An ambush!
Lex was instantly certain of this. The two men said nothing, clearly prepared, but he didn't know if they were coming for him, or if they were just two petty thieves planning to rob passersby.
In an instant, Lex made a decision.
He didn't stop, even humming a cheerful tune. Just as he was about to turn the corner, two dark figures suddenly rushed out.
One covered Lex's mouth, while the other held a gleaming dagger to Lex's neck.
Lex observed both men simultaneously and was surprised to find them lean and capable, with somewhat sunken eye sockets, typical highlander faces.
Lex immediately thought of a Gang organization.
The Zmanger gang!
"Don't make a sound, cooperate obediently, otherwise, it won't be as simple as just losing some money," said the man holding the dagger to Lex's neck.
Normally, these two wouldn't even get close to Lex before he'd knock them down.
But at this moment, he was playing the role of the spice merchant Green George, and Mr. Green presumably didn't know how to fight, let alone beat two highlanders who dared to kill.
"Please don't hurt me. The money is in my jacket pocket. Take it all, take it all."
As Lex said this, he also began to speculate.
The Zmanger gang was a Gang secretly cultivated by Bakerland. When did they start robbing people? Clearly, they weren't here to rob. Could it be that Bakerland was secretly investigating the backgrounds of the invited guests?
What a cunning and cautious fellow he was.
Hmm, it should only be a test for lower-tier merchants like Mr. Green. After all, Bakerland should be very familiar with other important figures, and they would also be difficult to impersonate.
A hand was rummaging through Lex's clothes. Even though Lex had already told the other party where his money was, the highlander with the fierce eyes still searched Lex thoroughly, inside and out.
Finally, he pulled out a pocket watch, shook it, and said, "You're not honest enough."
With that, he punched Lex in the stomach.
The punch didn't hurt Lex at all, but he cooperated perfectly, arching his body and making retching expressions and sounds.
Immediately after, he was kicked from behind. Lex quickly fell to the ground, then let them step on his back a few times and take the dozens of pounds from one of his pockets.
The two men quickly left Hope Road, winding their way to a house. The house was dark, but by the window, someone could be seen sitting in a chair.
"How was it?" the person asked.
"He's a coward."
"And quite afraid of death."
"Merchants are all like that," the two men said in unison.
The person sitting in the chair took out a notepad and opened it.
In the light of the streetlamp shining through the window, names could be seen written on it.
Next to each name was a checkmark.
The person took out a fountain pen and also put a checkmark next to the name 'Green George' in the notebook.
Golden Rose.
Lopez, who was also heavily made up today, had just dealt with a gentleman when she saw a guest walk in through the main door. Lopez remembered him; yesterday, he had spent nearly 30 pounds on Allie. His generosity had left a deep impression on Lopez.
Through Allie, Lopez learned that his name was Green George.
Tonight, Mr. Green's neat slicked-back hairstyle was dishevelled, his clothes were dirty, and there were abrasions on his forehead and hands.
Lopez hurried forward and softly exclaimed, "Mr. Green, what happened to you?"
The gentleman gave a wry smile and said, "I was robbed on my way here. I lost a pocket watch and dozens of pounds in cash."
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe such a thing would happen!" Lopez said, "Did you report it to the police? Do you need me to call them for you?"
"No, no, no," Mr. Green said with some fear, "I'm not from around here, and I'm afraid of retaliation if I report it. Never mind, I can afford to lose dozens of pounds, but I need Allie's comfort. Is she here?"
Lopez smiled and pointed to a corner of the hall: "Allie has been waiting for you since nightfall. Go ahead, I'll have the kitchen prepare dinner for you. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"No, madam, I'd appreciate that."
Watching the gentleman leave, Lopez shook her head and called a waiter, telling him to inform the kitchen to prepare food and wine for Mr. Green.
Thursday arrived in a flash.
In the morning, Lex, with an unremarkable face, appeared at the entrance of 'Rex Carriage Rental Services'. He pushed open the door and saw the young employee who had attended to him two days prior.
"Hello, I'm here to rent a carriage. My uncle already paid the deposit two days ago."
Today, the young employee, whose smile was still bright, came forward: "May I see your receipt stub?"
Lex took out the receipt from his pocket: "Of course."
After checking, the young man at the reception desk nodded and said, "No problem. Once the deposit is paid, I'll have someone bring the carriage over. Do you also need a coachman?"
"No, thank you," Lex said, taking out the two hundred pounds he had prepared and placing it in the young man's hand.
A moment later, a four-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses stopped at the entrance. Both parties inspected it together, confirming that the carriage and horses were in good condition, and then Lex drove the carriage away.
He headed to the East District, stopping at the abandoned factories and houses to make arrangements.
Thus, the day quickly passed.
By evening, gas lamps lit up the streets, dispelling the gloom and darkness. However, the pervasive mist reduced the effectiveness of the lights, and visibility remained less than ideal.
In the West District of Backlund, on the streets shrouded in pale yellow mist, carriages broke through the fog, heading towards the Intis Ambassador.
Lex, with an unrecognizable face, acted as the coachman. The horses pulled the empty four-wheeled carriage, without a single passenger, at a moderate speed through the street.
Upon arriving near the Embassy, due to the excessive number of carriages in front of the Embassy, guests of lower social status like 'Green George' could only park their carriages in the square opposite.
This was exactly what Lex wanted. Even if the Embassy hadn't made such arrangements, he had already decided to do so.
Because in the corner on the east side of the square, there was a sewer entrance.
After parking the carriage, Lex opened it, making a gesture as if helping his master alight. Then he observed his surroundings, and when no one was paying attention, he slipped inside. He closed the carriage door, quickly changed into the formal attire he had prepared, and when he stepped out again, he had transformed into the slick-backed spice merchant.
Holding his invitation and identification, and after undergoing a series of checks, Lex finally entered the Embassy.
In the hall, the lights were bright, and the air was filled with various perfumes and the aroma of wine. To the melodious tune, Lex walked leisurely, casually picking up a glass of 'Ormir' wine from a passing waiter's tray, sipping it, and observing the guests in the hall.
Just then, he saw a middle-aged gentleman. He was dressed in a flamboyant and exaggerated manner, with brown hair, blue eyes, and a lean, stubbled face that was very striking.
Lex's lips curved slightly.
He had seen his prey.
The Intis Ambassador, Bakerland Jean Madan!