Valerie's decision to let it slide left a positive impression on Noah . He'd hosted tonight's gathering , just to witness a tense conflict break out between Lucius , his closest friend , and Kieran , a rising star in the world of mystic arts . If the fight escalated , no one would walk away with their pride intact . To Noah , this was all Sonia's fault . She was mediocre yet full of vicious thoughts , and he would have kicked her out long ago if not for Lucius ' sake . Forcing a smile to lighten the mood , Noah spoke up . " Since we've all stepped back , let's call it even . We're lucky to be gathered here tonight , so shall we play a game ? " He suggested a game of mystery boxes . The mystery boxes were prepared in advance and contained various gifts and handwritten challenge notes . As the initiator of the mystery box game , he announced , " I'll open the first mystery box . " He rummaged through a large container of mystery boxes and picked one he thought felt right . Opening it , he found a thick stack of cash inside . After counting the number of bills , he smugly said , " Not bad , huh ? Ten thousand dollars for a lucky start ! " For most average families , ten thousand dollars would cover two months of expenses . But for anyone in Noah's social tier , it was barely enough for a dinner out . Still , the small win gave him a little rush . Kieran reached for the slip of paper from the bottom of the mystery box and unfolded it . After reading the contents , he laughed out loud . " Ten thousand dollars don't come so easily , Mr. Jensen . The task says that you have to call every man here ' Daddy . " " The room erupted in laughter . Still fanning himself with the bills , Noah cursed , " Which bastard wrote that ? Step forward and apologize . " Barely hiding his glee , Dale clapped him on the back and said , " Come on , son . I'll claim you . " " Fuck off , " Noah snapped . " You proposed the game , so don't chicken out now . " Dale snickered . Egged on by the crowd , Noah scowled but went around the room calling each man " Daddy " . Though he might look sulky , he didn't mind the challenge . Chapter 45 2/2 They were all good friends , and nobody was going to laugh at him for it . With Noah breaking the ice , everyone eagerly dove in . Guests at The Golden Chalice were all loaded , so gifts in the mystery boxes were expensive . However , each came with a prank note . Each was designed more to humiliate than harm . Dale's prize was a purple gemstone , won at the cost of chugging an entire bottle of red wine in one go . Naomi's prize was a thick stack of Arkalian dollars , but she had to bark like a dog three times to earn it . Though humiliated , she did it anyway . Sonia opened her mystery box and found a delicate diamond bracelet , worth at least 20 or 30 thousand dollars , and made with delicate craftsmanship . She loved it , but her face paled after reading the line on the slip . Naomi , who'd barked like a dog , snatched up the slip of paper and read it aloud . " In your past life , the person sitting directly in front of you was your lady , and you were the maid . The maid must kneel , then respectfully address their lady as ' My Queen . " " After she was done , the room fell into an eerie silence . With a bandaid still plastered across her cheek , Sonia's expression turned grim because the person sitting right in front of her was Valerie . Naomi pretended to sympathize with Sonia while relishing every second . " Wow . Who wrote that one ? That's so brutal . " That condition was way worse than barking like a dog . Kieran glanced at Valerie , who remained calmly seated while waiting for Sonia to kneel . Others might have no idea what happened , but he did . He was 100 % confident that Valerie had tampered with the slip of paper . Enjoy Ad - Free Reading >> Go Chapter 46