Scheming over the Tarot Club
"Really?" Viscount Glaint asked in surprise. "Which Newspaper?"
"The Backlund Morning Post," Lorry replied.
As they spoke, the carriage stopped bumping along, and everyone changed into white coats, Surgical Cap, and Face Mask that had been prepared in advance, before heading towards the abandoned Medical Building.
In the dilapidated corridor, several people lowered their voices and occasionally spoke in hushed tones.
Infected by the surroundings and still chilled by the Horror story Hugh had just told, Viscount Glaint couldn't help but whisper, "Let's go inside quickly."
At this moment, Fors leaned closer to Hugh and said, "You played along pretty well just now; you managed to come up with a story to scare someone so quickly."
Hugh turned his head, looking slightly bewildered, and replied, "I didn't make up a story."
That happened before I came to Backlund.
"----" Fors trembled slightly and subconsciously grabbed Lorry's forearm.
But she quickly realized that this was not Falk's Mountain Estate, and immediately glanced at Hugh, then withdrew her hand as if no one else was there.
Something seemed off about them— Audrey, who was a step behind, narrowed her eyes slightly and gazed thoughtfully at Fors's back.
The group entered the gathering place one after another.
Before long, the party began.
Lorry cleared his throat and lowered his voice, saying, "I need the Formula for 'The Solar High Priest,' and I'm even willing to pay a premium."
"If anyone owns it, please feel free to contact me."
Audrey glanced discreetly at her unfamiliar companion.
"Solar High Priest"—it sounds a lot like Mr. Sun's Pathway, but I don't know which Sequence it belongs to—could he also be Beyonder on this Pathway?
Perhaps I could try to probe her sometime—thinking this, she suddenly noticed a wary gaze directed at her from the side, which she realized belonged to Fors.
Audrey frowned almost imperceptibly, glanced innocently at Fors, and then casually looked away.
After a few dozen seconds of silence, the transaction was cancelled by default.
Soon, other participants spoke up and voiced their demands.
After the party, the group, realizing they were being followed, split up in Empress Borough.
Using the "Shadow Ring," Lorry easily led Fors and Hugh away from their pursuers and back to their house in Hillston District.
Hugh, who rushed into the room and occupied the Single Sofa, asked with a worried look, "I wonder how Miss Audrey and the others are?"
"Don't worry, they'll be fine," Lorry replied confidently.
Fors chimed in, "Yes, don't forget their noble status, especially Miss Audrey. Hugh, you're overthinking it."
"I hope so," Hugh muttered, his gaze catching a glimpse of a man and a woman on the Long Sofa, his expression instantly turning to astonishment.
"Should I have taken the Single Sofa?" She pursed her lips expressionlessly, then turned and gave Lorry a disdainful look.
"I didn't settle the score with you for gossiping about me to my face, and now you're glaring at me?" Lorry thought irritably, noticing Hugh's gaze.
He rolled his eyes and said casually, "By the way, Fors, we've known each other for so long, how come I've never seen your underage daughter?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fors, who had been lost in thought, suddenly widened his eyes.
Single Sofa, slowly turned her head and stared at her best friend, saying, "Underage, daughter?"
A slight smile appeared on her lips, her tone unusually gentle. "Fors —we've known each other longer, how come I didn't know you had a daughter, or—a minor?"
Fors an awkward smile, "Hugh, listen to me—"
"Before we met, I—" She started to ramble, but then caught sight of Lorry a few centimeters away, snorted, and picked up Cushion to cover her face.
I want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Destroy it!
I'm going out!
Xiu stormed off, slamming the door shut as she left.
Fors moved the Cushion, revealing her flushed face. She glanced wistfully at the closed door, then glared resentfully at the innocent-looking Lorry.
"Uh, what's wrong with her?" Lorry feigned ignorance.
"Don't give me that!" The astute Fors saw through the man's Lie at a glance. "Do you think I, Hugh, would easily believe the words of a Swindler?"
"Don't tell me you didn't realize I was joking that day!"
"----Okay, I admit it." Lorry confessed honestly, "This girl just made fun of me to my face, so I deliberately made her run away."
"And she kept staring at me, which made me very uncomfortable."
Uh... Fors was speechless for a moment.
That was indeed the case, and she knew why Hugh did it.
To be honest, during this time, I've heard quite a few stories from Hugh about the widows of wealthy businessmen or nobles who were cheated out of money and sex by playboys.
Despite his repeated explanations, Hugh simply wouldn't listen.
"Sigh, she's really bothered by her height—oh well, I'll apologize to her properly tonight." Fors sighed.
"I'm angry," he said helplessly.
She deliberately changed the subject, not wanting the atmosphere to remain Awkwardness: "Why did you buy the Solar High Priest's Potion Formula? It doesn't seem to fit the style of the ' Marauder's Pathway '?"
"It belongs to Sequence 7 of the ' Sun ' Pathway, and I already have Sequence 9 and Sequence 8," Lorry smiled, leaving the rest to the other person's imagination.
"The two Beyonder Characteristic I truly need are the Lion-Man Brain and the Bewitching Insect Swarm Adult Insect," but unfortunately, they are extremely rare.
"Forget about buying it, most of the party members had never even heard of it."
He paused slightly, then said sincerely, "Fors, I hope you can keep an eye out for them at other gatherings. The reward will definitely satisfy you, but you need to be careful to keep a low profile."
"It's best not to mention it proactively, lest you attract attention."
"Because I suspect there are certain hidden risks involved in my Pathway."
Fors was taken aback: "Beyonder Characteristic are immortal—"
"No wonder you didn't bring up the acquisition at the party?" she said, suddenly realizing. "Don't worry, I'm always cautious when attending parties."
"That's good. I don't want you to get hurt because of me." Lorry chuckled softly. "----You should be able to sense the sincerity in my words."
"Ahem, of course—" Fors hurriedly looked away.
She made conversation by asking, "By the way, what's the deal with the Volume Two ' Young Roselle '? I don't recall you mentioning the publication of Volume Two before?"
Because I----
Just as Lorry was about to answer, the Door Opening came from outside.
"Creak!"
The two people on the Long Sofa both looked towards the Entryway and saw Hugh stride towards the Single Sofa, lean back, and take a deep gulp of his Sweet Iced Tea: "Glug!"
I won't fall for that!
"If I'm not home, who knows what you'll do to Fors"—she squinted her eyes contentedly, savoring the sweet taste in her mouth.