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

Floro looked up at him, her expression calm: "So, what exactly do you want from me?"

After a moment's thought, Duanmu Yan slowly said, "Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that we met briefly at the concert before, and it left a deep impression on me. Due to work, I now need to get to know some people who have unique insights into music."

"Oh?" Floro's expression showed a hint of interest as she scrutinized his eyes. "So you think I'm something special in music, which is why you specifically sought me out?"

Duanmu Yan nodded: "Yes, you could say that. My boss has recently ventured into the music industry and plans to attract some independent musicians for investment."

“I see.” Floro elegantly crossed one leg, seemingly lost in thought. “So you’re now… a talent scout?”

"It's just a part-time job," Duanmu Yan said seriously. "Regarding this, Miss Floro, do you have any particular strengths in music?"

Floro asked calmly, "For example?"

"For example, a piano?"

The girl smiled slightly and gently shook her head.

"That...violin?"

She shook her head again, a hint of amusement in her voice: "What if I said I can't play any musical instruments?"

"That makes things a bit tricky." Duanmu Yan sighed softly, sounding somewhat helpless. "I'll have to go and look for other people."

"So you're just going to abandon me because I'm no longer of any use?" Floro said meaningfully.

Duanmu Yan quickly shook his head: "I never thought that way. If I have offended you, Miss Floro, I apologize."

Seeing his slightly flustered appearance, Floro felt a secret sense of smugness rising in his heart.

She picked up her coffee cup again and said softly, "I was just kidding you. Actually, I can play the violin and I've even written quite a few scores myself."

"Really?" Duanmu Yan's eyes lit up slightly. "If possible, could you play a piece for me to hear?"

Floro took a sip of coffee, and the bitter taste brought back memories.

She was silent for a moment, then finally a very faint smile appeared on her lips as she shook her head: "No."

"why?"

"Because you're not good enough."

This highly pointed remark stunned Duanmu Yan for a moment; he didn't understand where he had offended her.

"I can not?"

Floro stared into his eyes, his voice low: "You remind me of someone."

"Who?"

“One…” She paused, then gently shook her head, “Never mind, I don’t want to mention him.”

So much resentment.

Duanmu Yan was utterly devastated—this was a completely undeserved disaster.

He did nothing wrong, so why should he take the blame for someone else?

“But Miss Floro, I’m not the one who offended you,” Duanmu said, his tone filled with deep helplessness. “Even if I look a lot like him, you shouldn’t transfer your resentment towards him onto me, should you?”

“That’s true,” Floro replied softly, her gaze never leaving him, “but you are all his shadows. So whether you are him or not, it makes no difference to me…”

"I protest!"

“Protest denied.” Floro rested his chin on his hand, studying him with interest. “However, if you can perform to my satisfaction… I might change my mind.”

"Uh, C鸸零2一嵃lingD尔表演？"

Duanmu Yan's expression changed slightly; he hadn't expected that the woman in front of him would actually be interested in his body.

Sigh, I'm really unwilling to accept this.

But the adult world has never had the option of "easy".

Even if she really intended to sexually harass him, he could only grit his teeth and persevere for the sake of his job.

"This is all to live up to Miss Koleta's expectations."

"What are you thinking about with that expression?" Floro frowned slightly, then stood up. "Anyway, let's meet here again at this time tomorrow."

Book 1: Chapter 22 Koleta's Afternoon Tea

Occasionally, Coleta also has time that is entirely her own.

She no longer needed to worry about the family's future, nor dwell on past conflicts. At this moment, the world quieted down, belonging only to her.

On such an afternoon, she could finally just be Colletta, and not someone’s daughter, someone’s heir, or someone’s expectation.

The sunlight flowed like gilded gold, and time itself seemed to soften.

She held a cup of warm black tea, leaning against the window, her gaze lightly sweeping over the crowds passing by outside. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, time stood still, and even her heartbeat became clear.

At this moment, there is no mission, no responsibility, only herself and this slowly flowing, golden afternoon.

—Of course, not now.

Now, it's just a short break from work.

With the agreement with Giacomo just finalized, the focus should now shift to concert preparations.

In fact, if she really wanted to deal with Giacomo, she wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble.

In the city of Ragu, apart from the religious order which still maintains its transcendent status, even the oldest family, the Fesari, finds it difficult to truly rival the Mortari family.

One is stuck in its ways, lifeless and stagnant.

A decline in fortune, its glory faded.

Only Motari is thriving.

As for the Fácsbinners—such a small family—they were nothing more than vassals living in the shadow of the Motari, barely surviving on scraps.

If Koleta really wanted them to disappear, it would only take one night.

But she can't do that yet.

The previous accident not only resulted in the death of Ettore Motari, but also led to the loss of some of the Motari family's precious audio recordings and terminal data—core assets accumulated by the family over many years.

Eradicating the Fachin family was not difficult; the difficulty lay in legally eliminating them.

Otherwise, what kind of whispers will circulate on the streets of Laguna the day after Fácsbin disappears overnight?

"The Motari family acts arrogantly and leaves no room for compromise—"

Once such accusations take root, they are difficult to wash away.

Passersby won't ask for the truth; they only believe chilling narratives.

For a family's reputation, suspicion can sometimes be sharper than swords.

The religious order will never let such an opportunity pass by; they will certainly use it as a pretext to launch an offensive against the family.

Perhaps Motari will eventually pull through this ordeal—

Can they be trusted?

Trust takes decades to build, but can collapse in an instant.

Therefore, Motari must remain patient until he has sufficient evidence.

She sipped her black tea and thought of Duanmu Yan—the young man who worked at Everard Bank.

Initially, Coleta didn't have high expectations for him.

But now...

His actions have exceeded her expectations.

He was not a family member, yet he still did his best to help her complete every mission.

Perhaps... once everything has truly settled down, we can consider formally introducing him to the family.

The girl put down her teacup, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim, and murmured to herself, "So... what about a code name?"

In the Motari family, each member has their own code name when carrying out a mission.

For example, her code name is Opal.

Koleta suddenly thought of his eyes, and a name flashed through her mind: "Cat's Eye?"

Opal introduced cat's eye, which sounds reasonable, doesn't it?

"Miss Coleta."

A voice sounded in her ear.

Koleta subconsciously looked up and met the gaze of the young man standing in front of the table.

She nodded slightly, her tone composed: "You've arrived, please sit down."

Duanmu Yan nodded in agreement, sat down opposite her, and immediately got to the point: "What are the plans for today? Do you need me to continue investigating?"

Koleta shook her head, picked up a delicate pastry with her fingertips, and said in a gentle yet clear tone, "No need. Now, you just need to wait for the concert to begin."

She paused briefly, as if suddenly remembering something, and looked up at him.

"By the way, regarding suitable candidates... have you heard anything from your side?"

"……Well."

How should I answer this?

Does Floro really possess musical talent?

Duanmu Yan wasn't actually sure, but he still chose to trust his intuition.

"I suppose there is one," he replied hesitantly, "but that person's personality is... rather peculiar."

"Special?" Koleta leaned forward slightly, a look of curiosity on her face. "What exactly is it like?"

Let's meet here again at this time tomorrow.

Duanmu Yan recalled what Floro had said last night.

Although it was somewhat inexplicable, he seemed to have no choice but to accept this rather tricky task.

“Well… she said I looked a lot like someone she had offended before, and she was initially adamant about not accepting the invitation.” He scratched his head and explained with a wry smile, “But then she said that if my performance satisfied her… she might change her mind.”

Upon hearing this, Koleta's expression became somewhat subtle: "Is that so? But it does fit the personality of some artists—eccentric, strange, and unapproachable."

She paused briefly, her tone softening slightly: "If this makes you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to force yourself."

“But I’ve already promised her I’d meet her at a coffee shop tonight,” Duanmu Yan sighed softly. “I don’t want to break my promise.”

Besides, what could she possibly ask him to do?

Even if she harbors resentment, she wouldn't vent it all on him.

At most, we'll just use him as an emotional dumping ground and vent our frustrations.

When the time comes, as long as you go along with Floro's emotions, put yourself in the shoes of the person who offended her, and sincerely apologize, the problem will probably be solved.

"It seems you value your promises very much?" Koleta's lips curled up slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Duanmu Yan nodded seriously: "Yes, it's very important."

"why?"

"Does this kind of thing... need a reason?" He said calmly, as if stating the most natural truth. "A promise represents other people's trust in me, and I don't want to betray that trust. So whatever I promise, I will do it no matter what."

"Just as I promised Miss Koleta I would complete this task—I will not break my promise to you in any way."

Koleta's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly for a moment, then her calm smile returned. Beneath that smile, a dazzling glint flashed in her eyes.

"As expected of the person I chose." Her voice was soft, yet filled with clear admiration. "Since you have made up your mind, I will naturally not stop you."

"Then now..."

"Let's take a short break, enjoy the afternoon sun, and have a delicious afternoon tea."

Volume 1: Chapter 23 I've Waited a Long Time

A dark night without light.

Just like the sky back then.

Floro sat in the café, ordering the same coffee as last night. She gazed out the window at the street shrouded in night, quietly waiting for the person who might appear, or perhaps never come again.