Chapter 297 (2): Francan Jokes Never Get Old

“How can things be romantic when you have Senior and Veronica, silly?” Vera complained quietly. Every time she talked about this, she couldn’t help but want to emphasize that she had come first. She rested her head on Wayne’s shoulder and whispered, “After Father and Mother returned, I moved out of the gym. You haven’t visited my new place yet.”

“They are both home. Isn’t that inappropriate?”

“They’re dating. They have been going on dates lately. Which—ew, they have been married for so many years.”

Hearing Vera’s complaints, Wayne came to understand her frustration. The progress bar had been filled, and it was selfish of him not to enter the next stage with the excuse of having a proper relationship. He had simply been ignoring Vera to maintain the appearance of being a man who valued genuine feelings.

He was a scumbag. Of course he didn’t value genuine feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have planned to juggle several relationships in the beginning. The same could be said about Mona.

Wayne shook his head and focused on Vera. “Come on, let’s have our candlelight dinner. It’s the most luxurious Francan cuisine in the city. Then I’ll take you home.”

“...”

“What’s wrong?”

“Aren’t we-aren’t we progressing too fast?” Vera became hesitant and worried.

“Ha, I’ll decide on that today.”

***

Cushing’s family lived near the gym, so their home was also near Wayne’s residence. The two places were so close that on this nice day, Wayne could jump up and see Kristen watering flowers in his garden.

Wayne stood by the window in Vera’s bedroom, saying after a bemused pause, “Vera, after doing this to me, you have to take responsibility. Have you considered moving into my place?”

Won’t Senior be heartbroken then? She’s come to consider herself the lady of the house.

Vera would like to move in since she wanted nothing more than to see Wayne every day. Giving it another thought, though, she felt conflicted. She spent a long time agonizing over the choice between her friend and her bastard boyfriend. In the end, she said yes through clenched teeth.

That wasn’t her friend, but her rival. There was no reason for her to worry about her rival’s feelings.

The next day, Vera began her moving plan. She would pack light and only move a few pieces of clothing every time. In three months, she would’ve moved completely into Wayne’s place.

She didn’t consider how her rival would feel. Wayne would find a way, given how good he was at coaxing girls. Vera couldn’t be the one to worry about everything. She wasn’t generous enough to do that!

That night, the dining table at Wayne’s residence was unusually quiet. Even Veryl, Wayne’s loyal butler, didn’t dare to show his face.

Kristen had dinner with an expressionless face, glancing at Vera every now and then. Vera rubbed her belly with a look of happiness, as if she were already full.

What a bastard!

x2

***

Wayne’s Detective Agency, Commercial Street.

ε=(′д`*)))

Wayne sighed.

“Wayne, are you listening?” Solar, the Francan spy, frowned at her distracted underling. “This isn’t the time to throw a tantrum. The nation needs you.”

“I understand, but we’re now allies with Prussia as our common enemy. Why would you need me to continue providing information on the Tulip Families?”

Wayne sighed again. The Wayne family hadn’t known peace these days. There was a distinct lack of competition compared to what he had expected. Both Kristen, the kind, gentle soul, and Vera, who always threw herself at him, were giving him the silent treatment, throwing cold glares at him without saying anything.

According to Veryl’s information, though, the two had been getting along well when he wasn’t home, only exchanging barbs once in a while.

Wayne had never encountered such a confusing situation. Under Veryl’s suggestion, he had been working hard for the past two days.

“Wayne, Pollonia’s capital has fallen,” Solar said. “According to reliable sources, the Rus Federation has been gathering troops at Pollonia’s border. They aren’t going to save Pollonia, but are planning to divide the territory up with Prussia.”

I get it. That’s their non-aggression pact. It’s nothing.

You may not believe it, but when I checked the map last year, I didn’t even find Pollonia.

Wayne swallowed his comments and said, “Prussia’s aggression is exactly why we Windsorians—bah, we Francans should reaffirm our partnership with Windsor to resist the shameless surprise attacks Prussia will launch.”

“No, Franc is at a disadvantage geographically. Windsor wants us to be cannon fodder.” Solar glanced at Wayne and added, “While earning a profit!”

She produced a document, asking Wayne to quickly find out about the strategic goods Windsor had stockpiled, as well as the volume of exports and the expected prices. It was crucial information to Franc.

Focus on defending the line of defense first, Sis!

Wayne took the document and browsed it, making an empty promise to Solar, “I understand. At the end of the day, I’m a soldier Franc has trained. I’ll finish the mission as soon as possible to minimize the losses Franc suffers in this war, not allowing Windsor to earn a silker.”

“It’s best that you think that way.” Solar sighed in relief. She had been worried that Wayne would give up on his responsibility. Given the current political climate, the Francan intelligence agency couldn’t afford to burn any bridges, especially not an important one like Wayne.

She asked tentatively, “When are you getting engaged to Auston’s daughter and becoming the head of the family officially?”

Once the line of defense collapses,

Wayne answered in his mind. He said with a frown, “I’m working on it. Auston likes me a lot, but you know how smart he is. I can’t make it too obvious, or he’ll notice.”

“Get Auston’s daughter pregnant as soon as possible. It’s of utmost importance.”

“Um, I’ll do my best.”

After sending Solar off, Wayne tossed the document aside and had Mona contact the mustached man to deal with the document. Once that was done, false information should be sent to the mailbox Solar had specified.

Windsor’s MI6 and Franc’s intelligence agency were now in direct communication without him taking a cut as the middleman. Everyone benefited from the arrangement.

“Boss, there was a call for you from Knight Juno.” Mona picked up the document. “You were talking to Miss Solar about international trade, so I didn’t interrupt you. Judging by Knight Juno’s tone, she had gotten into serious trouble and asked to meet with you tonight.”

“Location.”

“Princess’s Estate.”

Wayne paused. What he was most worried about happened. The surgery succeeded, but not entirely. Juno still felt the urge to get close to him, even asking him to meet her at night at her place.

“Should I turn her down for you, Boss?”

“No, I have to examine her and collect more data so that I’ll know what’s gone wrong.” Wayne dusted his pants and got to his feet, saying casually, “You’re coming with me tonight. After the examination, come to a candlelight dinner with me.”

Mona nodded, showing no reaction. It was natural after all the empty promises she had been on the receiving end of.

The boy always cried wolf, but the wolf never came, so not only were the villagers desensitized, but even the lambs ignored the warnings.

That night, a black car drove toward the Princess’s Estate in the Western District. Getting close, Mona made a sharp turn.

“Boss, there are many unwanted eyes in the area. It seems that the Princess is under surveillance.” Mona frowned, displeased. “She never mentioned this in her call. She’s up to no good by luring you here.”

Overjoyed, Wayne said, “Wonderful. This is a good thing!”

According to Auston, Princess Elizabeth had lost many chances to make public appearances because she had been missing for too long without a good justification for the Queen, thus suspected of being involved in the disappearance of Vice Minister Alan. In her place, Prince Edward had been accompanying the Queen to several social functions, stealing her thunder.

The surveillance had to be the Queen’s doing. It wasn’t merely a reminder, but a direct warning.

In theory, followers wouldn’t drag their faith into their trouble. Since Juno had plotted against him to get him involved, her invitation tonight wasn’t an offering of herself. The surgery had been successful. Silvia and Veronica had hope!

“Are we still meeting her tonight, Boss?”

“Yes. Why not?” Wayne sat back and closed his eyes. “We’ll take the sewers. I’m going to confront her and teach her a lesson. I told her that the Lando family is loyal to the Queen and will not get involved in the power struggle within the royal family, yet she still plotted against me.”

His lips curled up. Auston followed his own set of principles and wasn’t inclined to interfere with the succession to the throne. Wayne was different. He wanted Juno to become the next sovereign of the nation.

He wouldn’t mind giving Juno a push if necessary!