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墨書 Inktalez
Andaro waved his hand, signaling the security personnel to step aside. The burly guards immediately moved aside, coldly watching Anna and Pox as they walked past, their eyes filled with unmasked vigilance and suspicion. These guards were well-trained; although they had cleared the way, their bodies remained slightly leaned forward, ready to intercept any unwelcome guests. This stance made Pox even more nervous, his movements appearing somewhat stiff as he shuffled forward alongside Anna, occasionally glancing around anxiously, fearful of disturbing the patience of his "Uncle Andaro."
Shen Liya remained in the corner, arms crossed, coldly observing everything. Her narrowed eyes glinted sharply in the interplay of light and shadow, resembling a precise dagger as she silently scrutinized every move of Anna and Pox, as if she could see into the depths of their hearts. She said nothing; her lips were slightly downturned, her expression unreadable, yet exuding a chilling authority that suggested this "chance encounter" had alerted her to something unusual, already plotting her response in her mind.
Andaro was the first to approach Pox, a broad smile plastered on his face as if Pox were a long-lost friend. He exaggeratedly opened his arms and boomed in a deep, enthusiastic voice, "Oh! Pox, have you grown up so much?" In the midst of his words, he pulled Pox into an embrace, one hand patting his shoulder in an overly familiar and exaggerated manner. This display of affection felt insincere and sent a shiver down one's spine. Pox forced a smile in response, awkwardly hugging Andaro before quickly stepping back to stand beside him, looking uneasy and seeking comfort from Anna with a lost gaze.
Andaro's attention quickly shifted from Pox to Anna. A lewd and greedy smile crept across his face as he openly scanned her figure, as if appraising an expensive and enticing "collectible." His gaze was unabashedly invasive, taking in every inch of her with satisfaction, as if her presence had become the most delightful surprise at this gathering.
"Who is this beautiful lady?" Andaro leaned in closer, lowering his voice with a teasing curiosity that brimmed with interest as he awaited an answer. His tone carried an air of pressure; his eyes revealed unmasked greed and an underlying desire for conquest, as if the woman before him had become an object of his possession.
Pox's cheeks flushed instantly with embarrassment at Andaro's words; he stammered nervously, trying to explain but failing to form a complete sentence: "Uh... this is..."
He stumbled over his words while Anna stepped forward without hesitation. With a slight smile and calm demeanor, she looked directly at Andaro and said softly yet firmly, "I am Pox's girlfriend, Anna."
Anna's voice was gentle yet exuded confidence and composure; her tone left no room for doubt. She met Andaro's gaze steadily without flinching or showing fear; instead, there was a hint of provocation in her demeanor as if she had already discerned his intentions and was fully prepared to navigate this confrontation.
Andaro paused slightly, seemingly taken aback by her confidence but quickly regained that lewd smile. He nodded with interest, even displaying a hint of playful appreciation. Anna's self-assuredness clearly caught his attention; she transformed in his eyes from just another beautiful face into the most challenging "discovery" of the evening.
"Ah, what an interesting young lady," Andaro murmured to himself with a satisfied grin. His gaze lingered on Anna for a moment before turning to Pox with an almost intimate smile. "Kid, you really have a beautiful girlfriend; I envy you!"
Shen Liya's gaze was like that of a hawk as it lingered on Anna's face. Her cold eyes meticulously scanned every feature as if searching for some familiar image buried in her memory. She furrowed her brow slightly, lips pressed together tightly, revealing hints of suspicion and inquiry—as if she aimed to imprint every detail of Anna into her mind. Deep down, Shen Liya harbored doubts; she felt that this woman's face was eerily familiar as though she had seen it somewhere before but couldn't pinpoint when or where.
Meanwhile, sensing Shen Liya's scrutiny, Anna became quietly alert. Realizing that her every move had drawn Shen Liya's suspicion, she quickly adjusted her posture—lowering her head slightly while casting a humble glance at Shen Liya. A hint of innocence graced her smile as if this high-stakes social setting made her somewhat anxious. She spoke softly with careful caution as if afraid to appear out of place before this queen-like woman.
Shen Liya remained unfazed, her gaze sharp and scrutinizing. With a tone that was cold yet polite, she asked, "May I ask... have we met somewhere before?"
Anna looked up, feigning surprise with a gentle smile. Then, in a respectful tone, she explained, "Ah, perhaps you have met my father? My name is Anna Dawey, and I am the daughter of Mr. Dawey, the General Manager of Shengluo Electronics." As she spoke, she slightly lifted her chin, resembling a young woman who had just returned from abroad, filled with pride for her family's business. Yet there was an air of submissiveness about her, and a hint of unease flickered in her eyes as if she were not accustomed to being the center of attention in such settings.
She continued to speak with an affected nonchalance, "I... I have been living abroad for a long time. This is my first time attending such an event." As she spoke, she deliberately softened her voice, infusing it with a touch of shyness and uncertainty. She lowered her head slightly, as if the grandeur of the banquet overwhelmed her. Her carefully crafted expressions and demeanor made her appear like a young heiress who had just returned from a foreign land, unfamiliar with the social rules of the elite in Shadow City.
As soon as Anna finished speaking, Shen Liya's expression softened slightly. She scrutinized Anna from head to toe, nodding thoughtfully as if Anna's explanation had dispelled her doubts. She had heard of Shengluo Electronics and was familiar with the Dawey name; this family was known for their emerging technology products that were gaining recognition in Darklight District. A glimmer of understanding crossed Shen Liya's eyes as she seemed to accept Anna's identity explanation, though a hint of inquiry lingered in her gaze.
"So you are Mr. Dawey's daughter," Shen Liya said with a slight smile, her expression becoming somewhat gentler. There was an air of haughty scrutiny in her tone, yet it subtly conveyed approval; it seemed that Anna's background made this explanation reasonable to her. "I didn't expect Mr. Dawey's daughter to be so remarkable."
Anna smiled gracefully, inclining her body slightly in respect as she replied, "You flatter me, madam. My father often speaks highly of you and says your achievements in Wasteland City are truly admirable."
Shen Liya raised an eyebrow at this compliment but did not react overly much; instead, she nodded with a hint of self-satisfaction that indicated she was accustomed to such flattery. Her gaze lingered on Anna for a moment before slowly drifting away, seemingly losing interest in the young woman who had just returned from abroad while still maintaining a thread of vigilance within herself.
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