Without hesitation, without a second thought, Lex almost instinctively grabbed Helen's hand and pulled the mature woman to his side.
A Hunter's strength was something a woman couldn't resist, especially with Helen unprepared, so she was pulled instantly to Lex's side and leaned against his body.
With just a touch, Helen heard the strong heartbeat in the chest of the man before her and felt that this body, which didn't look particularly strong, seemed to contain endless power.
If this power were applied elsewhere...
Helen's heart suddenly quickened, and then she whispered, "No one's home today. If you'd like to stay in the living room..."
Lex didn't hear a word she said. His other hand had already reached into his bolsa, resting on the grip of the Blood Praise.
But he didn't know if this Beyonder item could deal with something like a Wraith.
In mysticism, Amelia had once taught him that some creatures' spirituality lingered after death, turning them into Water Ghosts, Wraiths, or even Evil Spirits.
Dealing with them required special items or Beyonder abilities of certain pathways.
Lex had never faced anything like this before, and now, encountering it for the first time, he realized he wasn't prepared for it.
Fortunately, the black shadow didn't take any further action. After extending its arm, it didn't close in but slowly dissipated like morning mist in the sun.
Lex finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was then he noticed Helen was hugging him, and her body was slightly warm.
Was she sick?
Lex subconsciously reached out to touch her forehead. Her body temperature was normal.
At this moment, the face of the musician Richard appeared in his mind. Worried that a certain man might be hiding somewhere, watching, Lex quickly pushed Helen away.
"It's nothing."
Helen was stunned: "What is it?"
Lex sighed inwardly. Unknowingly, he had spoken his mind again.
He quickly tried to salvage the situation.
"Just now, I thought someone was watching you, but it was just a cat jumping over the windowsill. It seems I'm too paranoid. Oh, by the way, this is something a friend of yours asked me to give you."
Lex quickly took out the musician's letter and placed it on the nearby cabinet: "I have other things to attend to, so I'll take my leave now. Goodbye."
"Ah..."
The woman, who had already turned into a pool of spring water, didn't even have time to ask him to stay, watching Lex leave decisively. She stomped her foot in anger.
She glanced at the envelope on the cabinet, picked it up directly, and threw it into the nearby trash can.
Leaving Green Emerald Street, Lex went to the Elk Bar and left a message for Richard at the club. He told him that Helen's situation was a bit off and described the black shadow.
As for how Richard would handle it, Lex didn't care; he had already completed his task.
Evening.
Wearing a semi-tall silk top hat, dressed in a sharp formal suit, and carrying an exquisite cane, Lex walked out of the Violet Hotel, got into a carriage, and, accompanied by bodyguards and a valet, headed to Caspar Restaurant.
Since McGovern was not hosting the banquet at home, Lex did not adhere to the unwritten rule of guests arriving late. Before the sun had completely dipped below the horizon, Lex arrived at the bank's designated restaurant.
This restaurant was located near the Tassok River, but unlike the Dock Area to the east, this area in the West District was quiet and secluded.
Lex checked his pocket watch; it was still 5 minutes before 7 o'clock. He descended from the carriage with satisfaction and, surrounded by bodyguards and a valet, entered the restaurant's door.
After giving the name 'McGovern,' the waiter in a tailcoat led Lex to the VIP room.
As he walked through the restaurant, a gentleman approached him. He was no longer young, with loose skin and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. His formal suit looked bloated due to his plump waist.
He had a very striking gray beard, meticulously trimmed to enhance his dignified appearance.
The gentleman was biting on a gold-plated pipe, but there was no tobacco in it. As he drew closer, Lex caught a whiff of perfume.
'Is this Blue Note perfume?'
As an aristocrat, Lex had some knowledge of perfumes. He knew that 'Blue Note' was a perfume specifically designed for successful middle-aged men.
Its scent was elegant and mellow, and the perfume on this gentleman was clearly in its base notes. If one didn't get close, they wouldn't smell it at all.
In terms of style, he left the nouveau riche Stephen eighteen streets behind.
As they passed each other, Lex saw a golden cufflink on the hand that gentleman used to take down his pipe. The cufflink featured a simple, abstract horse motif, the symbol of the Horse Riding Club.
In a blink of an eye, the VIP room was reached.
The waiter lightly knocked on the door, and only after receiving a signal did he open it for Lex.
Lex walked in, and his first glance fell upon the banker McGovern.
This gentleman was wearing a formal suit, his hair thinning, and his hairline somewhat receding. Perhaps due to the loss of his son, his expression was gloomy, and even when he smiled upon seeing a guest, it seemed forced.
"Good evening, Mr. McGovern." Lex greeted him proactively, while also noticing another gentleman standing behind McGovern.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, with short, light blond hair and sharp features, but due to the gold-rimmed glasses he wore, he looked refined.
Dressed in a formal suit rather than a servant's attire, this indicated that he was likely an assistant to McGovern.
"Good evening."
"Please, have a seat. Caspar Restaurant's Tingen Roast Meat is very authentic. Since you've come from afar, I think it's necessary for our guest from Desie County to taste the flavors of different regions."
It was evident that the banker was a very talkative person; even though his facial expression still had nothing to do with cheerfulness, he could converse freely with Lex.
Lex interjected a few words from time to time, conveyed his father's greetings, and, as per Bison's request, expressed Bison's desire for business cooperation at an appropriate moment.
McGovern responded with a smile: "Baron Bison is a shrewd investor. I've collaborated with him many times, and the results have always been very smooth."
"This time, he has set his sights on the steel industry, and I believe he will achieve Major Achievement."
He suddenly coughed a few times, as if he had caught a cold. But for some reason, Lex's Spiritual Vision was suddenly triggered.
Maintaining his composure, Lex activated his Spiritual Vision, and nearly jumped.
Through Spiritual Vision, Lex saw McGovern cough out a cloud of colorful smoke from his mouth, which churned in the air, with blurred faces appearing from time to time.
Lex had seen this phenomenon before, at the home of Councilor Maynard!
McGovern, completely unaware of his abnormality, put down the napkin covering his mouth and continued: "Unfortunately, due to some personal matters, I'm afraid I won't be able to fully cooperate with your father's plan this time."
"However, you needn't worry. This gentleman behind me is Maggio, my capable assistant. He can provide loan services to your father. If you need a lawyer to draft a contract or conduct industry risk assessments, you can also approach him."
"He will give his full cooperation."