silent for a moment, and one by one, they turned their eyes away, pretending not to have heard.

The butler arrived just in time to break the awkward silence. With precision, he delivered the drinks and eased the atmosphere, his professionalism evident.

Renly raised his glass of whisky toward Arthur. It was a silent toast—a recognition of the difficulty of breaking free from family expectations. For those outside, the change might seem simple, but only those involved truly understand the challenges.

First Edith, then Arthur—the bonds of the Hall family were being torn apart, little by little.

In many ways, it reminded Renly of the gradual unraveling of royal families—the British monarchy, for example—who, over time, had been forced to redefine their place in the modern world.

Renly's personal journey had been transformative, but on a broader scale, it was just one of many stories playing out across Europe's elite circles.

Arthur seemed to sense the weight of the moment. The subtle blessings Renly had given him during their trip to Cannes had made all the difference. From helping Arthur establish connections with Andre Hamilton to introducing him to key players in the Cannes social scene, Renly had silently offered his support.

Arthur was finally ready to build his own path, independent of his family name. And yet, despite his newfound freedom, he couldn't shake the sense of gratitude he felt toward Renly.

With a quiet smile, Arthur raised his whisky glass, giving Renly a silent thanks before drinking deeply.

For a moment, everything settled into a peaceful silence, as everyone raised their glasses, savoring the warm amber liquid. The moonlight bathed them, and the cool coastal breeze brought with it a sense of quiet contentment. It was the first time they could simply enjoy each other's company—like friends, rather than aristocrats or competitors.

Renly swirled his whisky, watching the liquid twist gently. With a smile in his eyes, he teased, "Arthur, this better not be your new residence. Otherwise, it would be quite rude. Ender Lie, why didn't you protest more strongly? Or maybe the housekeeper didn't notice? No, he doesn't strike me as an amateur."

The whisky was clearly not Dalmore, and serving it to Andre was a subtle faux pas—an unintentional mistake, yet one that still held meaning.

Andre shrugged, unbothered. "Guess I still have work to do in the European market."

Arthur grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. "This is Dominique-Desseigne's manor. He's a very hospitable gentleman. I've visited his wine cellar—it's extraordinary. Dalmore should certainly be in the collection, but only the best. And we're not quite there yet."

The implication was clear: the finest Dalmore was reserved for the elite, and they were still working toward that level.

Renly nodded in acknowledgment. "Dominique Deségne, right? He's the one who caused a stir in Paris last year?"

Both Arthur and Andre nodded, but Edith was left puzzled.

"Why, you've even heard of him?" Andre asked, surprised.

"Through Eaton," Renly replied, with a knowing glance. "He knows the lady."

The mention of the scandal surrounding Dominique Deségne, the president of the Barrière Group, brought the conversation to a halt. The case involving Rachida Dati, the former Minister of Justice, had made waves throughout Europe. The affair had led to court battles over paternity and luxury gifts, involving prominent figures and celebrities. The case was still unresolved, and it had dominated the gossip circles in high society.

Edith, clearly out of the loop, groaned dramatically. "Am I on the wrong set? You're talking about gossip I've never heard of. Sorry, did I miss something?"

Both Arthur and Andre cleared their throats awkwardly, pretending to drink as they changed the subject.

Renly, however, looked at Edith with amusement. "I thought you were used to these things by now."

The unspoken implication was clear—Renly was referring to Chris Evans and the gossip surrounding him. Edith, not wanting to be left out, simply rolled her eyes.