There was less than an hour left until the start of Sleepless Sky Huoxing's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

The lights of Sleepless City's skyscrapers were gradually turning on, and twilight was beginning to emerge from the horizon, staining the sky above the city.

Meanwhile, inside the Sleepless Night Family's auditorium and exhibition hall, most of the guests had already arrived.

The dignitaries, dressed in splendid formal attire, gathered together to chat, enjoying chilled wine and exquisite pastries, while commenting on the precious gifts displayed in the exhibition hall, all to build rapport or probe each other.

But beyond these routine topics, everyone couldn't help but curiously voice similar questions.

"That's strange, why isn't Furbollo here?"

Although just a commoner, the name "Furbollo" was undoubtedly the most talked-about in Sleepless City recently.

And the news of his intention to pursue the Sleepless Night Family's esteemed Second Miss, that eccentric Sleepless Sky Huoxing, was something everyone was eagerly discussing!

Many people had come to the venue intending to chat with this miraculous 'Detective'.

However, after arriving, they had searched the entire venue but couldn't find the detective's figure!

"The Dukes have already started entering one after another, how come he, a mere commoner, hasn't arrived yet?"

"I heard he's preparing a surprise..."

"What a strange character. Even if he's gained the Sleepless Night Family's favor, he can't be this presumptuous, can he?"

"If Her Excellency Sleepless Sky Huole has no objections, why should we gossip?"

"But if I were Her Excellency Sleepless Sky Huole, I'd definitely put him in his place after tonight—no matter how much fame or merit a commoner has, they can't break the rules like this!"

"I actually think Furbollo isn't a fool. If he dares to act this way, there must be a reason..."

"Maybe it's all under Her Excellency Sleepless Sky Huole's orders!"

"If it really is Her Excellency Huole's order, then what is she trying to achieve?"

"Maybe to win Her Excellency Sleepless Sky Huoxing's favor. After all, Her Excellency Huoxing's temperament... is quite unconventional, and her tastes are unique too."

"Ah, now that you mention it, that's really possible. After all, that's Her Excellency Huoxing we're talking about. Maybe doing this will actually make her notice Furbollo."

The nobles chattered irresponsibly, making wild speculations.

Sheng Lan Kui, listening to the increasingly outrageous rumors in the venue, did not look pleased.

"What is all this nonsense? Does arriving early mean I'm less sincere than him, the one who's late?"

Sheng Lan Kui muttered irritably. Beside him, Alt Mercury shook his head. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"In the process of pursuing a woman, sincerity is almost the least important thing."

"Moreover, the one you're pursuing is Huoxing... Although I've lived a secluded life these past few years, I do live in the Sleepless Night residence. I've seen that child a few times occasionally."

Alt Mercury said. Sheng Lan Kui looked at the old man again, adopting an attentive expression.

Mentioning Sleepless Sky Huoxing naturally made Sheng Lan Kui particularly sensitive.

Seeing Sheng Lan Kui like this, Alt Mercury smiled.

"If you want to win that child's favor, I do think acting 'abnormally' is an idea... However, I don't think simply being intentionally late will work."

"It still depends on what specific 'surprise' he has prepared."

Alt Mercury said. Sheng Lan Kui nodded solemnly.

"I see... But regardless, it seems Furbollo is indeed a respectable opponent!"

But just as Sheng Lan Kui finished saying this, the old Steward Barry hurriedly entered the exhibition hall and came to his side.

Barry's injuries were no longer serious, so he had naturally resumed his normal duties.

His appearance here now naturally meant...

"Oh, Sheng Lan Lai and Sheng Lan Ye have arrived too, is that it?"

Sheng Lan Kui looked at the approaching Barry and spoke calmly.

He had come here early in a personal capacity with a few servants. The proper guests from the Sheng Lan Family attending the Coming-of-Age Ceremony would naturally only arrive now.

Barry had, of course, come with the Sheng Lan Family's "main contingent."

Hearing Sheng Lan Kui's words, Barry nodded.

"Yes, the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master have also arrived. They will enter shortly."

Barry said, then lowered his voice and spoke seriously.

"There's one more thing, Young Master Sheng Lan Kui... Some people from the Public Security Bureau have arrived outside. The Sorenson Family seems to be plotting something."

Sheng Lan Kui was somewhat surprised: "The Sorenson Family? What are their people planning to do?"

"It's probably related to Furbollo," Barry said in a low voice. "Yesterday, they seemed to have made some moves regarding Furbollo's wanted status, obstructing Sleepless Sky Huole's efforts to have the warrant revoked."

"Should we make any preparations for this?"

Barry asked for instructions—after all, he still couldn't quite figure out Sheng Lan Kui's attitude towards Furbollo.

Although they were currently on opposing sides, the relationship had become rather ambiguous ever since he himself was rescued.

Sheng Lan Kui also fell into contemplation.

"Targeting Furbollo... Let's observe for now and adapt."

"If necessary, we can also help Furbollo. Even though he stands on Sleepless Sky Huole's side, and Huole stands on Sheng Lan Lai's side, Sleepless Sky Huo Shu is also trying to win this guy over," Sheng Lan Kui paused, "Moreover, I dislike the Sorenson Family's lot even more—those opportunistic pests who wait for their chance!"

Hearing Sheng Lan Kui say this, Barry nodded.

"Understood, Young Master. If the Sorenson Family's people make any moves, I will notify you immediately."

Sheng Lan Kui added another instruction: "And Furbollo. Notify me when that guy shows up too."

Barry was stunned: "Furbollo hasn't arrived?"

Sheng Lan Kui sighed: "Yes, he hasn't arrived yet."

...

At the same time, in the control room.

Sleepless Sky Huole looked at the surveillance footage showing the Public Security Bureau personnel approaching the Sleepless Night residence and slightly frowned.

"What is the Sorenson Family bringing the Security Bureau people here for again? Could it be they plan to arrest Furbollo once more?"

And not just here; according to intelligence reports, Public Security Bureau personnel on duty throughout the entire Sleepless City were searching everywhere for something!

"They can't possibly have found some new evidence again!"

She thought gravely, then looked at Paris beside her.

"Do we have any extra personnel available now, Paris?"

CEO Paris nodded: "Of course, Your Excellency... Are we going to openly confront the Public Security Bureau and the Sorenson Family?"

Although it might seem unbelievable in other worlds, in this world... the private armed forces of the Three Major Corporations and the Five Great Noble Families have the power to wage "war"—this is even a legally sanctioned action defined by statute.

The target of such operations could even be Sleepless City's own Public Security Bureau.

However... no one has done this for a long time.

So, hearing Paris's suggestion, Sleepless Sky Huole also knew it was a joke.

"Stop joking, Paris. I'm asking you to send some clever people out to find Furbollo before the Public Security Bureau does."

"Didn't you send people to be with him? Don't you even have an emergency way to contact those people?"

Paris smiled apologetically: "You're right... I do, but I must state for the record, Your Excellency... I had no intention of monitoring Furbollo!"

As he spoke, Paris opened his private communicator. After a brief operation, Paris looked up with a grim expression.

"Your Excellency, you might not believe this."

"The people I sent out seem to have... defected."