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Pox stood beside Anna, feeling somewhat uneasy as his gaze flickered between her and his friends. They remained a short distance away, wearing teasing smiles, with one even waving encouragingly at him to continue. But Pox felt a wave of embarrassment and tension; what should have been a simple attempt at flirting seemed out of place in front of Anna, bordering on foolishness. Her calm demeanor only added to his disorientation.
Anna held her Champagne glass elegantly, her gaze landing on him with a hint of mockery, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. She tilted her head slightly, gently extending the Champagne glass toward him, then looked at him with an expression that seemed to pierce through all his intentions as she said softly, "Mr. Pox, your friends seem to be enjoying this dull party." Her voice was soft yet carried a chilly teasing tone, her eyes reflecting a graceful arrogance as if their little scheme was trivial in her eyes. "They pushed you over here just to see if you had the guts to flirt with me, right?"
Pox froze, Anna's words cutting straight through their ruse, leaving him feeling exposed and slightly flushed. He had intended to explain himself but found himself at a loss for words. The muffled laughter from his friends nearby only heightened his desire to escape this awkward conversation. He lowered his head and muttered, "No... no, we... we're really sorry, miss, for bothering you..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pox prepared to turn away, eager to end this childish exchange. However, just as he stepped forward, Anna gently raised her hand, elegantly extending her slender fingers to signal him to stop. Her gaze was deep and mysterious, imbued with an undeniable determination that suggested the game was just beginning and he could not easily withdraw.
"Wait, Mr. Pox," she said in a low and calm voice that was almost a whisper, carrying an irresistible suggestion. "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Just stand beside me and behave." Anna's gaze drifted past him to the stage as if she were contemplating something.
Pox was taken aback, staring at her in confusion, his mind swirling as he struggled to understand her intentions. Yet Anna's tone brooked no argument; those calm and detached eyes held a certain mysterious and stern power that made it impossible for him to refuse. Reluctantly, he complied and stood beside her, masking his inner turmoil and unease.
He stole a glance at her only to find Anna's eyes shimmering with depth while she maintained a faint smile. Her focus remained fixed on the influential figures on stage, appearing both concentrated and composed. At that moment, she seemed detached from the clamor of the party, embodying an elegant hunter observing her prey.
Pox lowered his voice cautiously and asked, "Um... miss, is there anything you need me to help with?"
Anna smiled slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes as she replied coolly yet confidently, "Mr. Pox, you just need to stand here. As a considerate gentleman, shouldn't you always be attentive to the needs of the lady beside you?" Her tone was gentle but carried an undeniable authority that made Pox's heart race involuntarily. He had no idea what this elegant lady was planning, but her demeanor resembled that of a seasoned strategist controlling the entire situation.
Anna's lips curled up slightly as she scanned over the crowded room before locking onto a figure on stage. In her mind, she was already calculating her next move. Pox's presence might not be crucial; however, at this moment he became her cover—a young man who appeared naive and shy—unwittingly creating an excellent disguise for her.
Pox stood increasingly uneasy as if he had become part of this contest while Anna clearly had already taken control of the game. He could not step back any further; he simply stood there waiting silently for Anna's next directive.
Pox hesitated again, preparing to say something more when the host on stage tapped the microphone and cleared his throat before beginning his formal speech. The voice from the microphone momentarily subdued the noise in the banquet hall as guests began shifting their attention toward it. Pox had no choice but to abandon his attempt at conversation and helplessly glance over at his friends nearby.
His friends were standing in the corner, laughing smugly and mischievously. One of them even made a playful face at him, clearly reveling in the success of pushing him next to this charming woman, as if the awkwardness of this encounter had become their source of amusement. Pox took a deep breath and shot them a fierce glare before helplessly lowering his head, filled with frustration. He could only obediently stand beside Anna, feeling secretly annoyed at being the butt of their joke.
However, he soon noticed something unusual about Anna. Her gaze remained fixed on the stage, unwavering despite the opening remarks, intensely focused and calm as she locked onto the crowd. Her deep-set eyes appeared sharp and precise, even carrying a hint of cold predation, as if the glimmer in her eyes was not one of interest in the banquet but rather a sense of control that transcended the scene.
Pox's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, surprised. He had never seen a woman exhibit such an expression—an unflappable calmness and control that made her seem like a hawk zeroing in on its prey, ready to strike at the right moment. This look was entirely different from any woman he had encountered before, sending an inexplicable chill down his spine.
The host on stage smiled, raising the microphone with a warm yet solemn tone as he began, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's celebration of this extraordinary moment." He paused briefly, scanning the room with a standard professional smile before continuing with an impassioned voice, "Tonight's anniversary not only symbolizes the development of Shadow City but also represents the flourishing of our industrial and high-tech sectors. The Wasteland City Industrial Zone and Darklight Technology Industrial Zone are Shadow City's best partners; their establishment and growth have played a crucial role in the economic prosperity of our city."
The guests nodded in agreement with the host's words, pride evident on their faces. The host raised his voice, resonating throughout the hall as if every word was filled with love and pride for this city: "Shadow City has become today's commercial hub thanks to each one of you present! You are not only witnesses but contributors! I hope tonight you can all take pride in your work and celebrate your hard-earned efforts!"
The host's tone carried an inspiring power that elicited smiles of agreement from the guests; some began to whisper among themselves while others raised their glasses in salute, seemingly proud to be part of this economic boom. However, Anna stood among the crowd, showing no interest in these grandiloquent words. She merely scanned each face on stage coldly, mentally counting those she needed to remember—especially Andaro's corpulent figure and several key figures from Shadow City's political sphere. Their smiles appeared false and ironic to Anna, as if this solemn occasion were merely a carefully orchestrated performance meant to disguise underhanded dealings.
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