Chapter 82

The banquet hall was filled with light, soothing music, with guests gathered in small groups, engaged in lively conversation. Tang Li was perfectly at ease in this environment, with a steady stream of people approaching to chat and make her acquaintance. Tong Yang and Xu Junyue sat beside her, remaining silent.

He Jingjing and Chu Shiyu from World A were still nowhere to be seen, likely in some secluded spot. Having received training and been injected with the genetic serum, they probably weren't in any danger.

The man who had briefly interacted with Tang Li the previous night found them.

"Hello, we meet again."

Tang Li sat with elegant, upright posture, one arm lightly encircling her waist, the other holding a wine glass delicately between slender fingers. She gave a light laugh and said, "Yes, what a coincidence."

The man said, "Last night, I sat by the window, unable to sleep for a long time."

"You look quite well-rested."

"Thinking that I would eventually see you again soon lifted my spirits."

Tang Li offered a faint smile. "I hope your spirits remain so high."

"Naturally."

"My name is Lance. Might I have the honor of knowing your name?"

Tang Li said, "The girls call me 'sister'."

The man chuckled. "It seems I was too forward with you last night."

"Not at all."

For Tong Yang and Xu Junyue, the banquet was exceedingly dull.

Everyone was discussing incomprehensible topics, swaying their wine glasses, putting on airs.

"Boss, let's go find somewhere else to be. This is so boring," Xu Junyue said in a muffled voice.

She truly disliked high-society gatherings, and most importantly, she couldn't understand a word of their babbling. It was utterly tedious.

Tong Yang, lost in thought, looked towards Menard, who was elegantly sipping wine amidst the crowd.

He gave her a somewhat indescribable, subtle feeling.

"Let's go look for them," Tong Yang said.

Seeing the two about to leave, Tang Li cautioned, "Behave yourselves."

"Understood, sister."

Leaving their seats, they searched the crowd for any sign of He Jingjing and the other.

"Mr. Menard, long time no see."

A woman in a dark green gown passed by the two of them, walking towards Mr. Menard.

Suddenly, Xu Junyue halted, staring blankly at the woman.

To avoid attracting too much attention and raising suspicion, before departing for the party venue, Xu Junyue, like Tong Yang, had dyed her full head of ash-gray hair black. Combined with wearing a mask and a style of dress vastly different from her usual, even her own father, Old Xu, probably wouldn't recognize her if he stood before her right now.

"What's wrong?" Tong Yang turned back to look at her.

Xu Junyue frowned, took a deep look at the woman, shook her head to herself, and said, "It's nothing."

Tong Yang didn't dwell on it and continued forward. Xu Junyue withdrew her gaze and followed closely behind.

They searched inside and outside the banquet hall but found no trace of He Jingjing and the other.

"Where did they go?" Tong Yang's expression couldn't help but turn serious.

Xu Junyue, distracted, said, "Don't know. Maybe hiding somewhere sneaking food."

Tong Yang shot her a sidelong glance. "Do you even hear what you're saying?"

"What did I say?" Xu Junyue retorted righteously.

Tong Yang said:

"Nothing."

Xu Junyue leaned against the balcony railing, sighed, and said, "Forget it. It's not like the two of them could have been kidnapped."

Tong Yang didn't say anything more and looked out from the balcony, also somewhat distracted.

Who could Menard be, behind that mask?

Xu Junyue went back into the banquet hall and returned with two plates of cake, handing one to Tong Yang. "What did that foreign woman say to Menard? I didn't understand a single word."

"Who told you not to study properly?" Tong Yang was a bit hungry and took the plate from her.

There was no one else on the balcony, and it seemed there were no cameras or listening devices either. No one could overhear their conversation.

"In my family, besides my sister, no one was any good at studying."

Tong Yang asked in surprise, "Isn't your sister completely blind? She studies well?"

"There's braille, and she can listen, you know. Old Xu likes her so much precisely because she's obedient and gets good grades. He used to wish the one who lost an eye was my sister instead." Xu Junyue's tone was disdainful. "But what can you do? If he had the ability, why couldn't he protect my sister properly?"

"Your dad said things like that?"

"He used to say it all the time."

Tong Yang grew somewhat interested. "So that's why your relationship with him isn't good, and you spent New Year's with your aunt this year?"

"Pretty much. My aunt isn't married and doesn't really bother with me much."

"What does your aunt do in M Country?"

"She's a Hollywood actress."

"Wouldn't that make her quite famous?"

"Of course!"

At this point, Xu Junyue sighed and said, "My relationship with my aunt isn't good either."

Tong Yang asked seriously, "Who do you have a good relationship with?"

"When I was little, my relationship with my sister was pretty good."

Tong Yang remarked admiringly, "Your sister really is a good person."

"Hey!" Xu Junyue nudged her with her shoulder. "No need to be so sarcastic!"

"Anyway, I don't care about these things. In this life, when it comes down to it, you live for your own satisfaction. If they don't like me, I don't like them either!"

Tong Yang laughed. "That's actually well said."

"Right now, I just hope Old Xu slips up soon so we can arrest him earlier!"

"Simple. You just need to hint to him a little about my presence in M Country. 'Black Storm' will know we're behind the trouble, and Officer Lin can rightfully arrest him."

Xu Junyue's eyes lit up. "We can do that?"

Tong Yang said with a half-smile, "Then we'd never get out of here alive."

Xu Junyue shrugged. "You could save us."

"Provided you die at the hands of someone from the parallel world, or your time of death doesn't exceed ten minutes. Otherwise, even I can't save you."

"No problem, there's still that genetic serum thing. Liang Xi's body was shattered to pieces and she still revived."

Tong Yang scoffed. "You want to get injected with the genetic serum?"

Xu Junyue shook her head. "No."

She hooked an arm around Tong Yang's shoulder. "People! You die sooner or later anyway. What matters is dying a worthy death. Why go through all that trouble? If I die, whoever dares inject me with that serum, I'll haunt them first!"

"You wish. Something that valuable, do you think Bureau 749 would agree to inject it into you?"

Xu Junyue snorted contemptuously. "As if I'd want it!"

"Boss, didn't Sister give you a translator? Give it to me," Xu Junyue said.

Tong Yang replied, "Weren't you the one who disdained using a translator?"

"Ugh! I can't understand anything they're saying, it's such a disadvantage. What if we miss some important information?"

"It's with her. We'll ask her for it later."

"Alright."

Tong Yang summarized for her what the foreign woman had said in her speech and what Menard had said on stage.

"Boss, do you think everyone who appears here must be a bad person?" Xu Junyue asked out of the blue.

Tong Yang said, "They might not all be bad people, but they can turn bad at any moment."

Xu Junyue nodded, not fully understanding, and turned to look into the banquet hall where Maynard was conversing with a woman in an emerald green gown beside him.

"My aunt and I aren't on the best terms, but recently, she's been quite concerned about me."

"What?" Tong Yang asked, puzzled.

"Except for those couple of days during the Spring Festival, I've been hanging out with you guys the whole time. My aunt asked me a few questions. I told her my general whereabouts, but not who I was with."

"So, what's the issue?" Tong Yang looked suspicious, not grasping her point.

Xu Junyue lowered her eyes and said, "It would be terrible if my aunt is one of the bad guys."

"Why do you think that?"

Xu Junyue lifted her chin, glancing at the woman standing next to Maynard in the banquet hall. "That person looks like my aunt."

Tong Yang was taken aback for a moment, then followed her gaze. The woman wore an emerald green gown, and a mask covered the upper half of her face, revealing only red lips and a chin.

Xu Junyue said seriously, "I'm not completely sure yet, but my aunt has a mole under her left ear, just like hers, and her voice is very similar too. If she recognizes me, our identities will definitely be exposed."

Tong Yang frowned. "If it is her, what do you plan to do?"

"Then we'll have to kill her," Xu Junyue stated with absolute conviction.

Xu Junyue had even considered turning in her own father, Old Xu, for the greater good, let alone an aunt she rarely saw.

"Killing someone here isn't ideal," Tong Yang said gravely.

"What about poison?" Xu Junyue suggested with keen interest.

"Weren't weapons not allowed to be brought in?"

Xu Junyue sighed regretfully. "Then there's no way. Should I go back and hide instead? If she really is my aunt, and she connects my recent whereabouts with the fact that she knows I've had contact with you, she might directly suspect you. It's even more crucial she doesn't discover I'm here."

Tong Yang thought there was some logic to that. "But it's not confirmed she is your aunt yet."

"Besides," Tong Yang looked her up and down, "your sister was right. Fine feathers make fine birds. Dressed like this, even I wouldn't recognize you."

Xu Junyue flicked her hair. "I just don't like dressing up. Once I do put in the effort, I'd be utterly irresistible, a sight to behold."

Tong Yang was speechless. "You really aren't modest at all."

"A beauty doesn't need modesty." Xu Junyue laughed a few times, then stopped. "Seriously though, I want to go test it out."

Tong Yang's expression darkened. "Test what? Whether she's your aunt or not?"

"Right. Old Xu is already suspicious, so it wouldn't be strange if she is too. I need to confirm it. If it's her, we have to deal with her as soon as possible."

"I'll go," Tong Yang said, putting down his plate. "You going is too risky."

"No way. Do you even know my aunt? You've never met her. Or are you going to go ask her if her name is Xu Jingya?"

Tong Yang gave a half-smile. "Do you think she'd tell me?"

"No," Xu Junyue nodded. "So I have to be the one to go."

"You going and getting recognized would be worse. We bear the same mark, and people from the parallel world are mixed in here too."

Xu Junyue rolled her eyes. "I'm not an idiot. Of course I wouldn't approach her directly. That's why I asked you for the translator, remember?"

Tong Yang knitted his brows. "You want to eavesdrop on her conversation?"

"Yes! She seems quite familiar with Maynard. We might overhear something useful."

"Are you sure you can pull it off?"

"I probably won't be recognized. My aunt and I aren't that close anyway."

In the banquet hall, the woman in the emerald green gown had already parted ways with Maynard and moved elsewhere.

Tong Yang didn't try to dissuade her further, and they both returned to Tang Li's side.

"Sis, can I have the translator? I can't understand what they're saying," Xu Junyue said, stretching out her hand casually.

"The translator? I thought you didn't want it?"

"I want it now."

After all, there were people from various countries at the banquet, so wearing a translator was quite normal.

Tang Li opened her handbag and took out the translation device.

The device had a main unit for audio reception and a pair of wireless earpieces.

The main unit was discreetly designed to look like an ordinary wristwatch.

Xu Junyue put on the watch and one earpiece.

To be able to detect any issues promptly, Tong Yang asked for the other earpiece. As long as he stayed within fifty meters of the main unit, he could hear the conversations it picked up in sync, essentially making it half a listening device.

"I'll go wander around by myself for a bit then."

"Don't cause trouble."

"I know!" Xu Junyue raised her eyebrows. "Do I look like someone who causes trouble?"

"Yes."

"Tch! I know my limits."

With that, Xu Junyue waved at the two of them, left the seats, and went to pick out some pastries she liked from a nearby table.

Tong Yang put on the earpiece and sat down next to Tang Li.

Tang Li asked, "Where are they?"

They hadn't seen He Jingjing and the Chu Shiyu from World A since they went their separate ways earlier.

Tong Yang shook his head. "I looked around, didn't see them."

Tang Li couldn't help but frown, pressing her lips together. "Could something have happened?"

"Not sure. The Chu Shiyu from World A is unreliable, but with He Jingjing there, it should be fine."

"Let's hope so."

Xu Junyue wasn't foolish enough to head straight for her target. She wandered through the banquet hall, strolling here and there, sampling quite a bit of food and drinking a fair amount of wine, occasionally striking up conversations on purpose. She didn't speak English, but among the guests, there were quite a few who understood Chinese or wore translators like her. Combined with Xu Junyue's naturally chatty personality, she managed to hold conversations.

"Do you like this drink?"

"It's okay."

"Then can you recommend one?"

"You could try this wine, miss."

"Oh, let me give it a try."

Xu Junyue had a good tolerance for alcohol. Mingling and chatting with people at the banquet, she was doing alright.

The woman in the emerald green gown stood by a drink table chatting with a man beside her, her voice neither too loud nor too soft. Xu Junyue made her way along the drink tables, sipping as she went, and stopped behind the woman in green. She picked up a glass and tasted it carefully.

"Ms. Margaret, how have you been lately?"

"Thanks to you, quite well."

"I didn't expect to see you here. Mr. Maynard must be as pleasantly surprised as I am."

The woman laughed. "After Mr. Maynard said those words—that absentees would have their accounts permanently deleted—how could I ignore it?"

"Ms. Margaret, you jest. If you hadn't come, Mr. Maynard would certainly have understood, given your busy schedule. Both Mr. Maynard and I firmly believe you would never become a traitor."

"Mr. Maynard said the same to me. Thank you for your trust. I happened to have some free time recently, and it's been a long time since I've seen everyone."

"For that, I am truly honored."

"Ms. Margaret, might I have the honor of inviting you to a room for a private conversation?"

"My apologies, I already have an appointment with Mr. Maynard to meet in the lounge in ten minutes."

"I see. It seems our conversation will have to wait until next time then."

"Perhaps we'll have another chance tomorrow."

"Then I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow, Ms. Margaret."

Xu Junyue picked up her wine glass, murmuring, "The lounge..."

"Miss, do you enjoy this wine very much?"

The woman in the emerald green gown turned to look at her, her gaze gentle.

Xu Junyue hid her left hand, which was wearing the translator, at her side, and nodded vaguely, appearing slightly tipsy.

The glass in Xu Junyue's hand tilted, spilling wine onto her skirt. The woman steadied her and reminded her, "There's a lounge over there. You can go deal with it. Do you need help?"

Xu Junyue looked up in the direction she pointed, shook her head, and awkwardly replied in English, "Thank you."

The other woman said it was no trouble.

Xu Junyue walked towards the lounge. In a corner out of sight of the woman in the emerald green gown, she removed the translator from her wrist.

Tong Yang took in this scene, realizing what she intended to do.

After Xu Junyue left, the woman in the emerald green gown didn't pay much more attention and returned to Maynard's side to converse with him.

It seemed she hadn't noticed Xu Junyue's identity.

"Boss, that's my aunt." Xu Junyue's voice came through the translator into the earpiece.

Hearing this, Tong Yang's expression darkened slightly. She didn't speak. The main translator unit was in Xu Junyue's hand; even if she responded, Xu Junyue wouldn't hear it.

A few minutes later, having simply cleaned the wine stain from her clothes, Xu Junyue returned directly to the two of them. The translator on her left wrist had already disappeared.

"Had too much to drink?"

Xu Junyue sat down beside her, mumbling, "A little dizzy."

She had already hidden the main translator unit in the lounge. The distance between where they were and the lounge was less than fifty meters, so it could still receive the signal.

Not long after, Xu Jingya glanced in their direction and then invited Maynard to walk towards the lounge together.

"They've gone in."

"Is it well hidden?"

"Don't worry, no one will find it."

"Is something happening?" Tang Li asked in a low voice.

Tong Yang nodded, "You could say that."

A few minutes later, the conversation indeed came through the earpiece, automatically translated into Chinese, the tone perfectly mimicked, only the language was different.

"Mr. Maynard, do you have any leads regarding the traitor?" Xu Jingya asked.

"Margaret, it's just the two of us here, no need to be so formal."

Xu Jingya chuckled and said, "Long time no see, Maynard."

"Margaret, you know I don't like that title," Maynard said helplessly.

This time, they were using Chinese, different from the mechanical sound after translation.

"Maynard, it's better to stay alert on Harker Island, after all."

Maynard laughed, "You're right, we should be cautious. Those guys are much smarter than we imagine."

"Do you have a lead?"

"Not exactly. I just encountered something quite interesting."

"Is that so? There aren't many things Maynard finds interesting."

Fluent Chinese came through the earpiece; Maynard was indeed a very young man.

Xu Jingya asked, "Maynard, besides cooperating with you, I have another more important matter for attending this banquet."

Maynard said with a laugh, "For your niece?"

In the banquet hall, Tong Yang and Xu Junyue both froze simultaneously.

Had Xu Jingya already discovered Xu Junyue? That would be terrible!

Noticing their expressions turn severe, Tang Li couldn't help but purse her lips.

Xu Jingya said, "Exactly."

Maynard said, "Rest assured, she is doing very well."

Hearing this, Tong Yang and the other's expressions changed from serious to shocked.

The "niece" they were talking about didn't seem to be Xu Junyue.

"Do you have other siblings?" Tong Yang asked quietly.

Xu Junyue shook her head, "In my father's generation, only he and my aunt are left. Her nieces are only me and... my sister?"

"Let me see her sometime. Her father misses her too," Xu Jingya sighed.

Maynard said, "Didn't you see her not long ago?"

"Didn't I tell you? Besides her, I have another niece, named Xu Junyue."

Maynard gave a light laugh, "Her, I know. An ally of the Time Anchor."

Suddenly, he changed the subject, asking, "I heard she's recently in M Country?"

Tong Yang clenched her teeth. They indeed knew about Xu Junyue and her relationship with her. Once Xu Junyue was recognized, Maynard would definitely guess this matter was related to her.

Xu Jingya said, "Yes, Xu Zeming sent her here."

Maynard's voice held a smile, "What a coincidence? She's connected to the Time Anchor, happens to be in M Country during this period, and the repeatedly sabotaged deals of 'Black Tempest' are also in M Country..."

Tong Yang's fingernails dug into her palm. Exposing their identity here would only lead to a dead end.

In contrast, Xu Junyue just looked somewhat confused.

Sister... is still alive?

Old Xu and Auntie both know Sister is alive?

Why...

Xu Jingya said, "However, this matter has nothing to do with her. She's been with me most of the time. Moreover, according to Xu Zeming, the Time Anchor has long since severed contact with Junyue."

Tong Yang's expression froze for a moment, then she frowned. Xu Jingya had lied.

Since coming to M Country, except for the two days of the Spring Festival, Xu Junyue had been with them the whole time.

Why?

Why did she lie?

Things were becoming more and more perplexing.

"Is that so?" Maynard's tone was noncommittal, his voice flat, unclear whether he believed Xu Jingya's words or not.

"Margaret, did you come to me just to say these things?" Maynard asked.

"Of course not." Xu Jingya laughed softly, "I wanted to talk to you about Siyuan."

"Don't you know her situation? In the First World, she's doing very well."

"The First World..."

Tong Yang heard a murmur beside her. She turned to look; it was Xu Junyue.

"Doing very well..."

"Is Siyuan your sister?" Tong Yang frowned.

"Yes... she's my sister," Xu Junyue nodded blankly.

Xu Jingya said, "Of course I know these things. Otherwise, what would Xu Zeming and I have done everything for?"

"Margaret, you're one thing, but as for Xu Zeming, the help he's provided me hasn't been much."

"Really? Without him, how would you have known the Anchor in the First World was captured? How would you have known they had already killed the Anchor?"

Maynard gave a low chuckle, "But who knows if what he says is true?"

"Maynard, what do you mean?"

"The life or death of the First World's Anchor is still unknown to us. However, rest assured, I will take good care of Xu Siyuan. After all, the contributions you have made for us are very valuable."

Xu Jingya was silent for a long time before asking, "Maynard, do you really not know who the traitor in 'Black Tempest' is?"

"No, no one has provided me with information about the traitor."

Hearing this, Tong Yang's internal alarms blared. She suddenly remembered something.

The day Gao Changdong was arrested, Officer Xu was present.

He knew Gao Changdong was colluding with the black market, and he also knew Gao Changdong had helped them take down the human organ trafficking base!

Officer Xu had told them about Yan Qing's arrest in the parallel world, but he hadn't mentioned a word about Gao Changdong's arrest.

Even if others didn't know who was behind the IDs, Maynard, the mastermind behind "Black Storm," certainly would. And he wasn't from the real world.

If Officer Xu had leaked Gao Changdong's arrest to him, Tong Yang and her group's identities would surely be exposed.

Yet, Officer Xu hadn't informed him about this.

Why?

Maynard's low chuckle resonated in the earpiece, the vibration of his chest almost palpable, as if he were right beside her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

"Margaret, it seems I've discovered an interesting little thing."

A rustling sound came through the headphones, and both Tong Yang and her companion looked up simultaneously.

It's over. We've been discovered!

The man's voice was teasing. "It appears, Margaret, a little mouse snuck in before we arrived."

Xu Junyue snapped back to reality and asked, "Boss, what do we do?"

Tong Yang pressed down on the back of her hand and shook her head.

"This is..." Xu Jingya said in surprise.

"A translator? Or a listening device?" Maynard's tone was leisurely. "I knew it. We really should have forbidden guests from bringing electronic devices. Margaret, this is too dangerous."

Xu Jingya said, "Maynard, perhaps it was just an accident? Maybe a guest accidentally dropped it here?"

"Margaret, do you recognize it?" Maynard asked.

"No, I don't."

Maynard's tone turned dangerous. "Would a clumsy little mouse be discovered?"

"Margaret, our conversation shouldn't be heard by others. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

Xu Jingya said gravely, "What do you intend to do?"

Maynard fell silent for a few seconds, his tone inscrutable. "I detest rats. If it comes to find me, perhaps I'll give it another chance."

Tong Yang's breath hitched. Maynard gave her a familiar, detestable feeling.

He was luring them over.

Xu Jingya asked, "Are there surveillance cameras?"

"No, of course not. I trust my friends implicitly." Maynard's voice was laced with amusement. "However, finding its owner won't be difficult, Margaret. You know how it is—traces are always left behind."

Xu Jingya said, "Perhaps she hasn't realized it yet."

"Margaret, you seem to know who it is."

Maynard did something, and a soft "beep" sounded in the earpiece.

"That little mouse is eavesdropping on our conversation right now," Maynard laughed.

"Knock, knock—"

Suddenly, the door to the lounge was knocked on.

Xu Jingya sat up straight. "Who is it?"

"My apologies. I've come to retrieve something I left behind."

A girl's voice sounded from outside the door.

Xu Jingya instinctively looked at Maynard. His eyes behind the golden mask narrowed contentedly, and he gave a slight nod of approval.

Only then did Xu Jingya step forward to open the door.

The door swung open, revealing the woman in the emerald green gown standing behind it. The moment she saw Tong Yang clearly, she let out a subtle sigh of relief.

"Good evening, ma'am. I left something in the lounge."

Tong Yang took out the two earpieces and held them up for the woman to see.

Xu Jingya didn't speak, simply stepping aside to clear the path.

Maynard, dressed in a deep red suit, reclined against the brown sofa. The golden mask covered most of his face, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. His slender fingers toyed with the black translator, a stark contrast against his pale skin. His eyes rested on Tong Yang, their meaning unclear.

"Mr. Maynard, my sincerest apologies. May I have my device back?"

Maynard chuckled. "A little black mouse. Come in."

Tong Yang entered the lounge, and Xu Jingya immediately closed the door behind her.

"I'm terribly sorry. I accidentally spilled some red wine earlier. While freshening up in the lounge, I casually set the translator down and was in such a hurry when I left that I forgot it."

The smile on Maynard's face remained unchanged. "Lovely lady, do you know where I found it?"

Tong Yang was taken aback. She hadn't had time to ask Xu Junyue where she'd hidden the thing.

Tong Yang couldn't answer, her eyes scanning the room.

"It's only normal the young lady doesn't remember if she just set it down casually," Maynard said, lifting his chin to indicate the half-body plaster statue to the right of the coffee table. "In its hand."

Tong Yang: "..."

Xu Junyue truly is a one-of-a-kind talent!

"My apologies, that was careless of me," Tong Yang said with a bow.

Careless in believing Xu Junyue could handle this task alone!

Indeed, anything remotely related to intellect should never be entrusted to her.

"No matter," Maynard's attitude was ambiguous, neither clearly pleased nor angry. "However, I am a little curious, miss. Do you need to use a translator?"

Tong Yang nodded. "Of course. I know fewer than five English words. The only dialogue I can understand is self-introductions."

Maynard gave a light laugh, a vibration emanating from his chest. "That must be troublesome for you," he said ambiguously.

"I just came here with my older sister to see the world. I'm sorry, it was entirely my carelessness that caused this trouble," Tong Yang said earnestly.

Trying to argue that she hadn't heard anything at this point would be superfluous. Better to just admit it outright. Maynard seemed a bit unhinged and didn't appear angry about it.

"So, you heard my conversation with Lady Margaret," Maynard said, leaning forward to gently place the translator on the coffee table.

"Yes," Tong Yang lowered her head.

"What did you hear?" Xu Jingya demanded sharply.

Tong Yang lowered her eyelids. "I heard everything."

"I realized I'd lost the translator and wanted to come back for it immediately, but Mr. Maynard and Lady Margaret had already entered the lounge. After hearing your conversation, I was even more afraid to knock."

"If I hadn't discovered it, you planned to act as if nothing happened?" Maynard asked.

"Yes."

The corners of Maynard's mouth lifted. "You are an honest child."

"I'm sorry."

Maynard smiled. "I forgive honest children. What you heard wasn't anything important anyway."

Tong Yang bowed her head again. "Thank you."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"A minor."

"When is your birthday?"

"June."

"Mr. Maynard, may I leave now? My sister is waiting for me," Tong Yang said.

"No need to hurry. I'm sure your sister would be very reassured to know you're with me."

"Being with Mr. Maynard is certainly trustworthy. It's just that if my sister finds out I offended you, she will definitely punish me."

Maynard was puzzled, "Why punish an honest child?"

Maynard's attitude was somewhat strange, as if he was deliberately teasing her.

"Because I am not honest."

"In that case, you are an even more honest person."

"Miss Margaret, you must know who her sister is. Could you please go out and inform her that this young lady and I are having a pleasant conversation and there is no offense whatsoever?"

Xu Jingya wasn't sure what Maynard was up to. She nodded suspiciously, "When I came, I did see them."

"Then go ahead."

Xu Jingya's eyes shifted between the two of them. Finally, she opened the door and left the room.

As the door opened and closed, Tong Yang stood in place, looking at Maynard with great wariness.

However, there were only the two of them in the room. Perhaps she could subdue him alone, and things would become much simpler again.

Thinking of it this way, it seemed like a good opportunity.

Tong Yang took two steps forward and asked, "Mr. Maynard, may I leave now?"

"Miss Margaret will relay the message for you. No need to worry. Have a seat and let's chat."

Tong Yang sat on the opposite sofa. On the coffee table were fruits and a fruit knife. As long as the distance was right, she was confident she could control him in an instant.

"What would you like to talk to me about?" Tong Yang asked.

Maynard said, "Do you know there is a traitor among us?"

Tong Yang nodded, "I heard a little."

"Among so many guests, who do you think might be the traitor?"

Tong Yang's heart sank. Deliberately asking her such a question clearly meant he already had suspicions.

"Mr. Maynard, I don't know. Are you suspecting me?"

Maynard retorted, "Can't I suspect you?"

"You are the esteemed Mr. Maynard. On Hake Island, you have the final say in everything."

Maynard let out an ambiguous laugh. "Young lady, you don't seem to hold me in particularly high regard."

"What do you consider as showing respect?"

"It's hard to define."

"Mr. Maynard, do you have a suspect in mind?"

Maynard lifted his long eyelashes slightly. "Yes."

"Who?"

"What do you think?"

"How dare I comment on the person you suspect."

"Perhaps you know."

Tong Yang narrowed her eyes, placed her hands on the edge of the coffee table, scrutinized the man opposite her, and said with a smile, "Mr. Maynard, to be frank, you give me a feeling... a very annoying one."

Maynard was taken aback. "Annoying? Why?"

Tong Yang stared straight at him, suddenly let out a derisive snort, leaned back, and pressed against the sofa. "I dislike clever people."

"Especially those who are both clever and elusive."

Maynard silently lowered his gaze. "I see. My apologies."

"Why apologize? Esteemed Mr. Maynard?"

Tong Yang suddenly stood up from her seat. Her high heels clicked on the floor as she walked over to stand before Maynard.

"Mr. Maynard, you kept me here alone. Surely you must have some thoughts?"

Tong Yang bent over, her right hand resting on his shoulder, her knee pressing against the sofa, trapping him there.

Maynard calmly averted his gaze. "No."

"Mr. Maynard, why don't you dare to look at me?" Tong Yang grabbed his chin, forcibly turning his face towards her. Her body sank down, almost sitting on his lap.

Maynard's skin was very fair; a little force would leave her mark.

The moment their scorching gazes met, Maynard's Adam's apple bobbed.

"My sister said all men are carnivores. Mr. Maynard, are you one?"

Tong Yang leaned in, her warm lips landing on his ear, feeling the man's body tremble.

She raised her head and crashed into a pair of profound eyes.

The emotion in those eyes was something Tong Yang had never felt before.

"Mr. Maynard, why aren't you speaking?"

Tong Yang's lips paused at his jawline, her cool mask pressing against it.

Maynard gripped her waist, his eyes dark as ink. "Get down."

"You let go first, then say that."

Maynard's breathing became rapid, but the hand on her waist didn't budge an inch.

Tong Yang's lips traced a path along his jawline upwards, teasingly close yet distant.

Just as they were about to meet, Maynard actively brought his lips closer.

Tong Yang's movement halted. Maynard immediately tightened his grip on her waist, his strength considerable.

"Want to kiss me?" Tong Yang asked.

Maynard didn't answer, but his eyes honestly expressed the thoughts in his heart.

"Where's your sincerity? Take off the mask yourself."

Maynard moistened his lips. "I can't."

Tong Yang lifted the corner of her mouth, the warmth gradually fading from her eyes.

The hand pinching his cheek shifted to grab his tie.

"Whose idea was this?"

"Dr. Wu. The condition for joining them was to cooperate with him."

"Are you Maynard?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"...Yes. I can explain."

"When?"

"After this is over."

Tong Yang pushed him back onto the sofa, turned around, and strode away.

Now it made sense why He Jingjing and Chu Shiyu from World A were nowhere to be found.

Once this is over, she would personally deal with that damned fox, Wu Pingxue!

The gathering on Hake Island wasn't to find the traitor, but to gather all members of "Black Storm" on an isolated island.

With all connections severed, the military could do as they pleased!!