Amber Liu was a straightforward, confident girl—she must have suffered something serious to look this hurt. Now she was Minister Frank Lu’s temporary secretary, and even in a temporary role, nobody would dare bully her lightly. So whoever did must have real backing.
Ian had no romantic designs on Amber, but he did treat her as a friend. If Frank Lu ever bullied her again, Ian would have to teach him a lesson. To a true powerhouse, a minister was nothing.
The day passed in a flash. Near the end of the workday, Ryan Zhou suddenly approached Ian and invited him to a banquet.
“Landon, tonight’s banquet isn’t just for First Deputy Mayor Victor Yang—lots of Plumridge City’s big shots will be there. If you can make some connections, it’ll help your career down the line.”
“Thanks for the tip, Captain Zhou. I’ll make the most of it.” Ian smiled.
“Good. You’ve already made captain, and that’s a fast track. I bet you’ll catch up to me soon. Work hard and don’t let me down!” Ryan Zhou patted Ian on the shoulder before heading off.
Ian was always grateful for Ryan Zhou’s support. Of course, he understood that Zhou’s help was also about recruiting him for the Zhou Family.
The banquet was set for 7:30 p.m. on the eighty-eighth floor of the World Nations Hotel.
To attend a banquet, you had to dress up. So after work, Ian went shopping for a suit with Lynn Ning.
Just before 7:30, Ian arrived at the World Nations Hotel, handed over his invitation, and was shown to the dedicated elevator by the doorman. He rode it all the way up to the eighty-eighth floor.
The banquet hall was huge and spacious, decorated in extravagant style. Rare plants from other planets were everywhere, and the servers were all rabbit-girl beastfolk.
Rabbit-girls were gentle and obedient. After training, they made for the best attendants.
Although the banquet hadn’t officially started yet, plenty of guests had already arrived. Ian scanned the room, saw no one he knew, and simply grabbed a glass of wine and retreated to a quiet corner.
As the start time drew near, more and more people began to arrive.
For example, when First Deputy Mayor Victor Yang entered arm-in-arm with his wife Keiko Yamaguchi, a huge crowd immediately gathered to greet them.
Frank Lu, the newly promoted minister of the City Special Police, actually arrived earlier with his wife Grace Shen. They were accompanied by their younger relative, Lynn Shen.
What surprised Ian even more was that Amber Liu had come too.
She wore a conservative dark-blue evening gown, her eyes a little timid—it was obvious this was her first time at a banquet like this.
Soon after, Ian saw Ryan Zhou arrive, hand-in-hand with a middle-aged woman who was likely his wife.
Amber Liu made a circuit of the hall, brushed off a few spoiled rich kids trying to hit on her, and finally spotted Ian hiding in the corner. She hurried over to join him.
“Landon, what are you doing here?”
“Captain Zhou gave me an invitation. What about you?”
Amber Liu’s expression was a bit complicated. “The minister gave me an invitation and told me to come.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing through them. He’d just seen Frank Lu’s wife Grace Shen—her looks were nothing special. Frank was young, powerful, and a two-star Psychic Adept. It was hard not to suspect he had designs on Amber Liu.
Since neither Ian nor Amber knew many people at the banquet, they simply stayed in the corner, drinking and chatting.
Lynn Shen’s looks were only average, but her social network was wide. She glided through the hall with a glass of wine, greeting people left and right. Suddenly, her gaze paused—she’d spotted Ian and Amber Liu in the corner.
“So Landon showed up too?”
But when she got a good look at Amber Liu’s face, jealousy surged in her chest, and she quickly hatched a spiteful plan.
Lynn Shen spun around and walked over to a pale-faced young man.
His name was Shawn Shen, another Shen Clan member and a Psychic Adept. Unfortunately, he’d wasted his potential on wine and women—he’d been a Psychic Adept for five years, but his spiritual strength was only just at 5 points. Still, as long as he reached two-star Psychic Adept before thirty, the family would keep investing in him.
“Shawn, I’ve spotted a top-tier beauty. Interested?”
Lynn Shen whispered to Shawn Shen.
Shawn followed Lynn’s gaze and saw Amber Liu laughing with Ian. His eyes lit up. “She really is something. Too bad she’s already got a guy with her!”
Lynn kept egging him on. “Shawn, I know that guy’s background—he’s just a small-time Special Police officer. With your status, how could you lose to him over a girl?”
Shawn nodded, pleased. “Exactly. What right does a lowly cop have to compete with me for a woman? He’s way out of his league!”
With that, Shawn strode straight toward Ian and Amber Liu, Lynn trailing behind, eager to watch the show.
Shawn soon reached them, putting on what he thought was a suave, elegant smile. He addressed Amber Liu: “Miss, may I invite you to share a drink?”
Amber Liu stared blankly for a moment, then raised her glass and smiled. “Sir, I’ll drink to you.”
She drained her wine, then continued, “Thank you for the invitation, but I’ve finished my drink. Now, could you please leave and not interrupt my conversation with my friend?”
Awkward—very awkward.
Shawn hadn’t expected to be toyed with by a woman, and anger welled up in his chest. He drained his glass and pressed on: “Miss, may I ask you to dance?”
“Sorry, I don’t know how!” Amber Liu shook her head, blunt and direct.
Lynn Shen chimed in, “Miss, do you know who this is? He’s Shawn Shen, young master of the Shen Clan—one of Plumridge City’s Five Great Families—and a distinguished Psychic Adept. He’s far superior to that little Special Police officer beside you.”
Her eyes filled with scorn. “I don’t know what the banquet security was thinking, letting some lowly Special Police officer in here!”
Amber Liu spoke up, “Sorry, miss, but I’m a Special Police officer too! Landon, since we’re not welcome, let’s just go.”
“Fine by me!” Ian nodded. “I thought this would be a classy event, but it turns out there are still dogs barking. It’s annoying—let’s just leave.”
Lynn Shen exploded in anger. “Landon, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling me a dog?”
“I didn’t say that, but if you insist on taking it that way, I don’t mind.” Ian shrugged, unconcerned.
“You bastard! Do you believe I can keep you from taking another step out of here?” Lynn Shen screeched.
“I don’t believe it.” Ian shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes.