Chapter 196 (2): You Don’t Have to Come Bearing Gifts

“I’m just acting. Master is diplomatic with Megan.” Wayne patted Mona on the behind before letting her go. She straightened her posture meekly.

“That’s only because Mother doesn’t know that the scu—anyway, Mother’s in the dark. She will not remain diplomatic with Megan in the future.” Veronica insisted that Megan was only standing because Silvia didn’t know the truth.

“Do you really think so? A smart career woman like Master must have seen everything. How could she not realize?” Wayne scoffed. “If you don’t believe me, ask Master whether she knows. If she humors you and tells you that a child shouldn’t concern themselves with adults’ affairs, it means that she knows everything.”

“I’ll ask her once I’m home.” Veronica scoffed. Wayne had better not celebrate too early. She would not tolerate the secretary, not even as a shield.

Wayne smothered a laugh. Auston and Megan were a curious pair, especially since Megan resembled Master so much, and they had an amicable relationship. If Auston was having an affair with Megan, Wayne hoped that Veronica would learn from her mother and be more tolerant. If not, he hoped Veronica would find out the truth and answer the question that had been bothering him for so long.

When Wayne asked Auston, he refused to give him an answer, but it would be odd for him to ask his master. As for Megan... well, the butler had a powerful eyeroll!

Anyway, whether Veronica managed to get an answer, Wayne wouldn’t lose anything. It would either be a net plus or, at worst, a break-even.

Vera harumphed in disagreement. Wayne was single, and so was she. Why would she be considered a homewrecker?

“You know the reason.” Veronica side-eyed her. “I’ll show you tonight.”

“I don’t know the reason. I won’t understand unless you say it.”

Veronica didn’t. She was more of a woman of action than a woman of words, so she pinned Vera down on the sofa and resorted to brute force. As always, Vera quickly admitted her fault but refused to change her way, and she insisted that she had been the first to claim Wayne.

Wayne nodded. That much was true; only Vera had been a hunk with twintails and a sailor tank top then, threatening to take his backside many times.

Ultimately, the chaos was resolved through a game of poker.

***

The twenty-seventh, noon.

Wayne, the head of the investigation team, gathered everyone in the restaurant. Fawst had a rich history. He gave everyone three days of paid leave, instructing them to take a short vacation. The Ministry of Magic agreed to fully reimburse any expenses; he would consider it a personal insult if anyone tried to save money.

Moreover, if any of them found useful clues during their downtime that were subsequently confirmed to be useful, they would receive monetary rewards.

The team was eager. They all expressed their support for Sir Wayne and swiftly scattered to win their bonuses.

Sandy gaped in shock, grabbing Denise before she could rush off to earn her rewards. “Are you serious, Sir Wayne?”

“Of course. When a big reward is offered, someone is going to step up. My promise isn’t only meant for our people, but also for the servants of the Snow family.”

Realization dawned on Sandy. She praised Wayne for his wisdom and expressed her admiration for the incredible genes of the Lando family.

Veronica couldn’t believe her. Another blind woman! If someone with insufficient intelligence like her could be the Queen’s clerk, she could take on the role, too.

“Oh, right. I didn’t give you a proper greeting when I first met you. These are my belated first-meeting gifts for you. I hope you won’t turn them down.” Wayne took two gems from his pocket, handing the aunt and niece one each.

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

“Sir Wayne, this is too much,” Sandy politely declined and ex... extract... extracted the hand Wayne had grabbed.

“Just take it. Last night, the Snow family bribed me and even sent their oldest daughter to seduce me. I’ve taken on the blame for everyone.” Wayne grabbed her hand again and put the two gems into her grip while making faces at her.

Sandy was stunned. When she realized it, Wayne had already left with his three secretaries.

“Auntie, what is Sir Wayne doing? Doesn’t he know that you’re the Clerk of the Crown?”

“Um, he’s probably doing this on purpose...” Sandy’s eyes twitched. She warned her niece solemnly, “Denise, that man is dangerous. Keep your distance from him and don’t get curious about him.”

Denise snorted. “Auntie, he’s never even approached me. You should be the one keeping your distance.”

Sandy smiled awkwardly. True, Wayne hadn’t made a move on the younger Saunders, but had come on her several times.

Really? Do you think you can take it physically, Playboy Jr.?

***

Meanwhile, Mona drove Wayne and the other two girls around Fawst according to his instructions. Fawst was a port city with a prosperous maritime transportation and shipbuilding industry. The allegedly unsinkable

Titanic

was built here[1].

“Boss, the cars have been tailing us. Should I shake them?” Mona glanced at the rearview mirror. The two cars had been following them since they left the hotel, not even attempting to hide.

“No, let them be.” Wayne leaned back into the seat. “I’ve sent a professional intelligence agent to collect information, who should be at the Snow family’s fief right about now.”

“Who is it?” Veronica asked in surprise.

The seating arrangement was quite interesting, with the passenger seat empty and Veronica sitting between Wayne and Vera in the back. Although she wouldn’t admit that she cared, Veronica’s behavior spoke volumes. She would protect what should be hers.

“My dog.”

“That’s an intelligence agent?” Veronica asked. “Speaking of which, there is something strange about the dog. It’s too smart.”

“It’s not just a dog, but a magical creature. She’s got a keen nose.”

“More so than your dog nose?” Veronica retorted.

“Yeah, more so than my dog nose.”

Veronica’s insult didn’t land at all, which made her feel like she had swallowed a lemon. She continued, “Where did you get the dog? Why have I never seen it?”

“There is a lot you haven’t seen. I have many magical pets, including an owl and a dog, as well as a man and a horse.”

What a load of bull. Is lying to innocent girls your favorite pastime?

Veronica pressed stubbornly, “I asked you a question. Where did you get such an amazing dog? Did Mr. Lando give it to you?”

“I made it myself,” Wayne said ‘truthfully.’ “The Ministry of Magic has a lot of interesting items. They can even create a human; a dog is no big deal in comparison. It’s too complicated a matter, though, so it should stay on a need-to-know basis. I’d advise against digging for more information.”

Veronica nodded. It was the dark side of the world again.

“Where are we going, Boss?”

“To the Snow family’s fief,” Wayne said seriously. “I believe that demons will be waiting for us there.”

“Didn’t you say last night that there wouldn’t be any?”

“That’s because I’m not there. Once I get there, there will be demons.” Wayne made his machination obvious. “The Snow family got tipped off and erased the evidence in advance. Although a thorough investigation was bound to find something, it would take too much time and manpower. Her Majesty would think that I’m not competent enough to be worth supporting.”

“So you’re just going to frame them?” Veronica asked with wide eyes.

“Don’t put it like that. Only good people can be framed, and the Snow family obviously isn’t that. This is called giving them a taste of their medicine. Such is the way of the black gloves...”

“Even if the Snow family were good people, as long as Her Majesty ordered a thorough investigation, I, being responsible for the mission, would have to find something no matter how much deeper I must dig.”

He glanced at Veronica and smiled. “Does that make you uncomfortable? Do you find it too insidious?”

“Yeah.”

“This is nothing compared to Auston’s way. I’m only learning by his example.” Wayne sighed. One learned new things every day, and in the art of being a scumbag, he still had a long way to go.

Why do you sound proud about it?

Veronica huffed and turned away, not wanting to hear another word about the matter. Her resolve began to waver. It seemed that she really wasn’t suited for the dark side of the world. Perhaps Mr. Lando was right...

Perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing for Wayne to be the Lando heir after all.

1. As mentioned before, Fawst is a fictional version of Belfast, which is where the

Titanic

was built in the real world. ☜