Chapter 187 (2): Search and Confiscation

“What about me, Auston?” Wayne asked shamelessly.

“You’re not yet part of the Tulip Families, so the Ministry of Magic won’t consider you a candidate.” Auston shook his head. Then he paused and added, “But you can get involved on my behalf and take on the mission as the heir of the family, just like the business negotiation before.”

Wayne nodded vehemently. He couldn’t wait to rush to Obed’s home and confiscate everything, taking tens of millions while turning hundreds of thousands to the treasury.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Obed was a Windsor. The Minister has children and won’t assign the most profitable task to the Lando family.”

Auston easily saw through Wayne’s thoughts. “While it’ll be profitable, the profit margin won’t be big. Once the appointment is decided, you’ll take over.”

Wayne was disappointed that he wouldn’t be in charge of the legendary mage’s lair, but an affiliate family with a close relation with Obed. Obed would’ve long taken all those losers’ money. The Lando family would be getting scraps like a beggar.

Even from an objective point of view, wasn’t the Queen being too greedy here?

Who says you can’t earn a profit from an unprofitable mission?

Auston smiled silently. It was a skill to be honed. He would let Wayne think for himself rather than giving him pointers. The young man should learn from personal experience and grow.

He trusted the trash’s talent. He wouldn’t disappoint him.

“There’s something else!”

Obed died only this afternoon, but the Ministry of Magic had already convened an emergency meeting. The allocation of the spoils could wait. What came first was how they should give the Church of Moonlight an explanation. Moreover, the investigation into Obed and his allies had to be thorough to determine the targets for confiscation.

Only when Her Majesty benefited could everyone else earn anything.

Auston told Wayne to stop daydreaming before saying seriously, “Don’t leave Londan for the time being. The minister will award you as the Queen, and that day, I’ll arrange for you to be officially recognized as the heir of the Lando family.”

“Already?” Wayne said in surprise, putting on an innocent look. “I thought you would drag it out longer since... it concerns Veronica. A marriage... You know what I mean.”

Auston’s face darkened. He signaled the end of the conversation with a wave. He would rather die than acknowledge the marriage now. It could wait, and if it could no longer wait, it could be renegotiated.

As for how Wayne would be recognized as the family heir, he had already made up his mind. Everyone assumed that Wayne was his illegitimate son and wouldn’t buy his explanation. He might as well use that.

Smart people tended to be good at lying to themselves. Although Auston knew it wasn’t viable, he still chose the excuse.

“Speaking of allies, I have another clue,” Wayne said. “Obed’s partner, the Thousand-Eyed Demon, was killed. I asked, and the Church of Heavenly Father said that it wasn’t them. I suspect that there is another traitor within the Ministry of Magic, but they have concealed themselves better.”

Auston frowned. “Alright. Don’t worry about all that. The Ministry of Magic will investigate, so you only have to wait for the findings.”

Wayne’s brows furrowed, too. “Just like that? I’m in mortal danger. What if the traitor comes after me?”

“The situation is complicated. Everyone’s busy framing Obed, so no one will bother going after you now.” Auston told Wayne to relax. They were all too preoccupied with creative accounting to pay attention to him.

“Are you sure?” Wayne asked, unconvinced.

“Yeah.”

Wayne disapproved of his father-in-law’s indifference. Before he could say anything, Auston interrupted him.

“The obelisk is gone, and Obed’s antique silver coin, too. The two items belong to the Ministry of Magic. Be honest, do you have them?” Auston stared at Wayne inquisitively.

Wayne shook his head without hesitation. He couldn’t take the obelisk, and he never even saw the coin. He wasn’t going to take the blame.

Megan watched them silently.

“You'd better be telling the truth. The two items are important, and the Ministry of Magic won’t stop looking for them.” After the warning, Auston lowered his head and went back to fiddling with his silver coin. The moment Wayne was out of the study, he took out another coin.

The extra coin could invite trouble, but he had no reason to turn down a gift falling into his lap. He wondered what else he could do with the coin.

Obed’s death was a wake-up call, enlightening everyone to other potential uses of the coin. They only had to think outside the box to explore the countless possibilities.

Bam!

Suddenly, he heard the explosive sound of glass shattering. He paused before rushing to the window with a look of schadenfreude on his face, popping his head out with such a wide grin that his molars were visible.

“Nice!”

Whatever else happened, at least he didn’t get defenestrated today!

***

Two minutes ago, Wayne walked out of the study. As soon as he closed the door behind him, Veronica, who had been waiting, grabbed him by the collar.

His wave failed to catch Megan’s attention. The butler’s eyes were blank, as if she were sleepwalking.

Veronica dragged him to the other end of the corridor, raising her fist before lowering it, but then she got angrier and raised her fist again.

She wanted answers, but her pride and sense of shame prevented her from speaking her mind. Gritting her teeth, she finally managed to say, “What were you two talking about? How is it related to the family’s future? Why didn’t Megan let me in?”

“There are things that are too dark for you to know. Megan kept you out for your sake.” Wayne patted her on the shoulder and smiled. “I’m different. You know me. It’s easy for me to walk in the dark.”

Veronica’s expression shifted. She didn’t know what to say.

“Leave it to me. You only have to lead a happy life.” He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace suddenly. “Trust me. You’re important. Auston wants to protect you, and so do I. It’s as simple as that.”

Veronica rested her head on his chest, smelling the scent of the scum with conflicted feelings.

“Oh, right. In a few days, I’ll be the official heir of the family. You should prepare yourself. The marriage—”

Bam!

Wayne broke through the window and shattered another, flying far away. Mid-air, he stroked his chin and continued, “The marriage isn’t set in stone yet. I know you’re impatient, but don’t. I’m not in any hurry at all.”

Veronica huffed and made for the grove. Passing by the study, she sensed Megan’s sympathetic glance and huffed again.

Why should she pity her? As long as Veronica refused to give her nod, the marriage would not happen. The scum was never going to lay a hand on her.

***

Meanwhile, Wayne was returning to his own mansion with a hand pressed to his face. He left his cheek swollen so that he could play the pity card at tomorrow's breakfast.

“You moved too fast. I was going to tell you that the senior you look up to is in my bedroom...”

Veronica was as hot-tempered as ever tonight. He decided to leave her alone for a few days. He went to check on Mona, who turned out to still be unconscious. He then went to the next room to check on Kristen.

As soon as he opened the door and stepped in, he saw Kristen sitting on the bed with icy, ruthless eyes. The sound of the door opening broke her out of the state. She hesitantly came up to him.

“Wayne, how did you injure your face?”

“I got hit when I saved you, but it’s nothing. It’ll have recovered tomorrow.”

Lies! It was from Veronica!

Kristen knew the truth, but chose to respect his deception. She knew that it was a miracle that Wayne even survived all the battles he had to fight to save her, and during the process, he had to have taken many hits. That much was the truth!

She raised her hand and caressed Wayne’s cheek. Moonlight emanated from her fingertips, healing the swelling and bruising. She asked gently, “Does it still hurt?”

“A little. I know a little trick that’ll help immediately.” Wayne pointed at his face and told her the tip quietly.

Blushing, she nodded and stood on her toes to kiss him on the face.

“Does it still hurt?”

“The pain has shifted to my mouth.”

Kristen’s eyes curved as she pecked him on a corner of his mouth.

“And now?”

...Wait, really, Senior Kristen?

Wayne pursed his lips and savored the feel of her lips. When Kristen lowered her head meekly, he gave in to his urge and pinned her to the wall. He leaned down, pressing his hands to her body and exploring her...