John let out a light laugh: "The situation is urgent, I hope the lady will excuse me."
"My father is indisposed and unable to welcome the lady in person."
"The carriage is waiting outside the hotel. When would the lady be ready to depart?"
Rong Dai looked at him. Since they had prepared so thoroughly, refusing further would seem impolite on her part.
"Please wait for me downstairs, sir."
John nodded with a smile, not insisting any further, and went downstairs with the butler.
"I can go with Song Xuechun and Jing Chen. You two handle your duties, and the sooner we finish, the sooner we can return to our country."
After they left, Rong Dai instructed the others.
Neither Zong Che nor Ji Zheng had any objections to this arrangement. After gathering their documents, they immediately went out.
Jing Chen glanced at them: "Try to wear clothes that can conceal defensive daggers."
Rong Dai nodded, then she and Song Xuechun changed into ankle-length dresses, each concealing a sharp mini military dagger on their thighs.
When Jing Chen noticed where they hid their daggers, the corner of his mouth twitched, and he escorted them downstairs to join John on their way to Bertelen Castle.
"Do you all remember that woman's face?"
In the hotel restaurant downstairs by the window, a group of six or seven people gathered, with a few eating breakfast, including Shi Ning among them.
After the Bertelen family's carriage left, she pulled down her hood, her gaze filled with deep resentment. Though her French was not perfect, it was understandable.
"Remember our plan. If successful, I'll uphold my promise and get you passports to leave the country."
Mina sat beside Shi Ning. It was quite a coincidence that these two were friends who had both fallen victim to the same person.
The other five men and women, who clearly didn't have respectable occupations, nodded and hastily finished their food before leaving the restaurant to stake out their positions.
Meanwhile, at the airport, An Feiran was with her butler, watching the plane take off. She then took out her phone and dialed Arthur's number: "You can release the news now."
On the other end, Arthur acknowledged and then informed her that Rong Dai had gone to Bertelen Castle as a guest.
"This is simply outrageous!"
An Feiran was furious, but her eyes were filled with worry.
"I've already sent people to follow them. There shouldn't be any major issues. Don't worry."
Arthur reassured her.
An Feiran didn't say anything further and hung up the phone, hurriedly leaving the airport.
Arthur looked at his phone screen with a slight smile, then personally proceeded to handle the news release for Bameng Media.
He was quite curious about what was so special about this Mrs. Huo that so many people seemed intent on protecting her.
But this thought only lasted a fleeting moment.
Inside Bertelen Castle, Rong Dai sat on the sofa. Everything in the ancient castle felt like it had a sense of history, yet it was also luxurious.
Song Xuechun sat beside her, while Jing Chen stood guard behind them.
After waiting for nearly five minutes in the reception hall, John finally pushed his father Carlos out to meet them.
Carlos was dressed in a proper but simple outfit, with a thin gray wool blanket covering his legs, clearly showing he was a man of wealth and nobility.
Carlos was nearly sixty years old, but his sharp gaze remained penetrating as it immediately locked onto Rong Dai.
Rong Dai sat with poise, meeting Carlos's gaze with a calm expression.
"Today, we invited Mrs. Huo here for a reason we both understand, so there's no need to beat around the bush."
Carlos didn't bother greeting her, his attitude and demeanor incredibly arrogant as he cut straight to the point.
Rong Dai's beautiful eyes held a deep, lingering smile: "Mr. Bertelen is certainly a straightforward man."
She paused, her smile turning cold: "But what if I refuse?"
