NovelUSAChapter 507 After Scales left, the guests all turned their greedy eyes toward the koi pond at the center of the room. Yet, for all their longing, no one dared make the first move.
The man who had testified earlier approached Citrine, a hint of urgency flickering in his gaze.
He asked, carefully, "President Carmichael, may I ask-what happens if the koi eat Vitaflux?" Citrine smiled, her voice gentle. "They live longer." At that, the man's eyes lit up. He pressed further, excitement rising in his tone. "Then what if someone eats a koi that's had Vitaflux?" The bustling hall fell silent in an instant.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNo one paid the slightest attention to the emcee on stage, nor to Talbot and his associates. Every eye was fixed on Citrine, waiting for her reply.
Citrine met their stares with a faint, knowing smile. "If a koi has had a small amount of Vitaflux, and if the Vitaflux hasn't yet been digested, eating the fish could be an incredible tonic. It might even help cure lingering ailments. But if you're hoping to cheat death or bring someone back from the brink, that's impossible." The guests' expressions changed as one. Their eyes burned with renewed fervor as they stared at the koi pond. "My grandfather's had poor health ever since he was injured as a young man. If he could eat one of those koi, maybe he'd finally recover." "My wife suffered terribly during childbirth. If I could bring a koi hfor her, it'd do wonders." "Anyone who doesn't want this kind of miracle must be out of their mind." Everyone had their own schemes brewing, but still, not a single person dared make the first move. After all, the koi belonged to President Carmichael. Even if she'd fed them, snatching them without permission was bad form and probably a good way to make an enemy of her.
At last, someone gathered the courage to ask, "President Carmichael, would you mind if we caught a few of your koi to take home?" Citrine's lips curled in a nonchalant smile. “Feel free." No sooner had the words left her mouth than the entire crowd surged toward the pond.
Men and women alike hiked up their formalwear, tossed aside jackets and shoes, and hurled themselves into the water without a second thought.
The pond wasn't large, but the competition was fierce. With so many people thrashing about, it was impossible to see what was happening below the surface-catching a koi was pure luck.
Suddenly, someone let out a whoop of triumph. "I got one! Ha! I caught one!" The others looked on in envy, redoubling their efforts.
High on adrenaline, the lucky guest stuffed the fish into his pocket and dove back into the chaos. With the stakes this high, you could never have too many.
The scene devolved into utter mayhem.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmTalbot stood frozen. This was his family's koi, after all. Shouldn't these maniacs at least check with him first? If he didn't act fast, there wouldn't be any left.
He turned to the Glenwood family staff. "You-what are you waiting for? Get in there and grab some!" They rushed forward at his command, but badly underestimated the guests' determination. The moment they set
foot in the pond, they were shoved right back out-again and agam-until they finally gave up. Talbot rolled his eyes. "Useless. I'll do it myself." He charged toward the pond and jumped in.
The melee below was intense. As soon as he landed, the crowd barely glancing his way-grabbed him by the legs and tossed him right back out, then went right on fishing.
"Ah! My back!" Talbot howled, clutching his side in pain.
He was no spring chicken. Being thrown around like e that he was lucky he hadn't thrown his back out for good.
But no one paid him any mind. Every last guest was utterly consumed by the hunt for koieno matter how loudly Talbot screamed, no one even glanced his way.
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