Gasp.
"M-Marquess Croceaus?!"
"Wait, Marquess?!"
A series of astonished exclamations erupted from those gathered in the hall, quickly turning into a murmur of disbelief.
Every pair of eyes darted around, searching each other's faces to confirm that they had indeed heard correctly.
They were grappling with the incredible reality of being in the presence of a man whose notoriety transcended the realms of celebrity, cloaked in anonymity yet wildly recognized throughout the world.
His reputation, bolstered by grand tales of wealth and influence, cast him as a figure of fascination—one whose name echoed through business circles like a whispered legend.
Each headline in the newspapers chronicled the bold projects undertaken by the Croceaus family, detailing how each ambitious endeavor was poised for success, always completed within deadlines.
