An Awkward Encounter

“Huh?” Luo Wei was taken aback. There’s actually going to be a commendation?

“Are we going to make it into the newspapers too?” Luo Wei immediately thought of Chief Inspector Raymond’s punchable grin that always appeared in the papers whenever a major case was solved.

“I’m not sure about that. It’s arranged by the city hall...” Fred gave him a suspicious look. “Why are you so concerned about this?”

“It’s a long story, but it’s best to keep it low-key...” Luo Wei replied with a helpless smile.

“Hmph!” Ophelia let out a cold laugh.

Luo Wei silently turned to look at her.

“You just don’t want people to know you’re back, do you?” Ophelia instantly saw through Luo Wei’s little scheme.

It wasn’t about his privacy being exposed—he was afraid of women coming after him!

Just like she had done back then!

Luo Wei’s smile grew even more guilty.

As the three of them chatted and laughed, they seemed to have completely forgotten about the Second Prince standing nearby.

Fred, noticing that the Second Prince had been ignored for a while, felt a bit awkward and quickly said with a smile,

“Your Highness, regarding that case, there are still some confidential details we need to discuss with these two. So, you...”

The Second Prince was quite understanding. He waved his hand and said, “You go ahead. I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you.”

With that, he turned and left.

As the Second Prince’s figure grew smaller in the distance, Ophelia silently looked at Luo Wei and gave him a faint, resigned smile.

“What do you think of my brother?”

Luo Wei rubbed his chin and glanced at Sir Fred. “Hmm... the Second Prince seems quite amiable...”

“Hardly!”

Ophelia rolled her eyes, recalling how her second and third brothers, along with her fourth sister, used to gang up on her back in the day...

After so many years, that mischievous and hot-tempered guy had actually managed to polish his acting skills. The way he looked at her with such concern—if she didn’t remember the past, she might have believed it.

“At least he didn’t show it on his face. He still gave us some face...” Luo Wei said with a smile. At least that was better than the Third Prince.

Of course, he was also much more cunning.

“Even so, Your Highness, it’s best to maintain a facade of cordiality in front of him,” Fred suddenly advised.

“I know,” Ophelia nodded.

Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered the Third Prince and immediately asked about his current situation.

“The Third Prince has been placed under house arrest by His Majesty. The Emperor is furious and deeply disappointed in him,” Fred said with a smile.

Luo Wei showed an understanding expression. No wonder he hadn’t seen him at the banquet.

Laure, the man who had plunged the entire city into slaughter and panic, was the Third Prince’s right-hand man. He couldn’t escape responsibility for this, even if he claimed ignorance. House arrest was far too lenient a punishment.

Ophelia sneered, “Well, at least things will quiet down for a while now.”

Luo Wei nodded. “This isn’t just a matter of negligence. Appointing someone like that as a confidant shows poor judgment. It’s likely to leave the Emperor with the impression of incompetence.”

“This is good news for Her Highness,” Fred naturally sided with her.

As the three of them chatted, more and more people came up to greet Ophelia and Luo Wei.

This time, Ophelia didn’t respond with the same indifference she had shown to the Second Prince. Instead, she put on an elegant and gracious smile, effortlessly handling the small talk and pleasantries.

Before long, the crowd around her grew so large that Luo Wei was almost pushed out.

Luo Wei and Ophelia exchanged a helpless glance, and Luo Wei smiled, leaving the important socializing to her.

Grabbing a cocktail from a passing waiter, Luo Wei’s gaze swept across the room.

Unconsciously, the banquet had divided into several factions, but the largest group surrounded the Second Prince—military officials, nobles—it seemed everyone saw him as the most likely contender for the throne.

As he thought this, Luo Wei suddenly felt a piercing gaze on him, sending a chill down his spine.

He immediately turned around and saw Evelyn standing alone in a dimly lit corner of the hall, staring at him with a resentful expression.

Luo Wei blinked, both surprised and awkward. He hadn’t expected to run into her in a place like this.

In the shadow of the crystal chandelier, Evelyn seemed to be passing the time by nibbling on some pastries. When her eyes met Luo Wei’s, she put the pastry down and mouthed something at him with a fierce glare.

Even from a distance, Luo Wei knew exactly what she was saying.

“You! Little! Brat!”

Luo Wei couldn’t help but chuckle. He glanced back at Ophelia, who was completely swamped, and then walked over to Evelyn.

“What a coincidence, Professor. What brings you here?”

Evelyn glared at him. “Why can’t I be here? Are you saying I’m not good enough to attend?”

Seeing her furious expression, Luo Wei quickly tried to soothe her. “Of course not! You’ve got it all wrong. I would never mean that...”

He signaled a waiter and handed Evelyn a fresh plate of desserts, which finally softened her expression a little.

Evelyn shot Luo Wei a sideways glance. “The Abraham family received an invitation, and they insisted I come. It’s so annoying...”

“Why did they insist on you coming?” Luo Wei asked, puzzled. Hadn’t she already left the family?

“It’s all because of you! It’s your fault!” She punched Luo Wei lightly on the arm.

“How is it my fault again?” Luo Wei felt utterly wronged.

Why does everyone keep blaming me? Am I some kind of scapegoat?

“Of course it’s your fault!” Evelyn said irritably. “Because I had to save you, I had to reconnect with my family. Now I owe them a huge favor, and today, that sly old fox of a patriarch made me come here just to show everyone that I’m still part of the family!”

“And you!” She glared at Luo Wei, then glanced at Ophelia, who was the center of attention.

Her tone turned sour.

“You’re here at this fancy banquet, all cozy with your old flame! Two days! Helena and I have been worried sick about you at home!”

“I only just woke up this morning...” Luo Wei muttered.

Seeing Evelyn’s expression grow darker, he awkwardly tried to change the subject.

“How about I make it up to you? I’ll treat you to something nice...”

“A seafood feast!”

“Or my homemade mapo tofu!”

Evelyn remained unmoved. Not even food could sway her. She seemed genuinely upset.

“Professor...”

“Professor?”

“Professor~”

Luo Wei tugged at her sleeve, but no matter how much he tried to appease her, she kept a stern face, showing no signs of softening.

After studying her for a moment, Luo Wei frowned in confusion. Why was she so angry today?

He muttered to himself, “You’re not this mad just because you were forced to come to the banquet, or because I didn’t come home in time...”

Luo Wei narrowed his eyes. In this setting, there seemed to be only one reason.

He suddenly said,

“Professor, are you... jealous?”

“What?!” Evelyn immediately bristled like a cat.

“I’m not jealous! I’m not anyone to you! Why would I be jealous?”