Madam Sterling's Encirclement

Moments later, setting aside the trench-coat man's furious accomplices and the patrol officers rushing in to clean up the scene, the entire city remained oblivious to what had happened. Even Vixen's hotel records had been erased.

It was as if none of it had ever happened.

Wu Ming, of course, had no idea that the meddling of certain interlopers had caused a few subtle changes to his plans. Now, though, he sensed something was amiss.

"The Music Box has been bought? And they left the city right away... So cautious?"

Wu Ming finished writing a business investigation report, then glanced at the gas lamp beside him. Its flame still burned bright.

"Steven, are you asleep? I warmed some milk for you!"

Madam Sterling's voice came from outside the door.

As a middle-school student and the family's breadwinner, Wu Ming had earned the privilege of a room of his own. Unlike his younger brother, Brandon, who had to share a bedroom with their sister, Angelina.

And without Wu Ming's permission, neither Jamie nor Madam Sterling would come in without asking.

Wu Ming was quite pleased by this sense of respect for privacy.

"Thanks! I was just about to go to bed!"

Wu Ming opened the door, took the glass, and drained it in one gulp.

"You child..."

Madam Sterling turned away helplessly. "Don't stay up too late!"

"I know!"

Wu Ming turned off the gas lamp and obediently climbed into bed. It wasn't long before snores drifted from the room.

Only then did he sense the two people in the master bedroom relaxing, moving about as quietly as possible.

Alas... Perhaps I should have accepted that boarding school last time... But they couldn't give me a room of my own there, which would be a nuisance...

On the velvet mattress, Wu