Under the warm yellow light of the reading lamp, dust drifted slowly through the beam.
A faint scent of agarwood lingered in the air, making the surroundings seem even quieter.
Ouyang Xuanyue pondered for a long while before finally raising her head. Her usual poise and inscrutability had returned to her face.
"Secretary Chen."
She casually set the top-secret report on [Crown & Co. Private Bankers] aside.
Secretary Chen, who had been waiting quietly nearby, immediately stepped half a pace forward. "Yes, Ms. Ouyang."
"Two things."
"First, mobilize our senior contacts and intelligence channels overseas, especially in Europe and North America, to maintain continuous, high-priority monitoring of Ms. Annie Kate and the [Crown & Co. Private Bankers] associated with her."
"Focus on unusual fluctuations in her cash flow and their linkage with shifts in power within the Kate Family."
"And any potential risks that could affect our overall stability. I need a dynamic risk assessment report, updated weekly."
"Yes." Chen Jing quickly took notes.
"Second." Ouyang Xuanyue paused slightly. Her fingertips unconsciously brushed the warm [Moon Blessing] pendant at her chest. Her gaze softened, yet carried deep meaning. "Tian Jing from [Jingyi Capital Management] is currently studying under Annie Kate. Arrange for someone to contact Tian Jing privately. The wording must be appropriate, and the boundaries carefully judged. She must understand the stakes, but we cannot blunt her edge."
"Also, send her an invitation in my name. Tell her that after I return to the country, I would very much like to see her. Invite her to my home for tea."
"Yes, Ms. Ouyang." Chen Jing nodded at once.
The arrangements were complete.
Ouyang Xuanyue rose to her feet. Her silk pajamas gleamed subtly beneath the light as she paced over to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside, the night was