The grand estate of the Murphy family was abuzz with activity. Following Kosdy Murphy's invitation, nearly all the elites of Veyport City had shown up in support.
Even those who were tied up with urgent matters either sent family members as representatives or made sure to extend their apologies in advance.
Despite his favoritism toward men, and the fact he had both fathered an illegitimate child and arranged for his own daughter to be kidnapped, Kosdy Murphy's status in Veyport City remained unquestionably influential.
He was, without a doubt, a man of weight and authority.
And for someone as traditional as him—who rarely ever hosted gatherings at the family estate—tonight's banquet made clear just how seriously he was taking this occasion.
At the party, Jodie arrived dressed to the nines. Her floor-length purple gown swayed with every step she took, her graceful figure and poise capturing the attention of every man in the room.
Julia, on the other hand, wore a pure white princess dress. The fabric over her chest stretched into a pronounced arc, clearly drawing attention.
For someone so young, her figure was already… generous. If she matured any further, it would be unbelievable.
And with her long, slender legs wrapped in white stockings and crystal heels on her feet, her innocent charm mixed with her voluptuous body created a stunning contrast—earning her plenty of admiring glances.
"Whoa! What a hot guy! Who is that? I don't think I've seen him before. He's almost on par with that Lancaster heir we saw a while back!"
"Oh my god! What's going on with Veyport City lately? Handsome guys popping up one after another—how am I supposed to choose?"
"Pfft! Like any of them would look your way."
"…."
A group of socialites had already noticed the young man standing quietly in a corner, sipping red wine. His eyes held a moody, detached edge to them, laced with a cold allure that made it hard to look away.
"Mr. Roy, thank you for honoring us by agreeing to act as my sister's bodyguard," Jodie approached him, raising her glass in a polite toast before taking a light sip.
Next to her, Julia's eyes sparkled with surprise.
With years of boy-crazy experience under her belt, she could tell—this guy was yet another top-tier heartthrob!
But of course, having already committed her heart to one man, her admiration stopped at mere appreciation. Anything more, and she'd be a flirt, not a fangirl.
Roy's lips curled into a faint smile. His gaze, though respectful, was undeniably suggestive as he casually scanned the pair of stunning sisters.
He had to admit, the Murphy sisters were indeed rare beauties. With their curvaceous figures and flawless faces, they were easily above a 95 on any scale.
Having lived abroad for years, Roy had grown accustomed to the more rugged features and large builds of foreign women. Seeing such delicate, refined beauties in person left him slightly dazed.
"It's an honor to serve as your bodyguard. Mr. Kosdy Murphy has already briefed me on what happened to Miss Julia. I give you my word—something like that will never happen again. As long as I'm around, I won't let either of you suffer even the slightest harm."
With that, Roy made it clear—he wasn't just protecting Julia. He was claiming both sisters under his care.
And why not? With his skills, his training, even without the backing of the Blood Wolf Mercenary Corp, he was more than capable.
He didn't need anyone's help to protect two women. His strength alone gave him that kind of confidence.
Julia stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes. Then she asked, suspiciously, "You're going to protect me too? But I already have a big brother. Maybe you should just protect my sister instead, okay?"
"Big brother?" Roy raised an eyebrow. "You have a brother?"
"Yup! After I got kidnapped, he was the one who saved me." As Julia mentioned Veil, a sparkle lit up in her eyes.
Objectively, she had to admit—Roy was really handsome too.
But compared to her big brother? No contest.
She might've been a bit of a fangirl, but once she fell for someone, she was unwavering.
It wasn't that she disliked Roy, she just thought—what if letting him protect her made her brother misunderstand?
That would be a problem!
Jodie smiled to herself. Julia had gone on and on, but hadn't mentioned a name. She added softly, "It was Veil who rescued her. In Julia's eyes, he's like an older brother. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Roy."
Veil?!
The name made Roy's expression tighten subtly.
He'd worked with Kosdy Murphy before—helping protect one of his overseas trade convoys. He hadn't taken this job purely out of concern for the sisters. In fact, before this, he didn't even know what they looked like.
But Kosdy had once mentioned Veil. Just in passing.
And how could Roy forget the man responsible for Alice cutting off contact with him?
"Miss Julia," Roy began, smiling, "if my sources are correct, this Veil fellow doesn't exactly have the best reputation, does he?"
He wasn't trying to slander Veil—just stating what people were saying.
But unfortunately for him, he was dealing with a die-hard fan.
To Julia, one person saying Veil was bad meant that person had something wrong with them.
If a hundred people said so, then it was those hundred who were wrong!
The moment she heard his words, Julia put her hands on her hips, pouting in outrage. "What do you mean by that? You've never even met my brother and you're already talking bad about him? What's your problem?"
"You're just jealous, aren't you?! I asked my brother to protect me, not you, so now you're all bitter and mean. Hmph! I don't wanna talk to you anymore!"
Just as she finished her rant, she caught a glimpse of Veil walking in through the garden entrance. She instantly dropped everything, dashing across the lawn like a bird returning to its nest, diving into his arms.
"Brother! You're finally here! That Roy guy just now said bad things about you!" she mumbled, snuggling comfortably into his chest.
Then she beamed proudly. "But don't worry! I already scolded him for you. Heh heh…"
"Oh? Is that so? Well, I guess I owe Julia a thank-you for standing up for me," Veil said with a warm chuckle, ruffling her hair.
Then, lifting his gaze, he met Roy's eyes with a smile as calm as spring wind.
Their eyes locked.
In that instant, sparks flew—two forces clashing in silence, the tip of a needle meeting the sharpest blade.
Veil sneered inwardly.
Even after he had taken all the early steps, Roy still somehow managed to get involved with the Murphy sisters—and even became their bodyguard?
In the original story, Roy was the one who had accidentally rescued Julia from the Black Dragon Society. That was how his connection with the sisters began.
But now? That chance had already been taken from him.
And yet here he was again, in front of the sisters.
There was no denying—Roy had incredible luck with women.
Too bad for him, no matter how early he showed up this time… he was still a step too late.
Veil didn't confront him directly. After a single meaningful glance, he turned and walked away, holding Julia in his arms.
Roy narrowed his eyes. There was something about Veil that didn't sit right with him.
Turning to Jodie, he asked in a colder tone, "Miss Jodie, what do you think of Julia's… close relationship with Veil?"
What was she supposed to think?
She could watch it standing, sitting, lying down—what difference did it make?
Still, she replied politely, "There's nothing unusual about it. Julia's an innocent girl. Young Master Lancaster saved her life. It's only natural she's close to him.
Also, Mr. Roy, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just call me Jodie—everyone in the business world does."
Roy responded slowly, "But… from what I know, the police were informed the moment Julia disappeared. And even with all their resources, they couldn't find a single clue.
Yet Veil managed to save her before they did.
Don't you find that a little suspicious?"
Roy smirked inwardly.
Trying to play games in front of him?
Please. He'd seen all the dirtiest tricks imaginable while overseas. Whatever schemes Veil thought he was pulling—he'd tear them apart one by one.
He'd said enough. Jodie was a sharp woman. Surely she understood what he was getting at.
That maybe—just maybe—Veil had orchestrated the kidnapping himself, just to play the hero.
Jodie's eyes grew cold. After a long pause, her voice dropped in temperature, every trace of courtesy gone.
"Mr. Roy, I take back what I said earlier. From now on, please refer to me as Miss Murphy."
Roy: "?????"
"Jodie, what's the meaning of this?" Roy frowned, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I admit it's just a guess, but I genuinely believe there's a high possibility. Miss Julia is too pure-hearted. Haven't you even once suspected Veil yourself?"
Jodie fell silent.
Had she suspected Veil?
Of course she had!
When Veil revealed at the gathering that her sister had been kidnapped that very afternoon, she was the first to suspect him—and she was almost certain of it!
But then what happened?
Reality had slapped her hard across the face.
Veil wasn't the mastermind at all.
On the contrary, he was the one who had rescued her sister from the hands of the kidnappers.
"Mr. Roy, that's all I'm going to say on this matter," Jodie replied calmly, holding her wine glass with elegance. "All I'll tell you is this: some things aren't as simple as they seem. You can question Veil's character if you must, but as far as Julia's situation is concerned, I suggest you drop it."
With that, she turned and walked away, showing no intention of continuing the conversation.
To be fair, her first impression of Roy hadn't been bad—composed, sharp-eyed, and seemingly intelligent.
But now?
She realized she had overestimated him.
Roy's gaze lingered on Jodie's graceful figure as she walked away. The strength in his hand grew unconsciously tighter, and the wine glass let out a harsh creak, as if it was moments away from shattering.
How could this be?
He had always trusted his instincts.
He didn't care much about being misunderstood by Julia. Her childish insults didn't bother him. As the leader of the Blood Wolf Mercenary Corp, a man who had stared death in the face countless times, he had no reason to take offense at the outburst of a young girl.
But Jodie?
Why had even she reacted like this?
Could it be… that Veil had drugged the two sisters somehow?
Little did he know, even if he racked his brain for days, he'd never guess the truth:
The real mastermind behind Julia's kidnapping… was none other than Kosdy Murphy himself.
That old fox had orchestrated the entire affair.
And after committing such a vile act, he didn't just wash his hands of it—he went even further, throwing a grand banquet to celebrate Veil's rescue of the very daughter he had ordered kidnapped.
He even went so far as to hire someone like Roy—a top-level bodyguard—to play the role of protector.
Yes, Roy was the protagonist in the original story.
But even a protagonist is still human.
Without Veil's insider knowledge of the plot, who could possibly see through the many layers of deception that Kosdy Murphy had so expertly wrapped around himself?