Professor Edwin Preston

Vic's voice was deep and authoritative. He kept a close eye on Butler Joseph, his gaze tinged with caution and alertness, and asked again in a grave tone,"Where are they now?"

Butler Joseph slightly bowed, replying respectfully,"They're waiting in the reception hall."

Catching a glimpse of Vic's less-than-pleased expression as he glanced up, a thought crossed his mind. He cautiously suggested,"Sir, would it be inconvenient for you to meet them? Should I find an excuse to turn them away?"

Vic frowned deeply, a hint of hesitation and helplessness flashing across his eyes.

After a moment, as if making a decision, he took a deep breath and slowly said,"You can't avoid what's inevitable. We might as well face it sooner rather than later."

With that, he stood up, adjusted his clothes, and strode purposefully toward the door.

As he passed Reed, who was still sitting on the sofa like a statue, showing no sign of moving, a surge of anger welled up inside Vic. Without warning, he kicked Reed hard and bellowed,"What are you just sitting there for? Follow me!"

Reed, caught off guard by the sudden kick, looked at Vic in shock."Huh? I have to go too?"

Vic shot him an impatient glance and threatened nonchalantly,"What else! If you don't want to come, you can stay here and diligently make up all the lessons taught by Secretary Li, not missing a single word!"

Reed was speechless upon hearing this.

So, there's no way around this, huh?

Well, what can he do when faced with his father?

"Alright!" Reed sighed resignedly, standing up with apparent reluctance, trailing behind Vic unwillingly.

As Vic walked, he glanced back at Reed, whose lackluster and indifferent demeanor only fueled his irritation further.

He turned his head, looking at Reed with a serious expression, and couldn't help but warn him,"The people we're about to meet are no ordinary folk. You'd better be on your best behavior and don't embarrass me!"

Hearing this, a spark of curiosity stirred within Reed. His eyes involuntarily flicked toward the metallic card in Vic's hand. With just that glance, his sharp eyes caught sight of the prominent pattern on the card.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Reed's mind, memories of Denaris flooding back like waves. He squinted slightly, already arriving at an answer."The Stevens family from the capital, Denaris!" Though phrased as a question, his tone was remarkably certain.

The Stevens family was renowned in Denaris, a prestigious clan with deep roots. Throughout history, it had produced many brilliant figures whose names echoed far and wide. Today, the head of the Stevens family, Wallace Stevens, held a high position in the capital of Silverwing, serving as one of the three generals and wielding considerable power, his authority awe-inspiring.

Denaris, the capital of Silverwing, boasted a level of prosperity and vastness far beyond what the small city of Kale could ever match.

For the current Reed, such a powerful family represented an insurmountable mountain, a force truly not to be provoked. After all, no matter how autonomous Kale City might be, it still had to send substantial resources annually to the capital, paying taxes and tributes to ensure its stable development.

Vic, noticing Reed's reaction, narrowed his eyes but said nothing, allowing Reed's realization to sink in. The gravity of the situation was clear, and Reed understood that this meeting was not one to take lightly.

Vic was taken aback by Reed's confident response.

He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and fixed Reed with a gaze full of confusion and curiosity."You've seen this card before?"

Reed shrugged innocently."No, just a guess!"

Looking at him, Vic's expression softened into a relieved smile. He sighed appreciatively,"I didn't think you'd actually start using your head!"

Hearing this, Reed was speechless. He couldn't help but internally grumble: Is it really that hard to guess? With such a prominent rose emblem on the card and knowing they're from the capital, it wasn't exactly rocket science. As far as he knew, among the families in Denaris with official backgrounds, only the Stevens family had a rose symbol!

How could the original owner have been so clueless that Vic would be this surprised by such a simple deduction?

Before Vic could say more, they arrived at their destination, cutting off any further remarks.

From afar, they saw two figures in the reception hall—one seated, the other pacing restlessly.

Both were facing away, making it impossible to discern their features clearly.

The tension in the air was palpable, even from a distance, as the standing figure continued to pace, clearly impatient.

Vic approached with a smile, his tone light yet formal.

"Ha ha ha, I had no idea such esteemed guests were here. Please forgive me for not greeting you sooner; it was remiss of me!"

At the sound of his voice, the two figures turned to look.

The one pacing was a young man in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, his handsome face marred by impatience, arrogance, and disdain.

"Hmph, the mayor sure knows how to make an entrance. If we wait any longer, the sun might set," he remarked sarcastically.

The seated figure was a middle-aged man, nearing fifty. Despite the wrinkles on his face, his eyes sparkled with vigor, and he exuded the air of a scholar. He merely glanced at Vic and Reed before returning to his tea, his silence clearly expressing dissatisfaction with the wait.

Reed sized up the young man, thinking to himself: They say even a smiling face can't be hit, but this young man's pride is palpable!

However, Vic didn't seem perturbed. Given that they were from the Stevens family of Denaris, their arrogance was understandable.

Keeping his expression neutral, Vic said,"Lately, I've been swamped with work, causing both of you to wait. May I ask your names?"

"I am Rad Stevens, son of Wallace Stevens," the young man replied, arms crossed, still visibly irritated.

Vic's body stiffened. He knew the visitors were from the Stevens family, but he hadn't expected them to be Wallace Stevens' son.

"So, it's Young Master Rad. I remember meeting you when you were just a child. It's been over a decade. How has your father been?" Vic asked with a warm smile.

Rad paused, surprised that Vic actually had connections with his father.

"He's well, thank you for asking, Mayor," Rad replied with a polite smile.

He then introduced the older man sitting on the sofa,"This is Professor Edwin Preston. I'm sure you've heard of him, so there's no need for further introduction."

Vic was even more taken aback upon learning that the elderly man was Professor Edwin Preston.

Professor Edwin Preston was not only a professor at the University of Denaris but also a senior member of the Silverwing government.

Though he held the title of a senior legislator, his influence was far-reaching.

Having taught at the university for many years, many leaders and experts in various fields were his former students, making his influence unparalleled among ordinary legislators.

Professor Kona, for instance, was one of his students.