Chapter 16 Peach-flavored

Rob was anxious, at one point thinking that Maggie intended to abandon the matter. When he saw her reappear in a hurry, his eyes lit up instantly. He said quickly, "Mrs. Green, I don't want to burden anyone, but there's just no way. If it weren't for my sister's uncertain fate, I...I would climb onto the stage and shout this letter to the influential dignitaries in this hall..."
"Rob, it's alright," Maggie comforted him and took the letter from his hand. "I met a city official who will help you."
Rob's expression turned alert, and he held the letter even tighter. "An official? Which official would be willing to deal with this? The Governor of X State is the wife of the Municipal Committee President..."
Harold followed closely behind Maggie, took out a cigarette, switched his briefcase from his right hand to his left, and approached them.
With his tall stature, he exuded a sense of intimidation, but at this moment, he firmly held Rob's hand in a show of strength.
"Sir, if there is a genuine difficulty, it should be addressed honestly. Don't think too much about unverified matters. No matter how great the authority of an official may be, they still live under heaven and the law. Do you agree?"
His tone was not overly serious, revealing friendliness.
Rob was inexplicably awed, swallowing his saliva and stammering, "Y-you...you can help me?"
The City Complaints Bureau fell under his administrative jurisdiction, and there were deep connections between X state and the President's wife.
The situation was peculiar and complex. When he saw Maggie again, she was breathing heavily, her face full of anxiety and sincerity. Both professionally and privately, he was moved. Harold released his hand and put the matter to rest. "If the complaint is verified as true, we must provide assistance, whether we want to or not."
"True! True!" Rob vigorously nodded, glancing at Maggie, who blinked twice. The letter was stuffed into Harold's hands by Rob.
"Official, how should I address you?"
"Last name Edwards, I work in the City Hall and also handle complaints."
Rob was overjoyed, and the creases on his face, symbolizing the hardships he had endured, unfolded. Harold twirled the letter in his hand and didn't rush to open it. "I'll make a call, you stay here with the older gentleman."
The latter half of his sentence was directed at Maggie. She nodded in agreement, and in that brief moment when their eyes met, a vortex of complexity swirled in the depths of the man's profound gaze. He didn't go far, just a few steps away, made a phone call, and ended the conversation with just a few words.
Before long, FBI personnel arrived to take Rob away. At first, he was unwilling, saying that he had just escaped from danger and didn't want to be imprisoned again.
Maggie persuaded him, "Rob, only by investigating and finding out the truth as soon as possible can your sister be saved, right?" The mention of his sister silenced him, and he covered his face, sobbing uncontrollably.
He returned and said, "Miss, you also need to cooperate with the investigation."
Maggie replied, "I just found out as well."
"Then you'll have to wait for the investigation to conclude..."
Harold was about to take out his cigarette case when he interrupted, "This matter has nothing to do with her."
The man hesitated to speak, but Harold gave him a look that was quite oppressive, causing him to swallow his words and catch up to his colleague.
Maggie was about to thank him when he flicked his lighter open and asked, "Have you been to the exhibition?"
The Cultural Night also gathered many summits, jewelry, calligraphy, and painting exhibitions. Maggie shook her head and said no, where could she...
There is still time.
On the surface, being chosen as an assistant and attending such high-end communication events means having to hold back and woo advertisers.
She was at the mercy.
Harold glanced at his watch and his gaze fell upon the mole on her cheek. They were close, close enough to catch a faint, tantalizing scent of peach on her.
"Come with me."
Maggie couldn't figure out his intentions and seemed absent-minded. "Aren't you busy as an official? You seemed rushed just now."
"It won't take long, just ten minutes."
As a thank you for helping Rob so much, Maggie replied with a smile, "It's only fair that I accompany you."
She was the host and was afraid of an awkward silence. Throughout the journey to the exhibition hall, she kept talking about Rob. Harold remained composed, a man who was skilled at hiding his emotions.
It was impossible to tell from his surface judgment whether he liked or was interested in something. That was always his normal state. In order to avoid starving in the palace like King Chu's slim waist, if one wanted to flatter someone, they had to guess their preferences and cater to them.
With a nasal voice and a soft tone, Maggie's words were delightful to listen to. "Before the reforms in our state, Rob would go through great lengths to cure illnesses. He would help anyone who needed it, even if it meant helping people in the countryside slaughter pigs. He would do it swiftly and without spilling a drop of blood..."
Harold chuckled. "Have you seen it?"
Maggie was puzzled and stopped in her tracks. "Seen what?"
"Slaughtering pigs," the man smiled mysteriously.
"No, it's what the villagers say." Her ears turned red.