Everything returned to normal. Everyone continued to drink, talk, and laugh.
When Kristina saw Chester and Dora, she called to them. "Dora, Chester, you're here. I'm so happy to see both of you," she exclaimed.
"Hello, Aunt Kristina." Chester and Dora came to Kristina and greeted her with the inherent dignity and elegance.
"Such good kids." Kristina and Jessica were close friends. Kristina often came over to the Shi family villa. She liked them very much.
They were both smart and quick-witted, and they were fun to be around.
Still wanting to know Nina's identity, Dora asked Kristina, "Aunt Kristina, who is that dashing lady?"
"That dashing lady?" Kristina glanced Albert and wondered who Dora was talking about.
"Nina," Albert answered with a smile. "She's a student in L University."
Chester nodded slightly. It turned out that the aunt James would not stop talking about was named Nina.
"Do you know her, Albert? Can you introduce her to me?" This was the first time that Dora saw Nina, but Dora already wanted to take Nina as her teacher. Nina's quick and smooth movement and commanding aura captivated her. Those were traits that she lacked, and she wanted to learn them from Nina.
Albert nodded, "Okay."
"Let's go while the dinner party hasn't started yet." Dora turned around and saw John.
"Uncle John? You really came." Dora was surprised and delighted. She thought that he was going to get engaged to Vivian this evening.
"Yes. I'm looking for someone." John's eyes swept across the entire banquet hall, but he did not see Nina. He frowned, and a hint of worry flashed through his eyes.
When John came to see Jessica, she just told him something unimportant. After a while, he realized that something was wrong, and then he came looking for Nina in a hurry.
He was told that somebody would be sent to accompany Nina to the banquet hall. Why was she not here?
"Looking for someone?" Dora mistakenly thought that John was looking for Vivian, so she said innocently, "It may take more than half an hour more for Aunt Vivian to join the festivities."
"No, I'm not looking for Vivian," John replied. He took out his phone and checked Nine's location. The dog had a GPS microchip so that John could find him anytime anywhere. It showed that he was in the banquet hall.
He looked around and shouted, "Nine! Come here, boy!"
Nine, who was sleeping soundly in one corner, suddenly sat up, his ears raised. He looked around but did not see Nina. He began to walk around.
When he saw John, he dashed through the crowd toward him, wagging his tail wildly. He was so excited to see his owner.
John bent down and scratched Nine's head. Nina was still nowhere to be found.
"Where's Nina, Nine? Weren't you with her?" John asked. Nine seemed to have understood the cold look in John's eyes. He then turned around and ran outside to look for Nina.
Nine had a good sense of smell, and John believed that he would soon find Nina.
"Wow, Uncle John! Is that your dog? His name is Nine? He's so adorable." Dora loved dogs, so she got excited when she saw Nine trot toward John.
John was too anxious to hear Dora's comment. He did not say anything more. He simply nodded and turned around to follow Nine in search for Nina. If something happened to Nina, he would never be able to forgive himself.
"Are you looking for Henry, Mr. Shi?" Albert deliberately stopped him.
He knew that the person John was looking for was Nina. He had spies in all the rich and powerful families of Lexingport City. He knew nearly everything about them.
John glanced at Albert and frowned at the polite expression on his face. He saw right through the man. His eyes might look gentle, but John could sense the malice lurking beneath.
"Why don't you stay and have a drink? I'm sure Henry will find you soon." John remained on his spot and did not say anything. At present, the three most powerful families in the city, minded their own business and did not interfere with one another. They respected one another's turf to keep the peace and maintain balance.
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