NOVEL WEB Chapter 77: The Banquet's Star
The Hayes family banquet had officially begun.
The grand hall was a sight straight out of a fantasy game. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from a ceiling painted with celestial murals. Golden pillars lined the walls, shimmering in soft candlelight, and the marble floor was polished so perfectly it looked like glass. Flowers, lights, and banners stretched from corner to corner, giving off a warm, elegant glow. Waiters in black suits moved like clockwork, serving fine wine and exotic appetizers to the gathering guests.
The hall buzzed with conversation and admiration.
"Did you see the centerpiece? I swear even Royal Palaces aren't decorated this well!"
Damian and Clarissa stood near the entrance, greeting the steady stream of prestigious guests. Meanwhile, Alistair stood tall near the center of the hall with the two remaining Hayes family elders—Walter and Carter—flanked by their respective granddaughters. Most of the other family members had left earlier for personal or business reasons, leaving only the core elders to oversee the evening.
Everything was smooth. That was, until the real showstopper arrived.
The massive entrance doors opened, and all heads turned.
Ethan walked in wearing an expensive wine-red suit, tailored so sharply it could cut through pride. His perfectly styled hair, confident gaze, and naturally striking features made it hard to believe he wasn't a male lead from some xianxia novel.
If this were a game, he was the hidden boss with a secret route.
Beside him, holding his hand tightly, was Mina. She wore a frilly white frock with butterfly wings strapped to her back. Her smile was innocent, her cheeks rosy, and her presence utterly adorable.
"Big brother," she whispered with a teasing grin, "Are you sure you're satisfied with just three big sisters? You look so handsome today, you're gonna make a lot of ladies' hearts flutter."
Ethan chuckled, "That so?"
Alistair spotted him first and raised a hand, "Ethan, come here!"
Ethan strolled over casually, the crowd instinctively giving way like he was royalty.
Alistair clapped him on the back. "So, what do you think of the decorations?"
Ethan took a look around, genuinely impressed. "It's… marvelous. This is actually my first time attending a real banquet like this, so I don't have much to compare it to—but it's honestly beautiful."
Walter chuckled, "Kid, I just hope you don't steal too many girls' hearts tonight."
Carter joined in with a grin, "Or slap a few arrogant young masters again, eh?"
Ethan coughed, trying to act innocent. "You old men… What are you saying? I'm not a playboy, okay?"
Mina squinted up at him, "Are you sure about that?"
Ethan instantly changed his expression to a sad, wounded face. "Mina… You said you'd always be on big brother's side. Why are you siding with these boring old men?"
Mina blinked, startled. "Ah! I-I'm sorry! Big brother, I'm always with you, don't be sad!"
Then she paused. "…Wait a second… Are you acting again?!"
Ethan broke into laughter and pinched her cheek. "You're too smart, Mina."
The entire group burst into laughter. Even the stoic Walter cracked a smile.
But suddenly the atmosphere shifted. The guests quieted slightly as three figures made their entrance.
Rhea, Natalie, and Jasmine walked down the golden staircase like goddesses from different realms.
Rhea wore a shimmering lavender gown with silver embroidery that hugged her elegant frame. Her calm, collected gaze held the quiet power of a queen.
Natalie stunned in a deep blue dress with diamond-like gems along the neckline, sparkling with every step. Her soft curls were styled perfectly, framing her face like a painting.
Jasmine chose a bold crimson outfit with flowing sleeves, matching her fiery and confident personality. Her red lipstick completed the daring look.
Ethan's jaw dropped.
His eyes didn't just widen—they practically popped out. He stood there frozen, his mouth open like a broken NPC.
Walter noticed and elbowed him playfully. "Kid. Close your mouth before something flies in."
Rhea smirked as she walked up to him, Natalie and Jasmine by her side. "So? How do we look?"
Ethan blinked, then cleared his throat.
"I don't have words... but if I did, they'd be something like:
The moon hides behind the clouds in shame, the stars flicker just to watch your flame—three goddesses walk among mortals, and even flowers dare not bloom in their presence."
All three girls looked at each other, then back at Ethan—eyes wide.
Natalie actually blushed. Jasmine looked slightly stunned, and Rhea gave a rare, pleased smile.
Behind them, Walter, Carter, and Alistair exchanged glances.
Carter murmured, "Damn, this kid's a natural."
Walter nodded, "Total player. Now I understand why these girls stick to him like bees to honey."
Alistair sighed, "I should've known that he's built different."
The grand banquet hall shimmered under golden chandeliers, casting a soft glow over the sea of high-profile guests dressed in elegance. Waiters moved like shadows, serving sparkling wine and delicacies that melted in your mouth. The chatter and laughter filled the air, but one person drew more attention than the glittering decor,Ethan.
Clusters of guests whispered, some stealing glances, others outright gawking.
"Isn't that the young man who exposed Master Yun and Gregory's plan?""Yeah, I heard he tore apart their whole reputation in front of the world.""What's someone like him doing here, though? Is he connected to the Hayes?""Wait… look! He's standing so close with people from the Marclaire and Carter families."
The murmurs spread like wildfire, curiosity mixing with admiration. A few young ladies couldn't help but blush when they spotted him, giggling like fangirls at a concert.
"He's even better-looking in person…""Do you think he's single?"
As if on cue, an older gentleman in a white suit approached Ethan, a beautiful young lady by his side, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. For character sheets and glossaries, visit MV|LEMPYR.
"This is my daughter," the man smiled. "She's young, talented, and as you can see—beautiful. You two should talk, perhaps dance. Get to know each other."
Ethan's smile stiffened.
Before he could respond, another guest walked up, pushing his own daughter forward with the same hopeful tone. "My girl's also your age. Why don't you chat a bit?"
Ethan opened his mouth to say something—anything to avoid this uncomfortable matchmaking parade,but was saved by an unexpected voice.
"Brother-in-law! Let's go!"
It was Mina, her cheerful voice echoing loud enough for everyone to hear.
Natalie, sipping a glass of wine, choked mid-drink. "Mina! What the hell are you saying?!"
Mina grinned mischievously, tugging Ethan's arm and pulling him away from the crowd. He followed without a word, leaving the eager fathers and their flustered daughters behind.
The murmurs surged into shocked gasps.
"Brother-in-law?""Wait, what?""So he is part of the Hayes family?""No wonder he's walking around so comfortably…""They look good together, though.""Lucky guy…"
Then, as if the night couldn't get any more theatrical, Albert Hayes himself stepped onto the small stage at the head of the hall. Tapping the mic, he spoke with a warm smile.
"As we do every year, let's begin our Masked Couple Dance. A time-honored tradition where every couple,whether married, engaged, or soon to be takes to the floor and dances under the stars."
Cheers erupted from the crowd. Attendants handed out elegant masks to everyone. The center floor cleared, transforming into a polished mirror of lights and music.
Alistair nudged Ethan. "Go on. Show us your moves."
Mina added cheekily, "But which sister will dance with you first?"
Natalie, Rhea, and Jasmine all glanced at Ethan at once.
He looked at them, smirking. "Why choose?"
With a fluid motion, Ethan stepped into the center of the dance floor. The music swelled—a soft orchestral waltz. One by one, he held out his hand to each of the girls.
Jasmine first,he spun her under the soft lights and caught her by the waist before gently releasing her.
Rhea next,he twirled her in a wide arc, then dipped her dramatically, earning a few cheers from the sidelines.
Then Natalie,her eyes met his, flustered and intense. He led her with grace, making her skirt fan out like a flower as they danced across the floor.
Then,without warning,he pulled them all into rhythm, weaving seamlessly between the three girls like a master performer. Holding hands, rolling them one by one in a cinematic wave of movement, their dresses shimmering in sync with his tailored black suit.
"Damn!""This guy has RIZZ!""Is this… some kind of anime protagonist move?""What the hell,he's dancing with all of them?!"
The hall roared with laughter, applause, and whistles. Ethan didn't flinch once. Confident. Smooth. Charming.
But just as the music reached its crescendo, a new presence stepped onto the floor.
A girl none of the others recognized.
She moved with confidence, her silver mask glittering. Without hesitation, she walked straight to Ethan, placed his hand firmly on her waist, and pulled him in.
She led.
The three girls stared, confused and on edge. "Who is that?"
But Ethan knew. The way her fingers intertwined with his. The tilt of her chin. The daring fire in her eyes.
There was only one person with that kind of boldness.
As they moved, the crowd stilled,watching, whispering, stunned. The girl spun Ethan once, and in the final beat of the music…
She kissed him.
Right on the lips.
Gasps exploded across the hall.
"WHAT?!""DID SHE JUST—?""IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?!"
Ethan blinked, caught between shock and amusement.
The three girls stood frozen. Guests were stunned. Some stared. Some recorded.
But the girl?
She just smirked through her mask and whispered in his ear, "Miss me?"