A burst of snickering rippled through the hall, a sharp contrast to the usual dignified atmosphere.
The corner of Leonard's lips curled up with an irreverent smile, his eyes narrowing as he shot a look of pure disdain toward Amelia and Elder Hampton. To him, their attempts at negotiation were as amusing as they were futile.
“Big bro, seems like they’re reluctant to help us,” Leonard chuckled, casting a sidelong glance at his two elder brothers, feigning a show of worry.
Beside him, Ronald allowed a faint, icy smile to touch his handsome face, a subtle yet powerful display of his indifference. The chill in his gaze hinted at something darker, a simmering edge beneath his outward calm.
“Wait!” A sudden, sharp feminine voice pierced the air, her tone almost frantic with disbelief. “Aren’t you... Ronald?”
“It *is* Ronald!” another girl shrieked, unable to contain herself.