Chapter 148
Next, she'll probably meet the backers of this gang, or rather... one of the dukes, right?
"Upstairs, if you don't want to—"
"Lead the way!"
Before Zuo Jian could finish speaking, the girl from Drak squeezed through the doorway into the corridor and grabbed his hand, seemingly impatient.
?
He turned his head and gave Loughshinny a questioning look.
Faced with her sister's constant nagging and restlessness over the past three days, Loughshinny thought for a moment, then simply shook her head with an "I don't know" expression.
"Let's go then."
Left
Seeing Eblana walking ahead holding his hand, he also took Loughshinny's hand from behind and led the two of them toward the elevator.
As the metal doors inside the elevator closed and then quickly opened again, the view from another floor appeared before Eblana.
However, at this moment she had almost no mind to look at her surroundings, but was completely focused on the door at the end of the corridor in front of her.
The "guest" was right behind the gate.
It couldn't be the Duke himself... It's probably his messenger or subordinate, but seeing him would mean he's about to be handed over, right?
This would give him the opportunity to get in touch with the Duke and develop his own plans.
Eblana's mind was in turmoil, and she even strode to the front door and pulled the doorknob without hesitation.
In an instant, the blinding sunlight streaming through the French windows burst into her view, almost making her unable to open her eyes.
However, Drak's powerful physique allowed her to reopen her eyes and observe her surroundings after only a few seconds of discomfort.
On the sofa to the side, a figure slowly got up.
Eblana opened her eyes and carefully examined the other person...
Seeing that the other person was out of shape, with a big belly, and that the top of his forehead was bald except for a ring of hair around the edge, he noticed that he was middle-aged.
And the clothes they were wearing even had...
Ha?
Police badge?
Eblana stared blankly for a moment at the Victoria Police insignia gleaming in the sunlight atop the man's chest.
Fortunately, she quickly calmed herself down.
Well, after all, it's the Duke's power; it wouldn't be difficult for him to plant a few people in Victoria's law enforcement agencies.
Yes, that makes perfect sense.
"Officer, I hope I've kept you waiting."
Zuo Jian forward and said to the man with a hint of apology.
However, the latter simply wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and replied.
"No, no, how could that be? By the way, speaking of which, about the owner of this hotel... ah, that boss, why didn't he come?"
The officer was, of course, referring to the gang leader who had long been swallowed Zuo Jian.
The latter simply smiled and said...
"The boss has been busy with other things lately. Although he is very sorry about Earl Warwick's death, he has had a hard time finding the time. Besides, I was the one who witnessed the incident and called the police, so naturally I was the only one who had to step forward."
"Phew, that's good, that's good, Mr. Smith, that's wonderful."
The officers visibly relaxed upon hearing that their "boss" wouldn't show up.
However, upon hearing this, Eblana frowned.
Ha?
What's going on?
Who is this gang leader?
How dare they not be present during the handover with the Duke's men?
And why is this fellow sent by the Duke so nervous? Have their emotions been reversed?
Shouldn't it be the gangster next to her who's nervous?
"Oh, right, these two must be Earl Warwick's daughters, right? They are both such beautiful young ladies Vouivre. I truly regret what happened to your father."
"Don't worry, the Victoria Police will definitely help you catch the killer!"
The balding police officer said confidently.
"However, I need to inquire about the situation on-site more this time, what do you think—"
As he spoke, he glanced at Zuo Jian beside him.
The latter simply nodded slightly.
"Um, what were you two doing when the Earl was murdered?"
The officer took out a notebook and cautiously inquired.
"?"
This time it was Eblana's turn to be confused.
What's going on?
Why ask such a question?
Does the duke behind them even care about such a minor Earl?
Why bother with this now?
It really felt like the police were questioning the victim's family...
However, despite having many questions in her mind, Eblana composed herself and began to make up a story on the spot.
In a sense, she was extremely skilled in this area; the content she made up on the spot could even correspond one-to-one with what she had told Zuo Jian before, and the whole story was coherent.
It would be a shame if he didn't write books or give speeches.
Soon, Eblana's story ended at the part where she was discovered by Zuo Jian.
The officer looked down at the notes in his notebook, then feigned a pained expression and spoke to Eblana.
"What a tragic experience. Don't worry, we will definitely catch the murderer."
"... oh."
Then he turned to Loughshinny and said.
"Then, I'd also like to ask you about the other young lady."
The girl from Drak, when questioned, simply lowered her head and remained silent.
Loughshinny: "..."
The police officer suddenly broke out in a sweat, and seeing this, he had no choice but to back down and speak.
"Well, that might be a bit of a stretch, but if you can't tell the full story, we could at least add some information to your sister's testimony."
Loughshinny: "...
.
"Ahem, is that so? In that case, I'll ask, and you answer, okay?"
Loughshinny: "..."
She seemed unwilling to recall those events.
Zuo Jian to the side, slowly spoke up.
"Is that so? Yes! That makes sense. The grief of losing your father must have had a significant impact on your daughter! It's perfectly reasonable that she's unwilling to speak! I understand. In that case, let's leave it at that!"
The police officer quickly spoke, glancing at Zuo Jian beside him...
Or rather...
Norman Smith.
This face represents the second-in-command of the gang, and also the leader's most trusted henchman.
From any perspective, this is not someone a lowly police officer can afford to offend.
That's how the police department in Londinium is; most of the slightly larger powers have a duke backing them up, but the police department is the only one without a duke backing it up.
As a result, they had to be extremely careful when communicating with these gangs, for fear of provoking some untouchable entity.
"In that case, there's no problem. I'm so sorry to have bothered you."
He stood up and quickly bowed.
"... ha..."
Eblana sat on the sofa, staring coldly at the police officer, feeling somewhat displeased.
Ha.
After all that, it turns out this guy wasn't sent by the Duke either.
She turned her head and looked at Loughshinny beside her, who simply lowered her eyes slightly and did not speak.
"Oh, and also, the documents you requested have been processed—"
The officer took a folded document out of his clothes and placed it on the table, then made a feigned remark.
"With someone like you adopting and caring for Earl Warwick's daughters, he must be able to rest in peace down there."
"Ha, close your eyes... wait a minute? Huh???? What did you say?!!!"
Eblana didn't even have time to react, but then, as if struck by lightning, she sprang up from the sofa, slammed her hands on the table, and stared in shock at the documents on it.
Name... Eblana
Name... Loughshinny.
Foster father... Norman Smith.
?????
Loughshinny, sitting on the sofa, slightly raised her head and looked at Zuo Jian, who seemed a little embarrassed and scratching his Zuo Jian.
The latter hadn't expected Eblana to react so strongly...
Was he disliked?
Chapter 107, Good Kids and Bad Kids
An eerie silence fell between the three of them. The police officer watching from the side wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, seemingly realizing what might happen next. He quickly stood up and said that he had official duties to attend to and would not stay any longer.
After leaving a few perfunctory words, he picked up a hat from the side, put it on to cover his balding head, hurriedly turned the handle, and left.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Eblana finally snapped, slamming her hand on the table and onto the documents on it.
"Huh?! What are you talking about?!"
Zuo Jian slowly got up and went to where the police officer was sitting, which was directly opposite Eblana and Loughshinny.
"Actually, this is not a joke. Everything on the document complies with Victoria law, Eblana, Loughshinny. However, I will not force you to do anything, such as calling me father."
"That's not the reason at all! Stop playing dumb—"
Eblana pointed to the "race" section of the document concerning her and her sister.
Her fair fingers tapped hard on the word "Vouivre" on the paper.
"Don't tell me you actually know nothing about our race."
A hint of threat flickered in Eblana's eyes.
Facing the young red dragon girl before him, Zuo Jian calmly spoke.
"In fact, I am already clear about your race and what it represents."
"And coincidentally, a Drak can indeed provide us with a considerable advantage in our future actions."