Chapter 1510: Chapter 1510

Jim Adler’s voice was steady over the phone, clear and professional even through the faint crackle of the line.

"Miss Lucia," he began, "I’m calling on behalf of Mr. Zhao Li Xin. He asked me to inform you that he has accepted your invitation to meet. However..." His tone dipped slightly, carrying that deliberate calm that hinted there was more. "Mrs. Zhao will be the one to determine the meeting place."

For a moment, there was silence, and then a soft chuckle drifted through the receiver. Lucia leaned back in her chair, swirling the red wine in her glass as a sly smile curved her lips.

"Oh?" she murmured, her voice lilting with amusement. "I suppose she’s still upset. How cute." A mocking laugh followed, smooth and velvety like the wine she savored. "Very well. I’ll wait for her summons, then."

Jim didn’t comment. His professionalism left no room for emotion. "Understood, Miss Lucia. I’ll relay your response to Mr. Zhao." Soon after, the call ended with a polite click.

Lucia lingered, the phone still in her hand as her smile deepened into something colder, edged with amusement. She took a slow sip of wine, savoring the dark richness as if it were the taste of a private joke.

To her, Lory was nothing more than Zhao Li Xin’s pampered-clueless wife, a decorative little thing who rode on her husband’s fame to slip into high society, eager to show her dominance in front of the world.

If only Lucia had the faintest clue about the woman she had provoked. If only she knew that the woman she dismissed so easily was Princess Lorient, the most influential and powerful woman in the world, who had carved her name into history by her own strength.

Lucia phone ringging, she took her phone then a smirk spread across her face "Are you here—oh?" the bell of her room suddenly heard. Lucia squint her eyes, she put down the wine glass then walk to the door, she peek from the peep hole then let out a smirk.

A tall man lingered before the suite door, clad in dark jeans and a black hoodie drawn low over his head. The dim hallway light barely touched the angles of his face, hidden further behind black sunglasses and a disposable mask.

With his hands tucked casually in his pockets, he exuded an air of unbothered defiance, as if secrecy was second nature to him.

The door opened, then without a word, he stepped inside Lucia’s suite, the faint scent of her expensive perfume mingling with the cool air-conditioning.

The moment the door closed behind him, he peeled off his disguise piece by piece, the hoodie first, then the mask, then the glasses, setting them on the marble counter in quiet, deliberate movements.

Lucia watched him from the lounge, a glass of red wine in hand, her crimson lips curving into a mocking smile. "My gosh, Sean," she drawled, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You actually dared to abandon your post? How brave of you." Her laughter was low and teasing, almost feline. "I wonder what your older brother would say."

Sean ignored her snide remark entirely. His gaze remained steady, almost cold as he met Lucia’s amused eyes. "Enough," he said flatly, his tone laced with impatience. "Let’s make this quick."

Lucia arched a brow, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. "Mrs. Zhao will choose the meeting place," she replied, swirling the red wine in her glass. "So I’m waiting for her call."

"She decided the place?" Sean’s brows drew together, a shadow passing over his face as his thoughts turned dark. The sudden change in his demeanor caught Lucia’s attention; curiosity flickered in her eyes, sharp and assessing.

"What are you so worried about?" she asked, her tone a mix of amusement and intrigue.

Sean exhaled slowly, his gaze hardening. "No," he said at last, his voice low but steady. "We can’t afford to underestimate this. Every detail matters, don’t forget where we are, once we make a wrong move, everything will be over." He paused, the weight of his words hanging thick in the air. "We only get one shot at this."

Lucia let out a derisive snort, the sharp click of her heels slicing through the silence as she strode toward the couch. She dropped into the cushions with a languid elegance, crossing her legs as if the world itself revolved around her comfort. Lifting her glass, she took a slow, deliberate sip, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"What’s there to worry about?" she said, her tone laced with mockery. "You think she’s scheming against me? Don’t be ridiculous." A cold laugh slipped past her painted lips. "She’s just throwing a tantrum, trying to look powerful because she can’t stand that I’ve been flirting with her husband."

Sean’s hand moved to his chin, fingers pinching lightly as his gaze grew distant. "No," he said slowly, his voice low and deliberate.

"I’ve met Raven Jane before. She’s calm, calculating, and fearless." His brows drew together, a flicker of unease shadowing his expression. "She doesn’t strike me as the type to throw her weight around like some petty, impulsive woman."

Lucia rolled her eyes dramatically. "I think you’re overestimating her. Maybe," she smirked, "because you like her?"

"Stop joking around, Luce." His voice sharpened with quiet reprimand. "This is an important mission. She might be able to give us valuable information about King Lucas’s current situation, and if she trully involve with the infiltration of Elysium she must know what Harland’s kindom planning."

"Yeah-yeah, whatever you say," Lucia drawled indifferently, shrugging one shoulder before taking another slow sip of her wine.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Heriond, Lory had already decided on the meeting place, a secluded, high-end restaurant managed by one of the top chefs in the kingdom.

The establishment was in remote area, hidden among the high building, and not easy to find. Yet, it was the most coveted dining spot in all of Heriond.

The restaurant, simply named The Amethyst, was so exclusive that it held only one table with six chair s that only accomodate six people.

Reservations could take months, even years, unless one was personally invited. Rumor had it the chef, who was also the owner, was a peculiar man, temperamental and famously indifferent to money or fame.

He cooked only when inspiration struck, and it didn’t matter who was asking; he even once refused to cook for Princess Alinna herself.

That was why Lucia couldn’t hide her surprise when she learned that Lory had managed to reserve a table at The Amethyst. It wasn’t merely impressive; it was nearly impossible. Then again, it only strengthened Lucia’s suspicion about Lory and Zhao Li Xin’s hidden connection to the Cestine Palace.

Later at night, when Lucia arrived at The Amethyst, she was greeted by a beautiful sight that made her steps falter. Before her eyes, the soft amber glow of the crystal chandeliers bathed the intimate dining room in warmth light that illuminating the couple seated at the center of the room as if they were the stars of a stage play.

The cold and stoic man, Zhao Li Xin, was in the midst of serving a delicate porcelain cup of tea to his wife with uncharacteristic gentleness. His lips that had never offered anyone genuine smile, now curved into a faint yet dazzling smile, the kind of smile that could stir the hearts of anyone who saw it, weather it was men or women.

His dark eyes, usually sharp and devoid of emotion, now brimmed with warmth and affection as they lingered on the woman’s face for far too long, as though he feared missing even the slightest change in her expression.

Lory accepted the cup with a radiant smile, her movements graceful and unhurried, the kind that spoke of long familiarity. It was evident she was accustomed to such treatment from Zhao Li Xin. The way he touched her was gentle, almost reverent, as if he were handling something precious and irreplaceable.

Lucia’s jaw tightened. Her teeth pressed together, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. Jealousy coiled low in her chest, sharp and bitter, like wine gone sour. Even now, she couldn’t understand the depth of his affection, the quiet tenderness he reserved only for his wife.

Yes, Lory was beautiful and more so now, with her once-bright red hair dyed into a soft walnut brown that framed her features with a subdued, elegant warmth.

The fiery allure she once carried had mellowed into something gentler, more serene. But beauty, no matter how good at is eventually will be decreased by everyday interaction. After years of marriage, even the most striking face should lose its novelty and become ordinary.

That’s why Lucia couldn’t make sense of it. based on the information she got, Lory and Zhao Li Xin had been married for almost eight years. How could a Men like Zhao Li Xin, who possesed with looks, wealth, and influence could stay devoted to his wife for years.

Lucia had met enough of them to know their patterns: they could play the part of loyal husbands in public, but behind closed doors, indulgence and infidelity came as easily as breathing. Power made it effortless to hide their sins.

But Zhao Li Xin... he wasn’t like them.

Lucia didn’t want to admit it, but it was clear as day,the way his eyes lit up when he looked at his wife, and howthe world around him seem dissapear and left only his wife.

Strangely, after she knew that, Lucia was undeterred, on the contrary she become more eager. Because she wanted to know what would it feel like to be look that way by him? To be held in those eyes, even for just a moment, she want to know ho does it feel.

But reality struck her like a splash of cold water. Two full minutes had passed since she entered, and still, neither Lory nor Zhao Li Xin had noticed her presence. At first, Lucia thought they were deliberately ignoring her, playing some elaborate game to humiliate her.

Sadly the truth was far worse. From the way they interacted, it was obvious they were utterly absorbed in each other, lost in a quiet world where no one else existed.

Her irritation simmered, sharp and bitter beneath her poised smile.

"Miss, may I take your coat?" a male attendant asked courteously. Read full story at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥

The male servant voice snapped her from her thought, "Thank you," Lucia replied curtly, slipping off her white fur coat and handing it to him.

The rustle of her coat finally drew attention. Lory turned first, her expression warm and composed, as if nothing were amiss.

"Miss Viora," she greeted smoothly, her voice polite yet poised with quiet confidence. "You’ve arrived. Please, have a seat."

Lory gestured gracefully toward the chair across from her, while Zhao Li Xin leaned back, his expression cooling once more into the stoic indifference that Lucia familiar with. Lucia returned Lory smile with practiced elegance, her demeanor calm and composed.

Lucia stole a glance at Zhao Li Xin, hoping, just for a second, that his eyes might find hers. But the man remained utterly indifferent. His attention lingered on his wife alone, his fingers idly twining a lock of her hair with, as though nothing in this room was worth his attention.

Lucia’s fist clenched beneath the table. Unbelievable. The man not only robbed her self-esteem and confidence, but he also robbed her wallet.

Who would’ve thought one of his paintings would cost her three months’ salary as a Paladin? Did that da*n woman really give her a discount, or raise the price just to spite her?

A servant stepped forward and politely pulled out the chair for her. Lucia sat down with stiff, practiced grace, her every movement measured.

Across the table, Lory’s smile remained warm and unshaken, effortlessly gracious, almost radiant. Yet to Lucia, that very smile felt like an open challenge, a silent declaration wrapped in civility.