Hogwarts Lion Girl

The early morning sunlight shines into the room through the light golden curtains, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

Salina woke up from her sleep, she threw back the quilt and walked to the window. The cool breeze in the early morning blew on her cheeks, making her feel a little cool.

She looked down at the garden of the manor. The gardeners were already pruning the bushes. In the distance, there were a few clear bird calls. Everything seemed peaceful and beautiful.

"Miss, you're awake." A soft voice came from behind. Salina turned her head slightly and saw the maid Mary standing at the door of the room. The morning light outlined her respectful and humble figure.

Mary was holding a silver tray with a steaming cup of fragrant tea and some exquisite cakes on it. The air was filled with a faint floral scent.

Salina took a deep breath, feeling the freshness in the air, and responded with a smile, "Good morning, Mary." She stood up and walked to the dressing table and sat down.

"Mr. Terence, the representative of the Higgs family, will arrive at ten in the morning." Mary said as she skillfully twisted a strand of Salina's hair around her fingers and weaved it into her braid.

Salina nodded slightly, her eyes falling on her reflection in the mirror: Mary's fingers danced deftly, braiding the long hair that was originally scattered on her shoulders into exquisite braids bit by bit. A few strands of hair fell playfully on her cheeks, adding a bit of softness to her.

The person in the mirror has bright eyes, white teeth, skin whiter than snow, and a gorgeous dress that highlights her noble and elegant temperament.

Salina exhaled gently, with a faint scent of flowers and tea mixed into a soothing breath.

She needs to concentrate today and cannot afford to make any mistakes.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Terence appeared in the reception room of Swinburne Manor on time.

He is tall and looks particularly capable in his well-tailored black suit.

Terrence has short golden hair, a pair of sharp blue eyes, and a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, giving people a shrewd and elusive feeling.

"Miss Swinburne, it's an honor to meet you." Terence bowed slightly, his straight back bent into a perfect arc, and performed a standard gentleman's salute.

He noticed that Salina was wearing a lavender dress today with delicate silver patterns embroidered on the hem. It sparkled in the sun, highlighting her fair skin and elegant temperament.

"Mr. Higgs, please take a seat." Salina nodded slightly, and pointed her slender white fingers at the velvet sofa opposite, motioning him to sit opposite her.

After a few pleasantries, Salina gently placed the teacup in her hand on the coffee table, making a crisp sound, successfully attracting Terrence's attention.

She took a deep breath. The room was filled with a light scent of tea, mixed with the scent of flowers wafting in from the window, making her feel relaxed.

Salina raised her bright eyes, looked directly into Terrence's blue eyes that seemed to see through everything, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Mr. Higgs, I think we can talk about business."

With a firm tone, she stated her request directly, hoping that the Higgs family could use its industries in the United States to expand market share in the United States for the Swinburne family.

"Miss Swinburne, I'm afraid your request..." Terence put down the teacup in his hand, his tone became hesitant. He gently stroked the delicate patterns on the wall of the cup, but his eyes drifted to the corner of the room, as if he was thinking about something.

"You also know," he paused, and turned his gaze back to Salina, still with a polite smile on his face, "the American market is highly competitive. Although our family has a certain industrial foundation in the United States, it is not easy to open up new markets."

Of course, Salina would not be easily fooled by his words. Her slender fingers gently turned the pen in her hand, and the silver luster danced on her fingertips, making a slight "click" sound. Salina raised her eyes and stared at Terrence sharply, as if she could see through his thoughts. She opened her red lips and said, "Mr. Higgs, I believe you also understand that the strength of our Swinburne family is enough to guarantee your interests."

Terrence wanted to say something else, but when he saw Salina gently put the pen in her hand on the table with a slight sound, he tactfully closed his mouth and swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

Salina looked at Terrence firmly and said, "Mr. Higgs, the fact that you are here today shows that you have recognized the strength of the Swinburne family. If you are willing to put down this chip, I believe we will not let you down." Salina's tone was soft but full of strong confidence.

Terrence looked at the young girl in front of him, with a barely perceptible surprise in his eyes.

Terrence couldn't help but recall his previous meetings with other family heirs. Most of those heirs were arrogant, and their words were full of arrogance and prejudice, but Salina in front of him showed a calmness and wisdom that was inconsistent with her age.

He originally thought that the heirs of an ancient family like the Swinburne family would most likely be spoiled young ladies who were ignorant of the world, but he did not expect that the heir of the Swinburne family in front of him would be so strong and so... charming.

Salina was concentrating on organizing the documents on the table, her slender fingers moving briskly between the documents, as if she was playing an elegant piano piece.

She tied her long golden hair up today, revealing her fair and slender neck. A few strands of hair hung playfully around her ears, making her skin look whiter than snow and her eyebrows and eyes look more picturesque.

As if she noticed his gaze, Salina raised her head and met Terrence's deep blue eyes.

She smiled slightly and pushed a document in front of Terrence, "This is the cooperation plan we have drawn up. You can take a look at it first."

When Terrence felt the warmth of Salina's fingertips when she handed him the document, his heart trembled slightly. He quickly retracted his gaze, suppressed the waves in his heart, picked up the document and read it carefully.

The negotiation lasted for a whole morning, with Salina and Terrence going back and forth, neither of them giving in. Finally, under Salina's relentless pressure, Terrence made concessions and agreed to the Swinburne family's conditions.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Mr. Higgs." The corners of Salina's mouth curled up, and a relaxed smile finally bloomed on her face.

She closed the folder in front of her, gently pushed it aside, then stood up and, with a hint of victory, extended her hand to Terrence.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Miss Swinburne." Terence's eyes were attracted by Salina's smile, and he felt the corners of his mouth rise unconsciously.

He put down the documents in his hand, stood up, and stretched out his hand to shake with Salina. Her hand was soft and warm, with a faint fragrance, which moved his heart.

"To celebrate our pleasant cooperation, I invite you to dinner. I hope you won't refuse." Salina withdrew her hand, and her white fingertips gently slid across the documents on the table, making a slight stroking sound.

There was a gleam of confidence in her eyes, an elegant curve at the corner of her mouth, and her tone was sweet yet strong.

Terrence looked at Salina's smile, as if the warm winter sun had dispelled the haze in his heart, and he felt his heartbeat quicken a little.

"I'm honored." He suppressed his inner excitement, nodded gently, and a smile unconsciously appeared on the corners of his mouth. He hoped that she didn't notice his gaffe at the moment.