Chapter 446 - 248: Rejecting Duo Queue (2)

The Wandering Woman let out an "Oh." Her breath smelled of red wine, and her face was an unnatural shade of pink. Clearly, she’d had too much to drink.

From the whispers of the young scions, Baron learned that this woman was Catherine, Adam Van Helsing’s sister, from the Van Helsing Clan of Beast Hunters.

Apparently, like Barbara Hestia, she was a famous socialite on the Inner Side.

Both women had husbands. The only difference was that Barbara’s husband was in prison, while Catherine’s was not only alive but was, at that very moment, glaring at Baron and grinding his teeth from a short distance away.

He was a refined-looking middle-aged man, a Scotsman, and a fairly well-known Alchemist from Edinburgh.

Rumor had it they already had children. However, intimidated by the immense power and influence of the Van Helsing Clan, he could only swallow his pride and turn a blind eye to his wife’s promiscuity and infidelity. ’Looks like the poor guy is so pissed his eyes are twitching.’

’What is this, getting hit on by a married woman right in front of her husband...’

Baron grumbled to himself. ’Am I really this popular with married women?’

’All I can say is, these Old Blood Nobility of the Inner Side are a decadent bunch. To them, words like "purity" and "chastity" are probably insults.’

Baron sighed internally and once again firmly rejected Catherine’s proposition.

Despite the rejection, Catherine simply smiled. She twirled a lock of long hair over her shoulder, her hazy gaze tracing circles on Baron’s chest.

"In that case, I’ll go ask Miss Freya for permission to borrow you."

Baron could feel Catherine’s husband grinding his molars to dust. He grumbled inwardly,

’I’m really not trying to seduce her. I haven’t done a thing! Don’t look at me like that, man. This is all your wife’s doing.’

After saying her piece, Catherine swayed her alluring hips toward the dance floor at the center of the banquet hall.

Baron breathed a sigh of relief. Catherine’s arrival had drawn the attention of many people in the hall, which was a huge detriment to his upcoming plans.

As Legitimate Daughters of Old Blood Clans, Freya and Isabella Lucy naturally became the center of attention once the post-auction banquet began. Men vied to curry favor with them, and one after another, they—along with young women who admired them—were invited to dance in the main social circle.

They could refuse the men’s invitations, but not those from the young women who admired them for their beauty and their status as Law Enforcers.

As an Attendant, Baron lacked the status to enter the main social circle in the center of the hall. However, this gave him the perfect opportunity to observe his surroundings.

He scanned the area for Elder Pence and the woman in the white formal hat. Only after confirming that both were still in their respective social circles did he relax. He turned to find Vivian, who was being held in room 506, but suddenly ran into a group of people.

To be precise, a group of hulking Attendants.

They introduced themselves, saying their master had sent them. They warned Baron to stay away from Lady Catherine, or they would teach him a lesson.

It clicked for Baron. He looked toward the refined-looking middle-aged man in the distance, who raised his wine glass in a toast and drained it in one go.

Baron was irritated.

’Hold on, your wife was the one hitting on me, not the other way around... Man, your wife has slept with who knows how many scions from the Old Blood Clans of the Inner Side. Why come after me, a mere Attendant, to flex your authority? Are you just picking on an easy target?’

’Or is this a honey trap? No, that can’t be right... I haven’t done a thing. How did the situation escalate to this point?’

This made Baron even more furious. A vicious glint flashed in his downcast eyes, and the Attendants caught it.

The lead Attendant sneered.

"Kid, are you still harboring some unrealistic fantasies about her Ladyship? You think you’re hot stuff just because you’re a Law Enforcer? Let me tell you, her Ladyship isn’t someone a lowly Attendant like you can even think of touching. And I hate to break it to you, but I’m a Law Enforcer too."

"And..." He swung a slap at Baron. "I’m stronger than you!"

The Attendant’s eyes widened. His hand froze in mid-air before it could reach Baron.

A Magic Card had stopped his sandbag-sized fist. A slender, pale hand then plucked the card from the air. The gorgeous, staff-wielding woman spoke with a radiant smile.

"Hey, gentlemen. I hope you won’t cause a scene here. You’re blocking my view of the tango on the dance floor."

"Miss Hestia." The Attendants bowed to the woman.

Baron didn’t bow. The lead Attendant, who was also a Law Enforcer, barked, "This is the eldest daughter of the Hestia Family! Are you not going to—"

His words died in his throat as the woman said, "That won’t be necessary. You may all leave. He will stay."

The Attendants were stunned. "But—" the lead one started to say.

"Is that the proper attitude for an Attendant to take with a Legitimate Daughter of the Hestia Family? Or do you think my words carry less weight than your master’s?"

The beautiful woman’s captivating eyes swept over them. Her gaze was breathtaking, containing not only a heart-stopping charm but also an irresistible, commanding presence.

The lead Attendant and his followers lowered their heads. "We wouldn’t dare."

Barbara said coolly, "Then get lost."

The Attendants exchanged a glance, shot Baron one last vicious glare, and left.

The scene had attracted some attention.

"Isn’t that the Legitimate Daughter of the Hestia Family? Barbara Hestia... Don’t tell me she’s taken a liking to that Attendant, just like Catherine?"

"They’re both famous beauties in London City. This Attendant from Lancelot’s Family certainly has some luck with the ladies."

"But he’s just an Attendant in the end. You don’t seriously think anything will come of it, do you?"

The guests chattered amongst themselves. Though they were whispering, their words didn’t escape the ears of a Dragon Knight.

Barbara held out a glass of red wine to Baron. "Care for a glass?"

Baron refused with a shake of his head, his gaze shifting to where Catherine’s husband had been. The man had turned and disappeared into another social circle the moment Barbara appeared.

Barbara followed Baron’s gaze. "His name is Hamilton, Catherine’s husband. He’s also a member of the Prole Court’s twelve-person jury. Provoking him is not a good idea, sir."

"Especially since your name hasn’t been cleared yet."

’The twelve-person jury? If I remember correctly, it was that same jury of bastards who sentenced me to death without bothering to look at the facts.’

Baron narrowed his eyes. ’Talk about a small world.’

Barbara noticed Baron’s interest in the twelve-person jury and explained,

"The twelve-person jury is backed by several major families. They’re supposedly the twelve most prestigious individuals elected by the residents of London City, but that’s just a front. In reality, they all work for the various Old Blood Clans and the Law Enforcement Organization."

Barbara then pointed out the other jury members present at the party, telling Baron it would be best not to provoke any of them if he wanted to overturn the verdict against him.

Baron wasn’t too concerned. ’My current identity is just a disguise,’ he thought. ’As long as I don’t get exposed, it won’t be a problem.’

"Catherine’s husband, Hamilton, is notoriously jealous on the Inner Side. It’s not surprising he’d send people after you."

Barbara said, "However, in my estimation, Catherine’s husband was likely acting on someone else’s orders. Otherwise, he would never dare have his Attendants make a move on you at an auction hosted by several major Old Blood Clans."

Baron raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

Barbara stated calmly, "He’s afraid of the Van Helsing Clan, so he turns a blind eye to Catherine’s constant philandering. Yet now he dares to move against you at this auction, risking the wrath of the major Old Blood Clans who organized it. The reason is simple."

"One of the families backing the auction put him up to it," Baron said, catching on instantly.

Barbara continued, "If I’m not mistaken, the one who sent Hamilton after you was Elder Pence... and if he dared to do that, it means..."

"He might suspect my true identity." Baron looked toward Hamilton’s group, where Elder Pence was mingling and clinking glasses.

"Do you need my help?" Barbara asked. "I need to know what you’re planning. Just tell me what you need me to do."