"If you don’t mind, please hold my cup for me, I need to go to the restroom."
Earlier, the waiter had mentioned that an important guest had arrived. For such a gathering, the host shouldn’t be absent, and since Duke Locke and Qian Xueying hadn’t been seen for quite some time, they must be receiving this distinguished visitor.
It seemed that Nancy was also hurrying over. If it were a normal guest, they should be attending the banquet together. To avoid being seen , could it be someone with something to hide?
Gan Yuan decided to go and investigate.
"Wait for me, I’ll be right back."
Abel licked his lips with a smile, "How about I walk you there?"
"No rush, I’ll be back soon."
With a smile to him, Gan Yuan turned and climbed the steps.
Watching her alluring figure, Abel raised the cup to his lips and drained it in one gulp.
"Truly a special beauty!"
Entering the main building, Gan Yuan looked around to make sure no one was watching; she quickly crossed the hall and ascended the stairs.
Earlier on the ground floor, she had already observed that a light was on in a room on the third floor. If she wasn’t wrong, Duke Locke and the others should be entertaining guests there.
Tiptoeing upstairs and ensuring there were no waiters in the corridor, she slipped off her high heels and tiptoed towards the door at the end of the hallway.
She silently stepped across the floor, tilting her head to press her ear against the door.
"All right, I’ll do my best."
Inside, a man’s deep voice could be heard, slightly hoarse, indicating some years were behind it—probably Duke Locke.
"Then I’ll take my leave."
This time, it was a younger voice.
Slightly raspy in texture, yet it sounded exceedingly pleasant and alluring.
At the sound of that voice, Gan Yuan’s heart suddenly tightened.
She froze for two seconds before hearing footsteps approaching the door. Quickly picking up the hem of her dress, she hurried backward, pushing open the nearest door to hide inside.
"Mr. Moses, won’t you stay for the banquet?"
Miss Nancy opened the door, gazing longingly at the man walking towards her.
Moses, ignoring the eager look in her eyes, nodded calmly to Duke Locke and Qian Xueying.
"I appreciate Miss Nancy’s invitation, but I have other matters to attend to."
His tone was polite but from beginning to end, he never looked at Nancy, clearly just a perfunctory response.
"That’s a shame," Nancy said with a disappointed look, then quickly perked up again. "If it’s convenient for you, I could be your guide and show you around."
"Yes, Mr. Moses," Duke Locke said with a smile, taking over the conversation. "It’s not often we have you visit; we should at least show you some hospitality."
Moses smiled faintly, "If time permits."
"Let me escort you downstairs."
Standing aside, Qian Xueying walked over with a polite smile, maintaining her courteous demeanor in contrast to Nancy’s direct enthusiasm.
Moses nodded lightly and proceeded towards the exit.
The group accompanied him as they went downstairs.
In the room to the side, Gan Yuan, with her back pressed to the wall, held her breath, her hand clutching the high heels now slightly sweaty.
Outside, footsteps neared and then slowly receded. She breathed a sigh of relief, waiting until everyone had descended the stairs and the corridor was empty before carefully opening the door and stepping out.
By that time, Moses had already gone downstairs with Qian Xueying, Duke Locke, and others. Just as he was reaching the staircase entrance, Abel happened to walk in.