chapter 36 Forget it ===

In the east of Lymelathe City lies an aged dwelling where the Quinnell Family resides today. Blue bricks, red tiles, green trees, and white flowers adorn the surroundings. To the common folk, this abode offers a fine setting. Yet, for the once esteemed Quinnell Family, all seemed inadequate. The patriarch, a skilled tailor who amassed wealth in the textile industry during the 1980s, transformed into a prominent and prosperous entity in Lymelathe City through sheer diligence. The former head of the Herbert Family, Les, father of Meral, expanded the business, elevating the family to the ranks of the city's elite. Sadly, the Quinnell Family succumbed to the prophecy foretold during Mr. Quinnell's fortune reading, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Your family's wealth will endure merely thirty years." The Herbert Family, once close allies of the Quinnells, crumbled suddenly last year. In a bid to aid the Herberts in uncovering the truth, Les inadvertently provoked the ire of the city's affluent elite and their affiliations, leading to his isolation from the powerful factions. Within three months, the Quinnell Family's enterprise plummeted swiftly, pushing Les into a despondent state that ultimately claimed his life. Later, to repay substantial debts and sustain the core business of the Quinnell Family, they had to liquidate assets and relocate the Herbert family from the luxury villa back to their former residence. Initially built by skilled craftsmen at the onset of Mr. Quinnell's success, the old house still stood. Les, the current head of the Quinnell Family, is the younger brother of Les and the uncle of Meral. Following Les's passing, he took charge of the situation, striving diligently to avert the decline of the Quinnell Family and propel them forward. In pursuit of specific objectives, Les frequently tasked his niece, Meral, with attending various banquets in Lymelathe City for over six months. Engaging in strategic networking, he urged her to participate in the city's elite gatherings to forge alliances and cultivate connections. Given the family's societal isolation and subjugation by the affluent and influential, restoring their former eminence necessitated fostering ties with the city's four prominent families and other influential figures. Yesterday, Les devoted considerable effort to secure an invitation to Elsa Willow's birthday celebration, of the esteemed Willow family. He implored Meral to join the dinner, aiming to mend relations with the Willow and White families. Even if unsuccessful, the gathering presented an opportunity for her to establish rapport with new acquaintances. Last night at Elsa's birthday party, Meral not only failed to fulfill her duty as expected, but she also appeared to have landed in significant trouble. The events from the dinner last night remained concealed due to the prompt actions of the Willow and White families. Consequently, Les remained unaware of what had transpired. During the wee hours of yesterday night, Fitch, the head of Galaxy Clothing Company and the Quinnell Family's primary client, unexpectedly phoned Les and abruptly declared the termination of their business collaboration in harsh terms. All outstanding orders from Galaxy Clothing Company to the Quinnell Family were promptly revoked. This abrupt call left the entire Quinnell Family sleepless for the remainder of the night. At dawn today, Les visited Fitch's residence in an attempt to converse and reason with him. Unexpectedly, upon encountering Les, Fitch, who had initially congratulated the Quinnell Family for their achievements, simply nodded and proceeded to offer tea and water. However, he was promptly dismissed by Fitch, deeming him unworthy of further interaction. Upon returning to the Quinnell Family's residence, Les, with his graying hair and gaunt countenance, stood on the main house's steps with a somber expression. He gazed furiously at Meral in the courtyard below and inquired in a chilly tone, "Meral, as the Les, I ask you once more, what truly unfolded at Ms. Willow's birthday celebration yesterday?" In stark contrast to her elegant black dress from the previous evening, Meral sported jeans and a T-shirt today. The captivating make-up she wore last night was forced, but her favorite look remains the simple and plain one she wore today. Facing her second uncle's questions, Meral clenched her fists, lowered her head, and stayed silent. Since Fitch's late-night call yesterday, Les has asked her the same question over ten times. Despite this, Meral stubbornly stayed silent. The events of yesterday's dinner were too shocking. Given its connection to Humphrey, sharing it might cause unnecessary trouble, so she kept quiet. Les is an elder, and Meral cannot deceive him, thus her silence. Mr. Quinnell once praised Meral, his eldest son and grandson, for having the demeanor of a general since childhood, destined to be a hero among women. What defines the demeanor of a general? Ten years ago, as a young girl, she fell in love with Humphrey. This love holds no other significance. Even after over two thousand days and nights apart, it lingers in her heart. When you meet your lover, you have a lot to say and express your heartfelt feelings. However, because your lover still has important things to worry about, you control your emotions, don't show off, and let your lover focus on the overall situation. Because he knew that there was a lover's plan involved in the matter, even if he knew that it wouldn't matter if he told his uncle what happened last night, he still kept it secret. She is so beautiful that she will be the king of the country. Unless her uncle forces her to become a courtesan, she never shows off. Instead, she sticks to her duties and uses her abilities to solve problems. All these are the style of a general! Les is very familiar with Meral. The more she keeps her mouth shut, the more likely it is that it is an extremely serious matter! Les came to Meral angrily and said fiercely, "Now that the Quinnell Family's life and death are at stake, what have you done, and you haven't told me yet? Do you have to piss me off to death?" Meral raised her eyes and glanced at Les sharply. There was a hint of mist in her eyes, but she still didn't want to say a word. She just said, "Uncle Quinnell, I'm sorry." "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you can only say sorry!" Les raised his hand bitterly but stopped on Meral's face. Although Meral is his eldest brother's child, he has watched her grow up. She has been deeply loved by him since she was a child and he has always treated her as his own. She has been the little princess of the entire Quinnell Family since she was a child, and no one has touched her. Fingers. Even at this point, despite being so furious that one Buddha was born and two Buddhas ascended to heaven, Les still couldn't handle it when trouble arose and couldn't take action. Les suddenly coughed violently and doubled over. Meral quickly patted Les's back, "Uncle, are you okay?" Les coughed and replied, "Leave me alone, let me cough myself to death!" He lifted his head and lamented, "The old man built up such a vast family business, yet your father lost less than one percent of it for the Herbert Family's sake. It would have been better for him to perish once the family was ruined and not worry about anything else. But now I'm left to deal with this mess, putting on a smile for everyone every day, playing the role of a grandson, and keeping this small family fortune intact. That's all we have to do, yet you, a troublemaker, are here causing chaos for me! Tell me, how much did the factory spend to fulfill the order from Galaxy Clothing Company? Fitch has just called to terminate our partnership. What do we do with the remaining goods? How do we repay the bank loan? How will the workers' wages be paid? How will our family survive in the future? So, I believe it's best to let me die as well! Out of sight, out of mind!