Tarot Cards

At the entrance of the villa, as a carriage that had traveled from afar came to a halt, a well-dressed couple with outstanding presence stepped down from it.

The servants behind them first moved a wheelchair down from the carriage, then helped a young boy of around ten years old sit properly in it.

Mr. Scudder, who had been welcoming guests at the front gates of the villa, felt his expression freeze for a moment upon seeing the arrivals, but he quickly adjusted himself, squeezed out a smile, and stepped forward to greet them.

"Mr. Auceptin, Mrs. Auceptin, and little Will, welcome."

Mr. Auceptin, dressed in a handmade formal suit and wearing a top hat, looked Scudder over with some surprise, then chuckled and said in a blaming tone, "I didn't expect you to take a job as a butler here, Scudder... As old friends, how could you not mention it to me? Had I not received Senator Macht's invitation, I wouldn't even have known."

What old friends? Back when I was down on my luck and went to look for you, you certainly weren't this enthusiastic...

Mr. Scudder muttered inwardly, though he did not show it. After checking the invitation card handed over by Mr. Auceptin, he dutifully ushered the family of three into the villa.

By this time, quite a few guests had already arrived at the villa. Mr. Auceptin seemed to have spotted an acquaintance and immediately walked over to strike up a conversation. Meanwhile, Mrs. Auceptin also stepped into the sitting room provided for the entertainment of the ladies.

As for Will, who sat in the wheelchair, he seemed to have been completely forgotten by them.

Mr. Scudder had long known that the couple was not particularly fond of this child, but he had not expected