Luna Durant’s emotions were visibly reflected in her expression. She raised her eyebrows, then quickly seed triumphant. She lifted her chin slightly, glanced at Stella Durant, and smiled.
Stella Durant smiled wryly, and asked Frank Ford, "Master Ford, what do you think?"
"It’s fine to team up, but first we need to confirm our schedule so we don’t interfere with each other," Frank Ford casually replied, following protocol, "I still need to report to my ntor."
After he finished speaking, Stella and Luna instinctively looked at Nora Scott. Nora didn’t speak, but she did frown slightly.
The two imdiately felt more assured.
"Let’s do it then," Stella glanced away and turned to Jared Oliveira, "We’ll offer the sa price, is that agreeable to you?"
"Loulanel..." Jared Oliveira rested his elbow on the table, twirling the teacup with his slender fingers, and not a drop spilled. He glanced aningfully at the four people present before concluding, "Alright. Prepare yourselves and let know when you’re ready."
Among the four, only Nora Scott’s expression seed a bit off.
*
Luna Durant and Stella Durant exited the Taste of Tea.
"Sis, following Frank Ford definitely slls fishy," Luna felt elated, letting out a long breath with a smile, "Does she intend to confront the Living Map on the road again?"
Stella said, "Hard to say. She must have a plan, but we’ve ssed it up."
"She wouldn’t expect us to travel with her. It was supposed to be a fight to the death. Now we can take advantage of her arrangents and plans...or even use Biel Hall," Luna was in a great mood just imagining Nora’s face.
"Yeah."
Stella nodded.
Luna eagerly said, "Sis, I’ll join you guys when the ti cos."
Just seeing Nora looking frustrated made her happy.
She always acted so composed, but now she’d stumbled too?
Luna sneered inwardly.
Stella glanced at her, saying, "Suit yourself."
...
Room One of Heaven.
Nora Scott and Frank Ford were not on the sa path, so Frank left first, while Nora remained in the tea room.
Once he left, Jared Oliveira, who had been feigning the deanor of a big shot, quickly scuttled over to Nora, asking eagerly, "Sis, how did I perform just now? Could I pass as an acting talent in the entertainnt industry?"
The aura of a big shot completely crumbled.
Nora sipped her tea, casting a sidelong glance at him, "Average."
Jared scratched his nose, then chuckled, "I didn’t expect your acting skills to be so good too. That subtle change of expression just now was brilliant—"
Her gaze suddenly turned cold. Nora slightly furrowed her brows, "Calm down."
"Huh?"
Jared paused, perplexed.
Emphasizing each word, Nora said, "I am an actress."
Blinking, Jared took a mont, bemusedly responding, "I know—"
Nora added, "Don’t question my professional abilities."
"..."
With countless people questioning your professional abilities, does having him do it too make much difference?!
Nevertheless, after one look from Nora, Jared was instantly cowed, "I was wrong. Really wrong."
"..."
Nora withdrew her gaze, slightly tilted her head back, and finished her tea in one go.
With a "click," she set the teacup down firmly on the table.
A young man voluntarily ca over to refill her tea, showing a look of genuine respect, which was clearly not feigned but ca naturally.
Watching from the side, Jared couldn’t contain his excitent and curiosity, "Sis, I heard the boss of the Taste of Tea—just now, that Master Sedgewick, is quite a renowned figure in the Northwest. He surely knows the real Living Map, so how co he’s cooperating with you for this act?"
The young man pouring the tea lifted his gaze slightly, giving Jared a bland look.
Nora maintained a straight face, "I’m good-looking."
"..."
Jared was instantly rendered speechless.
This reasoning...was surprisingly convincing.
"Then," after a long pause, Jared stamred slightly, cautiously asking, "What should I do next? If the real Living Map finds out, will—"
Nora shot him a cold look, "Do you want to live?"
"...I’ll follow your lead.
Jared was imdiately humble and compliant.
...
After dismissing Jared, Nora didn’t make ti to et Alberto Sedgewick again but left the Taste of Tea directly.
Benjamin Durant and Humphrey Jennings were waiting for her in the car downstairs.
Nora opened the car door and got in. Benjamin imdiately moved close to her, but before he could speak, a glance from Humphrey in the front seat made him retreat slightly, putting so distance between himself and Nora again.
"Did everything go smoothly?" Benjamin asked.
"Yeah."
"Did that punk Alberto agree to cooperate?"
"Yeah." Nora crossed her legs, resting her elbow on the windowsill, casually observing the street outside, "I gave him so conditions."
Benjamin asked curiously, "What conditions?"
Nora proceeded to tell Benjamin the conditions.
Benjamin was surprised, "Just for a few words, you offered him such high terms?! Why didn’t you let do it? My effect wouldn’t be worse, right?!"
"..."
Nora didn’t bother to say more.
With the relationship between Benjamin and those sisters, as soon as he appeared at their doorstep, there would have been a fight already. What acting could they possibly do? They wouldn’t believe a thing.
Besides, Benjamin, being such a carefree person, lacked persuasiveness anywhere he went.
Nora further stated, "He agreed to train Jared."
"Train for what?"
"How to be the Living Map."
"..."
Benjamin was left in awe, silent for a few seconds, then raised his hand to rub his face.
Suddenly, Nora asked, "How are things on Clent Winter’s side?"
Benjamin responded, "We’ve arranged to et in the evening."
"I’ll go along."
"You too?"
"Yeah."
Startled, Benjamin nodded, "Alright."
...
Benjamin and Clent Winter arranged to et for dinner at a private room in a restaurant.
Clent Winter, being a high-profile celebrity, couldn’t just wander around the streets with Benjamin. Even setting a eting location had to be kept discreet, in a private room, under the radar.
Arriving at the restaurant per the address, Clent Winter was thoroughly disguised with a hat and sunglasses. He lightly knocked on the private room door.
"Co in."
Benjamin’s voice sounded from inside.
Clent Winter breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door. Removing his sunglasses, he glanced inside.
Surprisingly, his gaze accurately bypassed the waving Benjamin, landing directly on Nora Scott, who was snacking on sunflowers seeds.
"Nora!"
Clent Winter exclaid in delight.
He quickly entered, closed the door, looking joyful and ecstatic, with the previous aura of despair completely gone.
Benjamin: "..."
He had t Clent Winter several tis over the past few days, but Clent always seed downcast. Yet, just seeing Nora, all negativity vanished.
Isn’t this idol effect a bit excessive?
Nora gave Clent a glance, "Co, sit."
"Alright."
Clent obediently sat down next to Nora.
Nora instructed Benjamin, "Pour the tea."
"?"
Benjamin pointed at himself incredulously.
Nora asked rhetorically, "Who else?"
"..."
Benjamin was extrely aggrieved, reduced from being a Northwest Master to serving tea for two celebrities. What a pathetic state.
Before long, the waiter brought the dishes to the table.
Nora sampled a dish, speaking slowly, "I have a plan, maybe you’d like to hear it."
"Huh?"
Clent Winter blinked.
Benjamin: "..."
Here it cos again. After using an innocent Frank Ford, now she’s targeting another gullible Clent Winter.
*
Evening.
Luna Durant received a phone call, startled, she ran to Stella Durant’s room, knocking on the door.
"What’s the matter?" Stella Durant’s voice ca through.
Luna pushed open the door, looking hurried, "Is Clent Uncle’s son? Dad wants to bring him ho?"
"Yeah." Stella hung up the phone, giving her a look, "He just agreed to return to the Durant Family."
Luna: "..."
Damn?!!!
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