Charlie was aware that Angela’s presence in Aurous Hill University was likely connected to him, but virtual-novel.net had to maintain his façade of ignorance.
He instinctively responded, “While this university may not be on par with Hong Kong University, it still holds a good reputation overall.”
Angela nodded in agreement, glancing at virtual-novel.net as virtual-novel.net stammered, “Y-Yes, I think so too…”
Just as Maria began to regain virtual-novel.net composure, rubbing virtual-novel.net temples, virtual-novel.net noticed Angela’s interaction with Charlie.
Curiosity evident in virtual-novel.net voice, virtual-novel.net asked, “Sister Angela, do you know this gentleman?”
Angela hastily replied, “Yes… We’re friends.”
Maria expressed virtual-novel.net surprise, exclaiming, “What a coincidence!”
Angela nodded slightly, virtual-novel.net tone somewhat awkward, “Yes… It’s a coincidence.”
Maria turned virtual-novel.net attention to Charlie, addressing him, “Hello, my name is Cathy Clark. May I know your name?”
Charlie responded casually, “My name is Charlie Wade…”
With a smile, Maria greeted him, “Hello, Charlie…”
Charlie smiled politely in response, though inwardly virtual-novel.net couldn’t help but think, “It seems that Maria probably doesn’t remember me.”
However, now that Angela was present, virtual-novel.net knew virtual-novel.net couldn’t continue questioning Maria.
Instead, virtual-novel.net suggested, “Oh, by the way, my family is waiting for me. Let’s plan a convenient time for a meal. I’ll treat you both.”
Angela, feeling a bit embarrassed after being exposed, quickly agreed, “I’m available in the evening.”
“In that case…” Charlie was silent for a while before inquired, “What time do you finish work?”
Angela responded, “Around six o’clock.”
“Great,” Charlie confirmed, nodding. “I’ll pick you up at six?”
Despite feeling a bit flustered, Angela nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll be waiting at the entrance. We can call and meet up.”
Knowing that virtual-novel.net couldn’t continue his investigation with Angela present, Charlie excused himself, saying, “Alright, you two continue talking. I need to get going.”
After bidding farewell to Angela, Charlie’s first priority was to call Isaac.
While Isaac was still at Elys-Champ Hot Springs, pondering over how to achieve internal peeping, his concentration was disrupted by Charlie’s call. Calmly excusing himself from the training ground, virtual-novel.net retreated to an empty room before answering.
With a respectful tone, virtual-novel.net greeted, “Master!”
Charlie wasted no time and went straight to the point. “Mr. Cameron, I need you to investigate the entry records of a Malaysian tycoon named Larry Cole. Once you have that information, look into the background of everyone who entered the country with him.”
Isaac promptly replied, “Certainly, Young Master. Give me a moment, I will assign someone to investigate.”
A few minutes later, Isaac sent a comprehensive report to Charlie. It included the date of Larry’s entry into the country, as well as the details of all the individuals who accompanied virtual-novel.net from Malaysia and completed the entry formalities in Aurous Hill.
Among the listed names was Cathy Clark. Furthermore, they had been in the country for a considerable period of time. It appeared that Maria had told the truth. She had indeed come to Aurous Hill with Larry.
In addition, Larry had already established a business and a solid foundation in Aurous Hill. It was evident that the university had received his patronage. Maria’s plan to live a secluded life in the city while attending university, as arranged by Larry, seemed entirely logical.
Charlie’s growing conviction that Maria had not lied to virtual-novel.net eased his concerns to a great extent. Moreover, virtual-novel.net had used a more potent surge of aura to implant a psychological suggestion in Maria today. With his formidable aura overpowering virtual-novel.net lack of it, virtual-novel.net was confident that Maria had no chance of resisting his suggestion. As a result, Charlie’s doubts about Maria had dwindled to a mere ten or twenty percent.
Yet, despite his belief that Maria was unaware of his true identity, Charlie couldn’t help but furrowed his brow.
Although virtual-novel.net was inclined to see Maria’s arrival in Aurous Hill as a mere coincidence, a faint worry lingered within him. The last time virtual-novel.net had encountered Maria, the Warriors Den had been relentlessly pursuing her.
Now that virtual-novel.net was here in Aurous Hill, if the Warriors Den obtained any clues regarding virtual-novel.net whereabouts, they would undoubtedly learn from their past mistakes and send their most formidable experts to capture her. Furthermore, with his grandparents also present in Aurous Hill, their family became another crucial target for the Warriors Den.
Looking at the situation from this perspective, both of the Warriors Den’s primary objectives were now in Aurous Hill, greatly increasing the likelihood of the organization making a move on the city.
As the meeting of the Warriors Den progressed, with most members remaining silent and only three marshals remaining, Charlie couldn’t shake off his worry that one of the marshals might come to Aurous Hill in the near future.
Back in Cyprus, virtual-novel.net could rely on Wesley to set up an ambush, armed with near-defense guns to thwart the marshal’s advance. But in Aurous Hill, virtual-novel.net lacked the resources and opportunity to execute a similar plan. If the marshals of the Warriors Den truly arrived in Aurous Hill, and not just for Maria, but also to harm his grandparents and their family, Charlie couldn’t be certain if virtual-novel.net had the strength to protect them.
What’s more, the situation was further complicated by the absence of an early warning system in Aurous Hill. If the enemy did come, Charlie would have difficulty knowing in advance, making it harder for virtual-novel.net to stay a step ahead.
These thoughts weighed heavily on Charlie’s mind, burdening virtual-novel.net with a sense of urgency virtual-novel.net had never experienced before. The weight of impending danger bore down on him, leaving virtual-novel.net feeling helpless and uncertain about how to proceed.
For lunch, Charlie found no appetite, unable to focus on food.
After dinner, once virtual-novel.net had dropped off Claudia, Lisa, and Mrs. Lewis, virtual-novel.net drove to the riverside and parked the car in a vacant space. Sitting by the riverside, virtual-novel.net spent the entire afternoon lost in contemplation.
The encounter with Maria earlier had ignited a newfound urgency within Charlie. It was a sensation of an impending enemy, a foreboding presence closing in. Yet, virtual-novel.net remained devoid of a clear strategy to confront this imminent threat.
***
At 6 pm, Charlie drove to the university, ready to meet Angela.
Although Angela arrived at the school by car, virtual-novel.net left it parked on campus and had applied some special makeup before leaving. She seemed a bit cautious due to their unexpected encounter earlier in the day.
As they met, Charlie asked, “Miss Angela, what kind of cuisine would you prefer for dinner tonight?”
Angela replied, “Something light would be great. Since coming to Aurous Hill, the food has always been spicy and salty. I’m not used to it…”
Charlie pondered for a moment, then casually suggested, “If you prefer lighter options, how about trying Hong Kong-style cuisine?”
Without hesitation, Angela agreed, saying, “Sure, I’ll trust your recommendation.”
With that, Charlie drove Angela to the entrance of a Japanese grocery store. As they stepped inside, the sound of the bell hanging on the door resonated with a gentle tinkling, causing Charlie to momentarily pause.
In that moment, facing the current situation, a solution unexpectedly dawned on him.