Chapter 395
“Are you feeling okay? Right now?” Aivina asked, looking at Shaer, who had just sat up, her gaze still a bit unfocused.
“Not really. I just woke up, and my attention is a bit scattered,” Shaer replied, rubbing her temples. “I’ll be fine after resting more tonight.”
“Why don’t you eat something first?” Aivina suggested gently.
Shaer hadn’t eaten anything at lunch, just a token bite to stave off hunger, so she must be starving now.
“Yeah,” Shaer nodded.
Aivina stood up and walked to the door. She opened it and called out to Tara, “Go have the kitchen send up a dinner for us, Tara.”
“Of course, Miss Aivina.” Tara bowed slightly and then hurried off toward the stairs, where the hotel staff could be instructed directly.
When Aivina returned to the room, she found that Shaer had turned on the lights. Shaer was sitting on the sofa, looking up at Aivina and asking, “Aivina, do you remember Isabella?”
“Isabella? I know her,” Aivina said, sitting down beside Shaer.
“What do you know about her father, Edward?” Shaer continued.
“I’ve never met him formally, but I saw him once at a banquet my father hosted when I was very young. He was just an ordinary middle-aged man, running a money-laundering business that didn’t involve the extraordinary.”
Aivina recalled the man who had been so deferential to her father, quickly summarizing her impression of Edward.
“Is this related to the current situation?” Aivina asked after finishing her thoughts.
“Yes,” Shaer nodded. “I suspect he might be connected to the Pleasure Society.”
“The Pleasure Society...”
Is this another piece of new information?
Aivina looked at Shaer, her expression puzzled.
How did Shaer manage to gather so much information without stepping outside?
Most likely, while she was away, someone from the organization behind Shaer came to deliver intel. Tara was also part of that organization, making it convenient for her to receive information at the door.
Shaer had no secrets from Aivina and spoke directly, “He’s likely the one who communicated with the runaway Fred. He knows that the true author of the paper is Adele.”
“This...” Aivina’s eyes widened slightly as she realized the gravity of the situation.
If this were true, they would be at someone else's mercy, and whether they were exposed or not would depend on a single word from that person... This could put them in a passive position.
Watching Shaer, who was deep in thought, Aivina’s mind raced. Soon, she tentatively asked, “Are you asking about Edward to find out his whereabouts?”
“Yes,” Shaer looked up at Aivina, hoping she might have a solution.
“I could prepare a housewarming banquet and lure him there. He’s someone who desperately wants to associate with the powerful... or rather, the persona he projects is that of someone who craves the company of the elite.”
Aivina continued, “If I send out an invitation, he’ll definitely come.”
Oh?
This method could indeed draw Edward out quickly, allowing Shaer to extract information from him without significantly affecting reality.
After all, many members of the Order of the God of Order would be present at the banquet, so having one more person from the Pleasure Society wouldn’t matter much.
“I’ll need to invite one more person... but I’ll tell you her name later.” Shaer didn’t reveal the name directly.
She wanted to invite Eleanor, and before that, she would approach Eleanor to get her to accept the teachings of the Holy Ascendancy.
By the time of the banquet, Lucy would also be there, allowing her to teach some trusted allies, and Tara could call in some students of higher status...
With more and more extraordinary individuals invited, Shaer could easily turn this dinner into an extraordinary gathering—on her own turf.
The Order of the God of Order wanted to use this banquet for something, and so did Shaer.
While this banquet wouldn’t help Aivina expand her connections among the nobility, it would allow her to showcase her network in the extraordinary realm... which would also aid Aivina in her future endeavors.
A plan centered around the banquet began to take shape in Shaer’s mind.
---
**Chapter 213: A Long-Awaited Relaxation (4008 words)**
For dinner, Shaer had a simple meal from the food that was sent up—though “simple” was a bit misleading, as she ended up finishing everything.
After suggesting some changes to Lucy, the food delivered now had noticeable improvements, seemingly tailored to Shaer’s tastes by the chef.
Once she finished eating, Shaer felt a bit of the fog lift; the food had replenished her energy, allowing her to focus on her mental recovery.
Aivina watched Shaer devour her meal, and as she saw Shaer slump back in her chair, a smile crept onto Aivina’s lips.
Seeing someone you care about enjoy their meal brings a sense of healing.
After resting for a moment, Shaer opened her eyes and looked at Aivina, asking, “Aivina, I’d like to discuss something with you.”
Shaer’s banquet plan required Aivina’s cooperation, so it was essential to talk to her in advance.
Aivina propped her right elbow on the table, resting her chin on her hand, slowly letting her smile fade as she asked, “Is it about the banquet?”
“Yes,” Shaer nodded.
“Is it urgent?” Aivina continued.
Shaer hesitated for a moment.
It wasn’t particularly urgent; she planned to rest tonight, and she could even have her simulated self discuss the details with Aivina, only needing to review the results later.
“Not really urgent...” Shaer sensed Aivina’s mood had cooled, and her tone became uncertain.
“Then let’s focus on resting tonight, okay?” Aivina tried to soften her words, but there was still an undeniable firmness in her voice. “You can’t push your mind any further.”
“Alright,” Shaer nodded.
She knew she had been overexerting herself lately, trying to stretch a single day into multiple parts—she had indeed done just that, and it had taken a toll.
“Why don’t you go take a shower first? You’re all sweaty...” Aivina stood up and walked toward the door, casually saying, “I’ll have someone clean this up.”
“Are you coming with me?”
“I’ve already showered.”
After Aivina left, Shaer looked at the mess on the dining table and felt a twinge of nostalgia.
A few years ago, she was still living a frugal life, studying, cooking, and cleaning, struggling to maintain a two-point lifestyle. But now, it felt as if she had suddenly lost her ability to take care of herself, lacking the desire and energy to tidy up.
Is this what they call going from rags to riches?
Shaer had Tara bring her a change of clothes as she headed to the hotel’s bathing area—though there was a copper tub in her room, preparing it would take quite a bit of time, and there was no hot water heater or anything like that.
Besides, Lucy had arranged a bathing area exclusively for Shaer and her companions, so there was no need to worry about being disturbed, almost like soaking in a hot spring.
As she entered the bathing area and passed through the archway draped with curtains, Shaer was greeted by a wave of steam.
The humid air and golden decorations combined to create an atmosphere of luxury, with soft lighting reflecting off the intricately patterned tiles. In the center, the bathing pool stood quietly, its surface like a mirror, undisturbed, as if waiting for Shaer to make her entrance.
The spacious bathing area was completely empty.
Shaer slipped off her shoes, feeling the cool marble floor beneath her bare feet as she walked to the bench beside the pool, shedding her clothes to wash her hair and body with soap.
“Sha... Shaer-daren...” Tara, who had been following Shaer, looked at her back and felt her mind clouded, as if under a spell. She stammered, “I-I-I can help you scrub your back, wash your hair, or give you a massage...”
For some reason, there was a strong yearning in her voice.
Table of Contents
