Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 171 Dinner Party
No. 1 Huangpu Beach Road, Shanghai, Asia Petroleum Company.

The orange-red sunlight of the evening streamed through the two-meter-high steel windows on the top floor of the Asia Building, casting dappled light and shadow onto the heavy mahogany executive desk.

Maddilon, Shell's Asia director, was slumped in his leather chair, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table.

Before him was an urgent telegram about the renewed disruption of crude oil shipments to Manchuria due to the war.

"The South Manchuria Railway, which claims to be the most efficient and reliable transportation organization, actually made such a basic mistake."

Maddillen's voice was furious, as the disruption to shipping routes meant a significant drop in their sales for the July-September quarter.

The local government now places great importance on the Asian market, and if expectations are not met, he, as the director for the Asian region, will be at risk of being dismissed at any time.

What on earth are these little devils up to...?

"Knock knock knock," a knocking sound rang out on the door.

"Come in," Maddilron said slowly when he heard the knock.

A British man in a grey striped suit, moving as gently as a cat, silently glided into the office.

He held a silver tray in his hands, on which lay an envelope. The envelope was of exceptional quality, made of thick, ivory-white cardstock with subtle patterns, and a small, clear emblem was embossed on the seal!

That is the lion emblem representing the Dutch royal family.

"Mr. Maddilron, this is a special envoy from the Huafu Fund, specifically requesting that you open it personally." The secretary's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

Maddilon paused for a moment when he saw the signature on the envelope: "Elsa Van Orange-William".

Elsa, the Dutch princess…

Maddilon frowned, after all, everyone knew that the Dutch royal family held a certain share in the Asiatic Oil Company.

The Asiatic Petroleum Company, also known as Shell, was originally the Shell Trading and Petroleum Company founded by Marcus.

Marcus Samuel, the founder of Shell, initially engaged in foreign trade related to seashells. In the mid-18th century, Shell joined the East India Company and drilled its first oil well in the Middle East, thus officially entering the oil and energy industry.

For the company's development, Shell merged with Royal Dutch Energy and officially changed its name to Royal Dutch Shell Ltd.

The Dutch royal family owned a certain number of shares in the company from its inception.

Maddilon raised his thick eyebrows, temporarily withdrawing from the troubles in Manchuria.

He picked up the heavy silver paper cutter and deftly sliced ​​along the edge of the envelope.

Pulling out the inner page of the envelope, you find it printed on the same top-quality paper, with an elegant handwritten invitation in English…

"Strange, why would Princess Elsa suddenly host a banquet? She's been in China for so long, but she rarely makes public appearances."

“James,” Maddilon’s voice returned to its usual booming tone, calling back his secretary who was waiting quietly, “have you received any intelligence? Princess Elsa doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys excitement.”

Secretary James remained silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "I heard a little bit of news before."

"Two months ago, Mr. Taylor partnered with a Chinese man and made a special trip to the UK."

"According to intelligence from the UK, Taylor seems to be in talks with the penicillin research lab at the University of Sheffield about a collaboration."

“Penicillin,” Maddillan said, slapping his forehead. “I think I’ve heard of it before.”

"As far as I know, it was Sir Fleming who made the discovery at St. Mary's Hospital, and it has been ten years since then."

"But, as far as I can remember, apart from that little bit of moldy green stuff in the lab, it never actually entered any ward." "The British themselves are still debating its practical value, and even doubt whether it can be mass-produced."

“Yes, sir,” James replied respectfully, “so far, this drug still exists only in theory.”

“Even the University of Sheffield itself is not optimistic. I heard that they have stopped Professor Flory’s research funding.”

"This gave Mr. Taylor the opportunity to acquire all the patent transfer rights."

"Yes, the price isn't low either. The transfer contract issued by the Royal Society of Medicine states that it's £100,000."

One hundred thousand pounds may not seem like much to a behemoth like Shell, but in the current climate, it's a considerable sum.

"It seems that our esteemed princess is endorsing her own investment."

Maddillan seemed to understand something: "As the Chinese say, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Since we are in China, we should naturally follow local customs."

"James, reply to Her Highness on the finest stationery in my name: I am honored by your invitation and will certainly attend the banquet on time."

He paused, then added, "By the way, the wording must conform to the norms of royal etiquette, understand?"

“Yes, sir.” James bowed slightly and prepared to leave.

“Wait,” Maddilon called out to him again, his eyes sharp. “While you’re at it, find out who else the princess invited.”

“Especially… British Consul Carl Abbott, and that ‘Silver Spoon’ Fellmann from the German Consulate.”

“Understood,” James nodded knowingly and silently withdrew.

The following night, in the Peacock Hall of the Hua Hotel.

A huge crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling painted with religious murals, and the light refracted by the prisms is like liquid gold, splashed onto the Italian marble floor.

The air was filled with the mixed aromas of expensive perfumes, cigars, roasted meat, and brandy!

On stage, a string orchestra played soothing jazz music, while below, elegantly dressed people mingled and clinked glasses, creating a scene of decadent and glamorous illusion.

As the hostess of the banquet, Elsa was undoubtedly the queen of the event.

She wore a midnight blue velvet dress with an off-the-shoulder design, which accentuated her slender and elegant figure.

A string of perfectly round and lustrous South Sea pearls adorned her neck, each pearl radiating a soft, moonlit glow, perfectly complementing the teardrop-shaped diamond earrings on her earlobes.

Her blonde hair was meticulously styled into a classic updo, with a few stray strands falling casually, resembling molten gold under the dazzling lights.

She stood on a slightly elevated platform in the center of the hall, her chin slightly raised, a flawless, noble smile on her face.

As soon as the band stopped playing, Elsa stepped to the center of the stage and said in fluent English, "Ladies and gentlemen!"

"Thank you all for taking the time to come."

Her azure eyes swept across the room, her gaze lingering briefly on the faces of several key figures. "To the common good of humanity, and to the early arrival of peace. Cheers."

"Cheers!" Everyone present raised their glasses in agreement.

In a corner of the dance floor, Chen Yang watched Elsa, who was full of vigor on stage, and a smile of admiration involuntarily appeared on his lips...

(End of this chapter)