Seeing an English nobleman standing before him and greeting him with familiarity, Kevin Sun was taken aback. He reached into his shirt pocket, retrieved his glasses, and put them on in an attempt to recall who this person was. However, even with clearer vision, he couldn't place the nobleman standing in front of him.
Daniel, noticing Kevin's confusion, ran his hand through his hair, deliberately mussing it up before attempting to rearrange it with his bare hand, but it still remained disheveled. It was as if a man without a comb was trying to style his hair with his hand.
"Now, do you remember me, Mr. Sun?" Daniel asked, his smile widening.
"Mr. Blake!?" Mr. Sun uttered Daniel's old surname, recognizing it as his identity before he became a mage.
"Yes, that was my old identity. Now, I go by the name Daniel Emberweave, and this is my wife, Koyuki Emberweave, and our daughter, Sylvana Emberweave," Daniel introduced his family.
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Emberweave, how may I assist you?" Mr. Sun politely asked.
"Well, there are two things I would like your help with. First, I would like to legally register my business. Second, I am seeking a good kindergarten school for my little princess," Daniel said, gently patting Sylvana's head.
"Oh, no problem at all. I will help you with that immediately. Please follow me to my office," Mr. Sun responded, accepting Daniel's requests without hesitation.
The three of them followed Mr. Sun to his office, but to Daniel's surprise, Mr. Sun personally began working on their requests instead of delegating the tasks to others. It was contrary to Daniel's expectations, as if Mr. Sun didn't want someone else to know what he was working on, reminiscent of their previous encounter.
Daniel was not naive. He realized that Mr. Sun had tried to protect him from government scrutiny during their previous interaction, understanding the implications surrounding his identity. Reflecting on his past actions, Daniel realized his own foolishness and desperation at that time, daring to come here in an attempt to regain his wealth.
Now, Mr. Sun wore the same expression that Daniel once had—a face filled with desperation for help or a way out. In the span of 15 minutes, Mr. Sun had already looked directly into Daniel's eyes three times, and Daniel had caught him stealing glances at his face more than ten times.
"Sylvana, would you like some hot cocoa?" Daniel asked his daughter.
"Cocoa? Is there cocoa here!?" Sylvana's face immediately lit up.
"Excuse me, Mr. Sun, may I use your tea set over there?" Daniel asked, pointing to the tea set placed near an electric kettle near Mr. Sun's desk.
"Oh, go ahead! But please pardon me, I don't have any cocoa," Mr. Sun politely responded, then turned his attention to the little troublemaker Sylvana. "Can you drink tea, little one? How about milk tea?"
"Milk tea! I love milk tea!" Sylvana nodded with a big smile.
Daniel skillfully prepared a cup of milk tea for his daughter, Sylvana, while his observant eyes noticed the discreetly positioned hidden cameras throughout the room—cameras nestled in the corners, on the ceiling, and embedded within the walls. It became evident that Mr. Sun had ensured that nothing could be concealed from surveillance.
Returning to his seat, Daniel nodded gratefully at Mr. Sun, their eyes exchanging a meaningful connection. Though Mr. Sun reciprocated the nod, a flicker of desperation remained in his gaze. Daniel handed a cup of milk tea to his little girl and then decided to maintain an air of normalcy as he engaged in conversation with Mr. Sun, providing the requested additional information.
They cooperated to the best of their abilities, with time swiftly passing by as the document processing neared completion. Daniel retrieved a substantial stack of US dollars from his inner suit pocket and placed it on the table.
"Thank you, Mr. Sun. Consider this a token of my gratitude for your assistance with the documents. How about we step outside for a moment? I still require your help in finding a suitable kindergarten for my little girl," Daniel proposed, subtly winking at Mr. Sun, signaling him to follow.
"Oh, I'd love to!" Mr. Sun quickly accepted, his expression brightening as if he couldn't wait to leave the room.
Daniel nodded with a smile, leading the way out of the room and heading straight towards the lobby. However, before they could reach the lobby, Daniel noticed a man in a black suit standing in front of the elevator, blocking their path.
"My apologies, Mr. Emberweave. I'm the District Chief's secretary, but I'm afraid I need to accompany the District Chief with you. I must remind him of his schedule for today in case any emergencies arise," the muscular man politely explained.
Daniel observed Mr. Sun's face fall and a renewed sense of desperation surface upon seeing this muscular man. He realized that this man must be connected to the group of surveillance cameras hidden within Mr. Sun's office.
"Mr. Sun, is he your secretary?" Daniel asked for confirmation.
"Ah... yes, he's my secretary. I hired him specifically to assist me with overseeing some accounting matters," Mr. Sun replied with a slight stutter.
"Oh, nice to meet you then, Mr...." Daniel extended his hand, waiting to shake hands with the man claiming to be Mr. Sun's secretary.
"I'm Sam Miller, just call me Sam, Mr. Emberweave," Sam introduced himself, shaking Daniel's hand. Daniel reciprocated the handshake, maintaining a business-like smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sam," Daniel responded with a fa?ade of politeness.
With the pretense of civility coming to an end, Daniel led the group towards his car. He asked little Sylvana to sit on her mother's lap in the front seat while Mr. Sun and Sam Miller took the back seat. Starting the engine, he drove to a nearby luxury Italian restaurant since it was already noon.
Daniel's sleek black car glided to a stop in front of the unassuming facade of the Italian restaurant. The exterior gave no indication of the opulence that awaited inside. As the engine purred to a halt, the chauffeur stepped out to open the car doors for Daniel and his companions.
Entering the restaurant, the heavy wooden doors opened to reveal a grand interior bathed in warm, soft lighting. The vintage-inspired decor exuded an air of timeless elegance, with classic furnishings and tasteful Roman-inspired accents. The walls were adorned with framed paintings depicting scenes from ancient Rome, immersing guests in a bygone era.
The ma?tre d', dressed in a tailored suit, greeted Daniel and his party with a warm smile, recognizing them as esteemed guests. With a graceful gesture, the ma?tre d' led them through the restaurant, passing tables adorned with crisp white linens and flickering candlelight.
Seated at a secluded booth, Daniel and his companions were surrounded by an atmosphere of sophistication and privacy. The booth was elegantly draped with plush curtains, shielding them from prying eyes and lending an intimate touch to the dining experience. Soft background music played, creating an ambiance of tranquility and refinement.
"Oh, how sparkly!" exclaimed the mischievous Sylvana, her eyes wide with amazement as she took in the restaurant's grand decorations, eliciting a warm smile from the ma?tre d'.
"I must admit, Mr. Emberweave, you have quite the connections. I've heard that this restaurant is exclusive to members, and people like me would never dream of setting foot here," Sam Miller remarked with a touch of humor, realizing that this meal was a rare treat for him.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it, Sam," Daniel replied, maintaining his businesslike smile.
The waiter, recognizing Daniel as a VVIP, approached their table with utmost respect and professionalism.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Emberweave and esteemed guests," the waiter began, his tone conveying a sense of deference. "Welcome to our esteemed establishment. May I assist you in selecting your culinary preferences from our exquisite menu?"
Daniel glanced at his companions before responding, "Thank you for your hospitality. We would appreciate some recommendations from the chef. We are open to experiencing the finest flavors this establishment has to offer."
The waiter nodded graciously, acknowledging Daniel's request. "Certainly, Mr. Emberweave. Our chef takes great pride in crafting signature dishes. May I inquire about any specific dietary preferences or restrictions?"
Daniel considered for a moment before replying, "We have no specific dietary restrictions. Please feel free to surprise us with the chef's specialties."
The waiter smiled warmly. "Very well, sir. I will ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional. Please allow me a few moments to consult with the chef and prepare a tailored menu just for you. Is there anything else I can assist you with in the meantime?"
Daniel shook his head. "No, thank you. We look forward to savoring the chef's creations."
With a final nod of understanding, the waiter gracefully excused himself, leaving the group to enjoy the elegant ambiance of the restaurant as they eagerly awaited the gastronomic delights that awaited them.
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