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墨書 Inktalez
Anna stepped into the banquet hall, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings, exuding calmness and composure. Almost the moment she entered, a waiter approached her gracefully, carrying a tray of Champagne. The crystal glasses sparkled under the lights. Anna casually took one, sipping lightly; the cold bubbles danced on her tongue, bringing a subtle sweetness and acidity that made her expression even more aloof and indifferent. Her eyes scanned the rim of the glass as she mentally prepared herself, carefully observing the crowd and calculating every possible move.
At that moment, a low voice from her earpiece broke through—Lie Hai's voice, like a whisper in the dark: "The target is Mr. Andaro, who claims to be the spokesperson for the Wasteland City Industrial Zone. He holds considerable influence in Shadow City’s political and business circles, acting as a go-between for the government and the underworld... He should be quite conspicuous."
Anna nodded slightly, her eyes calm yet sharp as she began searching for her target. In the banquet hall, prominent figures from politics and business mingled; many CEOs of large corporations were gathered here, exchanging pleasantries while masking their arrogance and scheming behind polite smiles. Her gaze passed over one well-dressed man after another, each exuding an underlying pressure and tension that made the scene resemble a battlefield of power struggles rather than a simple celebration.
“Lie Hai,” she said softly, a hint of disdain in her tone, “remind me again what this ridiculous celebration is actually for?”
Lie Hai's steady voice quickly responded with concise efficiency: “To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Shadow City and the Wasteland City Industrial Zone, along with the thirtieth anniversary of Darklight Technology Industrial Zone—a joint celebration between the two regions.”
Anna raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of sarcastic amusement flickering in her eyes. She surveyed the guests once more as if scrutinizing these self-important political and business elites. This banquet was undoubtedly meant to showcase the achievements and status of both zones, while their target Andaro had used this connection to build his own power network, serving as a liaison between the government and the underworld—a key player behind this extravagant feast.
Standing to one side of the banquet hall with her glass raised, Anna observed her surroundings as the previously scattered guests began to converge towards the center of the hall. She narrowed her eyes, following their gazes toward the stage ahead. Peering through layers of bodies, she spotted numerous heavyweight dignitaries already gathered on stage, representing various factions at Shadow City's power core. The dazzling chandelier above cast brilliant light upon these elites, as if spotlighting them with an air of solemnity and prestige. Yet Anna's keen eyes easily pierced through this facade of hypocrisy and calculation, calmly watching as this power struggle unfolded.
Her gaze settled on one figure among those on stage—Andaro. His plump figure was clad in a dark blue suit, his belly slightly protruding due to his obesity; it seemed that his tightly fastened buttons could pop open at any moment. His smile was both ingratiating and arrogant, his face glistening as he squinted at the audience below while waving in acknowledgment—as if this banquet were held in his honor. No matter where he stood on stage, his corpulent form made him an unavoidable focal point.
Andaro—the spokesperson for Wasteland City Industrial Zone—claimed to be the master of this gray area but was essentially a "white glove" between Shadow City's government and its underworld dealings, arranging unsavory transactions for both sides. Anna knew him all too well; disdain filled her heart at how such a vulgar man could wield such power.
As her gaze drifted across the stage again, another familiar figure emerged—Shen Liya from Silver Fox Sect. Shen Liya stood on stage in a high-slit black satin gown that shimmered like a queen of the night—cold yet regal. A necklace adorned with emeralds graced her neck, complementing her deep-set gaze. Anna recognized Shen Liya as a core figure within Silver Fox Sect, involved in casino operations and human trafficking; she was almost always present at major events, symbolizing Silver Fox Sect's pervasive influence in underground circles. At this moment, Shen Liya stood among political and business elites with a knowing smile, observing them with an air of superiority as if no matter how they schemed against each other, they could never escape her control.
Anna couldn't help but smirk inwardly; Shen Liya's presence was no surprise to her. This woman thrived in casinos and underground dealings; she always found a way to secure her footing in any situation while reaping benefits.
However, it was another man standing quietly in a corner with a glass in hand—calmly observing the entire banquet—who truly caught Anna's attention: He Jianye, the Secretary-General of the city government. Dressed in a deep blue suit that was both fitted and understated, he exuded an aura of cold authority. His expression was serious; he seemed unapproachable as he stood silently on stage, radiating an intimidating presence. Rarely did he appear at such events; he operated discreetly and had gained significant trust from the mayor while managing various municipal affairs with far-reaching influence. His presence here clearly carried unusual intentions that made Anna furrow her brow slightly.
Anna knew well that He Jianye was not someone who would casually attend such events. His presence hinted at a deeper transaction, perhaps involving a larger exchange of funds and power. She raised her glass of Champagne, gently swirling the bubbles within, as the amber liquid danced in her glass. Her gaze swept over every face on the stage, trying to catch even the slightest hint of what was unfolding. She understood that behind this gathering lay a hidden deal, and her target tonight—Andaro—was likely a part of this conspiracy, perhaps even a pawn.
In the banquet hall, the host stood on stage, clearing his throat slightly, seemingly signaling for everyone to gather closer for the next segment. Anna noticed the crowd slowly moving toward the front, and she took a few graceful steps forward, preparing to observe more closely what was happening on stage.
At that moment, she felt someone gently approach her from beside. Turning her head, Anna saw a young man standing next to her, his expression somewhat youthful yet filled with hesitant courage. He was dressed in a well-tailored black suit, the details revealing exquisite tailoring and high-quality fabric. His demeanor was awkward, his gaze flickering, but he mustered the courage to speak in a low yet somewhat unsteady voice: "Um... beautiful miss, hello. I am Pox from Nianrui Technology."
Anna looked up at him, suppressing a smile while maintaining a polite expression. Casually glancing past him, she noticed several young men standing not far away, whispering among themselves with teasing smiles on their faces; they were likely his friends, waiting to see how he would perform.
Anna returned her gaze to Pox's face, offering a slight smile with a tone that was soft yet carried an almost imperceptible teasing edge: "Nianrui Technology... when did they start hiring such young... employees?" She deliberately elongated her words, allowing a hint of inquiry to seep through, clearly testing him.
A faint blush crept onto Pox's face as he became noticeably shy under Anna's gaze. His expression grew more awkward as he stammered, "Well, actually... I am one of the heirs of my family..." Before he could finish his sentence, he seemed to suddenly realize what he had revealed and instinctively glanced back as if seeking support or explanation from his friends.
Anna couldn't help but smile knowingly before softly saying, "Let me guess... your father's name is Ladios Nianrui?"
Pox paused for a moment before shyly nodding his head, surprise and embarrassment evident on his face. "Yes, you truly have... sharp insight." His tone carried a hint of astonishment; clearly, he was taken aback by Anna's ability to recognize his family background at first glance.
Anna elegantly smiled lightly, her lips curling with subtle mockery and calmness. She thought to herself that this young man seemed rather inexperienced for such high-society gatherings. However, she did not directly point it out; instead, she nodded slightly and gracefully raised her Champagne glass to clink with his. "Pox, it's truly interesting to meet you here. I hope you gain something valuable tonight."
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