Chapter 1511: Chapter 1511

"Ah, Miss Viora," Lory said sweetly. "You must try the seared scallops with butternut squash purée—I swear, the taste is heavenly." Her voice carried a teasing lilt, as if she were entertaining an old friend rather than an adversary.

Not to be outdone, Lucia smiled back just as brightly. "Thank you, Miss Jane."

"Oh, please," Lory feigned a bashful pout, pressing a hand to her cheek. "It’s embarrassing to be called Miss at my age. Call me Mrs. Zhao instead. I wouldn’t want people laughing at me. Isn’t that right, Li Xin?" Lory subtly reminded her that she is Zhao Li Xin’s wife, knowing it would provoke Lucia.

Lory placed her hand over Zhao Li Xin’s, a gesture both casual and possessive. Zhao Li Xin chuckled softly at Lory showing her sovereignty over him. After all, he indeed belongs to her since the moment they met.

Zhao Li Xin took Lory’s hand and brushed a tender kiss across her knuckles. "Who would dare laugh at you? My wife is still young and beautiful," he said, his voice laced with quiet indulgence. Then, with a faint, knowing smile, he added, "Though I admit... it pleases me when people call you Mrs. Zhao." His eyes gleamed with unmistakable possessiveness.

Lory’s cheeks flushed, a rosy hue softening her features as her lips curved into a playful pout. "Aww, stop, honey. Look—Miss Viora will laugh at us," she teased, glancing toward Lucia.

"I’m serious," Zhao Li Xin chuckled oftly then, his gaze locked on her. "You are still as beautiful as the day I met you, perhaps even more so." His eyes burned with quiet fire, completely unguarded.

Lory widened her eyes, flustered. "Honey, stooop!" she whispered, half-laughing, half-pleading. Her face turned a delicate shade of red.

Meanwhile, Lucia sat across from them, her fork frozen halfway to her lips. The food, exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated, and worth a small fortune, had suddenly become tasteless. She forced herself to chew, each bite heavier than the last, but her pride refused to let her put the fork down.

"Mrs. Zhao," Lory corrected without missing a beat.

The corner of Lucia’s lips twitched, though her painted smile never faltered. "Mrs. Zhao," she repeated, as if the words were coated with vinegar. "I suppose you’ve heard about Mr. De Rova’s intention to recruit your husband into the S.A.I.N.T. organization? Quite the honor, don’t you think?" Lucia probes Lory’s reaction.

Lory tilted her head, feigning a thoughtful expression. "Well, I don’t really have an opinion about that," she said with a careless shrug, her tone light, almost teasing.

Then Lory turned toward Zhao Li Xin with that bright, unguarded smile that always seemed to melt his stoic mask.

"As long as my husband’s happy, I’ll follow whatever decision he makes."

Zhao Li Xin glanced at her, warmth flickering behind his dark, cold eyes. "My wife is so good," he murmured, his tone carrying quiet affection.

Lucia drew in a slow, measured breath, maintaining her flawless smile. "How admirable," she said smoothly. "But Wellington Dolza would be the perfect place for him to expand his influence. And for you, Mrs. Zhao, it’s one of the most advanced and secure cities in the world. You’d have everything you could possibly desire there, prestige, connections, luxury... even something more." Her eyes sparkled, though her voice dripped with honey. "It’s far more suitable than staying here, don’t you think?"

Lory rested her chin on her hand, studying Lucia with an expression halfway between amusement and pity. "You make it sound as if Heriond City is dull."

Lucia let out a soft chuckle, though her jaw tightened beneath the polite mask. "Oh, come now. Heriond isn’t bad, but you’re not exactly a priority for Harland. In Wellington, however, you’d have the S.A.I.N.T. organization’s support—and there, that means everything. You could live like royalty. Like a king."

Lory tapped a finger thoughtfully against her chin, feigning consideration. "Hmm. Like a king, you say? That sounds too good to be true." Her gaze narrowed.

"Well, I’m not lying," Lucia replied with a light shrug, spreading her hands nonchalantly. "You could see for yourself."

"So what’s your plan for us, Miss Viora?" Lory asked in an airy tone, her curiosity deceptively casual.

"I could be your personal guide," Lucia offered, her gaze turning toward Zhao Li Xin, deliberate and suggestive. "I can show Mr. Zhao what our country has to offer."

"Personally?" Lory arched a brow, her lips curving into a smile that was cold and sharp beneath its charm. "You’re very thoughtful, Miss Viora. I didn’t realize you could be so... attentive."

"I am," Lucia replied evenly, refusing to be rattled. "After all, it’s hard not to care for someone as remarkable as Mr. Zhao, wouldn’t you agree?" She let her attraction show plainly now, her eyes gleaming with challenge.

"Mmm, you’re right," Lory hummed, her smile widening with dangerous sweetness. "But unfortunately, my husband was never much of a people person. He doesn’t like to interact with strangers too much. Isn’t that right, honey?"

"Yes," Zhao Li Xin answered briskly, not even looking at Lucia. "I don’t like strangers—especially those who wear too much perfume." He twitched his nose slightly, a subtle expression of discomfort.

Lucia’s face darkened. "I... I see. My apologies." Her perfect smile trembled at the edges, struggling to hold beneath Zhao Li Xin’s deliberate mockery. "I didn’t realize you were sensitive to smell, Mr. Zhao. Don’t worry—I’ll be careful from now on."

Zhao Li Xin regarded her with a blank stare. "It’s fine. It’s got nothing to do with me."

The words were dismissive, cutting, final—implying he had no intention of spending time with her, no matter what she wore.

Lucia nearly choked on her own composure. What a cruel, insufferable man!

Yet, ever the professional, Lucia’s mental fortitude did not break easily. She forced herself to recover, her voice brightening to the point of desperation. "Still... It’s not a bad idea to move to Wellington. We could provide the finest accommodations, exclusive services—and if you ever feel unwell or need spiritual guidance, we could even arrange an audience with the Saintess herself. Isn’t that wonderful?"

Zhao Li Xin’s face remained unreadable. He turned to Lory. "Do you want to move there?"

"No," Lory replied instantly.

Zhao Li Xin nodded once, then faced Lucia again. "No, thank you."

Lucia’s smile nearly cracked. ’No, thank you’? What did that even mean? She wasn’t some cheap vendor hawking trinkets to passing tourists! Did this couple have any idea what kind of opportunity they were refusing? How much power and influence could they gain?

She forced a smile so tight it almost hurt. Unbelievable. These two were either naïve or they were planning something big.

"Well, if you say so." Lucia’s tone was breezy, but her knuckles whitened beneath the table. Her fingers curled into a tight fist, hidden beneath the folds of the napkin. Her eyes flicked discreetly to the watch on her wrist. The second hand inched forward—almost time.

She bit her lip, suppressing the rush of anticipation that surged through her veins. Her pulse quickened, her smile trembling at the corners as she glanced once more at Zhao Li Xin and Lory sitting so serenely across from her—completely unaware of what was about to unfold.

BANG! The source of this content ɪs 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥

The door exploded open, the sound shattering the calm like thunder. Something small and metallic clattered across the floor, rolling to a stop near the center of the room.

Before anyone could react, a blinding flash erupted—white light swallowing everything in an instant.

Lory’s breath caught in her throat as her vision blurred; the brilliance seared through her eyes, followed by a strange, electric sting racing across her skin.

Her muscles spasmed, her body refusing to obey her will. Zhao Li Xin moved instinctively, trying to pull her close, but his hand froze midair. A split second later, both collapsed, the world spinning into nothingness.

Through the settling haze, footsteps echoed—measured, heavy, and precise.

The first figure appeared, clad in black tactical armor, his mask obscuring his face. Behind him came another, then two more, silent, disciplined, purposeful.

Lucia exhaled sharply, puffing her cheeks in mock impatience. "Finally. Took you long enough."

Sean’s voice, muffled by his mask, was calm and clipped. "We have limited time. The King’s men will respond any minute."

"What about the servants? The chef?" Timothy asked, his voice low, eyes gleaming with unrestrained malice. "They’ve seen too much. We could—"

Sean shot him a sharp look. "No. Let them go. If we start a massacre, King Lucas and the Archknights will hunt us to the ends of the continent."

Timothy scowled, disappointed. "Tch. Always the cautious one."

Lucia crossed her arms, her tone clipped but steady. "He’s right. We’re not here to start a war. Just take them and move."

Sean gave her a curt nod, then gestured to his team. Two operatives lifted Zhao Li Xin, and another moved to secure Lory. The air was thick with tension, the scent of ozone and perfume mingling with the faint trace of smoke from the flash device.

Lucia watched as they worked, her gaze settling on Lory’s motionless form. For a moment, her expression softened, not with pity, but satisfaction. Now we’ll see who really holds the power between us.

"Let’s go," Sean ordered.

Within seconds, the masked men carried the unconscious couple out the same way they’d come, quick, efficient, leaving behind only the shattered glass, the overturned chair,the faint, acrid scent of burnt air and few scared servant.