After the details of the plan were explained, the meeting took a 20 minute break before they would go over any questions.

Taylor immediately approaches Maggie, but apparently there was a line forming. Taylor groans. I guess she is leading this party… Taylor thinks, assuming that there were a lot of questions waiting for her.

Maggie waves them away. “There will be time for questions afterwards. For now let me speak to my brother-in-law.” She says with a smile as she looks to Taylor. The others in the room took a second to re-appraise Taylor. For many there, a third stage cultivator wasn't much, but Maggie was not a simple figure. Taylor might not realize it, but Sylvie's family were very big players in the supernatural world. But no one had bothered to tell Taylor because he was on the first stage for so long. Sylvie’s family didn't disdain him, but it was better that he be kept unaware.

But now, Taylor's cultivation has been moving forward at a quick pace, and it was finally time to get him involved in other family business.

Maggie approaches Taylor and smiles before giving him a pat on the head. “Look at you. Third stage, eh? What does it feel like to be a big boy?” Maggie asks in a teasing tone.

Taylor moves Maggie's hand and frowns. “Cannot we not do this here. I'd rather you not embarrass me in front of the vampires.” Taylor says with a glance around the room, his ears picking up some muffled sounds of laughter. Taylor groans again before asking, “Why am I even involved in this plan?” Taylor asks, getting straight to the point.

Maggie continues to smile before explaining. “Someone called in a favor,” She begins to say. “The cultivators need a few representatives for this operation and Johan picked you out; probably to avoid a similar responsibility in this plan.” Maggie says, pointing the finger to Taylor's cultivation mentor.

“Fuck,” Taylor says with a hand to his head. Taylor was a connectionless cultivator and over the years, Taylor has had to call Johan for things that a proper master should be showing him freely. By now, Taylor assumed that there were at least a handful of favours that he owes that guy.

“Also, our family needs a second representative. If it wasn't for you it's possible we would have had to send Sylvie out,” Maggie insinuates. “I thought you would at least want to protect your wife. Or is that… not the case?” She asks, as if she was not willing to believe it, feigned shock on her face.

“Okay, okay. Stop with the act. I'll play along.” Taylor says, hands raised in defeat.

“Good.” Maggie says with another pat to Taylor's head. “Just follow my orders and you'll be okay. In fact, just stay close to me and only act if necessary. I'll keep you safe little brother.” She says with a smile.

Immediately, Taylor felt an ominous emotion emanating from the surrounding vampires. Taylor's body tenses up before forcing himself to speak. “Actually, I think I would be of better use in another group. Give me an opportunity to prove myself.” Taylor forces himself to say. If he could just hang back and do nothing, that would be preferable to him. But Maggie put him on the spot. He really didn't want to be embarrassed in front of the vampires.

“Oh?” Maggie says with a raised eyebrow, knowing full well what was happening. “Are you sure? It might get a little dangerous in the other groups. We wouldn't want you to get into any harm.” Maggie continues, fully dedicated to the act.

“Yes… I'm sure…” Taylor continues to say forcefully.

“What was that? I couldn't hear you?” Maggie says with a smile, continuing to push.

Taylor clears his throat. “I said I can… handle myself.” Taylor says through gritted teeth before immediately turning around and going back to his seat, muffled laughter continuing to ring around him. Taylor's face flushes red. In the end it happened. He got embarrassed in front of the vampires.