"Boss, a detective claiming to be Ker is looking for you."
Assistant Carrie knocked on the open door of the office and said to Wayne, who was furiously writing, "He’s in the meeting room, do you want to see him?"
Wayne glanced at his watch, puzzled; it had only been an hour since he had called Ker. "Tell him to wait another ten minutes, say I’m very busy, and it is best to find an excuse to have him leave; that guy is too much trouble."
With that, Wayne buried his head and continued writing his journal.
Lately, Veronica’s demands had been escalating, pressuring for more journal entries every time they sparred. God help him, his future journal now extended into March of the following year.
Who demands updates ? He’s writing a journal of true events, not a novel. Without real experiences, it’s hard to concoct stories.
Fortunately, he had developed a good habit of reading; he had been devouring books recently, especially history books, learning plenty of anecdotes and tricks. Otherwise, without substance, he really wouldn’t be able to make things up.
Half an hour later, Wayne set down his fountain pen and placed the journal righteously on his desk.
He stood up to stretch his arms and sauntered toward the meeting room, only quickening his pace at the door with a face full of apologetic tardiness, "Sorry for the wait, I’ve been really busy, let’s go, we can talk on the way."
Ker was a bit confused, not understanding what had happened.
"Didn’t you invite me to dinner? We agreed over the phone just now," Wayne said, feigning surprise.
That’s what you agreed, not me.
Ker set down his coffee cup, "This coffee isn’t bad, I thought it would be cheap. You’re quite generous."
"My clients are sophisticated and well-educated; cheap coffee would degrade the detective agency’s standing. Once clients feel looked down upon, when it comes time to quote a price..."
Wayne caught himself mid-sentence and stopped in time, saying irritably, "Don’t change the subject; where are we going for dinner?"
"I’d rather not, what’s the point of two men dining out? This is Lundan, it could be misunderstood. I’ll let my sister Mona do it instead."
Ker shrugged, curiously looking at Wayne, "From your shallow aesthetic, she’s definitely beautiful, good figure and not a bad personality either; don’t you plan to pursue her?"
You clergy speak and act as if you’re running a brothel.
She’s a nun, not a saintly maiden!
Wayne rolled his eyes. Mona came to the detective agency with a purpose. He would have to be bored silly to flirt with her. He’d rather spend the time building rapport with the trio of ships.
Aside from that reason, he was quite devoted in love. On the day he first met Mona, he did not experience the thrill of first love; to pursue her with no genuine feelings, would be no different from lusting after her body.
Ptui, how despicable!
"Wayne, I’m asking you, what’s wrong with my sister?"
Who told you to ask that, The Holy See?
"She’s too old—over thirty. I’m different, I’m still young, worthy of an eighteen-year-old girl."
Wayne was dismissive, hoping Ker would relay the message to The Holy See that he was a decent man who didn’t fall for female temptation. It’d be a waste of time to focus on him; they should pay more attention to the devils of Lundan.
"Right, speaking of Detective Mona, did you tell her family to collect the body? Did you notify them?" Wayne reminded.
Although he didn’t know what troubles Mona had encountered, anything that could drive a Silver Mage to pack up and flee had to be at least a hellish cult to start with.
"Notified, but no one cares."
Ker took a sip of coffee, his demeanor unrushed as he explained, "Her family’s situation is complicated. They’re in business and constantly suppressed by local consortiums. They took a huge loss recently battling a rival, the eldest in the family is bedridden, and they are on IV drip themselves, how can they bother with her?"
With this, he gave Wayne a meaningful look.
That said, the rest you can figure out yourself!
Wayne chuckled, "Aren’t the two of you reorganizing the family? Her elder is your elder; don’t you care at all?"
"I’m not even considered part of the extended family; I have no inheritance rights. They never took to me, and I left to strike out on my own a long time ago."
"I don’t quite get it; explain it to me."
"Let’s just say, it’s like two detective agencies: one offered a higher price, so I transferred."
What do you mean, are you also with the Liberty Mage Alliance?
Wayne paused, thinking it over—it actually made sense. Ker was involved with the White Glove Association, which was under the Windsor Royal Family, closely linked with the Liberty Mage Alliance.
"Her elder can’t leave the bed, they paid me a high price to help out. I had no reason to argue with money and just accepted the offer," Ker revealed his reason for seeking Wayne, considering it unsafe to go alone. He offered half of the fee to invite Wayne to join him on the journey.
"After all, she is your employee, who you heavily exploited. For the Queen’s sake, why not join me on a trip to Eclipse Town?"
Wayne raised an eyebrow; he had been evading several times now, yet they still came knocking...
Was this a fishing expedition?
"I’m afraid that won’t work, I’m really too busy."
"Half is already a lot; a whole fifty thousand Xianling, bigger than any White Glove Association case. Whatever you’re busy with, it won’t make you this much," Ker put down his coffee cup.
That might not necessarily be the case. I’ve had recent investment losses, randomly gained a mother for a child, turned a neat profit, okay?
Wayne hums and haws, expecting an increase in the price. Even without the fifty thousand Xianling, he had been planning to take a stroll outside.
He had been promoted to Silver Mage and urgently needed the help of his fellow countrymen. In Hefei’s library, he found an exclusive Hades Meditation Array for Golden Mages and, thrilled, worked overtime through the night, setting up thirty in the sewers.