Chapter 260: The Girl, the Bargain, the Reversal

“Social event?” The girl raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, my schedule’s really full lately. I probably won’t have time to attend…” She smiled. “No offense—I’m not trying to joke—it’s just that I truly don’t have time for social events.”

Instinctively, she assumed Lynch’s social event wouldn’t be very high-class. This perception, seen by some as youthful naïvety, actually came from her deep-seated arrogance.

Born into such a family, every day she heard, saw, and mingled with top tycoons, important politicians, and celebrities.

Though she appeared innocent and natural in conversation, she still felt superior.

“Don’t you want to hear what kind of event I’m attending?” Lynch was unfazed. Decades of experience had shown him all kinds of things—from the highest heights to the lowest pits. If a little girl could shake him, that would be an insult.

The girl’s tone carried a hint of indifference. “Fine, tell me. Maybe I’ll squeeze in some time.”

Until now, her words, tone, and attitude all showed she was just humoring him.

“I’m invited to the celebration for the new president’s inauguration, but I’m missing a suitable female companion. You understand what I mean?”

His calm voice froze the confident smile on her face. She doubted if she’d heard right. “Did you just say president?”

It wasn’t unusual or secretive for a new president to hold a celebration.

The president’s campaign team and supporters spent tens of millions of federal Sol to help him overcome countless obstacles to reach the pinnacle of Baylor Federation’s power. Shouldn’t such an open, legitimate occasion be celebrated?

Of course. Not only would there be a celebration, but it would be grand and public.

Its scale and prestige would be the greatest in the federation. All eyes would focus there, making it the federation’s brightest stage.

Every guest at the inauguration celebration would become a topic of discussion and public attention for months, even years. Their every move would carry great social influence.

Severella’s father was also invited but took his wife, not his daughter, which secretly angered the girl.

Girls, or most children, want more recognition. Nothing proves that better than being invited by their most admired parent to a significant political event.

Now, hearing she might attend such an event, imagining the flashbulbs and media photos, picturing her father’s shocked expression when they meet, and the president addressing her as Miss made Severella’s heart skip a beat.

Lynch’s voice remained steady and calm. “Looks like you’re very busy lately. Sorry to bother you so late. Goodbye, Miss Severella.”

Lynch decisively hung up, leaving Severella stunned. She called out several times but heard only a busy signal.

This wasn’t a prank. He really hung up. That call cut changed the power dynamic instantly.

Originally, Lynch was the passive party inviting her. Now he’d successfully hooked her interest and cut the communication decisively. If she called back, she’d lose initiative; he held all control.

Her shouts were interrupted by the butler softly calling, “Miss,” forcing Severella to restrain herself. She tucked a rebellious strand of hair behind her ear and took a deep breath.

“I don’t know what happened, the line dropped. Did Mr. Lynch mention anything about himself? Like his contact info or how I can reach him?”

The butler, who’d seen more in his lifetime than the girl, nodded. “He’s Mr. Lynch from Sabin City.”

“Sabin City?” She looked confused. “Where’s that? Why have I never heard of it?”

“Miss, Sabin City is in York State, southwest of the federation. It’s not the state capital and is a fairly unknown small city. It’s normal you haven’t heard of it. Most people don’t know the city.”

Severella nodded carefully. “So, is there a way to get Mr. Lynch’s contact info? Maybe the sudden call drop made him think I did it on purpose. He might not call me again. I should reach out and apologize for the disruption.”

The butler’s role was to solve problems for his lady. “Of course, Miss. You’ll have his contact details by tomorrow morning.”

“Good work, Woolf. I’m counting on you…” She paused a few steps later. “This sudden line cut is terrible. I don’t want my father to suffer the same on important calls because of laziness. Change the person maintaining the lines, okay?”

Woolf bowed slightly, acknowledging the order.

Severella nodded and hurried away, knowing she wouldn’t sleep tonight.

Also sleepless was the electrician working in the manor. Normally, working at the Wadrick estate was comfortable—over four hundred a month plus great benefits.

They ate fresh, good food and had light work. Woolf and the master never questioned wiring costs, only demanding the safest and best.

This generosity reduced daily maintenance work. With enterprise-grade wiring, the small manor’s cables could go a year without service and remain problem-free.

But that night, without warning, the electrician was abruptly fired with orders to leave immediately. The sudden blow left him sleepless.

He didn’t know if someone caught him stealing food in the kitchen or noticed him handling useless copper wires, but he was helpless to stop it.

The next morning, Severella finished dressing around nine and started breakfast. On the dining table lay a note with Lynch’s contact info, clearly written by Woolf, who’d served the Wadricks for a long time and knew how to deal with everyone in the house.

After breakfast, Severella returned to her room, dialed the number, and soon the call connected, easing her.

A faint smile appeared—about ten percent sincere, the rest false. “Mr. Lynch? This is Severella. We spoke on the phone yesterday. You said you were a fan of my books…”

The excuse Lynch used to pique her curiosity now became her reason to get closer. Sometimes, offense and defense flip so quickly.

“I remember your voice, Miss Severella.” Lynch’s voice was steady and gentle, seemingly unaffected by anything.

“You can call me Ella. My friends do.”

Hearing the enthusiastic, bright voice, Lynch smiled slightly. These girls—or women—were all the same.

He looked young, with a smooth face. Approaching established socialites would seem awkward.

It’s like everyone expects young people to act young—even if they never did—applying universal standards and higher morals unfairly.

So this girl was his first choice. If the bait failed, he’d consider others without direct stakes, though that might risk rumors of impropriety.

Luckily, the fish bit.

Nicknames, reserved for close people, often irritate many. Her tone said it all.

The battle wasn’t over. “Okay, Ella. What do you need?” Lynch said before she could answer. “I don’t have much time. You know I’m busy.”

“Am I disturbing your work?” Severella apologized knowingly. “I’m sorry. Yesterday, our communication line suddenly cut off. I want to apologize—that wasn’t your fault. Also, about what we discussed yesterday…”

This kind of rhetorical question wasn’t only Severella’s style; Lynch used it too. “Yesterday’s matter?”

Severella clenched the bedsheet tightly. “The invitation for me to be your companion. I haven’t given you an official answer yet…”

Lynch interrupted again. “Is that so? I thought you were too busy and didn’t have time. I didn’t want to interfere with your life.”

“No!” Severella’s tone was firm. “Lynch, I have time!”