The Visitors Meant Trouble

Henry drove his old Cadillac again to the Montecito mansion in Santa Barbara County, California.

Although I was driving myself this time, my mood was no different from last time—just as terrible.

The mansion at that address is even more extravagant than the house of that overweight black congressman from last time. The size of the garden and courtyard alone is probably more than twice as large.

The difference between the two is that the fat black congressman last time knew he was in trouble, so he deployed a lot of heavily armed security personnel. Although in the end it didn't do much good, as they were all taken down by the people from the Continental Hotel.

This time, James Arden's territory didn't have as many guards. They just brightly lit the courtyard and roads so that people wouldn't mistake it for his own.

This doesn't mean that the security around this Old Money was lax. In the short few minutes since he passed through the courtyard gate, Henry had observed numerous surveillance cameras. It was almost like monitoring everything without blind spots.

The same applies to the Mellon family's Oak Spring Farm; their security is similarly loose on the outside but tight on the inside. Unlike the South America owls in movies or TV series, there aren't armed guards standing watch and patrolling everywhere; but it's not an empty city where people can come and go as they please either.

He said that when he drove to the gate, the iron gate, which was originally tightly closed, opened automatically, without him having to get out of the car to ring the doorbell or verify his identity. This subtle warning was just right, far more sophisticated than simply barring people from entering.

He drove all the way to the mansion and parked in a slightly off-the-beaten-path spot. Henry took out the keys and got out of the car, just as a waiter in a tuxedo walked out of the door. It was as if the waiter had anticipated his actions.

"Mr. Henry Brown, my master has been waiting for you. Please come with me."

"Okay." Since the other party had extended a polite invitation, Henry certainly wouldn't refuse outright.

At the same time, Henry also used all his Super Senses to investigate the situation inside the mansion. He counted thirty-seven men, nineteen women, and... two Vampires!

Aside from differences in body size, the main way to distinguish them is by the body temperature radiated from their bodies. Because women have more fat than men, their body surface temperature is lower. As for Vampires, their body temperature is almost the same as that of Deadman.

It seems they've come with ill intentions.

As for the Hell diagram in the basement, I won't go into details; Henry felt nauseous just looking at it.

Having prepared himself mentally, Henry followed them into a place that resembled a restaurant. At least the long table in the center could easily seat twenty or thirty people for a meal.

Two young men and women, with delicate features and proper demeanor, sat in the main seats, while more than a dozen tall, burly men in black suits lined up against the wall.

They may have wanted to create a gangster atmosphere similar to that in the movie "The Godfather," but it just looks a bit out of place.

To be honest, the couple at the head of the table didn't have the impetuousness of youth; instead, they possessed a composure beyond their years, and... excitement?

What If...? they weren't Vampires, Henry would have praised Old Money; he could be proud to have nurtured such a successor. Unfortunately, human nature is inherently flawed.

Henry was not led to the far end of the table. There were three large vases filled with flowers on the table, and if Henry sat at the very back of the guest seat, he wouldn't be able to see what the people at the head of the table looked like.

The waiter who had led the way guided Henry to the VIP seats next to the head of the table. At the same time, the couple rose, and the waiter introduced them, "Mr. Brown, this is my master, Mr. James Arden, and his wife, Ms. Lilith Arden."

Then he turned and said, "My lord, Mr. Henry Brown has arrived." After saying this, he stepped back.

"Mr. Brown, it's great to finally meet you in person." James Arden extended his hand first in a friendly manner.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Arden." Henry didn't refuse the friendly gesture and returned the handshake.

Unexpectedly, the moment their hands met, Henry felt an immense force squeezing his clasped right hands. Had he not possessed Steel Body, his hand would likely be fractured by now.

Henry didn't retaliate, however, because James Arden quickly let go. With a completely unapology-free, and slightly mischievous smile, he said, "Oh, sorry, I was really curious about how tough your body is. It's far beyond my imagination."

Henry pretended to notice, frowning and looking displeased at his hand that had been pinched. This only made James Arden more smug.

"So, can I consider this a clean break?" Henry said, feigning grievance as he shook his hand.

"Please sit down, Mr. Brown. We have a lot to talk about, and it's not so easy to settle things." The Vampires couple sat down first, their superior attitude evident in their conversation.

Henry sat down a step later than the others. Since he knew the other party had ill intentions, he needed to find out what their trump cards and methods were.

James Arden didn't mince words, stating directly, "Mr. Brown, I believe Mr. Gitano Dragonetti has offered you very good terms. But until now, you haven't given a satisfactory answer. This has made many people unhappy."

"Mr. Gitano Dragonetti's proposal? I'm sorry, I've forgotten what it was about. But the fact that I've forgotten it is enough to prove that the proposal wasn't worth my attention."

"That's very rude, Mr. Brown. Some people's words, even if they offend you, must be remembered."

"Like Mr. Gitano Dragonetti?"

"That's right." James Arden said with an admiring expression, mentioning that person.

"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask you something. By what right do you lecture me? Young man, did you even graduate high school? I don't care about these people—"

Henry pointed to the group of men in black suits standing around him.

"Whether I listen to you or not, whether you've hired an United Kingdom butler, only shows that your family background is better than mine. Don't use that condescending attitude to reprimand someone older than you. Go back to school first."

Henry's deliberately provocative words, as expected, made the Xiao Qing laugh. The girl even laughed until she cried, saying, "Do you really think we're that young?"

James Arden said, "Young man, we are the ones who have the right to call you young man. I am ninety-three years old, and my wife is ninety-one. Why do you think we look so young? It's a gift from Elder Dragonetti."

"You..." Henry feigned panic, pulling a silver cross pendant from his collar and holding it in front of him with both hands.

This display of arrogance only made the elderly couple, who seemed to be living a life younger than their age, even more smug. James Arden even waved his hand and said, "Have you been watching too many novels or horror movies? The cross is useless to us."