Voices from the Next Room

The carriage stopped in front of Fragrant Pavilion. Helen Parker got off, her face full of suspicion.

The village chief and Old Madam Zhou also got off the carriage. The village chief took a drag of his pipe and said, "Helen Parker, didn't you want an explanation? Today, the Evans family is here to discuss May Parker's marriage with you. Go on up and have your say."

When Helen Parker heard this, she realized that Lily Evans had finally agreed to let May Parker marry into their family!?

Overjoyed, Helen Parker followed the village chief and his wife into Fragrant Pavilion. The waiter, Aman, was already waiting and led them into a private room.

Aman said, "Please have a seat and enjoy some tea and snacks first."

It was Helen Parker's first time dining in such a fancy place. She was so excited she didn't know where to put her hands. Seeing the exquisite tea and pastries, she thought she might as well enjoy them and began to eat and drink enthusiastically.

After a while, the Evans family arrived. Lily Evans, Yuanbao and his wife, Margaret Evans, Wu Caiwei, Uncle Arthur and Mrs. Charlotte Evans, Bai Lu, and several well-known matchmakers from Greenfield Town entered the private room together.

Seeing that Lily Evans had even invited the matchmakers, Helen Parker felt even more certain that May Parker's marriage was settled.

"Serve the dishes," Su Li said expressionlessly to Aman as he sat down.

Aman answered and went out to pass on the order.

Madam Zhao grinned smugly. "Oh, Ali, once our Meixiang marries into your family as a concubine, she and your sister will be good company for each other."

Lily Evans let out a cold laugh and lowered her head to sip her tea.

Everyone else in the private room was unusually silent, except for Helen Parker, who kept chattering nonstop. One moment she was lecturing Lily Evans to be considerate of May Parker in the future, the next she was telling Lily Evans to save money and not waste silver.

After finishing her tea, Su Li glanced at Wu Caiwei beside her and whispered, "Tsk, judging by the time, it should be about right now."

Wu Caiwei responded with a mysterious smile.

No sooner had Su Li finished speaking than a low, breathy moan suddenly drifted into the room from somewhere nearby. The sound was soft and lingering, making everyone's face flush and heart race.

Soon, the sounds grew louder, and the voices of three men could be heard: "Well done, girl! Haha! Us gentlemen will surely reward you handsomely!"

"Mmm, that's the spirit! You're as good as any of the girls in the brothel!"

"Haha, see how generous I am, brothers? This girl is wild in bed! The first time she climbed onto my bed, I thought she was an old hand, but she was actually a virgin!"

The vulgar shouts and lewd words were loud and clear, as if coming from the private room next door.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Lily Evans’s mouth as she stared intently at Helen Parker.

Helen Parker was bewildered by her stare. Listening to the indecent noises ringing in her ears, she suddenly felt that the woman's cries sounded oddly familiar.

Helen Parker perked up her ears, and as she caught Lily Evans’s gaze, her face suddenly changed dramatically. She hurriedly stood up, knocking over her teacup in her panic. Her face ashen, she stammered, "I’m not eating anymore, let’s go, hurry up and leave!"

Lily Evans drawled lazily, "Why so anxious, Madam? The food hasn’t even been served and the marriage hasn’t been discussed yet. Why rush off now?"

The woman’s gasping from next door gradually turned into flirtatious words: "Jack Zhang, I’m serving you with all my heart—don’t forget how good I am to you."

Hearing that extremely familiar female voice, Helen Parker clutched her ears. "Let’s talk another day! Not today! I—I just remembered something urgent at home. I have to leave now. All of you, disperse, quickly!"

Lily Evans stood up with a cheerful smile. "Don’t be in such a hurry, Madam. Today we went to great lengths to invite the most renowned matchmakers from Greenfield Town. Leaving now would be such a letdown."

Helen Parker stumbled toward the door, only to find it locked. She turned around in shock and saw Lily Evans walk over to the window between the two private rooms and fling it wide open...