It was just Daphne who arrived.

This made Yang Ming feel somewhat uneasy.

He had thought that Director Eno would appear at this moment; all the prepared persuasions he had in store now needed reorganization.

The alloy door, which seemed as thin as paper to Yang Ming, slowly opened. Daphne, clad in a voluminous dress with a hat and scarf, nodded to Yang Ming with a smile.

Two maids stood outside, while Daphne entered alone, and the alloy door slowly closed.

Yang Ming showed signs of fatigue, buttoned the two top buttons of his shirt, and looked up at the beautiful princess.

"I didn't expect to meet you here."

Yang Ming shook his head, smiling.

Daphne gracefully curtsied and then went over to sit by the corner table on her own, saying softly, "I also didn't expect that Uncle Grandfather Eno would specifically message me to meet you here."

"Director Eno?"

Yang Ming slightly furrowed his brow, "Did he give any instructions?"

With a gentle laugh, Daphne said, "Uncle Grandfather mentioned he didn't expect you would reject the Sherman family's goodwill in such a manner."

She was scheming.

Yang Ming's first reaction was a bitter smile, "The Director should know better than anyone how much I value this opportunity."

"But your previous behavior showed great resistance," Daphne's icy blue eyes almost seemed to speak, revealing a hint of slyness, "speaking now is pointless. Your father has given up on you as a weapon. The hero of the Empire has stepped back into shadows."

Yang Ming asked, "Princess, did you come here just to mock me?"

"Of course not," Daphne responded, "Uncle Grandfather sent me here to ask you a few questions."

Yang Ming nodded, "Go ahead."

"These questions will affect your future. I must remind you to think carefully before answering."

Every movement Daphne made seemed to be trained by a court etiquette officer, including when she lifted her hand to remove her earrings.

She gently pinched the pale blue earrings, which emitted a faint light.

"From now on, our conversation will be recorded by these devices.

"To prevent using our conversation content to hurt each other, choose an earring to keep with you as our shared secret.

"If you don't trust me, I can have them bring your watch."

Yang Ming shook his head, smiling, "Princess, you jest. How could I not trust you? I just... would rather have my personal equipment right now."

Daphne nodded politely and walked toward the door.

After a two-minute delay, Yang Ming leisurely put on his watch, which had been checked several times, and took one earring to his side.

"Princess, what do you want to ask?"

"Questions given by Uncle Grandfather," Daphne said, "he's investigating your potential ties with foreign powers."

Yang Ming slightly furrowed his brow.

Daphne continued:

"Uncle Grandfather said there are two things he can't understand—the timing of the kidnapping was too coincidental, especially when the royal family began to hype your and my scandal. Suddenly, a series of anti-White Ghost sentiments arose within the Empire.

"Uncle Grandfather asked me, who in the Empire now loves to manipulate public opinion the most?

"My answer was the White Ghost."

"What does that mean?" Yang Ming frowned, "You mean, I had people criticize myself?"

"I asked Uncle Grandfather the same," Daphne said with an elegant and gentle smile, "but he told me he could not find a motive for you doing that, as you should be very eager for this opportunity – it's an important responsibility for you, unless..."

Yang Ming narrowed his eyes slightly.

Daphne smiled, "Unless, alongside investing in the Empire, you're also investing in other powerful nations—New Federation, Free Federation, Guel Alliance, or maybe other countries that rank in the top ten."

Yang Ming shrugged, "That's giving me too much credit."

"Uncle Grandfather also thinks it's unlikely. You don't have enough time. He also investigated suspicious figures in the top ten powerful nations and found no politician emerging significantly like you."

Daphne paused, her eyes slightly puzzled:

"I don't quite understand Uncle Grandfather's words, can you clarify it for me?"

Yang Ming hummed thoughtfully, "That's confidential, Princess Daphne. Once you've asked the second question, I'll consider whether to answer you."

"I could actually ask Uncle Grandfather."

Daphne smiled softly:

"Uncle Grandfather's second question is, you shouldn't have cared so much about Hanton's parents, yet you insulted the Emperor over that couple.

"You know the Emperor, he appears very magnanimous in front of his subjects, yet he tends to hold petty grudges. This has been a terrible time for him, unprecedented in nearly a century. His nerves are on edge, and every time he sees you, he's reminded of those three words, casually losing your opportunity to prosper on Emperor Star.

"Why?

"That's Uncle Grandfather's exact words; his assessment of my father is something I don't agree with."

Yang Ming massaged his temples, speaking quietly, "The Director should know the answer to this problem; why does he need to ask me again?"

"Uncle Grandfather wants to hear your answer."

Yang Ming's thoughts raced urgently.

In front of him, Daphne, facing the recording device, spoke of her father's neurotic, petty nature.

This was actually an act of sincerity; she would ensure the recording wouldn't be leaked.

But after careful consideration, Yang Ming still pressed the hidden button on his watch.

A few faint electric arcs flashed, and the two earrings on the table, the button on Daphne's chest, and the hairpin hidden in her long hair all simultaneously emitted wisps of white smoke.

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