I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

Duanmu Yan sensed danger and finally shook his head: "I dare not have any objections."

Upon hearing this answer, Cantrela nodded in satisfaction and withdrew her restless hand.

She gracefully picked up the steaming cup of black tea on the table, took a small sip, and her eyes gleamed with an unfathomable light: "Now, let's talk about the second surprise."

Duanmu Yan was visibly stunned for a moment, his eyes filled with surprise: "A second surprise? There's actually... a second one?"

Cantreira nodded slightly, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Of course. You are a distinguished guest of the Fesalie family, and also..."

She didn't spell it out, but looked at him with a meaningful gaze. After a brief silence, she continued softly, her tone carrying a kind of intimate acknowledgment: "In short, for us, there's no need to distinguish between each other anymore."

"I'm truly flattered," Duanmu Yan pressed, "and what's the second surprise?"

"As for the second surprise..." Cantrellella deliberately kept everyone in suspense, "Do you remember the important data that the Motari family lost due to internal problems?"

"that matter?"

Although a considerable amount of time has passed, Duanmu Yan still remembers it clearly. It was because of that incident that his fate was intertwined with that of Koleta. How could he possibly forget it?

"Yes." Duanmu Yan nodded in reply, "Of course I remember. It was because of that incident that I met the Second Miss."

"Eh, so you got together because of something like that?" Cantrell's tone was slightly helpless. "If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have asked you for help before Koleta did. If that were the case, you would be the one standing next to the Fesalie family now."

"..."

Cantrellella sighed softly and continued, "Although thanks to your efforts, the important lost data was eventually recovered, preventing further losses to the Motari family, Koleta should have told you as well—the traitor lurking within the family has still not been found."

Duanmu Yan frowned, and after thinking about it for a while, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

Although Duanmu Yan had not intervened in the affairs of the Motari family since that incident, he would occasionally hear complaints about these trivial matters from Koleta.

No matter how hard Koleta investigated, she could never find the traitor within the family.

Now, Cantrell has brought this up with me on her own initiative. Could it be that...?

His pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly raised his head to look at Cantrell: "Do you know who the mole is?"

Cantrell smiled calmly and said, "I suppose so. It was only recently confirmed, and even I was surprised when I learned who the other person was."

"who is it?"

She leaned forward slightly and whispered in his ear: "It's Coppola Motari, Coppola's uncle and the next head of the Motari family."

"It was... him?" Duanmu Yan's pupils trembled violently; the shock of this news almost brought his mind to a standstill.

Because Coppola is the biological son of the current head of the family and is the family's recognized heir.

His position was rock-solid, and his future was bright. So why would someone like him commit such a treacherous act of betraying his family?

"How did you know?" Duanmu Yan blurted out, then realized his slip and softened his tone, "It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that this answer is too shocking."

“Because the Fesari family has a close relationship with the Order, I learned about this from the Order as well,” Cantrera continued. “Coppola took the initiative to try to reconcile the Mortari family and the Fesari family and resolve their century-old feud. But is this feud so easily put aside? Even if I agreed, would the Order agree?”

"Of course they won't. So..."

Before Cantrellella could finish speaking, Duanmu Yan interrupted, "So, this meeting between the two families was approved by the monastic order, is that right?"

"Very smart."

"But why?"

"Because Coppola is a weakling compared to Colletta. He has decided to hand over the core technology of his family to the order as a sign of submission and to settle the century-old feud with the Fesari family."

Duanmu Yan looked astonished: "So Coppola is planning to surrender to the Order?"

“Hmm.” Cantrera nodded in response, her voice suddenly turning icy. “For temporary peace, he was willing to sacrifice the future of his entire family, the future of Laguna. Fesalie is only temporarily using the monastic order’s protection, but he truly wants to kneel before the monastic order’s robes.”

"His short-sightedness is outrageous. The order only promised a cage of rules, yet he was willing to exchange it for the core technology that the Mortari had accumulated over a century."

"Although we have always been rivals, I must admit that the Mortari family has injected vitality into the closed-off city of Laguna, revitalizing this stagnant city. If they were to fully side with the Order, it would be bad news for the Fesari family. Once the Order's power is unbalanced, it is self-evident who will be the next target."

"That's why I'm making an exception and sharing this information with you, so you can pass it on to Koleta. This is both to maintain the balance in Laguna and for our shared future."

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Yan nodded solemnly: "In that case, I must inform the Second Miss of this news as soon as possible. Cantrella, I shall take my leave now."

After saying that, he got up to leave, but was pulled back by an irresistible force in the next second.

He slumped into the soft sofa, and Cantrellella smoothly pressed him down beneath her.

His purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, gently brushing against his cheeks.

An unpredictable light flickered in her eyes, and the faint smile at the corner of her mouth seemed to conceal a thousand thoughts.

"Look at all I've sacrificed, don't you even want to show your appreciation?"

Duanmu Yan was pinned down by her and unable to move, so he could only manage to say with difficulty, "Uh, isn't this a surprise?"

"Of course it's a surprise, but this surprise... comes at an extra cost."

"TOLL?"

Before he could even voice his question, she caught a glimpse of cunning in his eyes.

The next moment, she leaned down gently and pressed her warm lips against his.

Volume 1: Chapter 182 Women are like fine wine, the older they get, the better they become.

The roles have been reversed.

Duanmu Yan, who had always been in control, was now firmly pinned down by Cantrela and forced to passively endure the abuse.

After struggling to no avail, Duanmu Yan sighed helplessly in his heart and simply relaxed his tense body, letting Cantrell do whatever he wanted.

"What can we do?"

"Let's kiss then."

"Anyway, I won't lose out."

However, the problem is—

Cantrella seemed to have no intention of ending the conversation.

At first, Duanmu Yan thought it was just a brief kiss, and what difference would it make if it lasted longer?

But as time passed, he gradually felt the air in his chest becoming thinner, and his breathing became involuntarily rapid.

Her once clear thoughts began to blur, as if she were sinking into a warm, deep sea, surrounded only by her sweet scent and the continuous, undeniable soft touch.

This intimate contact, so long it was almost dizzying, lasted for nearly ten minutes before Cantrela finally slowly separated from him.

She gently licked the corner of her lips, as if savoring the taste from just now, one hand lazily supporting her cheek, gazing longingly at Duanmu Yan's slightly flushed face beneath her.

"Phew..." she sighed contentedly, her eyes gleaming with lingering satisfaction. "It's so exciting. I wish it could go on until the very end."

Duanmu Yan slowly sat up, his breathing still somewhat disordered and rapid. His gaze towards Cantrell was filled with unprecedented astonishment.

This was the first time he had ever acted so awkwardly in front of a woman.

Just how repressed was Cantrellella?

But think about it...

If you look closely, she met Katishia twenty years ago, and the two were about the same age.

This means that Cantrella has already crossed the threshold of thirty years old.

—Although Katishia still has the face of a young girl.

But it doesn't matter, Duanmu Yan doesn't mind.

After all, there's a saying that goes: women are like fine wine, the older they get, the more mellow they become.

Moreover, what about a woman as exceptionally good as the head of the family?

Not only is she stunningly beautiful, but what's even more remarkable is her exquisite and insightful heart.

Alas, since that is the case, then I shall reluctantly bear this calamity for the sake of all living beings.

"Miss Cantrella, I...I'll be going now."

Perhaps due to lack of oxygen, Duanmu Yan felt a little dizzy.

"Hmm." Cantrela waved at him with a smile. "Take care. And of course, remember to come visit me after this is all over."

Her voice trailed off.

"Next time, we'll continue what we haven't finished."

……

……

When Duanmu Yan stepped out of the Feisalie family mansion, the twilight was already as dark as ink.

Fine rain began to fall from the sky, weaving down like silver threads under the streetlights.

Duanmu Yan took out his terminal and dialed Koleta's number, but no one answered after several attempts.

"What's going on? What is the Second Miss doing?"

He muttered under his breath.

Are they on a mission?

He walked into an open-air café that was still open, intending to take shelter under the awning for a while, when he saw an old man slowly walking towards him from the misty rain.

Despite his advanced age, his upright posture and extraordinary demeanor still draw attention.

The old man, wearing a black overcoat, walked straight up to him.

By the dim light of the roadside lamps, when Duanmu Yan could see the face of the person who had come over, he immediately bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Francis."

Francis Motari – the current head of the Motari family and Coletta's grandfather.

“Mr. Francis?” Upon hearing this address, the old man frowned slightly, his gray eyebrows furrowing, and his deep voice carried a hint of helplessness. “Very well… after all, you and Coleta are not yet officially married.”

Duanmu Yan remained standing there respectfully, without uttering a word.

He had absolutely no idea what to say.

After all, just an hour ago, he was still enjoying the warm embrace of the head of the rival family.

“You’ve been spending some time with Coleta now,” Francis said calmly, without a trace of superiority. “I can tell that Coleta has been very happy these days. In fact… this is the first time I’ve seen her smile from the bottom of her heart.”

“The Motari family has never been bound by bloodlines; we value ability. So, as long as Koleta is willing, I will not interfere in your lives.”

"Besides, I've heard about your abilities."

"only……"

Francis's tone became somewhat subtle: "Although Koleta calls me grandfather, in reality... I have long regarded her as my own daughter. Therefore, for her lifelong happiness, and out of a father's selfishness, I have to investigate your past."

"I know this is rude, but I hope you can understand."

"However, for some reason, despite my considerable efforts, I still cannot find out your origins. You said you came from Huanglong, and I did find some clues related to you in Jinzhou of Huanglong. There's also the Black Coast... Although they are all vague records, the abilities of the people described in them are exactly the same as yours."

"So, you really...have absolutely no recollection of this?"

Duanmu Yan's face was filled with confusion after hearing these words.

He had never been to Huanglong Jinzhou or Black Coast, so how could he have left any records?

He clearly came from another world, so how could Francis possibly know his past?

“I’m sorry, Mr. Francis, I have no recollection of this.”

Upon hearing this answer, Francis showed neither anger nor any other emotion on his face.

He simply nodded thoughtfully, his gaze as unfathomable as a lamplight piercing through the rain: "Is that so? Then perhaps... you do indeed harbor some unknown secrets."

The old man paused, then continued earnestly, "In short, when the past finally comes knocking, I hope you will always remember Motari, and never forget Koleta."

Although he couldn't fully grasp the deeper meaning of those words, Duanmu Yan's eyes remained firm: "Although I don't fully understand what you mean yet, I assure you, I will never forget it."

Francis let out a long sigh and slowly stepped forward.

He took out an exquisitely crafted old-fashioned pistol from inside his coat and solemnly handed it to Duanmu Yan: "Here, give this to Koleta."

Duanmu Yan looked down at the heavy token in his hand, a look of doubt appearing in his eyes: "What is this?"

“A token of authority.” Francis’s tone suddenly turned serious. “Although I have stepped down from the limelight, it doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the changes in the family. Coppola’s cowardly behavior has proven that he is unworthy to inherit the family. He harmed his own people and plotted against the family.”

The old man's voice trembled slightly: "Even if he is my own flesh and blood, he must pay the price for this."

"The ideals that Koleta now cherishes did indeed originate from my expectations. But I never wanted her to be bound by the visions of others or to live within a predetermined framework. What I truly hoped for was that she could find the path that her heart truly desires together with those who accompany her."