That brightness made him involuntarily think of another pair of very similar eyes.
"Shall we start the interview?"
After shaking hands with Ethan, Morgan seed a bit impatient.
Ethan nodded and pressed a bell on the side to signal for tea.
"Okay, the first question. Is it true that your piece 'The Orphans of Saint Kuanti' has a real-life prototype?"
"Aren't you interested in asking about my 'Eternal mory'?"
Ethan countered.
"Oh, well, I... I wanted to start from the very beginning because I co from the Royal Capital, and the first ti I knew you was through that painting, so..."
Morgan seed flustered for a mont, then forcibly cald himself.
"Alright, let's talk about that painting first. Indeed..."
They talked for an hour like this.
From 'The Orphans of Saint Kuanti' to discussing the orphanage, and the reconstruction of Saint Kuanti, as well as Ethan's work reflecting compassion for the people at the bottom.
They never talked about 'Eternal mory.'
By the end, Ethan lifted his cup of tea and smiled, "Mr. Morgan, you don't actually understand art, do you?"
"Uh..." Morgan, who had also lifted his tea, seed stunned for a mont, hurriedly drinking his tea as if to hide his expression and seemingly strategizing.
Then Ethan said sothing else: "You're not actually Morgan."
This statent made Morgan spew out his tea.
"I... I'm sorry, Mr. Ethan, I... I..." he fumbled to wipe off the tea, simultaneously appearing to want to argue while apologizing.
Eventually, he seed a bit defeated: "I'm sorry, Mr. Ethan, I... I'm indeed not Morgan, but I am an independent journalist. My na is Herlosh, from the Royal Capital. I don't understand art. I usually report on people's livelihoods, focusing on the underprivileged. I stumbled upon your 'Orphans of Saint Kuanti' and thought it was wonderful. I believe you must be a great person too. Happened that your 'Eternal mory' beca quite popular, so I used so ans... sorry... I..."
Ethan actually saw through him from the beginning. Although this guy seed calm when he ca in, he exposed himself the mont he spoke.
But Ethan didn't imdiately expose him, because his pair of eyes was intriguing.
"Forget it, but don't do such things next ti. Do you need a change of clothes?" Ethan shook his head, indicating he wouldn't pursue it.
Herlosh sighed in relief, promptly expressing that he didn't need it and imdiately set to leave.
Ethan didn't stop him, rely watched as he left.
A short while later, Anya walked in and said, "Do you want to investigate this person?"
"Yes, find out where he's staying now and what's his situation in the Royal Capital. I want all his information."
Ethan rubbed his chin.
A few days ago, Ned had been saying to him that they couldn't use their own people, they had to use outsiders, even preparing to restart the Gathering of True-Naers.
Ethan really didn't have a good candidate.
But today, this person nad Herlosh had caught his attention.
A foreigner, an independent journalist.
Most importantly, his eyes.
Ethan put down the teacup, returned to the office, and found a copy of The Truth Newspaper in the bottom drawer, then looked at the eye on the newspaper.
The eye also gazed at him, emitting a light that was excessively bright.
No doubt about it.
That person is most likely a True-Naer of the Real Eye.
After Herlosh left, Ethan t with a local newspaper reporter.
This ti it was genuine; they talked in detail about the creative journey behind 'Eternal mory', and finally, Ethan didn't forget to openly and secretly ntion he might host an art exhibition.
Ethan had already figured it out these past days, he temporarily couldn't hold an independent art exhibition. That would be too blatant, as the Kingdom Statistical Bureau was already watching him.
Even though nothing incriminating had been found in the Evans Clan industries these days, holding an independent art exhibition at this critical juncture would obviously be money laundering.
The target was too big.
So he changed his stance and said he would present a painting at the Winster University centennial celebration to celebrate.
At the sa ti, he would showcase so of his personal works.
On the occasion, there would also be a small auction.
Of course, the proceeds from the auction would be donated to his alma mater.
Now, the acting president of Winster University, El, was also his man, making it much easier to handle the funds.
Ethan had already discussed this matter with El.
El was a clever man; he understood Ethan's intentions imdiately, initially appearing hesitant.
But ultimately, he understood how he ca to be in his current position, so he gritted his teeth and decided to proceed.
After sending off the local reporter, Virel arrived.
"Vito's people are gearing up to start work."
He brought the latest information regarding Vito.
Since the arrival of Joseph, Ethan's pressure had doubled, leaving him unable to keep an eye on Vito constantly.
Vito had gathered his people.
Their numbers seed not too large at the mont, and according to Virel's observation, most of them were ordinary people.
This ans that the dock ambush on that night did cause so muscle injury to Vito.
But after Vito's people arrived, there was no other movent, seemingly really here just to work on the project.
Like Virel said, they were preparing to start, which ant the sewer project was underway.
As for the land reclamation plan, City Hall was indeed pushing forward.
Ethan didn't express resistance in terms of investnt; he couldn't put himself in the spotlight.
The real target was still Vito.
If the land reclamation project couldn't be executed in the end, Vito wouldn't be able to establish a foothold in Winster.
Vice versa.
"Recently, Vito has absorbed quite a few of Sandro's old followers, those who are dissatisfied with us. However, not all of Sandro's people want to follow him. Many instead resent him because they're going to demolish Sandro's castle."
Virel continued.
Sandro's castle was the first step in the land reclamation, and it must be demolished.
Sandro had stood in the Winster underground for decades, even though he was dead now, his remaining influence was still present.
Many still viewed him as an idol, a spiritual belief.
Now, soone dares to demolish their idol's ho, which is difficult to accept under any circumstances.
Such a thing is sothing even Ethan, who personally was the culprit that killed Sandro, hadn't done.
"So, I picked so of these people to blend into Vito's crew as insiders. I reckon they'll be useful when the ti cos."
Ethan nodded.
It's now March, but Winster already has a certain oppressive feeling as if a torrential downpour is imminent despite the sumr heat.
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