Nono will always be that fierce, red-haired little witch driving a Ferrari, with her stubborn spirit, mischief, and a love for ice cream matching her hair color. The idea of marriage is still a distant future for her—she hasn’t even learned how to cook yet, and she insists on speeding down dark mountain roads with him…
But things change. Everyone leaves, and he’s left standing where he was.
The CC1000 express sped across the early autumn fields. Under the washed-blue sky, vegetation shifted in hues from deep green to gold and then to reddish-brown, like a rainbow of changing colors.
Andrew Gattuso, head of the investigative delegation, admired the splendid view outside the window with a calm and composed expression, though his mind was in turmoil.
He was the chief legal advisor for the Gattuso family, a graduate of Yale Law School, and an acquaintance of several U.S. presidents. He was also a hybrid, though his Yanling talent was unfortunately limited. He had spent the first half of his life managing the legal affairs of the family conglomerate without directly getting involved in “the College,” the family’s largest investment. However, he clearly understood the significance of the College—it was a money-burning institution, but far more important than any of the family’s profitable businesses. It gathered hybrid elites from all fields. A hybrid who hadn’t stepped foot in the College, hadn’t sat face-to-face with the lifetime professors there, and hadn’t earned their recognition—no matter how successful in the human world—was only a second-rate figure in the eyes of other hybrids.
Today, he finally had this opportunity—not just to pay a pilgrimage to the College, but to receive the highest authorization from the School Board to impeach the College’s authoritarian principal, who had ruled without restraint.
He was about to showcase his talent before the top hybrid elites—his reasoning, his logic, and his deeply moving eloquence—as if all had been preparing him for this day.
Andrew Gattuso—the name that would be recorded in history as a legal genius among hybrids! And the code of law he held was none other than the sacred “Abrahamic Blood Covenant.”
“Five more minutes until we reach our final stop. The train has begun to decelerate.” The young secretary entered the VIP cabin, bowing slightly.
Andrew nodded slightly, finding the secretary’s efficiency satisfactory. This secretary named Parsi had been appointed by Mr. Frost Gattuso as an assistant for the delegation. Frost had said he was a young man worth grooming. Andrew thought he lacked the flair of his own younger days, but he was obedient enough. However, Andrew wasn’t fond of Parsi’s taste in hairstyles—the young man always combed his beautiful blond hair into long bangs that covered his eyes, making Andrew feel he could never quite see his eyes clearly. Not making sincere eye contact when facing one’s superior—Andrew found this very improper.
“Have we informed the College of our arrival time?” Andrew adjusted his collar.
“Yes, they’ve been notified. They said they’ll be meeting us at the station.”
“Very well. You’re quite meticulous.” Andrew generously offered encouragement to the young man. “Are their emotions still stable?” Andrew imagined the look of the old man who’d occupied the principal’s office for nearly a century when he heard the School Board was openly investigating him—it must have felt like the sky falling on his head.
“It’s hard to tell such things over the phone.”
Andrew remembered something and hardened his expression. “Remember, we’re representing the School Board on this trip. Everything is to be done officially—no unnecessary interaction with them outside of our work. We can’t risk being influenced by them.”
“Understood!” Parsi hesitated for a moment. “However, to impeach the principal, the School Board alone isn’t enough. A vote is needed from all the lifetime professors. Before Principal Anjou is deemed unfit for duty, shouldn’t our approach be a bit softer?”
“Softer?” Andrew said coldly, “We already have enough evidence against Anjou and that student, Chu Zihang!”
“A student leader and Lionheart Society president, and the principal himself—if not handled properly,” Parsi said in a low voice, “I fear the students’ emotions might spiral out of control.”
Andrew sneered, unwilling to comment on Parsi’s naive concerns. What could happen if students got emotional? Defy the School Board? Riot? Let’s not forget that the School Board, or rather the Secret Party’s Council of Elders, was the most powerful violent institution of all!
“Arrange my schedule well—I want to meet each department head and every lifetime professor. If Anjou cooperates with our investigation, I can have a civil conversation with him. If he chooses to resist, there’s no need for me to see him!” Andrew spoke with a harsh tone.
“Understood.”
With the train’s whistle signaling its arrival, Andrew stood abruptly, straightening himself as though preparing for battle. “Cassell College was founded as a military institution targeting the Dragon Raja. It’s time it returned to its original path!”
“Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome!”
“Welcome to the School Board’s investigation team.”
“Mr. Andrew, thank you for your hard work!”
The moment Andrew stepped off the train, he was greeted by such cheers.
What’s going on? Something seemed wrong. Did they stop at the wrong station? Was he hallucinating? Shouldn’t there have been a somber-looking principal standing beside a black car, cautiously awaiting this inspector? Andrew had already prepared his response—if Anjou tried to win his favor by “inviting him to tea” before the investigation, he would firmly and politely refuse, saying, “I’m here to work, not for tea.”
But why was there a float? Banners flying, flags fluttering… and those students holding flowers on the platform—what on earth was happening? And damn it—a middle-aged man in a bright red Hawaiian shirt and plastic-framed sunglasses emerged, moving in for a hug!
Surely he must have stepped into the wrong space, right? If he just stepped back inside and closed the door, then reopened it, everything should return to normal!
Andrew didn’t even have time to close the train door. He was pulled into a tight embrace by that scruffy man, who clapped him on the back so hard it seemed like he was trying to cure him of a cough. The heavy scent of alcohol made Andrew dizzy, and then a beautiful girl appeared from the side, placing a Hawaiian-style lei around his neck. He was escorted, stumbling, onto that flower-covered float.
“Is… is this a kidnapping?” Andrew was utterly confused.
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