Director

"Who is the university board member I am meeting?"

Sulu asked suddenly as he and Donald strolled through the campus.

"Lem Winch! A well-known factory owner in Nia City and a university board member with significant influence among the city's upper crust! Of course... he is also a devout believer in the Goddess of Light!"

Donald replied.

This meant that through him, they could establish connections with both the Church and the upper echelons of the police department.

Moreover, someone in such a high position would certainly possess intelligence regarding the transcendent world and would not dismiss him as if he were joking.

Sulu nodded: "Very good, we..."

He suddenly stopped, having seen two people in police uniforms walking toward them.

"Sulu Portley!"

Leading them was a sharp and capable woman—none other than Officer Marilyn!

"Hello, Officer. Is there anything I can help you with?" Sulu responded with a smile.

"Regarding the Beatrice case from last time, we need you to come to the station to assist with the investigation!" Marilyn said solemnly.

Her again?

Sulu felt a slight prickle on his scalp.

But the next moment, Donald stepped forward: "My apologies... Officer, I must ask: regarding this so-called investigation at the station, I don't believe you have the authority to summon people at will. At the very least, it should be done in the presence of a lawyer and by appointment! We have an appointment with a university board member this afternoon!"

"And you are?"

Marilyn frowned.

"Donald! Donald Wesley!" Donald flashed a standard smile, revealing eight bright, pearly-white teeth.

"Hmph!"

Behind Marilyn, a male officer glared at Donald.

Sulu asked with a puzzled expression: "Could you be specific about what this is regarding? I have already told you everything I know from last time."

"Just some supplementary questions..." Marilyn hesitated before answering.

Something is wrong!

Sulu and Donald exchanged a glance, and Sulu said: "In that case, please ask your questions now, or go find my lawyer!"

"That won't be necessary!"

Marilyn's expression turned sour. She shot Donald a fierce glare and turned to leave.

"I actually don't have a lawyer."

After a moment, Sulu spoke up.

"It doesn't matter, I can introduce you to one! Don't you think there's something fishy about this?"

Donald said: "Not too early, not too late, they show up exactly at this moment... It's obvious that when I was making inquiries earlier, I leaked some information, leading to some sort of power struggle?"

Internal police politics, or a power play among the upper echelons of Nia City? I'd rather not get caught up in that level of competition...

Small fry caught in such tides rarely met a good end.

Sulu fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Let's go see Director Winch immediately and hand over the intelligence!"

He was just a small ant; once he had no value, no one would care about him.

"Good decision!"

Donald hailed a carriage, and the two climbed in, watching the scenery outside the window flash by.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a classical villa.

The villa occupied a large area, almost large enough to be called an estate.

It seems... being an entrepreneur in the White Eagle Federation is indeed very profitable. A pity...

Sulu felt a twinge of regret. He followed Donald through the gate and was led into the living room by a manservant.

The spacious hall was supported by marble pillars, the floor covered in a soft, scarlet carpet. The curtains were made of high-end wool in a luxurious, elegant purple. They were drawn open, allowing the brilliant sunlight to stream through the windows and shatter into dazzling spots of light upon the massive crystal chandelier in the center.

"The master is taking his afternoon nap. Please wait a moment!"

After explaining their purpose, a butler in a tailcoat with graying but meticulously groomed hair stepped forward to receive Donald and Sulu, expressing his apologies.

"That's fine, we can wait!"

Donald sat down on the sofa.

Nearby, two maids proactively served tin pots of black tea along with an exquisite three-tiered silver tray, each level filled with brightly colored, fragrant pastries.

"Although it is a bit early, I trust you two wouldn't mind enjoying some afternoon tea, would you?"

The butler was witty and conversational, stalling for time in an unobtrusive manner that made the wait feel less tedious.

Sulu was even surprised to discover that the butler held a university degree and had studied history, science, and steam mechanics. No matter what topic was raised, he could handle it with ease, causing Sulu to sigh inwardly.

So, a regular university graduate... perhaps they aren't even as capable as a butler?

Ding-ding!

Time flew by during their pleasant conversation until, suddenly, a bell rang out.

"My apologies!"

The old butler offered a polite excuse and departed, returning a moment later with a gentleman in tow.

Sulu studied this Mr. Lem Winch, noting he was around forty years old, with curly hair, brown eyes, a hint of mixed-race features, and a portly beer belly.

To be honest, in terms of appearance, he was perhaps not even as impressive as the previous butler.

Yet, the casual attitude on his face and the composed air of a master fully established his sovereignty over this place.

"Good afternoon, Director Winch!"

Donald was the first to stand and shake his hand, introducing him: "This is Sulu Portley!"

"Hello, young man!"

Lem took the initiative to reach out and shake Sulu's hand, nodding in acknowledgment: "Please, sit. I believe... we can have a proper discussion!"

Behind him, the butler and the other servants tactfully withdrew, closing the door behind them.

Within the grand hall, only the three of them remained.

"Ahem... where should I begin?"

Sulu coughed, organizing his thoughts: "Mr. Winch, may I ask how much... you know about that side of things?"

"Heh heh..."

Lem took a sip of black tea and said in a languid tone: "A great deal, far more than you could imagine... for instance, your Portley Family is an extraordinary lineage!"

Sulu's expression shifted.

"Do not worry, do not be afraid!" Seeing his reaction, Lem smiled and made a gesture of prayer: "We are all believers of the Goddess of Light, and the Portley Family has been devout servants of the Goddess for generations! Otherwise, why do you think your entrance exam went so smoothly?"

Heh... acting clever, are you? Trying to shake my confidence and seize control of the situation by revealing what you know?

Sulu sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he feigned a look of pleasant surprise: "That makes things much easier to discuss with you. I discovered a secret regarding an extraordinary individual hidden within the school, and as a result, I was attacked by her!"

This was a classic case of putting the cart before the horse, but Sulu certainly couldn't tell the whole truth.