embarrassment flashed across his face. He realized that his tone just now was indeed inappropriate and wanted to explain, but facing Lian Ri's cold gaze, he didn't know what to say.The lion, seeing t...Only then did John realize that upon entering his manor, he hadn't encountered a single butler or servant on his way to the study, save for the guard at the entrance. It was clear that Miss Peony had been waiting for him all along.

He lowered his head to look at his right palm, which was already numb from the pain. He squeezed out a grimace and then said in a forced light tone:

"Miss Peony, you misunderstood. Things have been unstable recently, and I'm also afraid that someone might do me harm."

"It seems I was mistaken about Mr. John Lee, when can you give me your information"

Ripples showed no intention of apologizing and bluntly asked.

"Ahem, lately domestic intelligence agents haven't been giving me any intel, so..."

John immediately explained.

You have obtained the gold from one of the squad's convoys, and half the wealth of the main force on the fourth evacuation route. This is enough to buy me the intel I need.

The ripples remained unmoved and said directly.

John's eyes flashed, and Mu Dan knew about the fourth route. But she obviously didn't tell him, and even used people from the underground party to split half of the things.

"Don't blink, I know your deeds. You've only prepared two sets of actions, and as it turns out, your methods are exactly as I expected."

"Miss Ripple, this is not in accordance with our original agreement."

John argued his point logically.

"I gave you three evacuation routes out of the Japanese nation. Did you acquire riches from the intercepted squads"

"Yes, but..."

Then it's settled.

The ripples stated strongly.

John kept his lips sealed, obviously unwilling to fulfill the promise. Perhaps he didn't want to give up information, or perhaps he truly didn't have the information Ripple needed.

Ripple didn't waste her time, she got up and left without saying a harsh word. She only gave John a meaningful smile.

After confirming that the Blood Poppy had left, John Lee went to look for his butler, only to find them both unconscious in their respective rooms.

After John had bandaged his own wounds, he waited anxiously for dawn and immediately went to find his old friend Andrew.

Andrew's information trading den was still bustling with business. Seeing John Riley, his right hand wrapped in bandages, he exclaimed in surprise:

"John Lee, my friend, have you done anything dangerous"

John's dark circles were very obvious, and he looked tired and listless as he said:

"It's hard to express! Andrew, I'm here seeking your help."

"Please speak, and if it is within my capabilities, I will certainly help you."

John Lee simply explained the deal with Begonia, but didn't go into specifics. However, Andrew, as the owner of an intelligence gathering spot, immediately connected John Lee's words to the information about the Japanese retreating forces being intercepted previously.

Andrew took a puff of his cigar before speaking.

So, since Blood Lotus didn't receive the information she wanted, she went after you Be honest. Based on my understanding of Blood Lotus, if she had made a move, you wouldn't be here to see me.

John's green eyes flashed, his eyelids twitched, then he said:

"Do you mean, Miss Peony has other intentions"

I am not her, and I don't know what she thinks. However, I suggest you give the information to her directly, and don't try to fool her with any fake information.

Andrew said kindly.

That day, the scene where five Japanese intelligence officers were killed was still vivid in Andrew's memory. It was truly clean and efficient, just like a natural born hunter.

"I understand!"

John Li understood that he now had a conflict with Xue Meihua, and Andrew obviously didn't want to get involved. He could only politely decline and say that if he heard any news about Xue Meihua, he would let him know.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

As for whether or not I will tell John Lee about the blood peony, that's another story.

After a period of calm for half a month, intelligence officers stationed in Pingbei City by the M country encountered one mishap after another. They were either robbed of their intelligence or killed, and a Peony blossom from Luoyang was left at each crime scene.

The moment John Lee heard the news, he understood it was Xuelian's revenge. In just half a month, she had dismantled the M nation's intelligence network. He couldn't sit still any longer.

The ripples only want information, so she's putting pressure on John this way. And the fact that she could find M country's intelligence personnel so quickly indicates the contributions of both the Nationalist and underground parties.

The underground party's side goes without saying; she was a formally registered intelligence officer. The Nationalist Party, on the other hand, because of the information she provided, allowed her to re-enter their intelligence department's field of vision.

The ripples used both sides' intelligence networks to eliminate all M nation intelligence officers stationed in Pingbei, except for John Lee.

John Lee has been having a hard time sleeping lately. If things continue this way, he won't have a good ending even if he returns to M country. So, he went to Andrew's intelligence gathering place and asked him to spread the word that he wanted to meet with Red Peony.

Lian Ri received a message from Lao Zhou and smiled faintly. Three days later, she wore the black cheongsam with red peony embroidery and went to the Andrew Organization's cocktail party.

As she stepped into the night's gala, a hush fell over the crowd for two seconds before a flurry of hushed conversations erupted in various languages. The intelligence brokers all turned their gazes towards Ripples from time to time.

The ripples from the waiter's tray, holding a glass of red wine, rose as it was brought towards Andrew.

Andrew, seeing the woman before him with her stunning beauty, devilish figure, and enigmatic aura, immediately stepped forward two paces to meet her.

"Miss Peony, I've heard so much about you. Now that I finally meet you, I realize that all the descriptions of you pale in comparison to your actual beauty."

After hearing this, Lian Yi smiled with her red lips pursed, and then raised her wine glass and said:

"Thank you for your praise, I'm here today to apologize. Before, at the bar, I was ambushed by Japanese intelligence agents, which must have caused you a lot of trouble. I am very sorry."

"Don't take Miss Peony's words to heart. They were the ones who broke the rules of information trading, and it has nothing to do with you. Besides, that bar was getting a bit old, so I took this opportunity to move locations. I hope you'll come visit often."

Andrew was a smooth talker, immediately raising his champagne and clinking it with Ripple's glass to express his indifference.

The ripples within stirred with emotion. It's no wonder this person thrives so effortlessly; their emotional intelligence is exceptional.

She took a sip of red wine and, without hesitation, walked towards a corner, saying as she went:

“Mr. Andrews is the most generous person I’ve ever met, but that incident did ultimately affect your business. I left for a while to avoid being caught by the Japanese, so I wasn't able to apologize in time. Today, I bring you some new intelligence as a token of apology, and thank you for your understanding.”

"This rather surprised me! Miss Peony, you are too kind."

Andrew smiled, but did not refuse the information Ripple offered.

Ripples understood Andrew's meaning and smiled, handing him a card.

"I hope this will be helpful for Mr. Andrew's future arrangements."

Andrew took the card and raised his glass to Ripple.

When John Lee received the message and rushed to the party, he just saw the two people chatting happily.e."Liàn Yī rejected the other party's kindness. All the Zhang family members hesitated, but no one spoke up immediately, especially Liàn Yī who silently shook her head towards everyone.If that's the c...