539: Chapter 539: Charity Dinner (Long Chapter, Asking for Monthly Votes) 539: Chapter 539: Charity Dinner (Long Chapter, Asking for Monthly Votes) At 4:30 in the afternoon, He Ao returned to the Dense Forest Bar.
This ti the doorman didn’t lead him to that door propped open by a hydraulic rod but took him deeper into the bar, turning several corners, and through a small door into the circular hall he had seen in the morning.
The corpses in the hall had been cleaned up, and Heish was standing in the center of the hall with a black briefcase, waiting for He Ao.
As she watched He Ao approach, she unlocked the briefcase’s automatic locks, opened it, and displayed its contents to He Ao.
It was a neatly folded n’s evening suit.
“I had a tailor custom-make this for you, try it on to see if it fits,” Heish said to He Ao, “Attending such a banquet requires a high standard of dress, and we can’t appear unprepared.”
He Ao glanced at the suit and his eyes fell on Heish’s wine-red pupils.
Those beautiful eyes always radiated a certain brilliance.
They must be prosthetic eyes.
Heish hadn’t physically asured He Ao’s size, but still managed to have a suit made for him, proving she had so thod of determining sizes without asuring, and most prosthetic eyes co with such simple size-asuring features.
“Thank you,”
He Ao didn’t stand on ceremony, he took the briefcase and looked around, “Is there a changing room nearby?”
Jess had his own evening suit, but his ho was likely surrounded by watchers now, so He Ao couldn’t go back.
But attendance at the banquet indeed required an evening suit, and if Heish hadn’t prepared one, He Ao would have bought a passable one to wear on the way.
“Co with .”
Heish led He Ao to her office, where there was a private washroom deeply situated, “I usually change my clothes here.”
“Alright.”
He Ao nodded, carrying the briefcase, opened the door to the washroom and entered.
He quickly took off his overcoat and hung it on the hook, then began to remove his blood-stained shirt.
As the shirt ca off, a silver pendant covered in bloodstains was revealed.
He Ao wiped the blood off the pendant with his hand and opened it.
The pendant was styled like a cover pocket watch and could be opened sideways; inside, there was a small photo embedded on either side.
On the left side was a photo of a cultured and refined elderly couple, Jess’s parents.
On the right was a photo of a woman wearing glasses, with a gentle countenance and face full of a happy smile, Jess’s wife Tiny.
He Ao closed the pendant, quickly changed into the evening suit, and stood in front of the washroom mirror.
Clearly crafted by a master tailor, all dinsions and proportions were just right, highlighting Jess’s scholarly and amiable temperant perfectly.
He Ao pulled open the door of the washroom and stepped out.
The sight of him brought a sparkle to Heish’s eyes outside.
She smiled and said, “Enwit wasn’t bragging after all.”
“Enwit?”
He Ao looked at her, puzzled.
“A grouchy old man, he claims to be the best tailor in the whole of Vitland.”
Heish laughed as she gazed at the tall and handso He Ao standing before her, “At least this suit he designed is pretty good.”
He Ao nodded in agreent.
Vian had received a full aesthetic education; inheriting Vian’s mories, He Ao also had a fundantal sense of aesthetics.
Judging solely by its design, the suit was indeed outstanding.
“Wait for a mont.”
Heish picked up another briefcase from a nearby table, waved at He Ao, and walked into the washroom.
About ten minutes later, she erged from the washroom.
A gorgeous woman in a black sheer deep-V rmaid dress appeared before He Ao’s eyes.
This gown was clearly tailored for Heish, with the characteristics of a rmaid design—the fitted waist and the constriction near the knees that perfectly outlined Heish’s slender waist, voluptuous hips, and shapely thighs.
Coupled with her burgundy short hair and her pale skin, she looked both valiant and slightly alluring.
“You and this dress…” He Ao scrutinized the rmaid dress and knitted his brows slightly.
The dress was certainly beautiful, but in terms of practicality, it fell short by a large margin.
After all, they might encounter danger, and wearing such a dress would be anything but convenient for movent.
Heish smiled at He Ao and undid the buckle hidden in the folds of the dress.
The constricting rmaid tail instantly split open, turning into flared pants with fringes.
Heish’s deanor also shifted completely from alluring to valiant.
“That will do.”
He Ao nodded lightly.
“Then we should be about ready to leave.”
Heish fastened the buckle again, transforming the flared pants back into a rmaid dress, and smiled.
—
Wel dical Building
Unlike the other major consortia that had set their headquarters in the eastern part of Vitland City, the Saint Lote District, Wel dical Building stood tall in the oldest North Vitland District.
The building was adjacent to Vitland University, and a straight three kiloters north lay the Vitland City Council Building.
Although the Wel dical Consortium’s market value barely made it into the Federation’s top twenty, it was one of the oldest consortia in the whole Federation.
Wel dical Consortium was founded almost when Viitland City was first constructed—during the Original Federation era, even before the Federation was established.
Many of the consortia contemporary to Wel dical eventually vanished into the dust of history, but Wel not only survived these centuries, it grew step by step into a colossal entity that spread across the entire Federation.
A sleek black sports car drove into the underground parking of the Wel dical Building.
Under the guidance of the smart parking assistant, He Ao parked the car near the exit.
The car belonged to Heish, but since it was inconvenient for her to keep opening and closing the buckle due to her dress, He Ao took on the role of the driver as well.
The two of them got out of the car, closed the doors, and along with the sound of the electronic car locks automatically securing the vehicle, He Ao saw luxury cars, one after another, entering the underground parking.
“The banquet is on the 39th floor, which houses a dedicated venue for such events.”
Heish led He Ao towards an elevator nearby, “The elevators in this underground parking can usually take you directly to the 39th floor.”
“Does this building have research areas?”
He Ao, carrying a briefcase, followed Heish into the elevator and glanced at the buttons inside.
“Those areas are confidential,” Heish pressed the button for the 39th floor, and as the elevator ascended, she looked at He Ao, “Generally, they’re not open for entry.
Do you want to take a look?”
“I have a few students working in this building.”
He Ao shook his head with a smile.
Before joining the Mysterious Person’s project, Jess, as a rising academic star in the industry, had indeed ntored quite a few students.
And these students were generally well-rounded and would work for large biotech companies or dical consortia after graduation.
“Students?”
Heish was taken aback.
She had seen He Ao kill, his actions decisive, direct, without any hesitation—more akin to a professional assassin than a teacher.
But looking at He Ao’s calm and scholarly deanor, she suddenly thought it wouldn’t be strange if He Ao were a teacher.
Many professional assassins would disguise their identities with more ordinary professions.
Perhaps the “Jess” in front of her was disguised as a primary or secondary school teacher.
Strictly speaking, this was only the second ti he had t He Ao, and he didn’t know much about him.
She looked at He Ao and asked with a smile, “What subject do you teach?”
“Um?” He Ao glanced at her and pondered, “Biology.”
“That makes sense, after all, it’s a dical consortium,”
Heish nodded and glanced at the changing floor numbers above,
“The research area of Wel is on the 30th to 38th floors, but these floors have strict security checks, and usually, you can’t get in.
However, there seems to be a segnt where researchers will explain their work at tonight’s dinner, so you might et your students there.”
Ding——
As Heish’s words ended, the elevator reached the 39th floor and the doors slowly opened.
The first thing that caught He Ao’s eye was a huge floor-to-ceiling electronic screen, on which a minimally designed poster covered the screen.
[For Children and the Future]
[Wel Charity Foundation Children’s Special Charity Dinner]
Next to the electronic screen was a security checkpoint, where two young n in all-black, neatly dressed suits stood at the entrance, carrying dream inspectors to screen all the guests coming to the dinner.
Beside the security checkpoint, there was a smart storage locker.
The locker’s display displayed lines of text, indicating that guests with items inconvenient for security checks could store them in the locker first.
He Ao walked over with a briefcase and left it in the locker.
There was nothing special in the briefcase, just two powerful handguns that could cause damage to a D-class Transcendent.
He Ao hadn’t brought his alloy dagger with him but had left it in the car because a dagger of that size would definitely not pass the security check and, if left in the locker, wouldn’t be retrievable should a conflict arise with the Wel Consortium.
Therefore, he had left the dagger in the car.
However, one did not necessarily need a specialized weapon to kill soone, as dinner usually provided knives and forks for convenience.
Of course, He Ao was a law-abiding citizen, and he wouldn’t actively turn cutlery into dangerous items.
After storing the briefcase, He Ao and Heish walked towards the security checkpoint together.
The two easily passed through the checkpoint and followed the corridor towards the banquet hall.
“Miss Heish.”
At that mont, a gentle call suddenly ca from behind.
He Ao and Heish turned their heads together to see an elderly man with graying hair, who appeared quite refined, standing behind them.
He Ao squinted slightly; he had seen this man’s photos many tis in the past few days.
This was one of the current Senators of Vitland and was nearing the end of his term and seeking re-election, Senator Ned.
He Ao had already seen many of Ned’s campaign advertisents these past few days.
However, he hadn’t expected to encounter him here.
“Senator Ned.”
Heish also smiled and greeted Ned, extending her hand for a shake.
“Who might this be?”
Ned grasped Heish’s hand and looked towards He Ao beside her.
“This is my brother Jess,”
Heish smiled and then subtly withdrew her hand from Ned’s grip, “He’s accompanying to the dinner.”
Distant cousins — this was the relationship He Ao and Heish had agreed upon on the way.
“Jess”
He Ao reached out his hand.
“Hello, I am Ned.”
Ned’s hand, left hanging in mid-air, had to stretch forward to shake hands with He Ao.
He glanced at He Ao and smiled, “Mr.
Jess looks quite distinguished at first sight.
I didn’t expect Miss Heish to have a brother like you.”
“We’re distantly related and rarely in contact.
We have just recently reconnected.”
He Ao smiled and let go of Ned’s hand, “Senator Ned, to take ti out of your busy schedule to attend the charity gala truly shows your concern for the citizens.”
“I spend every day thinking about how to make life better for the citizens of Vitland,”
Ned smiled and then he pointed to the banquet hall, “I have so tasks during the dinner later, so I’ll head in first.”
“Alright.”
He Ao and Heish nodded with smiles.
Only after Ned had walked deeper into the hall, did He Ao and Heish leisurely make their way towards the banquet hall.
“Does this charity gala have sothing to do with that Senator?”
He Ao looked around at the crowd coming and going in the gala, sat down at a small table at the edge of the hall, picked up an apple from the fruit platter on the table, and casually asked.
“The president of the Wel Charity Foundation is his son.”
Heish picked up a blueberry and put it into her mouth, glancing at the young hostess dressed up at the edge of the stage, “The host of this gala is his mistress.”
“It seems he isn’t very discreet in his private life.”
He Ao said calmly.
“His public morals are probably no better.”
Heish glanced again at Ned, deep in the crowd,
“Every year, he invites us in the na of the Wel dical Consortium to donate to the Wel Charity Foundation.
Supposedly for charity, but with his son as the president of the foundation and his daughter as a trustee, where that donated money goes, only they know.”
“It appears you don’t have a very good impression of the Wel Charity Foundation.”
He Ao said offhandedly.
“I received relief food from them when I was young.
I queued for four hours on a rainy day,” Heish spoke slowly, “they claid each person would get a large bag of bread and a small piece of synthetic beef, but in reality, we only got a small piece of expired, sour black bread,”
She also took a bite of an apple, “Of course, I saw so people get the food as advertised, but since then, I’ve never seen those people again.”
Realizing she might have said too much, Heish smiled and picked up a glass of wine, taking a sip, “That’s all in the past now, talking about it doesn’t make any difference.”
At that mont, a few people dressed smartly took seats, they were seemingly significant figures of Vitland and they all knew Heish.
Heish composed herself and smiled, chatting with them for a while before she was pulled into the center of the hall to start mingling with others in the dance floor.
Gatherings like this were also pri opportunities for her, as an interdiary, to network and et new ‘clients’.
anwhile, He Ao sat quietly in the corner, eating his fruit.
The charity gala seed to be using an auction to raise funds for charity, and the formal proceedings of the evening had not yet begun, still in the pre-dinner mingling phase.
However, so staff were serving appetizers around the hall.
He Ao flagged down a server and ordered a piece of cake.
He glanced at the bustling crowd in the middle of the hall, lowered his head, and leisurely began cutting the cake with a fork.
Jess had never liked attending such boisterous balls.
“Professor Jess!?”
At that mont, a surprised voice suddenly ca from behind him.
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