Chapter 276: 275 Bus and Candy

Nicole... the female reporter from The Sun, a Level-One Cleaner at the Twin Branch, and the Aquarius Director's secret agent left in the capital?

After asking a few more detailed questions and confirming that the Nicole mentioned by the Prime Minister's Lady was indeed the journalist he knew, Li Ang couldn't help but narrow his eyes, instinctively speculating about her abilities.

He remembered that when he was undercover among the rebels, she was still the daughter of the old Owen couple, but now she had become the Prime Minister's Lady's niece—two identities that clearly contradicted each other, yet her own memories showed no inconsistencies.

So if he wasn't mistaken, she must possess an anomaly capable of "intruding" into others' memories and forcibly assuming the role of a family member.

Judging by the effect of this object, it was likely one of the Aquarius Director's failed experiments created before the 【If】—it couldn't fully "replace" a person, only forcibly "add" a target's familial identity, yet its utility was practical enough to be retained for her.

Tsk... a pair of hands that can touch anything, a sheep's tail that erases aura and grants soul vision, and this mysterious anomaly that forcibly implants familial ties... when you think about it, these abilities are practically tailor-made for a spy.

After secretly noting down these crucial details, Li Ang did not fully believe the Prime Minister's Lady, but looked her straight in the eyes and asked seriously:

"Lady Martha, given how important this is, shouldn't you have come to our bureau first? If you hadn't run into me today, were you planning to pretend you knew nothing at all?"

"I... I can't go to your bureau..."

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's Lady bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with shame:

"When I met Piony... once, we were spotted. If I go to your bureau now, he'll expose my affair with Piony. And the reason this incident was contained at all is because of the token Piony gave me—my love gift—I... I can't tell Stephen about it."

"Also, when I was probing Nicole, she noticed something was off. She met me privately and said she only wanted a convenient identity to work with, that she wouldn't harm me or my family, and told me to keep quiet—otherwise, she'd..."

"Understood."

Hearing this, Li Ang's impression of the female reporter plummeted. He frowned:

"You were threatened by her, right? If you speak out, she'll harm you—or your family?"

"Um... no..."

The Prime Minister's Lady shook her head, embarrassed:

"She said if I expose her identity, she'll reveal that I've been secretly meeting with Count Oren and Lord Luun..."

Six...

Too overwhelmed to comment on the Prime Minister's Lady's chaotic personal life, Li Ang, stunned into silence, paused a moment, then said flatly:

"I'll investigate this as soon as possible. But during my investigation, our conversation must remain secret—even from the Prime Minister. Don't approach Nicole recklessly. Understood?"

"Understood."

Seeing Li Ang give a definite answer, the Prime Minister's Lady brightened, her fingers nervously twisting her skirt hem as she gazed at him with hopeful eyes:

"There's... one more thing I'd like to ask. Has Piony been..."

"Shh! Silence!"

Unwilling to delve further into the Lady's private affairs, Li Ang turned toward the stage where the Prime Minister had just finished speaking and was walking over. He rose to greet him.

"Prime Minister, good to see you again."

"Ah, it's His Grace."

After squinting hard and recognizing the "pretty boy" who had been chatting so cheerfully with his wife, the Prime Minister's previously sour expression softened slightly. He smiled warmly:

"Didn't expect you'd come to the Bridge Public School's parent meeting... This is...?"

"My sister Anna, and my younger brother William in Class One-Year-One, and my sister Melanie."

"So this is Miss Anna."

Noticing Anna's nervousness, the chubby Prime Minister smiled kindly, didn't bow elaborately, but reached into his right belly pocket, pulled out six or seven candies, and offered them, winking at the two children.

"Since this is a casual encounter, I won't make it formal... I happened to have some candies on me—consider them a small gift. Hope these two little lions don't find them beneath them."

"You're too kind."

As Anna accepted the candies on behalf of her siblings, the chubby Prime Minister sat down, wiped sweat from his brow with a silk handkerchief, and smiled warmly:

"Just now on stage, I saw you and Martha chatting quite merrily. I was sorry to interrupt—could I join your interesting conversation?"

"It wasn't anything particularly interesting."

Hearing this, the Prime Minister's Lady tensed visibly. Li Ang, unfazed, smiled and switched to his 【Master of Performance】, speaking casually without missing a beat:

"We were just discussing child-rearing. I remarked on your long-term vision in education, and exchanged some amusing anecdotes with Lady Martha."

That's it?

You're good-looking, carry yourself with such grace, and hold such a high position at a young age—you're exactly the type Martha loves... didn't she try anything on you?

The Prime Minister studied Li Ang's eyes—his gaze and demeanor were utterly natural, not at all like a lie. Half his tension eased. But when he turned and saw his wife's relieved expression, his eyes narrowed again.

"Anecdotes... pity. Though I spoke well on stage, I've been too busy with work to involve myself much in the education of my three children..."

With a faint sigh, the chubby Prime Minister smiled:

"Good. I'm quite interested in such anecdotes. Could you share one more?"

Still testing... damn, so the Prime Minister is secretly a jealous husband?

Sensing the faint, sour malice radiating from the chubby Prime Minister, Li Ang glanced at the bus-lady and the jealous husband before him, sighed inwardly, and nodded slightly:

"I could repeat it... mainly about the recent survey form—my brother and sister filled out some amusing answers..."?!?!

Seeing Li Ang reach for the folded survey form as if to unfold it, Melanie, who had been happily sucking on a candy, suddenly jolted and secretly kicked William's leg.

Hurry! Quick! It's your turn! Now!

Ugh... what a hassle...

William glanced at his soiled pant leg, swallowed the half-melted candy, jumped off his chair, and in front of the astonished adults, pulled out a tiny ring tied with cloth strips and grass leaves, then firmly slipped it onto the chubby ring finger of the Prime Minister's youngest daughter.

"Will you marry me?"

Looking at the new ring on her finger, Charlotte, who was also sucking on a candy, burst into a delighted smile. Without hesitation, she hugged William tightly and kissed his cheek hard, smearing half her unfinished candy onto his face.

"Yes!"