CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 305: INTERROGATION

After attending countless meaningless receptions and farewells.

Ethan finally received the most important invitation.

An invitation from the Second Prince, Adrian.

The invitation was personally delivered by Joseph, who was also responsible for taking Ethan to the meeting.

As soon as he got in the car, Joseph said, "Trafford finally decided to talk."

After that fateful night, Trafford was transferred to Joseph’s hands.

As for what happens next, it was up to Joseph to handle it.

"Good news."

Ethan nodded.

"The bad news is, Michelle is dead."

"How did he die?"

"Suicide. Of course, to the public, we will say he died of an illness."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

Indeed, in such a struggle, no one is a true fool.

Before real danger arrives, all connections will be severed.

"However, Trafford’s confession is enough to take Station Three from the Eldest Prince."

"So, is our Prince Adrian now willing to see me?"

"Not really. His Highness has genuinely been quite busy these days."

Truth or not, Ethan didn’t speak again.

The car weaved through the city and finally stopped at a club.

Ethan was no stranger to this club; it was where he first met Joseph upon arriving in the Royal Capital.

Sukani Club.

The Second Prince truly had a military demeanor; even after returning to the Royal Capital, he still stayed at the officers’ club.

Under Joseph’s guidance, Ethan arrived at the top floor of the club.

This should be a floor specifically set up for Adrian, or perhaps the entire club belongs to him.

This prince was not indoors; he was swimming in the outdoor pool on the balcony.

When Ethan and the others arrived, the prince was swimming from one end of the pool to the other.

A man in a military uniform stood by the pool with a robe, watching the water while also subtly observing Ethan.

"Splash—" sounded.

Adrian finally emerged from the water, and today’s sunlight was excellent, shining dazzlingly upon him.

He possessed near-perfect proportions, each muscle on his body seemed finely crafted, and the speed at which water droplets fell from him appeared uniform.

He was like the Sun God.

Even though his hair was purple, it didn’t affect his radiant brilliance at all.

Perhaps it was his extraordinary smile.

His appearance was also frighteningly handsome, surpassing even the Eldest Prince, who already looked quite impressive.

Flawless.

Like a character who walked out of a myth.

He casually threw on the robe and then spread his arms toward Ethan and his companions.

"Oh, Joseph, this is Ethan, right? Our great artist, our great benefactor, welcome!"

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Ethan meticulously followed the etiquette to salute.

"No need to be formal, no need to be formal, Ethan. If anyone should salute, it should be me to you. Without you, we would have suffered a massive defeat this time."

It seemed as if some force surged.

Ethan could no longer bow his head any lower.

And Adrian had already sat down on a nearby recliner.

"Please, have a seat, have a seat, Ethan and Joseph, you both have worked hard."

He gestured for them to sit on the nearby recliners; he wasn’t as aloof and inaccessible as rumored.

Once Ethan and Joseph sat down, he spoke again.

"Care for a drink? Consider it a toast to our success. Constant, go fetch a bottle, open the bottle of golden wine father bestowed."

The man in uniform who had been by the pool earlier disappeared like a ghost.

It was evident Adrian seemed to value Ethan highly.

"In truth, Ethan, I have admired you for a long time. I really like your paintings."

By now, Ethan was somewhat immune to such words.

It seemed nearly everyone he met said something similar.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness."

"Do you know which of your works is my favorite?"

"Which one?"

Generally, people interested in Ethan’s works would mention either "The Orphan of Saint Kuanti" or "The Persistence of Memory."

Likely, the Second Prince was no different.

"It’s ’The Last Supper.’

However, his answer was completely different.

"Why?"

Ethan was somewhat surprised.

This piece was considered a niche among Ethan’s artworks, not nearly as famous as the others, and barely made an appearance outside of auctions, not even in newspapers.

"Because I love the depiction of desire in that painting, that image of a person who devours everything. Humans have desire."

Adrian said.

Unbeknownst to him, Constant had already returned, holding a bottle of wine, already uncorked, with golden liquid dripping into the glass in Adrian’s hand.

"Ethan, what are your desires?"

He suddenly asked, gazing directly at Ethan.

Ethan saw his eyes, a pair of purple eyes with a faint golden glow, seemingly impossible to escape once locked onto.

"Power, money, beauty, what do you want?"

Adrian’s words suddenly became extremely distant, as if coming from the horizon, vast as a kind of judgment.

It seemed if Ethan answered incorrectly, he would be crushed to pieces.

"Family."

After a moment of losing focus, Ethan used the ’True God’s Name’ to counteract the vast imagery.

He slowly uttered a word.

"Oh? Family? Interesting."

Adrian swirled the wine in his glass, nodding.

"Indeed, you are Fengcui people, and Fengcui people value family greatly. Very well, let’s drink."

At some point, Constant had reappeared beside Ethan and Joseph, serving them drinks.

Adrian then reverted to his brilliant and radiant image, with a dazzling smile, as if the previous grand imagery had never occurred.

Ethan and Joseph drank together.

The wine was indeed excellent, so much so that even with Ethan’s picky taste, he found nothing to criticize.

"In the future, if you have any matters, you can find Joseph, who will help you. If you wish to see me, you can also reach out to him, and I will assist you."

Finally, Adrian added.

On their way back, seated in the car, Ethan showed no reaction, but Joseph let out a long breath, as if he had broken out in a sweat.

"Ethan, boy... I don’t know whether to say you’re lucky or unlucky. It seems His Highness values you very much. It was fortunate your answer was genuine, otherwise, I’m afraid..."

Joseph kept shaking his head.

Ethan turned to glance back at the Sukani Club.

This Second Prince was truly extraordinary.