Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 64 Preparation

Only Green and a somewhat exhausted Anaïs remained in the room.

She stood there, her back still straight, but her shoulders had slumped slightly, and her eyes stared blankly at the ground.

Green slowly walked to the fireplace, looked at the flickering flames inside, and said calmly, "Anna, tonight's dinner is more than just a social event."

Anaïs immediately looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Our target is several key members of the Historical and Archaeological Society." Green turned to meet her gaze. "I need to get close to them and gain their trust. And you are the key. So I hope you'll be on your toes."

Anaïs blinked, seemingly confused, but then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up slightly: "Because...my grandfather?"

Green nodded. "Your grandfather worked at the academy, which is a natural connection and the best starting point. What you need to do is mention it naturally at the appropriate time, but don't make it obvious, and certainly don't make yourself seem subservient or probing. Understand?"

"Yes... I understand." Anaïs nodded vigorously.

Green looked at her and suddenly asked, "Aren't you curious why I approached them and gained their trust?"

Anaïs paused, seemingly surprised by his question. She thought for a moment, then gently shook her head. "That's not...my job. I do what Mr. Morris needs me to do. Knowing too much...can sometimes be a bad thing."

She paused, then added, "And I believe you have your reasons."

This answer elicited a flicker of surprise and admiration in Green's eyes.

Anaïs was more insightful and intelligent than she had imagined.

She knows what she should write and what she shouldn't ask. She knows her place and understands her own value.

"Good. Remember this feeling. In that situation, curiosity is fine, but restrain it. Observe, listen, judge which information is useful, and then... hand it over to me."

"Understood, Mr. Morris," Anaïs replied.

To receive approval from the other party, even just a simple "yes," would be an encouragement to her at that moment.

......

Unlike yesterday, Green did not go to the port authority canteen with Anaïs at noon.

He also needs time to prepare and some alone time to adjust his state.

So he chose to go home.

Push open the door.

Aunt Sylvia was ironing clothes in the living room.

Seeing Green return at noon, she was somewhat surprised: "Green? Why are you back at this time? Aren't you going to eat lunch at the station today?"

"Yes, I've already eaten. I have some personal business to take care of this afternoon, so I came back to change my clothes." Green said casually as he took off his coat and hung it in the foyer.

"I'll skip lunch, but I can eat more at dinner..." Green thought.

"Personal matters?"

Aunt Sylvia wiped her hands, somewhat puzzled. Green rarely used the word 'private matters'.

"Well, it was just a... impromptu social event," Green said vaguely, heading towards the stairs.

Aunt Sylvia watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.

A social invitation?

Aside from work, Green has almost no private social life.

Suddenly, she remembered the subtle interaction between Green and Miss Isabella when she went to Winston's house over the weekend... Could it be...?

Green returned to his room and took out the dark gray pinstripe suit he had bought over the weekend from the closet.

He then changed into a shirt, vest, and jacket, and stood in front of the full-length mirror to examine himself.

Although he looked tall, composed, and capable in the mirror, Green still felt that something was missing.

"Isn't it too...new? It lacks a certain depth and sophistication? And it doesn't have the air of high society you'd expect..."

He thought for a moment, then went out again.

I didn't go too far, but instead bought a simple black hardwood cane with a smooth silver ball at a nearby men's goods store with a good reputation, along with a felt hat in the same color scheme as my suit.

These two items weren't luxurious, but they immediately added a touch of old-fashioned gentlemanly composure to him, and cleverly balanced out any awkwardness.

Holding a cane in your hand, it feels heavy; it can serve as both decoration and, when necessary, an inconspicuous tool for self-defense.

When he returned home, Aunt Sylvia looked at Green's new cane and hat with a slight surprise in her eyes, but she didn't ask any questions. Instead, she thought it was more appropriate.

Green went upstairs for a short rest of about half an hour.

While resting with his eyes closed, he mentally reviewed the banquet's proceedings, the people he might encounter, and the details of his cooperation with Anaïs.

Around 3 p.m., he got up and began the final dressing process.

Carefully tie a Windsor knot in your tie, adjust your shirt cuffs to ensure the right length (one centimeter showing), and fasten plain silver cufflinks. Put on your polished leather shoes.

Finally, he put on his top hat and picked up his cane.

As he walked down the stairs, Aunt Sylvia came out of the kitchen. Seeing the transformed Green, she was clearly stunned, forgetting to put down the dishcloth in her hand.

"Green, you..." She looked him up and down, somewhat incredulous.

She had never seen Green dress himself so formally. At this moment, Green was no longer the somewhat gloomy nephew she knew, who was always immersed in books or work. He was more like a young and promising gentleman who had stepped out of an old-fashioned salon magazine.

Then, the scene she had glimpsed in Winston's garden over the weekend flashed into her mind...

Green and Miss Isabella stood facing each other, the atmosphere delicate.

All the doubts were instantly explained.

Aunt Sylvia's surprise quickly turned into relief and encouragement, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Oh dear, look at me, I forgot."

She smiled and shook her head, her tone slightly teasing. "Are you going to see Miss Isabella? No wonder it's so formal. Well, well, young people should go out more and participate in some decent social activities."

Green thought for a moment, intending to explain that it was the "Oberhafen Port Development and Charity Night," but seeing his aunt's knowing expression, he suddenly felt that explaining it would be troublesome, and might even... make things worse.

I can only try to avoid it during the dinner party to avoid unnecessary trouble...

He paused for a moment, then simply nodded and said "Mm".

As for Isabella, well, I suppose Lillian wouldn't mind...

"Go on, be careful on the road. Don't rush back tonight, have fun."

Aunt Sylvia waved her hand, then suddenly added, "Tonight, your uncle, Emily, and I are going to a dinner party and will be back late. I'll leave some food for Sula, so don't worry."

Dinner? Green knew about it, of course; he just hoped it wouldn't be a "reunion"...

......

At 6:50 p.m., an exquisite four-wheeled carriage decorated with dark gold coats of arms and lined with deep red velvet stopped precisely at the entrance of a relatively quiet alley on the east side of the port authority.

The driver, dressed in a crisp uniform, waited quietly.

Green and Anaïs walked out of the port authority gate.

Anaïs had changed into the perfectly altered light gold dress, covered by a thick, dark wool cloak, the hood obscuring her face and her meticulously styled hair.

The sapphire necklace, hanging half-hidden around the neck, added a touch of mystery.

Green could feel that her arm, which was linked with his, was still nervous and trembling slightly. Not to mention Anaïs, he was also a little nervous, as this was his first time attending such a social event.

But he wasn't going there for the social aspect, so he felt relatively less pressure.

The driver deftly lowered the pedal.

Green boarded the carriage first, then turned around and extended his hand to Anaïs.

Anaïs took a deep breath, placed her hand in his palm, and carefully stepped onto the carriage.

Her movements were still a bit clumsy, but thanks to Ms. Eleanor's emergency training, she at least maintained basic elegance.

The carriage was warm and smelled of leather and wood wax.

"Relax," Green reassured softly. "It's not too far. Just review the key points one last time."

"Mmm," Anaïs said softly, closing her eyes and recalling all her preparations.

The carriage moved smoothly, its wheels making a rumbling sound as they rolled over the stone pavement, causing the carriage to sway slightly.

Just then, Anaïs looked out the car window as if she had sensed something.

"It's snowing..." she murmured softly.

At first, the snowflakes were just a few scattered ones, but soon they became denser, turning into fluffy snowflakes that danced gracefully in the lamplight, silently covering the streets, rooftops, and the shoulders of hurried pedestrians.

"The snow is so beautiful..." Anaïs gazed out the window, her eyes somewhat unfocused.