CHAPTER 104: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? DON’T STOP NOW!

“I see. You prefer younger women, Young Master Wayne. That makes sense. While Lily is an elegant woman, she’s no longer a girl and lacks that youthful energy.”

Watching Vera cheerfully skipping away, Wallace pictured a soccer field in his mind. The rich young master bypassed the defense in the back and dribbled into the penalty area. Helpless, the goalkeeper failed to block the offense. The next second, he scored.

Understanding the key, Wallace decided to cater to Wayne’s preference. “For the next movie, I won’t hire Lily—no, I’ll hire Lily to play your wife, but add a few pretty supporting actresses to play your lovers. You’ll be the male lead. You’ll be free to give them extra acting lessons at night.”

There was no place for pride in raising funds. Another director with aspirations turned to the dark side to attract sponsorship.

Wayne rolled his eyes. He didn’t understand what the director was insinuating. Acting lessons? Rollercoasters? Pendulum rides? Stop with the double entendre that an honest man like him wouldn’t get.

He was about to leave when Wallace grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t go yet. Hear me out about the script first. I swear it’ll be a good movie. It’s about magic.”

About magic? Wayne stopped, deciding to give Wallace five minutes. If Wallace couldn’t impress him, forget about the investment.

Encouraged, Wallace said excitedly, “A few days ago, there was a massive earthquake on Dragon Heart Island, and the storms and rains made it seem like the end of the world. The earthquake triggered a release of toxic gases from underground, knocking the entire crew unconscious. That’s my source of inspiration.”

After the earthquake, Wallace had the crew investigate and received a scientific explanation, but it was so scientific that it had no sensational appeal at all. Without appeal, there was no hook to attract the audience to theaters, and the incident would not warrant an adaptation.

Thus, he went the opposite direction and turned the realistic earthquake into a magical event. Inspiration struck him, and he even added religious elements. Instead of bedding the second female lead, he stayed up all night writing a new script.

It was a story of a demon descending to earth and the righteous mage who stood up to fight it, ultimately winning the pretty lady.

Wallace splattered saliva as he said impassionedly, “It’s hastily written, so there are definitely logical holes. I’m still revising it. Why would a perfectly good demon descend, for example? I plan to include the missing Bart family. They’ll be the ones to summon the demon...”

(一`´一)

Is he actually a genius? Wayne marveled.

“How about it? If you play the leading man, you’ll become famous overnight for sure. I promise you that once the movie is released, you’ll not only become a classic in film history, but also the Mr. Right of countless girls.”

...Too late. I only want to study magic now!

***

“Mr. Lando, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Lily looked at Auston and figured out why he was here after a moment. She had even higher hopes for Wayne now.

“These are my wife and daughter. Oh, and she’s my daughter’s classmate.” Auston made a simple introduction, giving Lily high praise before Silvia. “This is Lily Haworth, currently the most popular singer in Londan and a movie actress. She has a lovely singing voice, highly regarded in the industry.”

(눈_눈)

What, do you not like my singing? If you want a beating, just ask for it. No need to beat around the bush!

Silvia swallowed a curse as she gave the singer with large blond curls a once-over. The woman was quite attractive. She smiled and shook hands with her. Meanwhile, Veronica also cast a hostile glare at Lily. The last time she saw someone this shameless, it was on this very beach.

With a crooked smile, the shameless Vera asked Lily for an autograph.

Resigned, Lily obliged before explaining with a smile that she was only an ordinary singer. It was her honor to receive Mr. Lando’s praise. In other words, the wife and the young lady had misunderstood. They had met but weren’t close. Theirs was an innocent relationship between a singer and an audience member.

Seeing that there was an appropriate amount of tension built, Auston pressed, “The production company told me that there were quite a few accidents during filming. It didn’t affect the shooting schedule, did it?”

“No, Wallace is an excellent director. With him behind the camera, Mr. Lando can rest assured that the movie will make money.” Lily knew what Auston wanted to talk about, and she intended to bring it up as well. She continued, “But since the crew was assembled hastily, there were indeed accidents. For instance, the third male lead with important scenes didn’t receive his ticket, as it turned out. He was at home when the cruise departed, waiting for notification.”

Smart woman! Auston looked at her approvingly. She knew what she should and should not do when her career was on the line. Since that was the case, he would fulfill his promise and make her a household name across the Chosen Land.

He never once considered the possibility of Lily failing. He’d selected her based on his own standards of beauty. Someone even he found appealing would most certainly ensnare that little pervert, who had never seen how depraved high society could get.

This trip was worth it! He won!

“The third male lead’s role is important. He had a kissing scene with the female lead I play and an intimate scene.” Lily’s eyes curved as if thinking of something that delighted her. Her tone was incredibly gentle. “Since the role is so important, and we can’t delay the schedule any further, Wallace had to find a suitable replacement on the cruise. We found Wayne, who turned out to be a model gentleman.”

...You found whom?

Silvia, Veronica, and Vera all pricked up their ears.

“Mr. Wayne isn’t an actor. He’s a detective who happened to be on the same cruise ship for a business trip. When Wallace invited him, he refused because he didn’t know how to act. When Wallace emphasized the intimate scene...”

“Then? Did he do it?” Veronica interrupted. Why was she smiling so sweetly? What did he have to do with her? Ugh, this old woman!

“We have strict standards for the third male lead. Outside of Mr. Wayne, none of the passengers who volunteered met the standards. Wallace had no choice but to seek help from him again, and Mr. Wayne reluctantly agreed.”

Damn it, of course he said yes!

Veronica pursed her lips. The pervert never mentioned this encounter.

Vera looked dazed, her chest feeling tight. No wonder he said he’d quit being a fan. He’d already had an experience.

Auston silently cheered. Good. Nicely said. Keep going and tell everyone what happened that night. How many times did you fornicate with the cement barrel? Sleep with him well and you’ll be richly rewarded!

He was overjoyed, but the shrewd nature he had cultivated over the years allowed him to keep a poker face of nonchalance. He quietly waited for Lily to continue.

“Mr. Wayne was a gentleman. When filming the kissing scene, he considerately chose to stage it, and the intimate scene was deleted due to a last-minute script change. He might have only offered his help to the crew out of kindness, but he left a deep impression...” Lily blushed slightly. “I’m a singer, and acting is only a side job. I couldn’t get out of character even after the shooting. That night, I dressed up and brought a bottle of red wine to invite Mr. Wayne to dinner.”

What happened next? Don’t stop now!

Stop blushing. Just talk!

All four of them were thinking the same thing, albeit for different reasons.

“Mr. Wayne rejected me. We’ve merely crossed each other’s path once. Ultimately, we’re strangers. He politely declined my invitation and told me that his heart already belonged to another.” Lily sighed deeply, her tone regretful. “What a lucky girl! I stood in the corridor for quite a while, but the door never opened for me. After that... during the five-day journey, Mr. Wayne never once appeared before me, and I never found the right person to share the wine with.”

As she spoke, she looked past the group at Wayne, who was verbally sparring with Wallace. Gnawing at her bottom lip, she said, “What a gentleman and a charming man, so unlike the lecherous bastards I’ve encountered. If we ever get to do another kissing scene together, I’ll want a real kiss.”

Silvia nodded. She knew it. She had a good eye for people, and after learning from her mistake in picking a husband, she had picked the best student. Yes, of course she wouldn’t have made the same mistake twice!

Veronica pouted. This wasn’t fun at all. She’d been looking forward to getting dirt on the pervert. How boring. And really? Turning a lady away repeatedly was no gentlemanly behavior. So heartless and cruel! So hateful!

Suddenly, Veronica realized something. The diary wouldn’t be wrong. The scum had to be a pervert. There was no reason he wouldn’t accept a beautiful woman who delivered herself to his door... Right! The star hadn’t read the diary, so the scum was pretending to be a gentleman. He wasn’t satisfied with only one chance encounter; he wanted more!

Veronica nodded to herself. Yes, she had figured it all out.

Vera was lost in thought. So this was how he abandoned his past obsession. Wayne had to really love that girl to personally shatter his old dream. That begged the question: who exactly was the girl?

Megan looked at Auston with concern. Having participated in the entire plan regarding Lily, she knew how much Auston had looked forward to the result. Now, not only had the plan failed, but it had improved his target’s image in front of several key figures, achieving the opposite effect... What a terrible defeat! Could the master handle losing so badly?

No, Auston could not handle it. He stared at Lily icily. Her career was done for since she couldn’t even handle something as simple as sleeping with someone. She was not going to continue working in the city in the future.

Noting his gaze, Lily shuddered and lowered her head, speaking softly, “I haven’t shaken off the character yet, so my mind keeps wandering. It’s hard to calm down and go back to singing. I plan to head to Palis for a while to recover. Once I forget... I’ll consider returning to my singing career.”

Smart move! Auston scoffed and left unceremoniously.

Veronica shrugged, dragging a pondering Vera away, head held high and steps steady like a victorious general. The pervert wanted more, but his scheming ended up driving his target away. She wasn’t going to play along!

Fool! Now you don’t even get a taste!

***

Two cars drove away from the film crew’s temporary base.

Silvia glanced at Megan in the passenger seat and chuckled softly. “What a beautiful singer. For her to star in this movie and happen to travel with my student, Mr. Lando must have put in a lot of effort!”

“Hmph!” Sensing his wife’s icy tone, Auston looked out of the window, his hand becoming clumsy as it fidgeted with his antique silver coin. “You’re overthinking it. It’s all a coincidence. Even if I could arrange many things, I can’t possibly arrange for an evil god to descend.”

“Ha!” Silvia retorted without backing down. She defended Wayne, “I know what you’re trying to do, but there won’t be a next time. The fact proves my student’s integrity. He isn’t terrible like you thought. Don’t just assume everyone’s a bastard because you are one.”

But he is a bastard! Isn’t there a possibility that you’re just drawn to bastards?

Auston was unconvinced. He couldn’t be the only bastard here. Before he could say anything, though, Silvia continued, “If you don’t like him, why did you buy so many stockings and keep them at home? Megan doesn’t wear skirts.”

Auston feigned ignorance. It was a slippery slope he would not go down. Whatever he said, he would be killed.

He had to admit that stockings were great. The cement barrel had some redeeming qualities: not only did he know women, he also knew men. That, however, only convinced Auston further that Wayne was scum through and through, or he wouldn’t have known such fetishes so intimately.

Stockings were lewd!

Auston heard that new styles were coming. When would they be released?

“I said this is the last time. If I find you doing this again...” Silvia turned to the window on her side, issuing the ultimatum. “I’ll move out with my daughter and live with my student from now on.”

(눈益눈)

Then I won’t be found out!

He was hasty this time and underestimated the cement barrel’s ambition. One celebrity wasn’t enough. He wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

“Megan, tell me if there’s a next time!”

“Yes, madam.”

“...”

“And don’t make things difficult for the singer. She’s had it rough.”

“...”

“Say something!”

“M’kay.”

***

Wayne’s residence, 11 Baron Street, Londan, August twenty-eighth.

The Lando family ended their vacation and returned via their private yacht. Olga had been taken away by Silvia. There wasn’t a shortage of people with the holy spirit constitution; every church had access to a few. However, there was none at the Londan head office of the Church of Nature, and Silvia could use someone like her.

That was a shame. Wayne had planned to keep the maid for himself.

After learning from Silvia the flaws of the holy spirit constitution, he abandoned the idea of hiring help. It was a bad omen to keep a maid who could be possessed at any time at home. She would be a hidden risk. Besides, the church could better protect Olga. Joining the church would also give her a steady job, making sure she no longer had to serve other people.

Wayne hadn’t intended to return to Londan so early. It would be better if he could stay away for another decade or so until Director Planck died; then he would be able to claim the antique silver coin with justification. Unfortunately, it was out of the question. He smelled so good now that even if he didn’t return, flies would track the scent to him.

He took out his suitcase and moved the knight armor out piece by piece, waking up his knight master.

It wasn’t easy for him to take the armor home. Silvia kept a close eye on him, and she was already unhappy when she learned that her student was learning dragonslaying swordsmanship. He had to use Vera as an excuse, claiming that he would send the armor to the Church of Sun.

The armor was severely damaged—or downright missing parts. The helmet, for example, was lost somewhere unknown.

Light scattered and recombined. Valkyrie picked up her sword and was about to teach her successor her techniques when she halted, looking toward the three-story main house in surprise.

“What is it? Something the matter?” Wayne’s heart thumped. Death and Sun didn’t mix. To prevent his cover from being blown, he had never allowed Julia to get close to his residence, and he even told Do to change her sleeping spot today. What had Valkyrie discovered? Her expression was quite strange. Was there something he hadn’t cleaned up?

“No, I thought our meeting was a coincidence, but it turns out that the goddess’s guiding hand has always been in play. Yes, now it all makes sense.”

Valkyrie smiled approvingly. Since the goddess thought so highly of Wayne as a successor, she only had to follow the divine oracle without hesitation. It didn’t matter if he had a questionable sense of justice and was lacking in knightly morals. No one was born a perfect knight. This was the goddess’s mission for her. She was meant to not only pass on her mantle, but also the knightly spirit and belief.

Wayne didn’t understand, and he said as much to Valkyrie. What, pray tell, had she seen?

“A messenger of the goddess and the guide of light,” Valkyrie said honestly. “I’ve seen a magical creature like it.”

Frowning, Wayne raised his hand and whistled, keeping his arm up for Snow to perch on it. The owl he had gotten from the musclemen’s lair was hiding something!

Flutter—

The snowy owl flew out of the window. Right before landing, it saw the quaint knight armor and slipped, crashing headfirst into a tree.

“Knight of the goddess, why are you here? No, wait...” Snow quickly got up and spoke in human language in surprise. “What era did you come from? Who are you? Why haven’t you returned to Her embrace?”

(一`´≖)

Oh, so you speak!

Looks like we’re roasting owl tonight!