Chapter 376
The keyholder might have wanted to hand over the keys, perhaps even wishing to deliver the keyholder's head directly to Qiangyin as a gift—but they could no longer find the keyholder.
Even the Deyton Group, which boasted of having captured the keyholder, faced no investigation. In Qiangyin's eyes, the Deyton Group was likely the one being played.
No one believed that the keyholder had already died.
Knock, knock, knock—
At that moment, the door to Shaer’s room was knocked on. Shaer turned to look at the entrance.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Tara entered quietly, holding her breath and closing the door gently behind her.
“Lord Shaer.” Dressed in a maid's outfit, Tara approached Shaer and lowered her head.
“What is it?” Shaer turned slightly to face Tara.
“Miss Aivina sent word,” Tara said, her eyes downcast. “Wensha has come to see her. She’s currently in her room at the Deyton Hotel.”
Wensha?
Wasn’t she supposed to visit Aivina on the 24th?
Niya had gone missing at the banquet on the 25th, and since those events weren’t part of this simulation, Shaer hadn’t paid much attention.
Wasn’t there a signal etched on Qiangyin’s face that read “Protect Wensha”? Why would he allow Wensha to appear so openly?
Unless... this was a trap.
Shaer took a deep breath.
Even knowing it was a trap, Shaer had to step into it... Variables didn’t just mean danger; they also meant information.
The enemy was in the light while she was in the dark—this was Shaer’s advantage at that moment.
She wanted to understand why Qiangyin was so protective of Wensha, even leaving the more astute Vita off his list of protectees.
She sought to uncover the secrets behind it all.
“Tara, fetch me a Deyton Group uniform,” Shaer said, looking at Tara with urgency.
“Of course, Lord Shaer.” Tara nodded and quickly headed toward the changing room.
As soon as Tara left, Shaer glanced at the “Detective” potion on the table, reached out, and took it.
She chose the “Detective” potion because its replication ritual had already been completed in the simulation. Shaer had undergone various investigations, and her experience was undoubtedly richer than that of an ordinary “Detective” extraordinary.
She uncorked the bottle and swallowed the shimmering blue liquid along with the eyeball inside. The bitter potion spread across her tongue, making it curl in distaste.
A familiar sensation surged within her... calm, devoid of emotional fluctuations, as if she had just downed the “Assassin” potion again.
This was Shaer’s first time consuming a first-tier potion adjacent to the “Detective.” The “Assassin” potion, which was adjacent to the “Detective,” had long been stored in her No. 5 archive. The feeling of drinking the “Detective” potion was almost 90% similar to her experience with the “Assassin.”
However, compared to the completely cold-blooded “Assassin,” the “Detective” allowed Shaer to retain some emotional depth amidst her rationality.
“Ha...”
Shaer took a deep breath, her pupils now entirely enveloped in deep blue.
At that moment, Tara emerged from the changing room, holding the Deyton Group uniform, and caught sight of Shaer, who had already consumed the potion.
Shaer’s demeanor had completely transformed. If she had previously exuded the warmth of a polished red gem, capable of both comfort and burn...
Now, she resembled an unsheathed gem blade; anyone who met her gaze could feel the sharpness of a blade ready to strike.
“Congratulations, Lord Shaer, on regaining a measure of power.” Tara had long since grown accustomed to Shaer’s ability to possess multiple paths, finding that each version of Shaer had its own unique charm.
It was even difficult for Tara to say which version of Shaer she admired more. She didn’t know which of the Shaers she had encountered was the best, nor could she predict whether the next iteration would align more closely with her desires—yet she was still drawn to them.
Tara stepped forward and respectfully handed the uniform to Shaer with both hands.
“Thank you.”
Shaer took the uniform, quickly shedding her previous attire while Tara, understanding, lowered her head and stepped back.
Shaer swiftly changed into the Deyton Group uniform, donning the silver employee card.
Finally, she put on the silver chip mask, tying her hair back into a ponytail with a ribbon. After slightly altering her appearance, she said, “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to the Deyton Membership Hotel.”
Tara looked up at Shaer, now dressed sharply in the uniform, momentarily taken aback.
The current Shaer exuded a sense of crispness and confidence, her black Deyton Group uniform and cape giving her an air of elegance and poise.
“Yes, Lord Shaer!” Tara quickly gathered Shaer’s discarded clothes, cradling them in her arms as she exited the room. “I’ll prepare it right away.”
Tara left Shaer’s room, hurrying to the first floor to instruct the butler to prepare the carriage. Afterward, she took Shaer’s clothes to the laundry room.
What a stunning goddess...
Tara glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then buried her face deep in the clothes Shaer had just removed, inhaling deeply.
Perhaps she had breathed in too long, as a wave of dizziness washed over her, causing her to sway unsteadily.
So satisfying...
It wasn’t until she heard the sound of hooves at the door that she quickly arranged the clothes neatly in the laundry basket and hurried out, just in time to see Shaer descending the stairs. She rushed to follow, stepping into the carriage alongside Shaer.
...
“Don’t crowd, don’t crowd...”
“Hey, buddy, see anything interesting?”
“Who knows... Let’s wait for Princess Wensha to come out and see if we can get an interview...”
“What if we can’t get an interview?”
“Newbie? Why are you still carrying a sketchpad?”
“I thought I’d sketch the scene when the princess comes down for a news illustration...”
“What paper?”
“‘Gossip Gazette,’ senior.”
“A tabloid?”
“Yeah, senior.”
“If you don’t get any interviews, just slap a picture of Princess Wensha on there, write a headline like ‘Secrets of the Upper Class: Princess Wensha’s Night at the Deyton Membership Hotel,’ keep the content vague, and just write whatever as long as it’s not slanderous—just speculation...”
“Thanks, senior! You’re a genius!”
At that moment, a crowd of reporters from various newspapers had gathered on the street opposite the Deyton Membership Hotel, along with many others eager to witness the spectacle.
Fortunately, the Deyton Hotel’s attendants were maintaining order; otherwise, the main road would have been so crowded that even carriages couldn’t pass.
They didn’t dare to drive away the reporters—this was the job of the princess’s guards. Since the guards hadn’t chased them off, there was no need to stir up trouble and risk bad publicity.
The reporters weren’t in a hurry; many were waiting to catch a glimpse of the princess. If she appeared, they could interview her; if she didn’t come out all night, they’d have even more to write about.
As everyone waited with bated breath, a carriage approached from the distance and stopped in front of the Deyton Membership Hotel.
Many reporters pulled out their notebooks, preparing to record who had arrived, but when they saw the person stepping out with a maid, they mostly put their notebooks down.
The newcomer was merely a senior employee dressed in a Deyton Group uniform; it was quite normal for someone to go to the Deyton Hotel, and there was nothing newsworthy about it.
As Shaer stepped out and glanced back at the reporters, she led Tara directly into the Deyton Group Hotel.
Upon entering, a maid wearing a red chip mask immediately approached and asked, “Sir, may I ask if you are here to...”
Many out-of-town Deyton Group members visiting Ansu City for business also stayed at the Deyton Membership Hotel, especially those wearing silver chip masks, who could typically stay in high-end suites for free.
The maid assumed Shaer was just there to stay, so she approached to inquire.
“It’s nothing. I’m just here to find someone,” Shaer replied calmly to the maid.
“Um... Sir, could you please show me your employee card? We need to check...” the maid asked softly.
Shaer didn’t make it difficult for her; she simply pulled out her silver employee card and handed it over. The maid took it with both hands, quickly checked it, then returned the card to Shaer, stepping back and bowing slightly. “Consultant Shaer, you may proceed.”
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