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墨書 Inktalez
Anna moved gracefully through the banquet hall alongside Pox, her gaze subtly scanning the surroundings until it finally settled on a dimly lit corner of the room. There, Andaro, Shen Liya, and He Jianye were engaged in a hushed conversation, their expressions serious and carrying an undeniable sense of pressure, as if the lively atmosphere of the banquet had no bearing on them; this small corner was the true stage of the night.
Anna's eyes locked onto the trio like a hawk. She quickly realized that they were standing closer together than one would typically expect in a private discussion, their voices lowered to an almost indecipherable murmur. Their heads leaned in closely, occasionally exchanging brief nods or furrowed brows, suggesting that every word exchanged was laden with significance. This gravity made one wonder just how crucial their discussion was and how vital it was to keep it under wraps.
He Jianye stood to one side, his posture rigid and austere, his face devoid of expression, cold as if carved from stone. His gaze swept over the area with the familiar indifference and vigilance found in political circles, his eyes deep and inscrutable. On the opposite side stood Shen Liya, tall and elegant in a black satin gown, her gaze sharp as a knife. She surveyed the room with a critical and disdainful eye, resembling a frosty queen ready to wield her power at any moment. Between these two figures was the rotund Andaro, his plump form squeezed between them, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he appeared increasingly anxious under their oppressive presence.
The trio's position was cleverly concealed, perfectly avoiding the flow of guests moving through the main hall, tucked away at the edge of the banquet room so that other attendees could not easily notice them. Anna keenly observed all this, a sense of unease creeping into her mind; she understood that such powerful individuals gathering together with such stern expressions could not merely be for casual pleasantries.
Surrounding them was a group of security personnel standing quietly as an invisible barrier. Dressed in sharp suits with black bow ties, their expressions were stern, sunglasses obscuring their eyes completely, resembling emotionless statues. Their bodies leaned slightly forward, always on alert, scanning their surroundings; any guest approaching this corner would be met with cold stares that instilled an instinctive urge to retreat. The other guests had long grown accustomed to the presence of security but unconsciously distanced themselves from this corner as if they sensed that something about the atmosphere was unusual.
As Anna continued to watch the three individuals, she heard Lie Hai's low voice in her earpiece, tinged with urgency: "Keep an eye on them... They must be discussing something important. The representatives from Black, White, and Gray are all here... Tonight is bound to be anything but ordinary."
Anna's gaze sharpened like a blade fixed on the trio; her expression remained calm yet piercing. She understood that their gathering signified some significant plan brewing—one that transcended ordinary banquet exchanges and perhaps involved shifts in the entire Shadow City landscape. She slightly turned her head and responded coolly to Lie Hai: "Understood. I will keep a close watch on them."
Lie Hai's warning heightened her alertness; every detail of this night made her increasingly aware of looming dangers. The apparent festivity and grandeur of the banquet felt like a mere facade hiding power struggles and dealings behind closed doors. The simultaneous appearance of representatives from Black, White, and Gray indicated that an unknown conspiracy was brewing in secrecy, and every action she took would determine who would emerge victorious in this game.
Pox stood beside Anna, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead as confusion and hesitation clouded his eyes. He glanced nervously toward Andaro and the others' direction and spoke in a hushed tone filled with unease: "Miss Anna... They seem quite busy; is it really appropriate for us to go over now?"
Yet Anna maintained her composure, a faint smile gracing her lips as her gaze remained fixed on the three in the corner as if she had everything under control. She gently nodded and replied softly: "Don't rush; let's wait a bit... They should wrap up soon."
Pox was taken aback by her confidence but felt somewhat reassured as he tried to appear less tense. However, he couldn't help but steal another glance at them, anxiety gnawing at him as he feared that their proximity might draw attention.
Sure enough, shortly after Anna spoke, He Jianye seemed to conclude his remarks. He nodded slightly, still wearing an air of cold seriousness as he exchanged final words with Andaro and Shen Liya before adjusting his suit jacket and straightening his collar—every movement seemingly suppressing his indifference and authority deliberately. Then he waved to the security personnel standing nearby to step aside before striding purposefully toward the exit of the banquet hall.
He Jianye's departure allowed Pox to breathe a sigh of relief. He glanced at Anna, hesitating whether to move forward. However, Anna's gaze remained fixed on the corner, calmly and intently observing Shen Liya and Andaro, who stood still.
Shen Liya watched He Jianye's figure disappear into the crowd without any urgency to leave. She stood elegantly in the corner, arms crossed over her chest, slightly turned to continue her low conversation with Andaro. Her cold eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement, sharp as a knife, her tone soft yet carrying an undeniable authority, as if every word concealed deeper meaning. Andaro nodded slightly, a fawning smile occasionally appearing on his face, looking both fearful and submissive. His bulky frame leaned slightly closer to Shen Liya, eager not to miss a single word she uttered.
Anna gently grasped Pox's hand and confidently strode toward Andaro and Shen Liya, her steps steady and assured, as if every inch of the banquet was under her control. Pox stared in shock, his eyes wide as he quietly protested, "Miss Anna, we shouldn't... this really isn't appropriate!"
Yet Anna's gaze did not waver; a faint smile played on her lips, her eyes glinting with an undeniable determination as if she had calculated every step. Pox's struggle was merely an unnecessary hesitation to her. She quickened her pace, leading Pox directly toward the security guard stationed before them.
The guard stood tall and rigid, his suit impeccably pressed, arms crossed over his abdomen, sunglasses shielding his eyes as he coldly regarded Anna and Pox's approach, like an insurmountable barrier. As they drew near, his voice emerged low and indifferent: "Sorry, but we cannot accommodate outsiders here. Please stop."
Anna showed no signs of retreat; a flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly, a cool smile brushing her lips as if the obstacle before her was hardly worth consideration. Pox stood awkwardly beside her, tension etched on his face as he raised his hand slightly toward Andaro in a gesture of harmlessness. He forced a smile while silently praying that Andaro would recognize him and put an end to this sudden awkwardness.
The commotion caught the attention of Andaro and Shen Liya in the corner. Andaro first froze in surprise before quickly recognizing Pox; a look of astonishment mixed with impatience crossed his face. His gaze swept over Pox before settling on Anna standing beside him. Shen Liya turned coldly, her penetrating gaze assessing Anna with curiosity tinged with disdain, as if weighing her worth or speculating on her intentions.
"Pox, what are you doing here?" Andaro frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of reproach while his eyes lingered on Anna for a moment longer, clearly intrigued by the unfamiliar woman.
Faced with Andaro's question, Pox appeared somewhat flustered; he managed to force out a smile and said, "Uncle Andaro, this is Miss Anna... I... I just brought her to meet you."
Seeing this, Anna smiled gently and elegantly nodded. She raised her head fearlessly, meeting Shen Liya's and Andaro's gazes directly and confidently as if her presence was not coincidental but rather the result of careful planning.
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