So This Universe Was Already Filled with the Legends I Had Left Behind (Please Subscribe!) (Continued)

He was Lantuo Yuan, the man in power who oversaw the Lan Tuo Family's secular arrangements in Heavenly Origin City, its covert infiltration of other factions, and the buying of connections.

Within Heavenly Origin City's highest circles of power,

Lantuo Yuan had always been known for his subtle, insidious methods and his mastery of manipulating hearts.

Over the years, countless members of Congress and grassroots officials had quietly fallen under his control and been brought into his fold.

Rustle... rustle...

Suddenly, a light breeze stirred by the window, brushing the hair at his temples. It drew forth the oppressive air accumulated through his long years in power, lending him an imposing presence even without anger.

A moment later,

he sat down on a bench, holding a cup of spirit tea brewed earlier that now retained only a trace of warmth. His indifferent gaze fell on the woman rising behind him, and he uttered two words:

"You're awake?"

His tone was calm and composed, without any unnecessary warmth. He guarded his words like gold.

Carola gathered her loose nightclothes around herself and looked up at the man by the window. Not a trace of guilt toward Zhou Min remained in her eyes, only complete acceptance and surrender.

Before today, she had still cherished her years of friendship with Zhou Min and held to certain boundaries. Faced with the Lan Tuo Family's overtures, she had hesitated,

unwilling to betray the trust placed in her or sell out her friend.

But once Lantuo Yuan made his move, progressing step by step from promises of resources, authority, and prospects to his final "tender persuasion," he completely dismantled every boundary she had.

Caught between affection and profit, those supposed years of sisterly devotion and faithfully entrusted responsibilities seemed too fragile to withstand a single blow