novelhk Chapter 311 Dance and Interception
Chapter 311 Dance and Interception
Chapter 311 Dance and Interception
Lorne stared blankly at the black-haired, green-eyed figure not far away.
What's this guy doing here? Did he chase me all the way from Tingen to Backlund?
He recognized me? That doesn't make sense. My face looks different now than it did back in Tingen.
On the surface, Lorne remained calm, holding his wine glass and occasionally greeting the guests around him, but his eyes never left Leonard out of the corner of his eye.
"Get closer to him. His aura—it's somewhat familiar." Pales's deep, aged voice suddenly echoed in Leonard's mind.
"Familiar? Is this someone I've met before?" Leonard asked in a low voice.
"Maybe—" the aged voice came again, tinged with uncertainty.
Upon hearing this, Leonard's expression turned serious, and his previously relaxed and languid demeanor dissipated somewhat. He picked up a glass of champagne and walked discreetly toward Lorne's location.
Meanwhile, the donation drive also came to a temporary halt, and the evening entered a period of free exchange.
"Sherlock, James Scott is over there." Director Charles patted his assistant on the shoulder and gestured with his chin toward Lorne not far away. "Go talk to him about the investment while he's alone."
"I feel more like a male servant than an assistant," Klein muttered to himself, but the thought of the 150-pound field allowance made him put that insignificant resentment behind him.
Sigh—a male servant it is, it's for the sake of making a living, it's not shameful.
"Understood, Director." He nodded, straightened his slightly stiff dress tie, and then, holding his wine glass, walked towards Lorne.
"Mr. Scott, I am Sherlock—" he said as he approached his target, mentally organizing his words.
However, when he was only seven or eight steps away from the other person, a slight chill crept up his spine.
Because of his role as "Mr. Rustig," he has recently become particularly sensitive to all kinds of stares.
Is he observing others? Or is someone observing him?
Klein almost immediately sensed the unusual atmosphere around him; several faint gazes seemed to be intertwined in the area.
Wait a minute! Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling? — His spiritual intuition as a "fortune teller" kicked in, and a bad premonition suddenly surged into his heart.
Almost instinctively, he turned his head slightly in the direction James Scott was looking, and with just a glance, he saw the black-haired, green-eyed figure that sent chills down his spine.
Holy crap! What's Leonard doing here?!
No, this world is too small!
Klein instantly recalled his intense battle with the "Red Glove" when he was impersonating him.
That time I was disguised as "Red Gloves," and you came to catch me. Now, I'm just a tool at the party, and here I am again! Are you really going to keep clinging to your old comrade?
?
"That person's back view... looks familiar." Leonard, who was getting closer, also noticed Klein, who was standing next to Lorne and about to strike up a conversation.
"It seems like I've seen this somewhere before?!" Leonard frowned slightly, trying hard to remember.
Damn it! He's coming this way!
Seeing Leonard heading straight towards them, Klein decisively turned his head away.
As a "night watchman," it's reasonable for Leonard to appear in plainclothes at such a prestigious gathering to perform his guard duties. But with so many "night watchmen" in Backlund, why was it Leonard, the one who knows him best, chosen?
Although he had taken some steps to disguise himself, altering his hairline and putting on a fake beard, he ultimately didn't use any professional, extraordinary tools. What if—what if he were seen through at close range? The consequences—the Tingen affair, the red glove affair—a bead of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.
No, I have to leave quickly—Klein had just taken a step when he suddenly stopped.
Leonard has likely already noticed me, and turning away suddenly now would be too deliberate and would only arouse his suspicion!
Just then.
"Detective Moriarty? It's you."
A sudden greeting startled Klein. He turned around in surprise and found that James Scott had somehow appeared beside him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came with my boss," Klein replied.
"The boss?" Lorne raised an eyebrow, a code name flashing through his mind.
Could it be the 5 of Clubs?
Just when you're about to fall asleep, someone brings you a pillow! Seeing that Scott took the initiative to strike up a conversation, Klein was overjoyed and immediately made a gesture of "let's talk in private".
Lorne nodded immediately and followed him to a relatively quiet corner in the distance of the banquet hall. At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, we're temporarily out of that show-off cop's sight.
"Old man, what should we do? James Scott and that guy are gone. Should we chase after them?" Seeing that the target was out of sight, Leonard lowered his body, covered his mouth, and asked softly.
"No." A slightly aged voice in his mind spoke hesitantly, "I have a bad feeling."
Tonight's party is more lively than we expected.
"If you keep observing like this, you might attract the attention of certain people."
"Some people? Who are they?" Leonard pressed.
"————" Pales did not answer.
Seeing this, Leonard's expression turned somewhat serious: "But my mission isn't finished yet? Just like that—"
"That James Scott is definitely an Extraordinary, I'm certain of that," Pales affirmed. "His sequence should be even higher than yours."
"Taller than me—" Leonard's brow furrowed even more. "And the person next to him? Doesn't he look familiar?"
"Uh—yes, a little."
"I understand the investment stuff. But it's not convenient to talk about it right now."
"Could we discuss this in more detail after the party?"
"Let's also talk about Dr. Allen."
In the corner, Klein briefly explained Charles's intention to invest in the foundation.
Lorne quickly realized that it was Sherlock's nominal superior, a director of a detective guild, who wanted to make an investment.
To be honest, he was quite wary of the power behind this detective. But making some contact wouldn't be a bad idea. After all, having such a powerful backer would greatly improve his situation.
Therefore, he did not directly refuse the other party's request, but simply planned to wait a while.
"No problem." Klein nodded. His main task was to relay the message, and now that James Scott had agreed, his mission was complete.
As for other things, those are not his concern as the "little assistant".
At this moment, melodious dance music slowly began to play in the banquet hall.
"Are we really going to dance?" — Although Sheriff Huntington had explained the procedure to him beforehand, Lorne still felt a little uncomfortable when the music actually started.
If it were a regular aristocratic gala, there might have been an opening dance. However, considering the special nature of this charity gala, only this one dance segment for free interaction was arranged in the middle.
What to do now? He didn't bring a female companion. Normally, in this kind of segment, the men would choose to dance the first dance with their wives or female companions—Lorne looked around and found that quite a few men had already locked onto their partners and were preparing to go up and invite them to dance.
He noticed that the two royal family members were undoubtedly the most popular, and they were already surrounded by a number of guests eager to be invited to dance.
However, Lorne also noticed that quite a few subtle glances were falling on him. He guessed it was because his donation of ten thousand had caused many people to have some thoughts about him.
However, no one has approached us to dance or chat yet. Are they still observing?
He strolled over to the long table set with exquisite pastries, picked up a glass of red wine, and took a small sip to mask his slight unease.
"How about I take the initiative?"
"Was Prince Edsack just now trying to ask me to dance?" Audrey Hall stood slightly off to the side of the crowd, her emerald eyes reflecting the prince's figure. "However, he's currently being held up by Earl Hillay."
""
She tilted her head slightly; as an "audience member," she could clearly perceive the subtle emotional changes in others.
"Um... I feel like he gives me a different impression than before. The way he looks at me, no, at all the ladies, there's a hint of... annoyance?"
"That's strange."
After glancing at the other guests a few more times, she turned her gaze to the other side of the banquet hall.
"James Scott is still alone. Is it because it's his first time attending something like this, and he's not used to it?"
Audrey couldn't help but admit that she was genuinely curious.
Initially, Fors and Hugh came to him for help, hoping he could get him out of the police station. Later, at the Tarot reading, Mr. "The World" also entrusted him with the task, wanting to save him as well.
At first, she suspected that Fors and Mr. "World" had planned it together. But after thinking about it carefully, she realized it was impossible; there was no reason for two people to come to her separately for the same person.
The only possible explanation is that this James Scott, in reality, knows both Mr. "The World" and Fors, and has a fairly good relationship with both of them.
"I spoke with Grylint about him, hoping to see if I could use his connections to get James Scott bailed out," Audrey recalled.
She never expected that just a few days later, the other party would be released, even making the news, and successfully getting in touch with the authorities.
To be honest, she thinks she might have had some influence on this matter, but it's unlikely that it was entirely her fault.
"I guess the authorities themselves didn't want to make things difficult for him; Grelint at most just fueled the flames," she offered a rational analysis.
"Audrey Hall—has no one invited her yet?"
Lorne noticed that familiar gaze once again.
It seems that Miss Hall belongs to the type of person who is good at observation, which explains why I felt something was off.
Hmm—the captain's scholarly, inquisitive gaze was somewhat similar, yet different—Lorne recalled the "Iceberg Admiral's" usual look.
"Should I take the initiative to invite him to dance?" Lorne pondered softly. "It would be a good opportunity to express my gratitude while dancing, and also to discuss the return gift."
It seems like it might not be a bad idea? It's better than just standing there like an idiot.
Thinking this, he put down his wine glass, straightened his bow tie, and strode through the small groups of people, heading straight towards Audrey Hall.
"What's wrong? Didn't James Scott ask you to dance?" Congressman Macht came to his daughter's side, looking at her slightly forlorn expression, and asked in a low voice.
"Hmm." Hazel pursed her lips, saying nothing more.
Actually, it wasn't that no one else wanted to ask her to dance. But her haughty, condescending attitude caused the men who had their eyes on her to quickly shift their attention elsewhere.
This young lady certainly has a long way to go in terms of social skills and emotional management.
"He didn't come?" Congressman Macht asked, somewhat surprised. The speech session was over, and there wouldn't be any reporters taking pictures now; dancing wouldn't convey any particular political meaning. He assumed that James Scott, with his shrewdness, would know how to maintain this newly established good relationship.
"Where is he?" He tried to find him in the crowd.
"Ah, it's over there."
Hazel followed her father's gaze and saw James Scott approaching from a distance. But—
The direction he was heading in—
She followed Lorne's path forward, eventually stopping on a young girl surrounded by several noblewomen, yet still unable to conceal her own radiance—Audrey Hall.
It seems he's going to invite Miss Hall.
Heyr felt a sudden tightness in her chest.
Uh—no! You were just comforting me, saying I could surpass her, and then you turned around and went to dance with her yourself? Is that right?!
"He seems quite bold—" Congressman Macht also noticed this, and his expression became somewhat awkward.
As a politician, he could understand the other party's behavior. But—after all, his daughter was standing right beside him—
"Hmph—" Hazel let out a very soft, displeased snort from her nose, then abruptly turned her head away, not wanting to look anymore.
She knew she had no right to be angry, but the pent-up frustration in her heart just wouldn't go away.
"Sigh—" Senator Macht was at a loss for words when he saw this. Seeing his daughter's "needs some peace and quiet" look, he chose to quietly step back a few steps, giving her some space.
"I still need to talk to James Scott later," he thought to himself.
Uh?
However, a sight that utterly astonished him appeared. His proud daughter, Hazel, who never showed any weakness, walked straight past him, heading straight to intercept James Scott! This—this was completely unlike her!
James Scott walked towards him —
Audrey, who had been keeping an eye on Lorne out of the corner of her eye, naturally noticed his actions.
Was he asking me to dance?
-
The thought flashed through Audrey's mind instantly. Very likely. He might be trying to use this opportunity to ask why she had been observing him earlier.
The authorities have always been strict with untrained extraordinary individuals, and given his current fame, he's bound to care about this. It wouldn't hurt to explain it to him while we're dancing. And—we could also subtly inquire about Fors and Mr. "The World."
Thinking this, Audrey maintained an elegant and proper smile, slightly adjusted her posture, and prepared herself to wait for the other party to extend an invitation.
However, just as Lorne was only a few steps away from her, a slender and tall figure suddenly cut in from the side, blocking his way perfectly.
Huh? Audrey's perfect smile froze for a moment.
Has he been robbed of the opportunity?
Lorne stared in surprise at Hazel, who had suddenly appeared before him. He was taken aback at first, then keenly noticed that many curious gazes were now focused on him.
He quickly adjusted his expression, flashed a standard social smile, and gave a graceful and standard bow.
"Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of dancing with you?"
Hazel glanced at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and without saying a word, simply extended her hand.
Is she angry? Lorne felt a little strange, but still politely took her hand and led her to the dance floor. As they danced to the soothing melody, Lorne quickly realized something was wrong. Hazel's movements seemed off. Her own movements were slightly stiff due to her lack of practice, but Hazel always seemed to perfectly match her movements, and—she even seemed to know about her little habit of slightly bending her knees to match Hugh's.
"You are not Hazel," Lorne said in a low voice, in a volume only the two of them could hear.
"—" The person in his arms didn't speak, but focused on the dance itself, using precise guidance to make up for Lorne's lack of skill.
"Hmm—" Lorne pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Is it you, Ms. Sharon?"
Upon hearing this, the person in her arms slightly raised their head and said in a cool, ethereal tone, "You've realized it a little too late."
"Is this someone blaming me?" A hint of embarrassment flashed through Lorne's mind. He coughed lightly and pressed, "When did you arrive?"
"I was there while you were comforting her—"
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