"Alright!"
Ian Song and Amber Liu promptly produced their invitations. The guards’ expressions shifted instantly; with just a glance, they could tell the invitations were genuine.
"We apologize, sir and miss. Please keep your invitations safe!"
The two guards respectfully handed the invitations back. With a real invitation, they were honored guests, and offending such guests could get the guards punished.
"I don’t believe it! You must have stolen those invitations!"
Suddenly, Lynn Shen snatched both invitations and checked them. She saw that Ian’s was issued by the Zhou Family, and Amber’s by the Shen Clan.
Immediately, she shouted excitedly, "Just as I thought! These invitations are stolen! Look, everyone, look! They’re clearly marked Zhou Family and Shen Clan. They have no ties to either family, so how could they get these?"
Hearing Lynn’s words, the guards’ eyes grew hostile as they looked at Ian and Amber.
"Landon Lu’s invitation was issued by me, Ryan Zhou! Do you have a problem with that?"
At that moment, Ryan Zhou strode over, looking at Lynn Shen with open disgust.
Lynn Shen froze, stammering, "Uncle Zhou, why would you give an invitation to a petty thief like him?"
Ryan Zhou sneered, "Why not? Landon Lu has performed well in our Special Police Division. He’s already a captain at such a young age. What’s wrong with inviting him? But you, Lynn, even as a Shen, can’t just bully our Special Police officers because of your family ties. Don’t forget, your brother-in-law is the minister. Picking on his subordinate in public is a slap in his face!"
"I—" Lynn was left speechless for a moment. Suddenly, she spotted Amber Liu and pointed, "What about her? You didn’t give her invitation, did you? Hers is from the Shen Clan!"
"I gave her that invitation. Lynn, stop making trouble—Amber Liu is my temporary secretary."
Frank Lu and Grace Shen arrived together, Frank clearly displeased with his sister-in-law’s behavior.
"Brother-in-law, why would you invite her?" Lynn Shen protested, her voice rising.
Lynn Shen exclaimed, clearly upset.
"Enough, Lynn! If you keep this up, you’ll just embarrass yourself!" Frank Lu’s tone was sharp.
"I—"
Lynn Shen’s face flushed bright red, both anxious and angry. Shawn Shen quietly slipped aside, knowing there was no way to win today.
The commotion drew the attention of many guests.
Even First Deputy Mayor Victor Yang and his wife, Keiko Yamaguchi, walked over.
Everyone nearby greeted them respectfully.
"You’re Landon Lu?" Keiko Yamaguchi suddenly asked Ian Song.
"Yes, ma’am," Ian replied politely.
"You’re impressive. I’ve heard of your achievements."
"Thank you for your kind words, ma’am," Ian said humbly.
The surrounding guests looked on with envy. This young officer had caught the eye of the deputy mayor’s wife.
"So, what happened here just now?" Keiko Yamaguchi continued.
Frank Lu and Lynn Shen both tensed. If Landon revealed the truth, the Shen Clan would be publicly humiliated—after all, Lynn had been making a scene from the start.
"It’s nothing, just a small misunderstanding. It’s all settled now," Ian said with a smile.
"Good to hear," Keiko Yamaguchi nodded.
"Young man, keep up the good work. I’m rooting for you," Victor Yang added, his tone full of encouragement.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Mayor Yang! I’ll do my best!" Ian replied quickly, though he thought to himself, If you knew your wife was under my control, would you still say that?
With that, the incident was resolved.
Still, Ian and Amber felt increasingly uncomfortable staying, so after Victor Yang and Keiko Yamaguchi left, they quietly exited the banquet.
In a private room inside the hotel, Frank Lu glared at Lynn Shen, his tone stern: "Lynn, I know you have a grudge against Landon, but look at where you are. This isn’t the place for you to make a scene."
"Brother-in-law, I’m sorry. It’s just that Landon was so arrogant—I couldn’t help myself!" Lynn Shen said, aggrieved.
"Lynn, you’re not a child anymore. You need to know your limits. Besides, it’s lucky Landon didn’t expose you—otherwise, your brother-in-law would’ve been in a tough spot!" Grace Shen added gently but firmly.
"Sis, brother-in-law, I really know I was wrong!" Lynn Shen said earnestly.
"Good. Remember, even if you want to cause trouble for Landon, don’t be so obvious. First, he’s a registered Psychic Adept. Second, he has the Zhou Family’s protection. Third, he’s already a captain. Even I wouldn’t dare move against him lightly…" Frank Lu warned, his expression relaxing a bit.
Outside the World Nations Hotel, Ian went to get the car and asked Amber to wait for him.
But as Ian drove back, he spotted a man pestering Amber—none other than Shawn Shen from the banquet.
Ian got out of the car and overheard Shawn’s pitch.
"Miss Liu, Landon Lu is just a lowly Special Police officer. If you come with me, I’ll buy you a three-million-credit flying car! If you want, I can even take you to other planets for interstellar travel!" Shawn Shen offered.
Amber Liu looked exasperated. "Mr. Shen, could you please stop bothering me?"
"Miss Liu, you have to believe I’m sincere! My feelings for you are real!" Shawn Shen insisted.
"I bet you say that to every woman," Amber shot back.
Just then, Ian walked over, a playful look on his face as he spoke up.