"Mr. Landau can do without you, but I cannot!"
Every word rang out like thunder. Hearing them, Fra's heart quickened. At the thought of Megan by Auston's side, a complex swirl of emotions welled up within him.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something more, the doorbell chimed. The guests had arrived outside the manor gates.
"No need to dwell on any of this. It doesn't bother me in the least. Like I said, time will tell."
Wayne smiled faintly, telling Fra to get into work mode right away. This was the first time their new home was hosting guests—three young ladies, no less—so he had to maintain impeccable, elegant manners.
Fra nodded, bowed slightly, and took his leave.
"That was my first confession of love—don't you dare dump me..."
Watching Fra's departing back, Wayne muttered under his breath. Auston's face surfaced in his mind, and Wayne immediately slapped the label of archvillain onto him.
Wayne felt cuckolded. All along, Auston had been cast as the aggrieved victim, but who could have guessed that today their roles would be reversed, and the victim had turned into the homewrecker?
The pure-love warrior was driven step by step toward the cliff's edge by the NTR fiend, a bottomless abyss behind him, leaving him nowhere left to retreat.
"Wait, no. Fra is the Landau family's butler. Auston had him first. I'm the one stealing him away."
Shifting his train of thought, Wayne suddenly realized that the pure-love warrior teetering on the cliff wasn't him—it was Auston.
He was the axe-wielding NTR marauder!
"Turns out I'm not the pure-love champion after all..."
Wayne cursed his luck under his breath. Even so, that was life: as people lived on, they often ended up becoming the very thing they despised most.
"One of tonight's guests is named Landau. The father's debt is paid by the child—you're the one. I'll pour you an extra drink or two tonight to collect a bit of interest first."
***
In front of the residence, a black motorcar pulled to a stop. Three youthful, radiant girls stepped out.
Two blondes and one platinum blonde—loosely speaking, three fair-haired troublemakers.
Villy tilted her head back to look at Wayne's new home, clutching her chest in mock anguish. "Veronica, tell me the truth. Is he living in such a gorgeous house because you're keeping him as a kept man?"
"No."
Veronica turned her face away. She wasn't the one keeping Wayne—her mother was.
"Darn it! A guy who could only afford potatoes a few months ago suddenly turns into a rich man! My heart aches!" Villy mourned, vowing to channel her grief into an appetite, determined to eat Wayne out of house and home tonight until he was penniless and forced to move back to his shabby detective agency.
If one meal didn't bankrupt him, she would eat many more. She would come every single day from now on.
After all, the gym wasn't far from here—just a twenty-minute bicycle ride.
Chris looked at the two of them with a smile, though her expression held a trace of disappointment. From Veronica, she had learned that Wayne had joined the Church of Nature.
Moreover, Wayne's teacher was the new High Priest—Veronica's mother.
She had clearly been the first. She was the first to discover Wayne's talent, the first to teach him how to use magic.
Chris was filled with regret. If not for an urgent matter that cropped up over three months ago, Wayne would have shared her faith in the Goddess of Moonlight.
Goddess above, where could one find a time machine?
"Honored guests, welcome."
Having changed into a tailored black suit, Wayne arrived at the front door with solemn dignity. Upon seeing the three young women, he spread his arms wide, waiting for a long-overdue reunion hug.
Veronica gave him a disdainful look. What was he dreaming about? There was no way he was getting a hug.
"Ah, Wayne!"
Villy darted forward in a swift stride and crashed straight into Wayne's chest, giving him a tight, affectionate hug.
Knocked back a step by the impact, Wayne smoothly caught Villy and spun her around in a circle. Having broken her curse, Villy stood just under one meter seventy, and her personality meshed so well with his that the two looked remarkably like a couple together.
Putting Villy down, Wayne turned to Chris and opened his arms, ready for round two.
He mentally thanked Villy for the assist; otherwise, the best he could have hoped for was a polite kiss on the fingertips.
"Me too?"
Chris looked at Wayne in surprise. Seeing him nod vigorously, she offered a gentle smile and graciously gave him a hug.
She was gentle, far more ladylike than Villy. The embrace wasn't clinging, balanced with refined decorum—neither distant nor overly intimate.
"Pervert!"
Veronica ruthlessly unmasked someone's true colors. Seeing Wayne look her way, she immediately let out a cold snort.
Villy was an exception, and Chris had only yielded out of polite goodwill. Both hugs had reasons behind them. But not her. Wayne could forget about ever getting a hug from her.
"Veronica, you're here too! The gift was wonderful; I loved it."
Wayne greeted her with a nod, then gentlemanly took the fingertips of the other two girls to usher them inside as guests.
"While I was in Enrold Town, I discovered a novel culinary method. I'm not sure if you'll like it."
"Is it tasty?"
"Extremely."
"Then I'll love it."
Veronica: "..."
Where was the hug? Why did it vanish when it came to her turn?
Wasn't Wayne supposed to plead for a hug so she could sternly reject him? Why had he just walked off?
What did he mean by that? Was she beneath his notice?
Gritting her teeth, Veronica trailed behind Wayne. It was bad enough that he hadn't given her the chance to reject a hug, but he had deliberately bypassed taking her hand as well. That bastard was growing more infuriating by the day.
At the dining table, host and guests took their seats. Hotpot had no complicated serving ritual; how meat and vegetables were paired depended entirely on personal preference.
Because the soup base was rather rich and greasy, and the guests were three young ladies, Fra had prepared a separate clear broth pot and set up a small side table laden with fruit.
While taking inventory of the estate, Fra had discovered a hidden compartment in the basement containing bundles of cash, three boxes of jewelry and diamonds, and two chests of gold bullion.
The secret compartment had never appeared on the official judicial auction records. Fra asked no questions and made no report, directly assigning it to Wayne's personal assets and drawing up a financial inventory for his master to sign.
Sidney's fortune certainly amounted to far more than this modest sum. Fra suspected there were other pleasant surprises hidden throughout the manor and had shared this thought with Wayne.
Wayne had stashed the treasure elsewhere, leaving only the cash for the butler to manage daily household expenses. As for future surprises, he would leave them to Abin—the Doberman was an expert at digging up secrets.
Back at the table, the three girls showed little interest in the bubbling spicy red broth, nor did they display much enthusiasm for the clear broth.
At least, they weren't hooked to the point of gorging themselves till bursting, as Wayne had envisioned.
It wasn't a matter of taste, but simply unfamiliar culinary habits.
The four ate and chatted. Wayne apologized to Chris for being away from Londan recently and missing her birthday party.
The birthday party was a trivial matter; the real trouble was that he had joined the faith of the Goddess of Nature.
At that thought, Chris couldn't bring herself to feel happy, though she feigned nonchalance and congratulated Wayne on finding such an accomplished teacher.
"By the way, Veronica mentioned earlier that you prepared plenty of teaching materials for me. Since I'm still at the introductory stage of magic, would you mind continuing to mentor me?" Wayne asked with earnest sincerity.
"I wouldn't mind, but won't your teacher object?"
"My teacher is very busy, so I've been studying on my own all along. If you could help, that would be wonderful."
"Pervert!"
A concise, pinpoint evaluation cut into their conversation, but it didn't sway Chris's reply. She had promised Wayne before that she would tutor him in basic magical theory.
"Wayne, look at this."
Villy picked up a banana from the small side table, peeled it, and began biting into it sideways. Wayne didn't get it, and both Veronica and Chris looked equally perplexed.
"Is there a special technique to eating it like that?" Wayne asked, curious.
"I read it in a book! This is how a proper lady eats one," Villy declared proudly.
Classic Villy—never changing!
Wayne's lips twitched. With that hint from Villy, he instantly grasped the hidden innuendo.
Girl, when I tell dirty jokes, it's to see you blush and look cute, not for you to tell one that's even dirtier!
And I haven't even started telling mine yet!
Veronica and Chris were still completely in the dark. Seeing Villy winking knowingly and Wayne burying his head in his food, their curiosity only deepened.
Stop talking in riddles and spit it out already!
Veronica even picked up a banana and took a bite sideways, trying to decipher the mystery for herself.
Chris pondered for a moment before sudden enlightenment struck. Tugging at Veronica's sleeve, she whispered the reason in her ear.
Stop eating it, you look like a fool!
Veronica's face flushed scarlet in an instant. She slammed the banana onto her plate in indignation. Villy, seasoned in such matters, realized things were turning sour and beat a hasty retreat.
Unfortunately, she was vanquished in the living room and pinned down on the sofa by Veronica.
"I was wrong, I was wrong! Wayne, come save me, my arm is breaking!"
"Hmph! No one can save you today! Will you ever dare do that again?"
"I'll dare do it next time too!"
"..."
"Aaaagh—!"
This was what happened when a normal girl clashed with a girl possessing dragon blood.
Wayne watched Villy in awe. She truly had mastered a hundred and eight ways to make Veronica's fur bristle. With her around, Wayne didn't even need to say a word—he could just sit back and enjoy endless amusement.
***
In the living room, Fra set down the black tea and quietly withdrew. As a professional butler, he knew precisely when to appear and when to make himself scarce.
Across the two sofas, Veronica and Villy were roughhousing together, while Wayne and Chris simultaneously raised their teacups, blowing on the hot tea in perfect unison. In this frame, the two looked more like an old married couple.
And across from them sat two unruly children.
Wayne retrieved a bottle of red wine from the liquor cabinet. In high spirits tonight, he asked if anyone wanted a glass of an adult beverage.
"Pervert!"
Apart from Villy, who was eager to join in, the other two flatly refused.
Wayne shrugged and returned the wine bottle to the cabinet. Truth be told, he wasn't particularly fond of drinking either; he had simply felt the mood was ripe and sensed an opportunity.
Without alcohol to lubricate the proceedings, the two party games Wayne had so eagerly anticipated turned out lukewarm and completely devoid of thrilling highlights. After two hours of play, he hadn't managed to get a single piece of clothing shed.
Boring!
"That was so much fun!"
The clock neared ten at night. Villy, who had lost continuously from start to finish, remained thoroughly enchanted. Chris glanced at the time; it was getting late, and she needed to return to her school dormitory.
Veronica, who had been winning all night, was also preparing to say her goodbyes. Villy was reluctant to stop, wanting to keep playing—preferably until midnight.
"But the school gates will close soon..."
"It doesn't matter! I'm planning to stay here tonight anyway. Chris, just stay with me!" Villy pleaded, hugging her senior's arm.
Unable to withstand the pestering, Chris turned an embarrassed look toward Wayne. With a solemn expression, Wayne nodded. "Villy is right. Walking late at night isn't safe. I'll have the butler prepare two guest rooms right away. In the future, these two rooms will be reserved especially for you, so remember to bring some daily necessities next time you visit."
"Wayne, you're the best!"
Don't mention it—I should be thanking you for the assist!
Veronica: (▼ヘ▼#)
Traitor!
They had agreed to arrive together and leave together—how had they suddenly changed their minds?
And furthermore, wasn't anyone going to ask whether she was willing to stay the night?
"Veronica, are you heading back tonight? Given the hour, if you're not going back, you should at least give your family a telephone call," Wayne offered proactively.
"Hmph, pervert!"
Veronica rolled her eyes at Wayne. "Where is the telephone?"
"In the study."
Wayne stood up and led the three young ladies on a tour of the manor. "Since you'll probably visit often from now on, I'll show you around. Though it might seem quiet and secluded, it has one major advantage: no elders nagging you. It doesn't matter if you run around barefoot in your pajamas in the corridors."
"Splendid! I'm moving in tomorrow!" Villy cheered enthusiastically.
"Uh, I'm afraid that won't work..."
Wayne's eyelid twitched. It wasn't that he objected, but that the gym bros wouldn't tolerate it.
If Villy truly moved in, this household would fall apart by tomorrow—literally fall to pieces.
***
The night passed without incident, tranquil and quiet.
The maid drove the three young ladies home before heading to the commercial street to transport more of Wayne's belongings. When she returned that afternoon, she brought Wayne a black invitation.
The sealing wax on the back bore the insignia of the White Glove Association.
Wayne opened the envelope. Inside lay an official document, accompanied by a check and a ship ticket.
[Respected Mr. Wayne, we have received your application for membership.]
[It is our great honor to inform you that your application has been approved. You are now a member of our White Glove Detective Association. Membership Rank: None (Pending)...]
Wayne read through the letter line by line. The gist was simple: although his application had passed initial approval, he had yet to pass formal vetting, and the White Glove Association could revoke his membership at any time.
Without the association's official certification, a detective would miss out on numerous benefits—most prominently, it would be difficult to secure high-quality commissions from prominent dignitaries.
In short, a drastic drop in income.
To receive lucrative commissions, one had to raise their membership rank. The White Glove Association required grinding rather than paying; there was no paid upgrade path, and the only way to advance was by completing commissions.
The letter assigned Wayne a commission set on Dragon Heart Island in the North Sea. The client was a family member of a local magnate, requesting an investigation into the truth behind the wealthy man's accidental death.
Wayne had the option to decline. Mailing back the ship ticket and check would be deemed an automatic forfeiture, and once the White Glove Association received the letter, they would revoke his membership status.
However, if Wayne chose to board the ship to Dragon Heart Island and successfully completed the commission, not only would his membership rank rise, but a final settlement check would also be mailed to him.
"Quite mysterious. This White Glove Association is definitely not simple."
Wayne's curiosity was piqued. Picking up the check, the amount of twenty thousand shillings genuinely stunned him. If the advance payment was already this exorbitant, the final payout would surely be astronomical.
Wayne's interest grew even stronger.
Twenty thousand shillings was secondary; Sidney's legacy was already enough to keep him living in comfort for a long time, and with his silk stockings about to hit the market, he had more than enough to juggle three girls at once.
The key lay in the White Glove Association's membership ranks. Wayne was both curious and tempted: if he attained the highest rank, what sort of commissions would become available to him?
Tempted, Wayne decided out of prudence to consult his all-capable butler.
"Fra, do you know anything about Dragon Heart Island?"
"An island located in the North Sea, sir. Its fishing industry is remarkably well-developed, the climate is pleasant, and the scenery is lovely. There is a stretch of virgin jungle awaiting development, and tourism is reportedly being promoted there." Fra did not disappoint Wayne, possessing at least a passing knowledge of everything.
"Is it safe?"
"During the winter, there are fierce storms that sound like the roar of a giant dragon."
"And do you know about the White Glove Association?"
"A little, sir. It is an officially recognized organization that is sometimes commissioned by intelligence agencies to conduct investigations."
"Oh? Tell me more about that. What kind of investigations do intelligence agencies usually commission?"
"Generally speaking, commissions from intelligence agencies involve foreign spies."
"..."
Wayne's lips twitched. Feeling rather guilty lately, the word "spy" was the last thing he wanted to hear.
Chapter 88