CHAPTER 960: CHAPTER 960: TOO LATE

Fifteen minutes later, a commotion arose outside the State Banquet Hall.

Led by Xiao Yehui, the British Imperial Charlman Family slowly entered the venue.

Perhaps the Charlman name was too illustrious, attracting the attention of many in the State Banquet Hall who craned their necks to look.

"Prince Wu Lv is indeed a figure of immense influence internationally. Even the Charlman Family was invited; I’ve heard they are the only existing Asian-descent dukes in the British Imperial."

"Prince Wu is more than just influential. I’ve heard whispers from the Cabinet Office; he might very well be the next leader."

"That can’t be right; it’s not time for a change of leadership yet. It must be a rumor."

"Believe it or don’t. My uncle works at the Cabinet Office, do you think I’d make this up? The Senate is going to take action soon; just wait and see."

While the onlookers were still whispering, Charlman and his entourage officially appeared through the crowd.

Four Royal Knights cleared the way as Xiao Yehui, dressed in a striking dark blue and gold-trimmed court tailcoat, made his presence felt. This court attire of the British Empire was a symbol of his status.

Princess Margaret was also adorned in regal attire, with her hand gracefully hooked on Xiao Yehui’s arm as they walked elegantly together, resembling a pair of golden boy and jade girl.

Following closely behind was Ming Dailan, with no sign of Xiao Yeyan.

At this moment, Prince Wu Lv personally stepped forward to greet them, exchanging pleasantries with Xiao Yehui with a courteous handshake, "Duke Charlman, long time no see."

Xiao Yehui held his left arm across his front and nodded slightly, "Prince Wu, nice to see you again."

Prince Wu Lv gestured invitingly, his face maintaining a polite smile, "Please, do come in, Duke."

Not far away, Li Qiao, who had just returned, happened to witness this scene.

Without changing her expression, she tapped her phone and brought it to her ear, speaking blandly, "Send the person in."

Li San glanced sideways, licking his back teeth and smiling sheepishly, "Luckily, you’re my sister."

Li Qiao cast a fleeting, disdainful glance at him.

...

Due to the arrival of the British Imperial Charlman, the atmosphere in the State Banquet Hall soared to unprecedented heights.

Many guests attending the ceremony intentionally or unintentionally moved towards Xiao Yehui, clearly eager to mingle.

"Greetings, Tan Sri."

A teasing voice with a hint of laughter suddenly resonated from behind Li Qiao. She slightly turned her head and met Jin Rong’s gaze, filled with a fatherly affection, and wryly replied, "You may dispense with the formalities."

Jin Rong, pretending to bow, said: "..."

Jin Rong rolled his eyes at Li Qiao and handed her a glass of juice, "Your favorite guava juice."

Li Qiao thanked him without trying to make conversation, "Who invited you?"

Jin Rong tossed his front fringe, "Your Uncle Wu."

Just at this moment, two people walked into the entrance of the State Banquet Hall. Sipping from a glass, Shen Qingye, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, reminded Li Qiao from behind, "Xiao Yeyan is here."

Li Qiao and Jin Rong both turned their heads to see Xiao Yeyan, looking haggard, leading his female companion into view.

The woman beside him was Ye Jing.

The State Banquet Hall was large, bustling with people, casting moving shadows.

But Ye Jing’s gaze still, without fail, found Li Qiao through the crowd.

Her eyes flickered; the fighting spirit and arrogance she once had were no longer there.

Ye Jing discreetly withdrew her gaze, then softly asked Xiao Yeyan, "What would you like to drink?"

Xiao Yeyan tugged at the Windsor knot at his collar, frowning, "Whatever."

"Then champagne it is, I’ll be right back."

Ye Jing smiled at him, turning away as her ponytail swung in a graceful arc behind her.

Xiao Yeyan watched her retreating back with contempt hidden in his expression.

The once proud and arrogant woman had been beaten down by reality beyond recognition, even willing to rely on him for protection.

The so-called Flame Alliance Q was nothing after all.

Xiao Yeyan sneered disdainfully and stopped paying attention to Ye Jing, letting his gaze wander before he quickly stepped toward Ming Dailan.

...

On the other side, Ye Jing mingled with the crowd, and within seconds, she was in front of Li Qiao, "You will keep your word, right?"

Li Qiao looked up, her tone cool and detached, "Of course."

As they spoke, Jin Rong and Shen Qingye both gave Ye Jing a look that was hard to describe, noticing the hickeys on her neck.

Though they didn’t know who she was, it didn’t affect their judgment.

She had a contradictory aura, her eyes firm, yet her demeanor was cautious and subservient.

At a banquet in Myanmar, her attire was relatively appropriate, but her off-the-shoulder dress still exposed the hickeys on her shoulders and neck.

Xiao Yeyan also had a hickey on the side of his neck.

The relationship between these two was self-evident.

Ye Jing swallowed and ignored the scrutinizing looks, negotiating with Li Qiao with a desperate attitude, "Three years is too short, I want a reduction of five years. If you can do it, I’ll definitely help you today."

Jin Rong didn’t catch what Ye Jing said, seeing her suddenly approaching Li Qiao, his expression darkened, "Will you retreat yourself, or should I make you?"

Ye Jing ignored Jin Rong, fixing her eyes forward, unyielding, "Do you agree?"

"Are you sure you’re helping me?" Li Qiao slowly sipped her juice, "If three years is too little, then forget about any reduction."

Ye Jing’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly revealed a smug cold smile, "Your confidence is overwhelming. Do you really think backing the Flame Alliance means you can act with impunity?"

Li Qiao shook her head and chuckled without saying a word. Jin Rong stepped in directly, nudging Ye Jing aside with his shoulder, "My Qi Qi needs no one to act lawlessly, she doesn’t care for a place like the Flame Alliance, get lost."

Ye Jing stumbled backward several steps and was about to retort when Li Qiao’s calm voice reached her, "Ye Jing, have you thought it through?"

"I... "

Li Qiao curled her lips, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement, "You can either cooperate or be on your way, after all, betrayal of the International Drug Enforcement Agency leads to execution. I can send you off early."

Ye Jing’s pupils constricted, her mind wavering.

On one hand was Xiao Yeyan’s promise, on the other was the threat of the International Drug Enforcement Agency.

Before Ye Jing could decide, Xiao Yeyan walked over, "Miss Li, we meet again."

His tone was always unhurried, even in the face of impending doom, with a touch of unknowing naivety.

Li Qiao looked at Xiao Yeyan sympathetically, raising her juice glass in gesture, "Congratulations."

"Ha." Xiao Yeyan wrapped an arm around Ye Jing’s waist, "Congratulations on what? Do you two know each other?"

Li Qiao smiled, her gaze dismissive as it met Ye Jing’s sparking eyes, inscrutably saying, "Didn’t Miss Ye tell you we are quite acquainted?"

Xiao Yeyan turned to look at Ye Jing, his arm suddenly tightening around her, "Is that so?"

Ye Jing winced from the pain but dared not meet his gaze.

The two had just been through the most intimate act, and she was caught in a dilemma.

Ye Jing looked at Li Qiao again, as if making a tough decision, word by word, "Then three years it is."

Li Qiao glanced over their shoulders and chuckled, raising her eyebrows, "Too late."

She had already agreed to reduce Ye Jing’s sentence by three years as a concession.

Alas, greed was what led to downfall.