Lucius's eyes gazed at all the heirs, like a viper staring at its helpless prey.

~gulp~

Upon hearing the name of the Inanis family, the noble heirs knew they would have to fully assist Lucius here. If they did not, their families would likely to be implicated and they would be in even greater trouble.

'Damn this brat… too clever for his own good!' Baron thought to himself.

By invoking the name of the Inanis family, Lucius was pretty much bending the odds in his favor. While the baron could verify more information later on, it would not spell good for him or his daughter in the current negotiation.

The nobles would err on the side of Lucius and would not want to offend the family due to this. They may even change their perspective subconsciously to suit Lucius's side. Such was the pressure exuded by mere words.

"Honored guests, please go ahead and speak truthfully of all the events that transpired here." The Baron spoke as well.

After hearing the words of the baron, the noble heirs felt a bit less tense and were ready to speak. One by one, they all spoke the story. Since the Baron did not want to lose any once of advantage and thought that he would be able to contradict Lucius with more guests, he listened to each and every person. 

One must know there were over fifty guests here, and listening to them all took over three hours. Lucius also understood what the Baron was attempting to do, but did not interfere. To him, this was just a childish trick and would not give him a problem.

Once everyone had finished saying their part, the baron had a complex expression on his face. Everything that had happened was exactly as what Lucius had said earlier. While there were a few variations among the words of the people, the baron could not really do much with that.

He couldn't help but look at the guards of Keith and scowl.

'These morons! Why did they say all that! Now they just complicated the situation even more.' The Baron thought.

His gaze then went to his daughter, who was looking at the ground without moving her head.

'What happened to her that she acted so stupidly? It was obvious that even if Asher had said something to Keith, there was no actual physical contract involved.' The baron wondered.

To the Baron, no matter what Lucius said to Keith, it should not have caused him to get hurt like this. After all, what sane man would hurt himself after hearing the words of others. From what he heard, Keith was angry about the maids and simply tripped and fell.

The man had basically been blinded by rage from what he could understand now. 

As for Bethany, the Baron didn't know what to think. It was almost as if someone had bewitched her daughter to act like this. The baron had never seen his daughter act like this, as she was relatively smarter than her peers.

That was one of the reasons why he had let her organize this party. Not only would it let her gain more experience, but it would also allow her reputation to increase, in the circle. And if that happened, the baron's own reputation would also rise subsequently as she was his daughter.

If he knew something like this was going to happen, he would have never let her do this party, or would have stayed with her himself, to ensure that nothing problematic happened during it. But now… Alas, there was no medicine for regret.

"See Baron Harrels, I was simply defending myself. Your daughter Bethany was the one in the wrong here. But that's barely the start of her crimes. She even went so far as to claim that I was intentionally spoiling the relationship between you and Viscount Drew.

I can't help but wonder if these were really her words or was there some interface from your end in it. We all know that is a certain 'transition' in the relationship between the Viscount and Inanis family. By saying this she is clearly trying to muddy the waters even more." Lucius spoke with a devious grin.

As soon as the Baron heard Lucius' words, his eyes went wide.

"NO! No, no Young lord Asher! I assure you it is nothing like that. My daughter is young and naïve, perhaps even stupid. I should not have let her organize this party from the very start. Don't believe the words of a child, my sire." The Baron hurriedly spoke.

Once Baron Harrels understood that this was a lost battle, he knew better than to test his luck. He immediately went into damage control mode and tried to assuage Lucius's concerns. The baron knew that even if Lucius was simply exaggerating or just guessing, it would still implicate the entire Harrels Barony in it.

One must know the Harrels Barony was merely three hours away from the Inanis City. If the Count really took offense, it would take less than a day for the entire Harrels Barony to be seized.

Even if the Baron tried to levy on his relationship with the viscount and chose to join his side, it would be too late for the Viscount to send his troops to assist him. The Baron had been fully trapped on all sides now.

Lucius looked on in pleasure at the squirming Baron. 

'Seems like he walked right into the pit…' Lucius thought to himself.

"Well then, Baron Harrels… I'll be generous and give you the benefit of doubt. But still… Bethany Harrels shall be the prisoner of the Inanis family, till we reach a formal agreement. 

I do not think I am qualified to discuss anymore and thus will withdraw for now. Any further discussion and negotiations shall take place at the Inanis Mansion, under the authority of my father Count Gabriel himself." Lucius declared.

The guests who had been watching it all couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves. All of them knew that tough times were coming for the Harrels Barony.