Chapter 69

Hera shook her head, a stunned expression on her face. Zakariah sighed deeply before entering the estate. Hera returned to Skadi huffily.

"How did it go?" Skadi asked hurriedly.

"He called me an idiot," Hera pouted.

"What the hell? Why's he so insensitive?" Skadi exclaimed.

"Oh no, I think I like him even more now!" Hera replied, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes.

"Do you think we're in trouble?" Hera asked distractedly. "Even your grandfather and Mr. Zell had to defer to them. They seem incredibly powerful!"

Receiving no response, Hera turned to Skadi, who was sending a picture of the masked man to the martial arts association group chat with the message: "[@Everyone, I want to know everything about this man within the next three minutes!]".

Inside the estate, a large private plaza adjoined the three-story mansion at its center. High-ranking nobles and dignitaries mingled in small groups, sipping wine and conversing. Olivia, pushing her grandfather's wheelchair, emerged from the mansion with other Lee family members. The old man's hair was thinning, his face lopsided, and his trembling hand partially raised; his poor health was evident.

Joseph, appearing disheveled, strode towards the Lee family's higher-ups. "I instructed you to have someone waiting outside," he berated them, "but you ignored me. Is this how we welcome guests—only after they're already inside?"

The Lee family members blushed deeply, remaining silent. Olivia sighed; preoccupied with her grandfather's care, she'd forgotten the warden's scheduled visit.

As Joseph led the higher-ups out, they saw the warden and his entourage arriving at the plaza. Joseph's heart sank as he jogged towards them; the entire Lee family, regardless of age, followed suit. Confused surprise spread among the seated guests. What kind of guest warranted such a rushed greeting? Their gazes shifted, and understanding dawned as they recognized Walter and Grant.

At the Lewis family's table, Hubert's face glowed with pride. "Walter's the richest man in Jonford, yet no one from the Lee family welcomed him. How snobbish!" His daughter's impending marriage to a Watson family member fueled his pride in their preferential treatment.

Lauren sneered. "The Lee family is high-ranking and established, with a retired major as head. Walter has no right to demand a welcome. Besides, not even Ms. Olivia, let alone anyone else, would spare the Watson family a glance!"

Rooney laughed. "Don't be sour grapes, Lauren. Why not get your daughter to marry someone like Kai if you're so capable?"

Lauren took an elegant sip of her wine. "Nash is far superior to Kai!"

Rooney spluttered, "That country bumpkin doesn't even deserve to be here! What makes him better than Kai?"

Hera and Skadi arrived as the argument continued. Rooney's smile vanished upon seeing Skadi.

"Grandpa, Mom, Dad…" Hera greeted them sweetly, sitting down. "Grandpa Lewis, Mr. Harrison, Lauren!"

Skadi followed suit, only greeting Herman, Harrison, and Lauren, pointedly ignoring Helena and her family.

Rooney muttered, "How impudent…"

Herman sighed silently, torn between his granddaughter marrying into the Watson family—a crucial alliance for their survival—and the other granddaughter who'd just secured a two-billion-dollar project with Drake Group.

Hera leaned against Skadi, checking her phone. "Ten minutes. Anything on him yet?" she whispered.

Skadi shook her head. "Nothing. This person is incredibly mysterious!"

Her inbox pinged with an encrypted email as she finished speaking. The subject line read: "Information on Masked Man."