CHAPTER 30: BLOOM, AND BUTTERFLIES WILL COME

Facing two gun barrels, robber number two followed his instinct and lowered his pistol, lying on the ground with his hands behind his head. Of course he wasn’t going to fight back at the risk of his life—even the twenty-some followers of Death had cowered when Veronica pointed a gun at them, let alone train robbers who were only after money.

His worst punishment would be prison time. After release, he could return to his old profession. There was no reason to risk his life! You only live once!

Wayne rushed forward and smashed the robber’s head against the floor several times, leaving the robber dazed.

What are you doing, bro? I have human rights! What happened to the humanitarian spirit?

Silvia snorted. She went up and stepped on the robber’s head, sparing him from further abuse. She could see that Wayne was trying to knock the robber out, but his lack of experience led to multiple failures.

“Why not use the gun? Just hit the back of his head a few times.”

“It’s fake.”

Wayne waved the toy gun in his hand. It was a wooden model painted black with a piece of iron wrapped around the barrel, ensuring that whoever had it pressed to the back of their head would feel death’s chilling touch.

Silvia paused. “So you could never make a shot from the beginning?”

“Yeah, it’s just an act. My mission was complete as long as I made the robber release the hostage.” Wayne waved his hand modestly. He only seemed intelligent because of the robber’s stupidity. Silvia was the MVP here. He had contributed little.

While he had two real guns, he couldn’t carry them around. The toy gun was something he made a few days ago for the surprise factor; it wouldn’t be useful in a direct confrontation.

Unless it was dark, that was.

“Wayne, my appreciation of you is growing...”

Silvia offered sincere praise. When he pointed the gun at her, she really thought that her daughter was blind to have fallen for him. Only when he pointedly mentioned ‘point the gun away’ and ‘innocent kid’ did she realize his plan and play along.

It proved his meticulous thinking and excellent execution that he had come up with the best strategy in such a short time, ensuring the hostage’s safety while subduing the robber. His acting was unnervingly good, though; it didn’t seem like acting at all... He behaved just like her scoundrel husband.

Silvia now understood why her daughter had fallen for him. Gold shines wherever it’s left, and good men attract the opposite sex. Bloom, and butterflies will come!

Of course, her extraordinary daughter might have charmed him first, and the two quickly fell in love.

Silvia’s appreciation was that of an older person for a young, talented man, but Wayne didn’t know that. The more he heard her talk, the more he believed that she was expressing interest and would soon produce a contract of patronage for him.

Heaven help him. He couldn’t resist the temptation. He would surrender so easily. What if he signed the contract and became a cheating scumbag? How was he going to explain to his three future girlfriends?

The concerned look on his face led to further misunderstanding. Silvia said with a smile, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle the other robbers. When I come back, you’re going to tell me what piece of clothing I’m missing.”

She left the dining car with the pistol, walking with such elegance that he couldn’t help but suspect her to be a spy.

Think about it. She would be a spy the Republic of Franc sent to the Kingdom of Windsor, assuming the role of a famous fashion designer to quickly integrate into high society and befriend the elite. That would allow her to send a steady stream of intelligence back to Franc.

“No, she’s attracting too much attention to be a foreign spy,” he muttered. Rather than being a spy from Franc, she seemed more like a Windsor spy sent to Franc, returning home to find an honest man to settle down with in retirement.

I’m that honest man!

***

At eleven o’clock, the luxury train stopped at Enrod. The station police dragged away five black-clad robbers, including the mustachioed man who had bumped into Wayne purposefully. Wayne and Silvia were invited to the station office. They had taken down five armed robbers and saved a train full of wealthy people. Their unusual skills warranted questioning.

Silvia sat with her legs crossed and her hands on her knees, her posture upright and graceful. Her etiquette and self-discipline had been drilled into her. Whether in appearance or temperament, she ranked in the top tier among all the women Wayne had met.

Veronica had good manners, too, but she was still a little immature, especially when Vera played a prank on her—the young lady couldn’t help but get into a tussle with her friend.

Veronica was the one making the hits, and Vera was the one taking hits. There was a clear division of labor.

“Wayne, what do you do for work?”

“I run a detective agency.”

“Sounds like you’re quite successful.”

“It’s alright. I have an assistant, a clerk, a cat, and a dog.”

In the office, the police were still processing the robbers. Bored, Wayne started a casual conversation with Silvia.

He could tell that she was curious about him. She kept probing and asking about his personal life.

Shit, she’s set her eyes on me for real!

“Do you have a girlfriend?” She cut to the chase, asking the question she cared most about.

Wayne wanted to say that he was single and part of the lonely single tribe, that he would be at her service in exchange for financial support or, frankly, for free. However, when he opened his mouth, he felt compelled to say, “I have a girlfriend. She likes me a lot, and I love her. We’ve sworn never to betray each other.”

His heart was bleeding. He couldn’t believe that he would reject the mature and elegant lady. And she was rich on top of that!

Silvia nodded in approval, saying with a sigh, “What enviable love...”

She thought of her bastard of a husband and fell silent.

Wayne knew that if he asked about it, she would launch into her history of tragic relationships that had left her scarred and hurt. Then she would break down in tears, seeking comfort on his broad shoulders.

Hah, don’t think you can trick me. I’m not asking the question!

He didn’t say anything, and she didn’t feel like confiding in him. After a while, she asked bluntly, “What is my brand missing?”

He hesitated. “Madam, the piece of clothing hasn’t been invented yet. It’s just a wild imagination of mine. Once I develop it, I’ll surely tell you first. Please stop asking. I don’t want to lose the idea to you.”

“Will it be profitable?”

“Yes, I’m counting on it to support me and my future wife for the rest of our lives.”

“Sounds good. I wish you happiness.”

Silvia smiled. She had observed him and concluded that he was a decent boy. He was smart, but also cautious and decisive in making a move. He was just a bit naive and needed guidance. Moreover, he didn’t seem to know the truth about the world.

Ordinary people and mages might as well exist in different dimensions. Without common ground, it was difficult for them to build a life together. Even if they did, they would encounter relationship problems down the road because of their differences, leading to their marriage falling apart.

Thinking of her relationship with her bastard husband, Silvia decided to help Wayne out by teaching him magic, preventing the same tragedy from happening to Veronica.

She was returning to Londan to take the position of District High Reverend, in need of an administrative assistant. It was time for her to take on a disciple. It didn’t matter if he had talent—she just needed someone trustworthy!

Moments later, two police officers entered to first give their apology and gratitude. They checked Wayne’s and Silvia’s IDs and asked a few simple questions. Then they awkwardly explained that Londan had decided to form a special task force for the robbery since many wealthy people were involved.

In other words, Silvia and Wayne were required to change their plans and take the next train back to the city.

“Can it wait?” Wayne asked with a frown. “I have important matters to take care of.”

The two officers shrugged and expressed their regret for not being able to help.

“Damn it, are good people doomed to be treated as pushovers?” he grumbled. If that were the case, he would never be a good person again.

“Remember you owe me one, Wayne,” Silvia said. “I’ll collect it when I have the chance.”

She used the phone in the office. Five minutes later, the station chief came to personally apologize for wasting their precious time due to the officers’ mistakes. The misunderstanding was resolved. Wayne and Silvia were free to go anytime.

Wayne looked at her in surprise. This wasn’t money power, but power power. The rich woman was far more influential than he had imagined. She couldn’t have been a simple spy.

Shit, why did I turn her down?!

***

Outside the office, servants and butlers who had been waiting for Wayne and Silvia swarmed up. They had stayed behind on their wealthy employers’ orders to express their gratitude. Money wasn’t the issue; their lives were. Who knew what the crazy robbers might have done?

Besides, many of the wealthy men had brought their secretaries, mistresses, and other people’s wives on the trip. If things got out of hand and news broke out, the repercussions would’ve been too much for them to bear.

To express their gratitude, the servants and butlers presented their masters’ business cards. These people were from the Central District of Londan, making them valuable connections to form. Wayne accepted the cards and felt his pocket. Damn it, he didn’t have business cards, so he couldn’t take the opportunity to promote his detective agency.

Silvia wrote her number on the back of a card in exchange. Noticing his predicament, she smiled and said that Wayne was an outstanding detective—if any of them encountered trouble in the future, they could contact Wayne through her.

Shit, she hasn’t given up. She’s making us a package deal in the social circle!

***

Once the two left, the police chief talked to the two officers to confirm their identities. Then he called Londan to make a report.

Not long after, a call was made from the headquarters of Londan Metropolitan Police.

“Mr. Lando, do you know Silvia Lando?”

“She did injure people, but it was justified defense. She wounded five armed criminals robbing the train—she just hit a little too hard.”

“Yes, she’s in Windsor. The train left Londan last night...”

“According to the officers stationed at Enrod Station, she was with a gentleman. The two of them subdued the robbers together.”

“His name’s Wayne... Yes, Wayne... I’m absolutely certain it’s a Wayne.”

“Oh? How did you know that Mr. Wayne is a detective?”

“According to the conductor, they seemed close. They had breakfast together in the morning and went to the observation car together...”

“Yes, they left the station together. Ms. Silvia didn’t want to return to Londan and left with Wayne. They got into the same car.”

“No trouble at all. It is my honor to be of service to you.”

“It’s only what I should do. If you insist, I’ll get my payment from finance. Yes, thank you for your generosity.”