Outside the Qin Family Manor.
Two black sedans stood ready, parked quietly at the foot of the steps.
Jiang Wantang and Elizabeth had just left the villa.
The phone in Jiang Wantang's hand vibrated twice in quick succession.
She stopped and opened the messages.
A hint of surprise surfaced in her cool eyes when she saw Jiang Che say that he would not be returning to the Qin Family Manor that day.
"What did Jiang say?"
Elizabeth walked over to her and asked curiously.
Jiang Wantang made no attempt to hide it and handed her the phone.
"After he lands, he still has to accompany Zhiheng to the Liu Family."
"He won't be back tonight. He said we don't need to go to the airport."
Elizabeth took the phone.
Her azure eyes scanned the two messages Jiang Che had sent, word by word.
Her gaze lingered for a moment on the words, "Once I've finished dealing with the Liu Family's affairs, I'll spend some time alone with her."
Some of the anticipation she had felt at the prospect of seeing her fiancé quietly faded.
"My fiancé really is a busy man..."
Elizabeth's tone remained elegant, betraying little obvious displeasure.
Yet Jiang Wantang detected a trace of a woman's wistful resentment in those calm words.
"So much has just happened on Mount Zhongnan."
"This is Zhiheng's first return to the Imperial Capital. There really are still plenty of loose ends to deal with."
Jiang Wantang offered an explanation on her brother's behalf.
"I know."
Elizabeth handed the phone back to Jiang Wantang.
"It's just been so long since I last saw Jiang Che."
"I thought I would be able to dine with him today."
She did not demand to know why Jiang Che did not want her to meet him at