"What is the White Glove Association, and why should I have to pay them when I open my business?" Wayne didn’t understand; back in his hometown, it was customary to receive red envelopes when starting a business.
"The White Glove Association is a detective association in Lundan. You’re a detective, surely you’re not lacking this common knowledge?" Veronica raised an eyebrow, even Chrissie, who writes detective novels, knew that.
"Of course I know that..."
Wayne smoothly caught on to the topic and raised an eyebrow in response, "I just think it doesn’t make any difference whether or not you join. It’s not easy for you to ask your family for money, there’s no need to waste it for nothing."
"I didn’t ask for it; it’s just interest from my pocket money."
Wayne said nothing more. He was in the wrong; if he used saving money as an excuse next time, he would be a fool!
"Let’s do this. Once the detective agency’s renovation is complete, we’ll throw a small party on the third floor." Veronica was very excited, looking forward to becoming an assistant and offering Lily a salary to come work as a clerk.
Unfortunately, her senior was still engrossed in her studies at the academy and had no thoughts of entering the workforce. Otherwise, the thought of the three of them working together was something to look forward to.
"I have no problem, just don’t cancel on me this time."
Veronica’s face changed, and she grabbed Wayne by the collar and pushed him against the wall, "This gets on my nerves. You’ve missed appointments too, but only I had to apologize. No, next time we see them, you must apologize in person, especially to Chrissie— you even missed her birthday!"
"All right, I’ll drink a few extra to make up for it."
Wayne nodded seriously. From what he knew, at these small gatherings, there were usually games like "truth or dare" or "the Queen’s command."
"What, you say you can’t do it?"
In the office, Austin held the phone and said displeased, "The Liberty Mage Alliance has a large number of research projects every year. I have never rejected your funding applications. Now you can’t even provide a certificate? This makes it hard for me to speak up for you in the future!"
"Mr. Austin, please don’t get angry."
On the other end of the phone, Planck, not overwhelmed by the unexpected joy, analyzed calmly, "The apprentice mage you mentioned, Wayne, I know who he is. Your wife, a student of the Naturalism Church High Priest, correct?"
Austin’s expression chilled; Planck knew too much.
"Please don’t misunderstand. I did not specifically focus on the Lando Family but came to know of this through an accident..."
Plank recounted the unfortunate story of Sidney and said, "Because of this accidental encounter, I happened to save a lucky fellow named Wayne. He was affected by the battle and almost died there."
"Mr. Austin, it seems you have quite a prejudice against him!"
"That’s none of your business. Just tell me whether you can do it or not."
"In principle, definitely not."
Planck continued, "The High Priestess places great importance on her students. Even I cannot afford to offend her for no reason. It’s not about money; even with a higher price, it’s the same. The key point is, I need an excuse. Mr. Austin, can you manage to provide me with an excuse to avoid the High Priestess’s wrath?"
After finishing, Planck, holding the phone, curled his lips into a smile, thinking to himself how interesting.
Wayne, we are going to meet again!
"How you arrange it is your forte. After all this talk, it’s just that the sponsorship fee is too low. Just say it. How much funding do you plan to apply for next year?" Austin refused outright; turning to Planck was to avoid offending Hefei. How could he take the blame himself?
So, he decided to pay more.
"Mr. Austin, I heard the Queen has some mythical era relics stored in her treasury. Do you think you could possibly..."
"Mr. Austin, the Mage Alliance is the shield and sword for the Royal Family. We’ve constrained the religious sects for the crown. Though we may not have the merits, we have the hardships..."
"This is absolutely impossible!"
Austin interrupted again, then after a moment of contemplation, said, "I will not provide you with an excuse, but I will find a way to transfer Wayne out of Lundan, giving you a chance. Take care of him, and next year’s funding won’t be a problem."
"Thank you for your generosity."
Planck ended the call and stroked his stiff beard with glee.
He didn’t need Austin to say it; in a few days, he would go to Wayne himself. Now, he had stumbled upon an opportunity to double next year’s funding.
A critical illness notification was out of the question. Austin wanted to strike Wayne down with one blow, which did not align with Planck’s expectations. He had other ways to make Austin willingly pay up.
Planck took out a props box and sifted through small trinkets, "Darkness, death, and nature are opposites. As long as I prove to him that Wayne has been corrupted and is no longer a devout follower of nature, that should be enough..."
"Which one should I choose?"
After much deliberation, Plank grasped the Dark Ring: "Young Wayne, I’ve helped you solve such a big problem, plus the previous life-saving favor, that’s two favors in total. How will you thank me?"
"Don’t worry, what bad intentions could an old man have? I won’t lay down conditions, nor do I need you to become my pupil. Just join our Liberty Mage Alliance."
The scene returned to the office, where Austin put down the phone and began arranging his plan.
He contacted Butler Megan with an Ancient Silver Coin, inquiring about the whereabouts of the cement barrel, only to receive a rather disheartening answer.
"She went out with the young lady."
Austin raised his hand to his face, Veronica was good in every aspect except for being too naive, much like Hefei used to be, destined to be deceived by a bad man.
When one wishes to accomplish something, be it love or work and life, one must grasp the three laws of essential elements.
Persistence, shamelessness, and persistently being shameless.
Many people think that those with thick skins are very lucky, the illegitimate children of success, but in fact, the opposite is true, those with thick skins have experienced more failures, overcoming difficulties finally realizing their dreams with the spirit of shamelessness.
Hefei once had her sights set on becoming the Holy Maiden, turning away a host of suitors without so much as a false smile, and it was Austin’s shamelessness that allowed him to win the beauty’s heart.
Now was just like that time, Wayne’s persistent badgering made Austin unwilling to wait any longer. Delay would mean more complications, his mother had already been deceived by a bad man once, he couldn’t let his daughter follow in those footsteps.
"Where have they gone?"
"West District Commercial Street, to the detective agency the young lady is setting up."
"Very good, tell the White Glove Association to expedite the approval process. Complete the membership the same day."
Austin hatched a plan, thinking of a way to transfer Wayne out of Lundan. He was a cautious man, and relying on a single plan was not secure, thinking of adding another source of reinforcement.
The telephone rang, and as Austin answered it, the gloom on his face instantly dissipated.
"Miss Hayworth, I am pleased to receive your call. Have you finally come around?"
"As Mister Lando says, it’s hard to get by in Lundan without backing, and I have aspirations for the arts, I don’t want to leave the stage so soon," came the resigned voice of the female star on the other end of the phone.
"That’s very unfortunate. Your pursuit of art is commendable, but art cannot be separated from life, and behind the glamor, there’s always some unspeakable darkness..."
Austin nodded in satisfaction and smoothly moved on to the main subject: "As far as I know, Miss Hayworth, you haven’t had any commercial performances recently, and your schedule has been empty."
"Mister Lando is truly prescient!"
"Not at all, I’ve just seen many stars like you come and go."
Austin continued: "There will be a film crew contacting you shortly, you will play the female lead, filming a monster-genre movie about a beauty and a beast. The main shooting location is an island on the North Sea, and while taking a cruise to get there, you will meet a man, he is your target."
Lily Hayworth was very curious, wondering what kind of man could constantly occupy the thoughts of the head of the Lando Family.
"Someone will hand you the information in due time, and let me wish your film great success in advance."
Austin hung up the phone, stood by the window, with all his pieces in place, it was time for the little lecher to reveal his true colors.
But there was still one thing!
To prevent a twist in the story entering extra time, and relying on being shameless to win back the trust of Hefei and Veronica, he had to plant an undercover agent near Wayne.
Austin picked up the phone, dialing the large villa in Enrold Town.
After the maid answered and passed the phone to Butler Philark.
"Philark, you’re returning to Lundan."
"Yes, Lord Austin, the lady told me that I should regard Young Master Wayne as my master, and assist him with all my might."
"Philark, are you still willing to serve the Lando Family?"
"Lord Austin, serving the Lando Family is my oath, I am forever willing."
"That’s good, keep an eye on that boy and report back to me with any developments."
"I will follow your orders, Lord Austin."
Nine thousand words, looking for the monthly ticket!