The door closed again, shutting out all sounds from the outside. Seeing Ann Vaughn’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if pondering something, Rose Rhodes ruffled her long hair, thinking of everything she did while impersonating her, and couldn’t help but laugh. "Earlier, you were worried you wouldn’t portray me well, afraid of being exposed, but judging by your performance at the auction, those who doubted your identity must now be convinced of it." Ann Vaughn snapped back to reality at these words, shaking her head immediately. "If it wasn’t for your warning in my ear about a suspicious person coming to present treasures, I wouldn’t have thought of using that tactic to intimidate them. Otherwise, I would have been exposed long ago." The person who bid on the rare medical manuscript seemed to be flattering The Black Rose, but was actually probing her true identity. Daring to probe, Ann Vaughn naturally dared to retaliate. Although that person wasn’t dead, he wouldn’t wake up before the Gemstone docked. Rose Rhodes couldn’t help but be slightly moved, reaching out to pinch Ann Vaughn’s cheek, "I must say, you little Black Rose, are in no way inferior to your sister. If you ever change your mind, come find me; there’ll always be a place for you here." She had said this to Ann Vaughn years ago, but unfortunately, Ann Vaughn had declined then. "Rose, please don’t make fun of me," Ann Vaughn said, feeling shy, as she turned to the wardrobe to fetch a clean set of clothes, urging Rose Rhodes to the bathroom, "Hurry up and change out of your wet clothes; the weather isn’t warm yet, you’ll catch a cold easily." Rose Rhodes smiled helplessly, "Only you would think that even The Black Rose can get sick." Anyone else would avoid her like the plague. Ann Vaughn didn’t think it was a big deal, smiling without commenting. Thanks to Rose Rhodes’ assistance, the plan to lure the snake out of its hole went smoothly. However... the person hiding behind Jade Shepherd, helping her escape Mordane, covering her tracks, and even assisting her revenge, had yet to slip up. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩 Rose Rhodes had other matters to attend to; she couldn’t stay long on the cruise, and soon left with her subordinate who came to pick her up. After watching her yacht depart, Ann Vaughn stood on the deck for a while, gazing at the calm sea, though her thoughts gradually churned. Until the chill crept over her skin, Ann Vaughn snapped back and was about to return to her room, but saw two bodyguards approaching. "Madam." The bodyguard stopped five steps away from Ann Vaughn and spoke respectfully, "Mr. Kane Warren wishes to invite you to a small gathering on the eleventh floor, and hopes you’ll honor him." Before leaving, Rose Rhodes specifically warned Ann Vaughn to be cautious of several people, Kane Warren included, not someone to offend lightly. As thoughts swirled, Ann Vaughn raised a hand to brush aside a lock of hair and replied lazily, "I’m not in a good mood today, so I won’t honor him with my presence." The two bodyguards were taken aback by her response, their expressions shifting subtly. But before they could say more, Ann Vaughn left with her two subordinates. The two bodyguards didn’t dare to stop her, only relayed the message to Mr. Kane Warren. Less than half an hour later, Ann Vaughn’s room door was knocked upon. "Mrs. Lowell, I’m Kane Warren. I apologize for my earlier rudeness, and I hope you won’t hold it against me." Sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, flipping through the rare medical manuscript, Ann Vaughn’s red lips curved slightly, unsurprised. Kane Warren was formidable, but if The Black Rose appeared too meek, it would arouse suspicion in this cunning old fox. From the tenth floor up, Kane Warren had reserved the space for entertaining guests. The eleventh floor encompassed bars, casinos, shooting ranges, and other lavish venues. Kane Warren personally led Ann Vaughn into the shooting range, drawing the attention of many. But before everyone could wonder about her identity, upon seeing the rose mark under her eye, their expressions changed. No one present hadn’t heard of The Black Rose, yet few had seen her face. Rumored to be a stunning beauty, though never revealing her true self due to facial scars; hardly anyone had genuinely seen The Black Rose. But now, seeing her half-revealed face, she was indeed as the rumors said, undeniably beautiful. Watching the gazes originally on herself shift to Ann Vaughn, Princess Astrid looked livid, firing two shots at the target, hitting the ninth ring. But this time, it didn’t draw much praise. Entering the room, Ann Vaughn first calmly surveyed her surroundings, finally fixing her gaze on the firearms laid on the table. Kane Warren seemed to notice, speaking fluently in X language, "I’ve heard of your remarkable shooting skills, making many gentlemen bow in admiration. Might I have the honor to witness it today?" "Kane Warren, making such requests of Mrs. Lowell is discourteous." Two men in suits approached, smiling though their eyes gleamed. "Mrs. Lowell’s shooting skills aren’t something one can see casually." The grey-suited man laughed, chiming in. Ann Vaughn raised an eyebrow slightly, her bright eyes under the veil slightly narrowing, what were they trying to pull? "I think Mr. Kane Warren’s request is quite reasonable." Princess Astrid removed her safety glasses, staring directly at Ann Vaughn, "We’re all eager to see The Black Rose’s grace." Kane Warren turned slightly, seemingly gently asked Ann Vaughn, "What does the madam think?" "If you all wish to see, it’s no problem." Ann Vaughn lowered her eyes, picked up a gun with her gloved hand, smiling faintly cold, "As long as you can handle the consequences." The smiles on the faces of the two men beside Kane Warren grew even broader, with a hint of deep meaning in their eyes. "What madam says, we only wish to spar with guns." "Given madam’s status, you wouldn’t find such simple sparring appealing, right?" Astrid’s eyes flickered with mockery, "Let’s add some stakes, then it would be thrilling." "Princess Astrid, any good suggestions?" Astrid laughed, looking at Ann Vaughn with provocative eyes, "If madam wins, she may propose any condition, and we’ll do anything for her. But if madam loses... show us your true face, how about it?" These words made the atmosphere in the range freeze for a moment, inhaling sharply at Astrid’s boldness. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Ann Vaughn, trying to discern her reaction. Nobody expected her to laugh, a chill-inducing laugh. "Does Princess Astrid know what happens to those who see this face?" Astrid remained unafraid, chin lifted, "Is madam scared?"