I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

Giacomo's office was extremely spacious. Duanmu Yan spent a lot of time searching carefully and finally found the private terminal in a hidden compartment.

He quickly turned on the device, plugged the USB drive into the interface, the screen lit up, and the progress bar began to slowly fill.

He stood quietly to one side, his eyes scanning his surroundings warily, while only the light on the screen flickered silently in the darkness.

Soon, the notification that the transfer was complete finally appeared.

Duanmu Yan deftly unplugged the USB drive and put it back inside his clothes.

He looked around—documents were scattered all over the floor, and furniture was overturned, clearly far removed from the word "infiltration."

It's a pity, it was just one step away from perfection.

It doesn't matter, as long as the task is completed.

……

……

When Duanmu Yan returned to Koleta's side, the performance was nearing its end, with the final note soaring to its climax.

Koleta was still completely immersed in the world of the melody, her eyes slightly closed, until she sensed Duanmu Yan's approach and came back to her senses as if waking from a dream.

"Is the mission going smoothly?" she asked softly, her gaze still lingering on the stage.

“There was indeed a slight mishap along the way,” Duanmu Yan replied calmly, lightly waving the USB drive between her fingers in front of her eyes. “But the goal was achieved. All the data in Giacomo’s private terminal is in there. I think it should contain what the Second Miss is looking for.”

A faint smile finally appeared on Koleta's lips.

She reached out and deftly took the storage device from his palm, her fingertips brushing lightly across his palm.

"well-done."

The moment the words fell, the lights on the stage converged at their brightest, bringing this grand concert to a perfect close.

After a brief silence, the audience, who had been immersed in the afterglow, suddenly awoke and erupted in a tidal wave of applause that lasted for a long time.

Even the usually reserved Coleta couldn't help but clap softly at this moment.

She looked at Floro on the stage, a lingering smile in her eyes, and sighed softly to Duanmu Yan beside her, "What a pity, you missed the most exciting part of the second half."

Duanmu Yan shrugged helplessly, his tone tinged with a resigned mockery: "Who told me to be the Second Miss's blade?"

Hearing this witty and humorous reply, Koleta couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "You're quite the smooth talker. But don't worry, the Motari never mistreat their friends. I will definitely keep my promise to you."

She tiptoed slightly, her warm breath almost touching Duanmu Yan's ear, whispering in a breathy voice that only he could hear.

"Think about it carefully... Any request is fine."

On the stage, the spider lily blooms alone beneath the scarlet curtain, taking in everything.

She stood there, motionless like a statue, her chest still heaving violently as she wandered alone in her emotions.

He was so close, yet so far away.

Volume 1, Chapter 44: The Dark Cave and the Cook

After the performance ended.

Floro left the theater alone.

Just as she came, she remained alone.

She never cared how her music would be perceived by others, nor did she care about any evaluations or responses.

Her reason for standing on the stage was simply to fulfill a past obsession.

—But for some reason, that obsession only grew deeper.

"This isn't like you. Going to a concert for no reason, and even forgetting your own job?"

Flolo paused, then turned around expressionlessly.

A man holding a script had appeared behind her without her noticing.

—Christopher.

The supervisor of the Remnant Star Society was her colleague.

He spoke frivolously, a subtle smile on his face, his gaze sweeping over her from bottom to top.

"This is none of your business. It's my private matter."

“Personal matters?” Christopher closed the script and slowly approached her. “Is it because of him? Although we can’t be sure yet… is it the person we thought he was? After all, according to the horn’s prophecy, he woke up this time in Jinzhou, not Laguna.”

He lowered his voice, a half-smile playing on his lips: "But keeping a closer eye on him might... bring unexpected gains. Or have you forgotten what you're really supposed to be doing?"

Floro frowned, and Hecate suddenly appeared behind her, her face glowing with an eerie light: "I told you, it's none of your business."

“Don’t get agitated.” Christopher raised his hand, his tone softening. “I just heard about him from someone else and came to confirm it. There’s no need to be so hostile towards me, is there? At least for now, we’re on the same side, allies, aren’t we?”

"Hmph." Floro snorted coldly, turned and left, never looking back.

Christopher watched her receding figure and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle softly.

"You're really something. The Remnant Star Society clearly arranged accommodation for you, but you insisted on going to that cave by yourself, and even talked to the gondola because you were so lonely."

……

……

After the concert ended.

Giacomo has invited numerous social celebrities to tonight's banquet.

Koleta and Duanmu Yan were naturally among those invited.

Coleta has handed over the data obtained from Giacomo's private terminal to a person of absolute trust for in-depth investigation.

Once a discovery is made, news will be sent immediately.

Prior to this, she had not minded attending this—the last dinner party for the Fachipina family.

"Miss Coleta certainly has excellent taste." At the banquet, Giacomo, beaming, took the initiative to greet her.

Today's concert made him a fortune—not just in money, but also in connections and prestige.

"It is truly remarkable that such an extraordinary musician was discovered in Laguna... It's just a pity that Miss Floro left without saying goodbye as soon as the performance ended, and many guests wanted to express their admiration in person."

Koleta smiled gently: "Musicians are often a bit eccentric. I hope Mr. Giacomo won't mind."

"How could I mind? If it weren't for Miss Koletta, how could my theater be shining so brightly today?"

As they were talking, a servant hurriedly approached Giacomo and whispered a few words in his ear.

In an instant, the smile on Giacomo's face vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression.

"Excuse me, Miss Coleta, I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave for a moment."

"What happened?" Coleta feigned ignorance.

"The collection has been robbed." Giacomo practically spat out the words through gritted teeth. "I don't know which thief came from, but they managed to bypass the security system! Many of my treasured items... have been stolen!"

"A collection?"

Koleta paused slightly, instinctively glancing at Duanmu Yan beside her. He, however, remained calm and composed, his demeanor unchanged.

"I see. Then please go and take care of it."

Giacomo immediately led his men away in a hurry. Coletta watched his anxious retreating figure, gently nudged Duanmu Yan's waist with her elbow, and whispered, "..."

"The collection was robbed—what happened? Some people's hands aren't very clean, you know."

A soothing melody began to play.

The ball is about to begin.

Koleta took Duanmu Yan's hand and led him to the center of the dance floor.

"I can't dance, Miss."

Duanmu Yan was slightly taken aback. Before she could refuse, she had already gently grasped Duanmu Yan's hand and guided it to her waist.

Koleta leaned close to his ear, her voice as soft as silk.

"Ballroom dancing is very simple. Come on, like this—put your hands on my waist, and then hold my shoulders firmly."

Her steps moved gently in sync with the melody.

"Just follow the rhythm of the music and take it slow."

Even so, Duanmu Yan's dance steps still appeared awkward and restrained.

This was the first time he had been so close to Koleta—no, it should be said that it was the first time he had been so close to a woman.

"The second young lady's body... is so soft."

"And it smells so good..."

"So, what exactly happened with the theft from the collection?" Coleta asked softly, her gaze never leaving his eyes.

While trying to keep up with her pace, Duanmu Yan explained in a low voice, "I've reported before that some unexpected things happened along the way. If Giacomo finds out that the data has been stolen, there's no guarantee he won't do something extreme out of desperation."

"So, in order to distract him."

"I 'borrowed' some things from his collection."

Their palms touched, and they danced gracefully to the flowing music.

"That's very thoughtful," Koleta said with approval. "You're really starting to impress me more and more."

"Oh? Then, Miss... shouldn't you consider giving me a raise?"

"Is your ambition limited to just a raise?" she chuckled. "Don't you have... bigger dreams?"

"Then, Miss Duanmu, could you tell me if there's anything more important hidden in those data besides the evidence that the Fachibina family betrayed Motari?" Duanmu Yan asked curiously.

“It doesn’t hurt to tell you,” Colletta said. “Due to Ettore’s sudden death, some core and important data in his private terminal was also lost.”

"But more importantly, before his accident, he discovered a painting from a hundred years ago—it is said that the painting contains the greatest secret about Lina Xita."

"Legend has it that there are actually two gods in Lina Xita, but only one is the true Lord of the Year. The order has been hiding this truth."

"But with his death, the painting also went missing. There are reports that shortly before the accident, he consigned a batch of artworks to an auction house in Laguna for auction—and the painting is very likely among them."

Hearing this, Duanmu Yan became even more confused: "Then why didn't Ettore hand that painting over to the family? I mean, to you, Second Miss?"

“There’s a traitor within the family,” Coleta answered crisply. “Moreover, I had only just learned of this news when Ettore met with misfortune. I think… he deliberately mixed the painting into the crowd of artworks to protect it, and through the auction house, it eventually ended up in my hands.”

"Would the religious order allow such a thing to exist? Wouldn't they secretly tamper with it?"

Koleta shook her head: "Of course they won't allow it. That's why I suspect the Fissare family and the religious order are manipulating the whole thing."

"As for destroying that painting—they would be more than happy to do so. But the auction was jointly organized by various forces in Laguna. No matter how powerful the religious order and the Fesalie family are, they will not break the rules they set and openly force their way into the auction to destroy the painting."

"They should already know about the painting. All that's left is to buy it honestly and destroy it."

The song is over.

The message was also received by the Koleta terminal.

She glanced down at the screen, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Looks like we're not so unlucky. Giacomo didn't completely delete the data. The painting's codename is—'The Banquet.'"

Duanmu Yan looked at her: "Then what's next..."

“Attend the auction.” Coleta turned and walked out of the banquet hall, with Duanmu Yan following closely behind. “But before that, the Fachipina family… must pay the price for their betrayal.”

Book 1: Chapter 45 An Irresistible Condition

early morning.

The rain pattered against the windowpane, stirring up a damp smell; the air felt like fermented, bitter wine.

Koleta didn't really like rainy days, but she had to admit that in such gloomy weather, no matter what she did, all traces would be swept away by the rain.

She sat in an armchair deep in Giacomo's bedroom, her fingertips lightly holding a silver spoon as she slowly stirred the coffee in her cup.

The air was filled with fragrance, but she seemed indifferent, simply waiting for a predetermined ending.

This is the private domain of the head of the Fácsbinner family, and should theoretically be heavily guarded and difficult to approach.

But for Colletta—and for the Motari family—whether or not to eradicate the Fachipina family was merely a matter of a single thought.

Outside the bedroom door, several Motari men, armed with guns, coldly pointed their eyes at the kneeling Fachibina men.

They huddled in the shadows, their bodies trembling with fear, the rain pattering softly, as if even the sky itself was humming in acknowledgment of the moment.