"Qing Muye's plan is proceeding smoothly. To avoid alarming them, we must first deal with Arlo Korgsol," the mysterious man said, looking at Flaxstreet, his meaning obvious.
"Alright."
Flaxstreet readily agreed, a cigar clamped in his mouth. His shrewd eyes glanced at the man before him. "After this is done, what benefits do you plan to give me?"
"Hahaha..." Hearing Flaxstreet's words, the man threw his head back and laughed. "With our combined strengths, we shall undoubtedly possess mountains of gold and silver."
This statement served as a promise, making Flaxstreet beam with delight.
"Xiao..."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from outside the study.
The laughter of the two inside ceased abruptly. The mysterious man turned his sharp gaze towards Flaxstreet, his look filled with an undeniable intimidation.
Flaxstreet immediately stood up, gestured to the man, and walked towards the exit.
"Who is outside?"
He asked as he approached the study door.
At this moment, Xiao Cheng stood at the study entrance, watching Antina approach down the corridor. His heart pounded, and an inexplicable nervousness washed over him.
Although he couldn't see the people inside the study, Xiao Cheng recognized the familiar voice and could roughly deduce the other person's identity. It should be...
Anthony's brother, the third prince of Country C, Joey Nebel William.
This person, while appearing dissolute and unruly in the royal family, was actually deeply cunning.
If Joey Nebel William were to discover that he had overheard their secret, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The voices from the study grew closer, and Antina also approached. Xiao Cheng stood at the study door, caught in a dilemma.
If either party were to ask a question, it would expose his act of eavesdropping.
Creak—
The study door opened, and Flaxstreet walked out, his brow furrowed as he looked at the person standing at the entrance. "Shylock, why are you here?"
At this moment, Antina had already reached Xiao Cheng's side, instinctively taking his hand.
Her eyes quickly scanned her father's and Xiao Cheng's faces. Her mind raced, and then she smiled at Flaxstreet. "Daddy, Xiao Cheng and I were looking for you."
Xiao Cheng felt a chill run down his spine under Flaxstreet's sharp gaze, the air around him suddenly feeling thin. Antina's sudden words came as a rescue, and the heavy weight on his heart instantly lifted.
"Mm," he nodded, cooperating with Antina.
Flaxstreet's deep-set eyes fixed on Xiao Cheng. "How long have you two been here?"
He was asking, "How long have you two been here?"
The unspoken implication was: had they overheard their secret conversation?
Antina, her arm around Xiao Cheng, replied with apparent straightforwardness, "How long have we been here? Xiao Cheng and I just found you."
"What is it?"
Flaxstreet seemed unconvinced by Antina's words.
At her question, Antina faltered for a moment, instinctively looking at Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng's mind also raced. "Antina and I were discussing going on a trip tomorrow. I said it wasn't convenient because you're pregnant, and she got upset. So we came to ask you to persuade her."
Back then, he had been strolling in the back garden with Antina and had excused himself to use the restroom.
Antina had found him afterward. Not only had she not exposed him, but she had even helped him keep it from Streit.
Xiao Cheng was confident that if he fabricated a reason, Antina would help him cover it up.
This confidence was likely derived from Antina's affection for him.