After several hours on a plane, Esther was somewhat exhausted. Seeing this, Chris Shelby stepped forward to take the luggage. As they exited the airport, a business van was parked by the roadside. This time, coming to Fog City, Chris Shelby had called the Amerosia Embassy in Oxwoods in advance. Upon receiving Chris Shelby’s call, the embassy immediately dispatched someone to pick up Chris Shelby and Esther.
Once in the van, Chris Shelby gazed at the passing scenery, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He remembered his last visit to Oxwoods three years ago. Back then, Chris Shelby had been on a mission that turned the whole city upside down. He wondered if those old friends still remembered him. “Ha! They’d be scared to death if they saw me again!” he thought, his smile widening.
Esther, curious, asked, “Dear, what are you thinking about?” Chris Shelby chuckled and replied, “Nothing much, just reminiscing about the past.”
“Dear, this place is not like the East Coast; it’s a major international city. Don’t wander off, or I might lose you,” Esther warned seriously. Hearing this, Chris Shelby couldn’t help but laugh. For him, navigating Oxwoods was possible even with his eyes closed.
Soon, they arrived at the embassy. Staring at the building in front of her, Esther exclaimed in surprise, “Dear, you actually brought me to the embassy!” Chris Shelby nodded, “Yes, wife, don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything for our visit to Oxwoods.”
“Huh?” Esther was momentarily taken aback. She realized that no matter where she went, Chris Shelby could solve any problem. They had just arrived in Oxwoods, and he had already brought her straight to the embassy. Her husband was full of surprises!
At that moment, a middle-aged man approached them. He looked at Chris Shelby with respect and said, “Mr. Shelby, I am Austin Paige, the military attache at the Amerosia Embassy in Oxwoods, assigned to welcome you!” Chris Shelby’s identity was top secret in Amerosia, known only to a select few. Austin Paige, a mere military attache, certainly wouldn’t know Chris Shelby’s true status. All he knew was that a VIP was visiting Oxwoods, and they were instructed to provide the best reception possible without any errors.
“Hello!” Chris Shelby and Esther introduced themselves. Austin Paige said, “Please, follow me.” Chris Shelby and Esther followed Austin Paige into the embassy and soon arrived at a white villa. Austin led them to a guest room that had been prepared in advance.
“Mr. Shelby, Mrs. Shelby, this is your room,” Austin said. Chris Shelby nodded, “Thank you. How come I haven’t seen the ambassador?” Austin explained, “The ambassador is busy with some matters and will be back in a few days.” Hearing this, Chris Shelby did not inquire further.
The next day, Esther took Chris Shelby to meet one of her college friends. They arrived at a luxurious villa, indicating that Esther’s friend was doing quite well in Oxwoods. Upon entering the villa, Chris Shelby saw a beautiful woman sitting on a sofa in the living room. Upon seeing Esther, the woman stood up with surprise and joy, exclaiming, “Esther, you finally made it!”
Esther greeted with a smile, “Lily, it’s been such a long time since we last met.”
Lily Peake, Esther’s college classmate and close friend, had gone to study abroad in Oxwoods after graduation.
This was their first meeting since graduating.
“Yes!” Lily Peake took Esther’s hand, her face full of emotion. “Esther, it must have been almost five or six years since we last saw each other.”
Just then, Lily Peake noticed Chris Shelby standing nearby.
She asked in surprise, “Esther, who is this?”
Esther introduced him with a smile, “Lily, let me introduce you! This is my husband, Chris Shelby!”
“Are you Chris Shelby?” Lily Peake asked, visibly astonished.
Despite being abroad, Lily had heard about Esther’s notorious husband.
Rumors had circulated years ago that Esther had married a vagrant, who was none other than Chris Shelby!
This had caused quite a stir among their classmates.
Everyone knew Esther as the most beautiful girl at university.
It was shocking that she had married a vagrant, a fact that had stunned everyone.
When Lily first heard that Esther had married a vagrant, she too was deeply shocked.
She felt it was a waste for Esther, who, in her opinion, could have married a more affluent and handsome man.
Yet, she had married a vagrant, which was simply unbelievable.
Now, she was meeting the infamous Chris Shelby in person!
Chris Shelby greeted with a smile, “Hello, I’m Chris Shelby, Esther’s husband.”
“Hello!” While Lily Peake was still visibly shocked, she responded politely, though she did not engage much with Chris Shelby.
To Lily, Chris was merely an insignificant son-in-law.
Such a person, if not for being Esther’s husband, would hardly be worth her attention.
Lily Peake then said to Esther, “There’s a banquet tomorrow night attended by many prominent business figures from Oxwoods. Why don’t you come with me? It’ll be a great opportunity for Chester Group to break into the Oxwoods market.”
Esther replied with joy, “Lily, thank you so much!”
…
The next day, Chris Shelby and others prepared to attend the party.
Around 8 PM, they departed from the embassy in a business van.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a luxurious private club where the banquet was being held.
Upon arrival, the entrance was lined with luxury cars.
Each car was worth at least a million dollars, making brands like BMW and Mercedes barely noteworthy here.
Lily Peake explained, “This party is hosted by the renowned Rhode family of Oxwoods, a famous financial dynasty that controls nearly half of Oxwoods’ economic lifeline.”
Esther was in awe.
The Rhode family was a name well-known to her, being one of the wealthiest families in Oxwoods with assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Chris Shelby was quite familiar with the Rhode family.
He recalled the last time he was here on a mission, the patriarch of the Rhode family had knelt before him, nearly terrified…