Chapter 186 Quiet Observation


    Jean quietly studied the unfamiliar faces in front of her


    There were both men and women.


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    Most of them had tall, slender builds but just as Ludwig had mentioned, every one of them wore some form of disguise.


    Some wore masks, revealing only their eyes. Others had nothing on their faces, their features fully exposed.


    But even those exposed faces looked… off – strangely mismatched in a way that made Jean’s skin crawl.


    That dissonance came from how poorly their faces matched their bodies like someone had attached the wrong head to the wrong frame.


    It didn’t take Jean long to figure out the source of the uncanny feeling.


    They were wearing prosthetic disguises.


    Even without masks, they’d used advanced makeup or prosthetics to give themselves new, nd, unfamiliar faces.


    So the members who appeared to be showing their faces weren’t showing their true ones at all.


    –


    Byparison, Jean realized her own disguise was the simplest and most low–effort in the room — just a hat and mask. No borate makeup, no shy masks.


    <i>Talk </i><i>about </i><i>low</i><i>–</i><i>budget</i>.


    Her eyes flicked swiftly across the room, scanning each person one by one.


    Eventually, her gaze settled-


    Seated in the center was a short–haired girl.


    Her face had clearly been altered, in and unremarkable – but her eyes were sharp and full <i>of </i>life, glinting with an intensity that was hard to ignore.


    She sat dead center, and the others around her subtly watched her for cues. That much made it obvious-


    This girl likely had the highest status and authority here.


    Jean finished her quick mental assessment just as Ludwig peeled off his mask.


    He might’ve been the only one in the room showing his real face.


    “Well, look who finally decided to show up,” said a man in a mask, his tone yful, eyes glinting as they flicked briefly toward Jean. “We’ve been waiting on you!


    Ludwig gave a faint, unimpressed smile and didn’t bother replying.


    A high–ponytailed girl giggled and added, “Ludwig, is this the mysterious member you’re supposed to be


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    Chapter 186 Quiet Observation


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    Ludwig raised an eyebrow slightly and replied coolly, “No need. You don’t need to know who they are, do you?”


    And he was right.


    Everyone in the room was clearly using some form of disguise. No one was showing their true face except Ludwig. Naturally, they had no reason to learn each other’s identities. All that mattered waspleting the meeting’s agenda.


    The girl pouted at the brush–off but didn’t push it further


    And Ludwig’s words effectively shut down any further curiosity toward Jean.


    The others turned their attention to her briefly, eyes quiet and prating.


    To them, Jean looked like a slim young man.


    Y


    Judging by body shape alone, it was hard to tell if she was male or female.


    But the odds leaned toward male.


    What stood out more was herposure. She didn’t show a hint of panic or difort – just quietly, calmly scanning the room.


    <i>Interesting</i><i>… </i>


    That was the unspoken thought echoing through the minds of everyone present.


    “Alright, since everyone’s here, let’s get started,” the short–haired girl in the center said suddenly, rising from her seat.


    Her voice carried weight


    –


    as soon as she spoke, the others all stood as well.


    Jean heard the girl’s voice and froze.


    A flicker of surprise shed across her eyes.


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