CHAPTER 88: INVITATION

“Mr. Lando can do without you, but I can’t!”

The words rang in Veryl’s head and made his heart race. Thinking of Megan being by Auston’s side, he felt a pang of conflicted emotions.

Just as he was about to say something, the doorbell rang. Their guests had arrived at the estate gates.

“Don’t worry too much. I don’t mind. Like I said, time will give us an answer.” Wayne smiled, telling Veryl to get to work for now. It would be his first time receiving guests in his new home, and the guests were three ladies. They had to show them the proper etiquette.

Veryl nodded and bowed slightly before departing.

“I’d never confessed to anyone until you. You better not dump me...” Wayne muttered as he watched Veryl walk away. Auston’s face surfaced in his mind, and he mentally labeled him the main villain.

He felt cuckolded. For the longest time, Auston had been the victim, but their roles were reversed unexpectedly today. The victim became the homewrecker, and Wayne, the loyal lover, was standing at the edge of a cliff, unable to retreat further.

“Wait, Veryl is the Lando family’s butler. Auston came first, so I’m the one cuckolding him.”

Wayne suddenly realized that the loyal lover standing on the cliff wasn’t him, but Auston. He was the homewrecker threatening to throw him off!

“I’m not a believer in true love after all...” He sighed. Such was life. Either die as the victim, or live long enough to become the villain.

A member of the Lando family was among the visitors tonight. He decided to make her drink a few more cups to collect interest on the debt her father owed him.

***

A black car parked in front of the estate, and three stunning young women stepped out. Two blondes and one platinum blonde.

Vera looked up at Wayne’s new home, clutching her chest like she were in pain. “Veronica, tell me the truth. Did you become his patron? He couldn’t have afforded such a house otherwise.”

“No.”

Veronica turned away. She wasn’t Wayne’s patron—her mother was.

“Damn it, it breaks my heart to see someone living on potatoes a few months ago suddenly become rich!” Vera was beside herself, vowing to fuel her appetite with her grief and eat Wayne into bankruptcy tonight, then he would move back to the run-down detective agency.

If she couldn’t do that in one go, she would do it in many visits. She’d come every day from now on. The gym wasn’t far from here anyway; it only took a twenty-minute bike ride.

Kristen smiled at the two of them with a hint of disappointment. She heard from Veronica that Wayne had joined the Church of Nature, and his master was the newly appointed High Reverend, Veronica’s mother.

She had been the first to discover Wayne’s talent and teach him magic. She regretted letting her schoolwork take her away for three months. Otherwise, Wayne would’ve followed the Goddess of Moonlight like her.

Goddess, where would she find a time machine?

“Distinguished guests, welcome.” Wayne, dressed in his tailored black suit, approached the door like a proper gentleman in appearance only. He spread his arms for a reunion hug with his three friends.

Veronica shot him a disdainful look. What was he thinking? As if she would hug him.

“Oh, Wayne.” Vera charged forward and crashed into Wayne’s chest, giving him a tight hug with their hearts pressed together. He staggered back a step before smoothly lifting her and spinning her around. With the curse lifted, Vera was a girl under five feet seven with a personality that went well with his, making the two of them look like a couple when together.

He lowered her and turned to Kristen, spreading his arms for another hug. He had to thank Vera for her cooperation, or he’d be lucky to be allowed to kiss her fingernail.

“I get one too?”

Kristen looked at him in surprise. When he nodded, she smiled and offered a polite hug. She was gentle, much more ladylike than Vera. There was thus a safe distance between their hearts. The gesture was neither distant nor overly friendly.

“Pervert!” Veronica mercilessly exposed him. She huffed when she saw Wayne come her way. Vera was an exception, and Kristen only hugged him to be courteous. She wasn’t going to do the same. Wayne could forget about getting a hug from her.

“Veronica, you came, too. The gift was wonderful. I really like it.”

Wayne nodded at her and took the fingertips of Vera and Kristen to invite them inside like a proper gentleman.

“When I was in Enrod, I discovered a novel way of cooking food. I wonder if you’ll like it.”

“Is it delicious?”

“Very.”

“Then I’ll like it.”

Veronica stared. What about the hug? Why did he do nothing with her? Shouldn’t he ask for a hug for her to sternly turn him down? Why did he just walk away?

What’s this? Are you looking down on me?!

She gritted her teeth and followed. Not giving her a chance to refuse his hug was one thing, but deliberately not taking her hand was another. The bastard was getting more and more insufferable.

The host and the guests each took their seats at the dining table. Hot pot didn’t require a complex serving process. It was entirely up to the individual what proteins and vegetables they wanted. Given how greasy the base of hot pot broth could be, and with their three guests being young ladies, Veryl prepared an additional clear broth pot for them and arranged a small table of different fruits.

When taking inventory of the estate, Veryl had discovered a hidden compartment in the basement containing several bundles of cash, three boxes of diamonds and other jewelry, and two cases of gold.

Since those weren’t listed on the legal documents, Veryl added them to Wayne’s private assets without saying anything. He formulated a financial summary for his master to sign.

Sidney had to have more assets hidden somewhere. Veryl suspected there would be more surprises in the estate and informed Wayne of his speculation. Wayne signed the asset transfer and left only cash for Veryl to manage the daily expenses. He would have Do look for the surprises. The undead hound was an expert at digging holes.

Back at the dining table, the three ladies showed little interest in the bubbling spicy pot, nor did they seem enthusiastic about the clear broth. At least they didn’t show the insatiable appetite Wayne had imagined and eat until their belly bulged. It wasn’t representative of the taste, but of their different tastes.

The four of them chatted while eating. Wayne apologized to Kristen for missing her birthday while he was away from Londan.

To Kristen, the birthday party was a non-issue. What she cared about was his joining the Church of Nature. Thinking of that, she couldn’t help but feel dejected, but she nonchalantly congratulated him on finding an excellent master.

“By the way, Veronica told me that you prepared a lot of teaching materials. Since I’m still a beginner, could I trouble you to continue guiding me?” Wayne said with a sincere expression.

“I can, but won’t your master mind?”

“Master’s busy. I’ve been self-studying. If you could help, it would be wonderful.”

“Pervert!”

Veronica interrupted the conversation with a concise, insightful comment, but it didn’t change Kristen’s response. She had once promised to tutor Wayne on the basics of magic.

“Look here, Wayne.” Vera took a banana from the small table, peeled it, and began eating it sideways. Wayne didn’t understand, and Veronica and Kristen seemed equally puzzled.

“Is there a particular reason to eat it that way?” Wayne asked curiously.

Vera responded proudly, “I read about it in a book. It says this is how ladies eat a banana.”

As expected of you. Never change, Vera.

Wayne’s mouth twitched. He immediately understood the implication after her demonstration.

Girl, I tell you dirty jokes to see your adorably bashful reaction, not so that you can tell me a dirtier one. And I haven’t even told you any dirty jokes yet!

Veronica and Kristen were still confused. They were even more curious when Vera winked and Wayne lowered his gaze to focus on his food.

Stop talking in riddles. Just explain!

Veronica even took a banana and started eating it sideways to crack the mystery. Kristen pondered for a moment before suddenly being hit with an epiphany. She tugged at Veronica's sleeve and quietly explained to her.

Stop eating. You look like an idiot!

Veronica’s face turned bright red. She angrily stabbed the banana through the plate while Vera, being an experienced troll, saw the warning signs and made a tactical retreat. Unfortunately, she met her defeat in the living room, ending up pinned down on the sofa by Veronica.

“Sorry, sorry! Save me, Wayne. My arm’s going to break!”

“Hmph, no one’s saving you today. Are you going to do it again?”

“Yeah.”

“...”

“Ahhhh—”

That was how a fight between a Dragonblood girl and a regular girl would go.

Wayne watched Vera in amazement. She was proficient in the hundred and eight ways to make Veronica lose her temper. With her here, he could just sit and enjoy the show without ever needing to ask for entertainment.

***

In the living room, Veryl set down the black tea and took his leave. As a professional butler, he knew when to appear and when to stay away.

On one sofa, Veronica and Vera were wrestling, while Wayne and Kristen claimed the other sofa, picking up their cups and blowing at the tea in perfect synchronization. When they were in the same frame, they looked more like a married couple than lovers.

The two fighting on the other sofa were trouble-making children.

Wayne retrieved a bottle of red wine from the cabinet. He was in a good mood tonight, and he asked if anyone wanted to join him in having an adult beverage.

“Pervert!”

Vera was the only one who agreed. Veronica and Kristen turned him down.

He shrugged and put the bottle back. He wasn’t a fan of alcohol, either. He just thought that the atmosphere seemed right for him to make a move.

Without alcohol acting as the catalyst, the two classic games at gatherings he had been looking forward to ended up being a bore. Nothing exciting happened, and he hadn’t removed a single piece of clothing after two hours.

How boring!

“So much fun!” Vera exclaimed.

It was ten o’clock at night, and Vera, who had been on a losing streak, remained enthusiastic. Kristen checked the time. It was late, and she needed to return to the academy’s dormitory. Veronica, who had been on a winning streak, was also ready to leave. Vera was reluctant. She wanted to keep playing, preferably until midnight.

“But soon, the school—”

“It’s fine. I’m planning to stay here tonight. It’ll be great if you can stay and keep me company, Senior Kristen.” Vera put her arms around Kristen and pleaded.

Kristen couldn’t say no to her with her looking like a kicked puppy. When Kristen turned to Wayne awkwardly, he nodded seriously at them. “Vera’s right. It’s not safe to walk outside at night. I’ll have Veryl prepare two guest rooms for you, which will be exclusively yours in the future. Remember to bring daily necessities the next time you visit.”

“Wayne’s the best!”

Oh, no. I should thank you for the assist!

Veronica stared at them and made a face.

(눈‸눈)

Traitor! We agreed to come together and leave together. Why did you change your mind? And was no one going to ask if I’m willing to stay the night?

“Veronica, are you going home tonight?” Wayne took the initiative to ask. “It’s late. If you’re not going home, you should make a call.”

“Hmph, pervert!” She rolled her eyes at him. “Where’s the phone?”

“In the study.”

Wayne stood up and led the three girls on a tour around the mansion. “You’ll probably visit often in the future, so I’ll show you around. Although there’s not much excitement around, it’s a good place for you to just be, with no parental figures lecturing you. You can even run around the hallways barefoot in pajamas.”

“Fantastic! I’m moving in tomorrow!” Vera exclaimed in joy.

“Um, maybe not that...”

His eyes twitched. It wasn’t that he couldn’t take it, but that the hunks at the gym she called home would disagree.

If Vera really moved in, this house would fall apart the next day—literally.

***

The night passed without incident. The maids gave the three magical girls each a ride before going to Commercial Street to move things. When they returned in the afternoon, they brought Wayne a black invitation.

The wax seal on the back bore the seal of the White Glove Society. He opened the envelope to find a letter, a check, and a boat ticket inside.

[Dear Mr. Wayne, We have received your membership application. We are honored to inform you that you have received our approval and have become a member of the White Glove Detective Society. Your rank is pending...]

He read through the letter. The message was simple: although his application had been approved, he still had to pass a certification process, or the White Glove Society could revoke his membership at any time.

Without their certification, detectives would miss out on substantial benefits, the most obvious of which was the difficulty of receiving high-quality commissions from powerful and wealthy clients.

Simply put, their income would be much lower.

To receive better commissions, a detective had to increase their member rank. It rewarded hard work and not payment, so there was no pay-to-upgrade option for the membership. The only way to increase one’s rank was to complete commissions.

The letter assigned him an investigation that would take him to the Dragon Heart Island in the North Sea. The client was a family member of a rich local, asking for an investigation into the truth behind the rich local’s accidental death. Wayne could turn it down by mailing back the boat ticket and the check, and when the society received the letter, they would revoke his membership.

But if he took the boat to Dragon Heart Island and succeeded in completing the commission, not only would his member rank rise, but an additional payment would be sent to him by check.

“How mysterious. The White Glove Society must be something else.”

His interest was piqued. Picking up the check, he was surprised to find that it offered twenty thousand sillings. If the advance payment was this large a sum, wouldn’t the final payment be astronomical?

He became even more invested.

The twenty thousand sillings were secondary. Sidney’s inheritance alone was enough to last him for a long time, and the soon-to-launch stockings business would earn him enough to have three girlfriends. What caught his attention was the part about member rank. He was both curious and tempted to learn what commissions he would get once he rose to the highest rank.

To be safe, he consulted his all-knowing butler.

“Veryl, do you know Dragon Heart Island?”

“It’s an island in the North Sea with a prosperous fishing industry, good climate, and quite a nice scenery. There’s also a primitive jungle. I hear that it’s being developed for tourism at the moment.” Veryl didn’t disappoint Wayne. He did know a little about everything.

“Is it safe?”

“It gets hit by storms in winter, which sounds like dragons’ roars.”

“Do you know about the White Glove Society?”

“Some. It’s an organization recognized by the government. Sometimes, the intelligence agency even commissioned them for an investigation.”

“Tell me, what commissions does the intelligence agency give the White Glove Society in general?”

“In general, the commissions are related to foreign spies.”

“...”

Wayne’s mouth twitched. He’d been feeling guilty lately and couldn’t stand hearing the word ‘spy’.