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chapter 29




“So, who’s gonna see us?”
Thulhu asked the question when they were taking a walk on campus.
“It’s Lyme Vinci, the famous entrepreneur, who owns many factories! His word really counts for something on the university board as well as at city hall! Also, he’s a devoted follower of the Goddess of Light, just like my father!”
Donald answered.
Donald was implying that Lyme Vinci would be able to help introduce them to people in the church and in the police department.
Also, such an important man must know something about the extraordinary world; thus, they wouldn’t be treated like idiots.
Thulhu nodded. “Good, then we…”
He suddenly stopped talking, because he saw two police officers walking over to him.
“Thulhu Botley!”
The female officer who called his name was Marilyn!
“Hi, Marilyn.” Thulhu smiled. “What brings you two here?”
“It’s about Beatrice again. We need you to come to the police station with us to assist in our investigation,” said Marilyn seriously.
“Again?”
Thulhu sighed.
However, at that moment, Donald stepped out. “Excuse me, ma’am… I don’t think Thulhu should go to the police station when you didn’t let him know in advance. At least, he should have been informed beforehand so that he would have time to bring an attorney along with him. Also, we have an appointment with a university board member this afternoon!”
“And you are…?”
Marilyn frowned.
“I’m Donald! Donald Wesley!” He put on a big, standard smile, showing his white teeth.
The male officer gave an indignant snort.
Standing behind Marilyn, he gave Donald an angry glare.
Thulhu was confused. “Can you be more specific? What is this about? I told you everything I know last time.”
“We just have some additional questions…” Marilyn answered hesitantly.
Something clearly wasn’t right.
Thulhu and Donald exchanged quick looks, and Thulhu said, “I see. If you have any questions, you can ask me right now, or perhaps you can talk to my lawyer first.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Marilyn’s face instantly became rather unhappy. She gave Donald an angry glare, and then left with the male officer.
“Well, I don’t have a lawyer…”
Thulhu suddenly spoke after a short while.
“No worries. I’ll introduce one to you if you need one. But… don’t you think this is suspicious?”
Donald continued, “The police approached you right on time. I think it’s quite obvious: I asked some people to spread the news, and now someone’s ready to take action…”
Was this a power struggle within the police department, or among the higher-ups in Niah?
Thulhu and Donald were nobodies. They didn’t want to get involved in this.
Thulhu was silent for a little while before he said to Donald decisively, “We should see Lyme Vinci right now and give him the information!”
After Lyme Vinci got the information, Thulhu and Donald would become totally useless, and would thus be safe.
“You’re right.” Donald nodded.
Donald then hired a coach. Both of them hopped on.
The landscape flashed past outside the coach windows. Half an hour later, it stopped in front of a big, classic-looking house.
The house was huge. In Thulhu’s eyes, it was basically a manor.
It seemed that it was quite profitable to be an entrepreneur in White Eagle Union.
It was a pity that Thulhu couldn’t just be a businessman in this world. He followed Donald as they walked through the gate. Then, a male servant led them to the main hall.
The spacious hall had marble pillars, a soft red carpet, and fancy purple woolen curtains. The curtains were now wide open, and bright sunlight streamed through the full-length windows and reflected off the giant chandelier, which hung in the middle, in dazzling spots of light.
“The master is taking a nap. Please wait a while.”
A butler with gray hair and who was wearing a black tailcoat showed up with the explanation.
“It’s okay. We can wait!”
Donald sat down on the couch.
Two maids brought black tea and an exquisite, three-layered, silver stand. Each layer was loaded with colorful light refreshments that smelled really nice.
“I know it’s a bit early for afternoon tea, but who minds, right?”
The butler was well-mannered, humorous and profound. He chatted casually with Thulhu and Donald to pass the time.
To Thulhu’s surprise, this old gentleman had a bachelor’s degree and had dabbled in many fields such as history, science and steam machines. No matter what the topic was, the butler could follow along with ease.
This butler was probably more outstanding than most university graduates.
Ding!
The conversation was going so well that they paid no attention at all to how quickly the time flew by, until a bell rang.
“Excuse me!”
The butler bowed to them slightly and left. A short while later, Mr. Lyme Vinci was accompanied by the butler as he came in.
Mr. Lyme Vinci was in his early forties and had curly hair and brown eyes. He looked like someone of a mixed race to Thulhu. Plus, what couldn’t be ignored was Lyme Vinci’s beer belly.
Honestly speaking, the butler looked more decent than the master.
But the casual look on the man’s face and his relaxed gait was proof enough that he was the owner of this property.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Vinci!”
Donald stood up first and shook hands with him. He then made the introductions. “This is Thulhu Botley!”
“Good to meet you, young lad,” said Lyme, who stretched out his hand first.
Then Lyme nodded to both of them and said, “Please have a seat. I think we can have a good conversation here!”
The butler as well as the servants left the hall of their own accord and the doors closed behind them.
Only the three of them were left in the hall.
“Well… where should I start?”
Thulhu coughed a bit and sorted out his words. “So, Mr. Vinci… I wonder how much you know about… that?”
Lyme chuckled and sipped on his tea.
“A lot. Much more than you think. For example, I know that the Botley family is an extraordinary family!”
Thulhu was surprised.
“Don’t be nervous!” Lyme grinned and put his hands together in a praying gesture. “We’re all followers of the Goddess of Light, and the Botley family has served the goddess for generations! This is also the reason why the university accepted you so easily.”
Thulhu knew what Lyme was doing. By mentioning Thulhu’s family and showing Thulhu that he had a lot of information, Lyme was trying to control the conversation.
Thulhu pretended to be surprised. “No wonder! I have so many things to tell you, sir. I discovered an extraordinary hiding in the school, and she attacked me for it!”
Of course, Thulhu wasn’t going to be one hundred percent upfront about it.