Chapter 521
After Celia finished speaking, she clapped her hands three times.
Clap, clap, clap.
Jennifer immediately stood up, retrieved a wooden box, and handed it to Celia.
Taking the box, Celia strode up to the stage. Under the curious gazes of everyone present, she slowly lifted the lid.
Inside was an exquisitely crafted music box.
Just as Celia had described, the entire piece was made of gold and studded with sapphires, gleaming brilliantly under the lights.
“My gosh, no wonder it’s considered an antique! It’s absolutely gorgeous p>
“It’s just a music box, isn’t it? What’s so special about it? Can it really cure insomnia p>
“I don’t think Celia’s lying. I looked up ‘Vitality’ online-it’s said that the melody really can help with insomnia. But whether it brings good fortune, who knows? Thirteen years ago, during the Lane family patriarch’s 80th birthday, it was the royal family of Laurentia who personally gifted this very box-Vitality—as a blessing p>
“Would Celia really be so generous as to give something so important to Miss Gonzales p>
The guests murmured among themselves, all eager to know Celia’s true intentions.
Celia, clearly pleased with their reaction, smiled and continued, “Also, the designer of Vitality was Disa-not just an artist, but a sorceress from Laurentia. When she created this music box, she cast an enchantment over it: only a woman of pure heart can open its lid, and no one else. In all of Valerium, I’m the only one who can open Vitality p>
She turned to Miss Gonzales. “Tell me, Miss Gonzales, do you think you can open it p>
“Nonsense!” someone scoffed from the crowd. “You expect me to believe a grown man can’t open a tiny music box p>
Celia’s lips curled into a sly smile as
she pointed at the speaker. “Sir, if you don’t believe me, you’re
welcome to try. And if you can open
Vitality is yours, no strings attached
The man, Watkins, was a close
friend of Norris. Like Norris he Saw Carlin as a little sister, and couldn’t stand anyone giving her a hard time.
Without hesitation, Watkins left his seat and stepped onto the stage, meeting Celia’s gaze. “I hope Miss Palmer keeps her word p>
Celia gave a small, confident nod. “The Palmer family stands by its promises-we never go back on our word p>
She continued, “To be fair, I’ll open the lid first, so everyone can see it’s not stuck or rigged p>
With that, Celia deftly lifted the lid, then closed it again, demonstrating how easily it opened for her.
She handed the music box to Watkins.
All eyes in the banquet hall followed the exchange, everyone holding their breath
to see if the box was truly as magical as Celia claimed.
Watkins accepted the music box, fully expecting the lid to pop open without effort.
But the moment he tried, he realized something was off.
No matter how much force he used, the lid wouldn’t budge. It felt as if it had been welded shut.
Puzzled, Watkins turned the box over in his hands, searching for Some hidden latch or mechanism.” But after a thorough inspection, he found nothing.
The guests whispered in amazement.
No one had expected this little music box to be quite so mysterious.