novelraw Chapter 380: She Needs to Inform Griffith Squire, Someone from the Shaw Family of the Imperial City Has Arrived
Chapter 380: She Needs to Inform Griffith Squire, Someone from the Shaw Family of the Imperial City Has Arrived
Richard Shaw heard this and glanced at her. Ignatius Leclair’s personality was not only domineering but also cold and unfeeling. Over the years, his aloof and arrogant demeanor made him disdainful of relying on others, often handling matters himself. Yet from Delphine Carter’s words, there wasn’t the slightest trace of fear toward him. It could be seen how restrained and accommodating that man was in front of her in their daily interactions.
Who would have thought that after all these years of twists and turns, his fate had always been tied to Southeast Asia? Thinking back to the year he lost his mother, returning to the region with seething anger, this entanglement—was it a curse or destiny?
"He and I have been close friends for years; this kind of matter is nothing," Richard Shaw said with a faint smile. His gaze was shrewd as he added, "I hear you’ve grown quite close to the Squire siblings. He’s not particularly happy about that."
Delphine paused momentarily when the topic veered toward the Squire siblings. She assumed Ignatius Leclair was being petty, tattling even about trivial matters to Richard Shaw. A cold snort escaped her lips as she nonchalantly remarked, "Perhaps he just can’t stand someone being better than him."
Richard Shaw was momentarily taken aback by her words before letting out an amused laugh. Back in the day, he had been hailed as the most promising and captivating officer in the Imperial City, yet even he wouldn’t claim to be superior to Ignatius Leclair. The leader of the Golden Triangle Warlords, who had earned such high praise, could hardly be considered a common figure.
"In truth, my purpose for this trip is the Squire siblings," Richard Shaw began, his tone steady and composed. Griffith Squire, being such an outstandingly talented individual in control of an army, had always been a delicate subject—to the extent that old Leclair practically never mentioned him. That, in itself, was highly suspicious.
Richard Shaw, known for his upright and transparent methods, didn’t question Ignatius Leclair about it, nor did he intend to probe Delphine for answers.
Delphine felt a chill run down her spine. Griffith Squire had been operating across the three realms of black, gray, and white, whereas Richard Shaw was a high-ranking officer entrenched in the military command of the Imperial City. Their positions were inherently adversarial. Her complexion turned slightly pale, but she forced herself to remain calm as she asked directly, "The Squires have always behaved themselves in Southeast Asia—they’ve committed no crimes. What exactly brings you here, Mr. Shaw?"
"An old grievance," Richard Shaw replied with a faint smile, his eyes exuding a sense of compassion. Yet, the polished Buddha Beads in his hand could not mask the hardened, blood-stained aura born of surviving countless battles.
"Sir, we’ve arrived," the driving officer softly reminded.
Richard Shaw nodded toward Delphine as a gesture. "I’ve notified old Leclair to come pick you up. I still have matters to attend to; I’ll come by later."
Delphine stepped out of the car. Watching as the two modified off-road vehicles drove away, a wave of chilling dread swept through her. Without hesitation, she called Griffith Squire to inform them that someone from the Shaw Family in the Imperial City had arrived.
No matter the so-called "old grievance," getting entangled with Richard Shaw—paralyzed legs notwithstanding—was unwise. He held significant power within the military. Crossing paths with such a formidable figure was bound to spell trouble.
*
"Why would the officer disclose his true purpose to Miss Carter? She’s clearly close to the Squire siblings and is certain to tip them off," muttered Shuangzi, displeased, as he drove.
Sitting in the backseat, Richard Shaw toyed with the dark, lustrous Buddha Beads in his hand, his eyes closed. His voice was steady as he replied, "People only reveal their flaws when they are most terrified. By letting the Squire siblings know I’ve arrived, certain things will naturally surface."
Shuangzi’s eyes lit up at that, and he couldn’t help but pity the unlucky Squire siblings. Over the years, the officer seldom showed the sharp decisiveness of his former self—except when matters tied to the officer’s wife came up. Then, the man would regain the ruthlessness of the military legend he once was.
The Squire siblings had made a grave error. Of all things, they should never have delved into the officer’s soft spot, investigating hidden secrets tied to his wife’s ancestral lineage.