## Chapter 69: English Civil War
"Carrie?"
"Levi?"
The two, face to face, exclaimed in unison.
"Do you know each other?" Scarlett asked apologetically, afraid and smiling at Carrie.
Carrie's gaze always rested on Levi. He did not expect to meet her here and was so surprised he didn't know what to say.
"Hey, Levi, I asked you a question! Do you know each other?" Scarlett elbowed Levi.
Levi woke up, smiled awkwardly, and nodded. "Yeah, Carrie and I are good friends, but I didn't expect to run into her here."
Carrie also came to her senses and looked at Scarlett standing next to Levi. Scarlett, delicate as a flower, and Levi, dressed in a handsome black suit, made a striking pair.
They really looked like a couple.
Carrie didn't feel too good about it.
"Yeah, but there's more I didn't expect. Should you tell me, Levi?"
Hearing Carrie's demanding tone, Levi knew that his appearance here had revealed more than he had intended. Though he had not purposely concealed anything, he had at least attempted to cover it.
Just as Levi was struggling for a response, a female steward approached, apparently sent for Carrie.
"Miss Carrie, Victoria asked me to take you there!"
Carrie gave Levi a deep look, then scanned Scarlett. Though she had found Scarlett beautiful just moments ago, now, she found the woman less so.
"Hurry up, Carrie, we'll catch up later!" Levi said with a smile.
Scarlett sensed something in Carrie's eyes, turned around, took Levi's hand, and walked away with him.
"They're quite a pair!" The stewardess praised.
The man was handsome and sunny, with a successful career, and the woman was beautiful and elegant. Together, they were as striking as the evening's main couple, Beckham and Victoria.
"Really?" Carrie asked coldly, then turned and left.
The stewardess stood there, bewildered, unsure of what she had said wrong. It seemed she had annoyed Carrie. If Victoria found out, she would surely be reprimanded.
Meanwhile, Levi walked through the corridors with Scarlett until they found a private spot.
"Hey, Miss Reporter, no need to hold on so tight!"
Scarlett's sly smile made Levi suspect that she enjoyed making him angry.
"Yes, but you have to tell me, what is your relationship with Carrie? How do you know each other? It looks like you're quite close!" Scarlett fired off several questions in a row.
Levi frowned. He didn't like being controlled or interrogated.
"Miss Scarlett, have you fallen in love with me?"
Scarlett's face flushed, her eyes widening. "Who... who's in love with you?"
"That's okay then," Levi exaggeratedly sighed in relief. "I was almost scared to death. I was wondering which man in this world would be unlucky enough for you to like or marry, and now I'm relieved that it won't be me!"
Scarlett's pink face turned black immediately. "Levi, you're too much!"
"Thank you for your concern, but at least I won't voluntarily become a boyfriend!" With that, Levi turned and left.
Before leaving, he thought of something. "Oh, yes, Miss Scarlett, I forgot to remind you that after leaving the castle today, you must not miss me. I am just a legend!"
Scarlett was furious. Although she didn't understand exactly what Levi was saying, it was definitely not a compliment.
She wanted to scold Levi but, maintaining her self-proclaimed lady-like demeanor, she headed to the women's area in a huff.
The wedding ceremony was scheduled for the afternoon, and by noon, guests began to gather at the castle.
From the second-floor lobby of the castle, the garden resembled the Royal Garden of a palace. Outside, various luxury cars lined up, and some guests even arrived by helicopter.
As David Beckham was the star player in English football, and Victoria was a popular British star, their wedding attracted numerous celebrities from various fields in the UK.
The entire Manchester United team received invitations, and half of the England national team attended. Manchester's mayor and members of Parliament were also present. British national treasure singers Elton John and George Michael attended in person.
Due to the high-profile nature of the wedding, many British media had dubbed it the "Century Wedding" even before the event, predicting it would be one of the most famous celebrity gatherings in British history.
The wedding was held on time at 4 p.m. Since not everyone could attend the ceremony, only the families of Beckham and Victoria were present.
After about half an hour, the Beckhams emerged, displaying diamond rings on their fingers. Traditional English wedding customs, like releasing doves, followed, with the couple accepting guests' blessings.
When the rituals ended, night had fallen.
All guests were invited to the castle garden, where a huge canopy was set up. A well-paid band began to play, and beautiful fireworks lit up the night sky over the castle.
Levi followed the crowd from start to finish, mindful not to make any mistakes in the unfamiliar English wedding customs.
In this gathering of political and business celebrities, one mistake could be a lifelong embarrassment, so he was cautious. Scarlett, who liked to cause him trouble, was also cautious, as it was her first time attending such an event.
Finally, dinner time arrived, and Levi felt relieved.
The dinner's main focus was on the Beckhams and their eldest son. Guests gathered in familiar groups, chatting, as it was impossible for everyone to socialize together.
"Two Sirs!" Levi greeted Ferguson, Bobby Charlton, and others in a group that mainly consisted of Manchester United personnel, including current CEO Edwards and Peter Kenyon, who was recently poached by Chelsea.
Roy Keane, who had recently had a contract dispute with Manchester United and was rumored to have issues with Edwards, stood in another group with his teammates.
Seeing Levi come over, the Manchester United group had mixed reactions. Ferguson maintained his usual kind smile, Bobby Charlton looked pleased, Edwards glanced at Levi with disgust, and Peter Kenyon remained expressionless.
Their reactions were understandable, especially Edwards.
The formation of New Manchester United by Levi had caused Edwards to endure severe criticism from fans, spending almost the entire year under their curses. Naturally, he vented his anger on Levi, especially when he saw Levi only acknowledging Ferguson and Bobby Charlton, ignoring him.
"Mr. Edwards, do you have a toothache? If so, I know a great dentist. I can recommend his clinic, but he's also a Manchester United fan, so I can't guarantee your safety!" Levi joked sarcastically.
Edwards' face turned sour, but he did not argue with Levi on the spot. Claiming to be a gentleman, he turned and left angrily, followed by Peter Kenyon.
"Why, son?" Bobby Charlton naturally knew why Levi disliked Edwards.
Since Edwards had agreed to sell Manchester United shares to Murdoch, his standing among fans had plummeted, and he had become the target of almost all Manchester United fans' criticism.
"He doesn't understand the Red Devil spirit! He only sees money!" Levi stared angrily at Edwards' back.
Ironically, Levi's attitude won the approval of Ferguson and Bobby Charlton.
After a few casual conversations, Levi brought up a topic of real interest.
"Sir Ferguson, I heard that Manchester United has had some issues with the FA recently?" Levi asked with concern.
Having just won the treble last season, Manchester United faced a busy schedule in the upcoming season. Ferguson's suggestion that Manchester United withdraw from the FA Cup had sparked strong protests from the FA.
"But I heard you have a good relationship with the FA!" Ferguson replied with a smile.
"Yeah," Levi acknowledged unexpectedly, but then added, "That's why they agreed to send us to the National League. I believe that if not for promotion, they might have sent us to the Premier League!"
Levi's words made both seniors laugh.
"The Premier League matches are too frequent, especially during the winter break when other European teams are on break, but the Premier League faces its most intense schedule with the FA Cup, League Cup, and Manchester United's trip to Brazil for the World Club Championship. This is very bad for the team in the second half of the season, so I won't let an FA Cup affect the league and the Champions League," Ferguson explained frankly.
He had never hidden his desire for a winter break, a long-standing demand from many Premier League teams, but one the FA had consistently ignored.
This was not merely a dispute over game scheduling; it was an English civil war involving the conflict of interests between the FA and the Premier League.