Chapter 368: Ambush
Chapter 368: Ambush
Within a week, something would happen?
After hearing the red-haired director's judgment, Lyon subconsciously nodded, but upon further reflection, he noticed something amiss.
"Wait! Your wallet? Was it you who lost your wallet yesterday?"
"..."
Oh no... I was so focused on figuring out the Water Bottle Director's intentions that I forgot about this...
"I... I can explain."
Seeing Lyon's expression shift from surprise to suspicion, and then recalling the situation, Lyon's face lit up with realization. The red-haired director, feeling embarrassed, cleared her throat and tried to make up for it, "Actually..."
"You did get drunk and lose your wallet, but you felt too embarrassed to tell me directly, so you tried to trick me into helping you find it. But in reality, we didn't find anything, and all of this was just a coincidence?"
"..."
No... How did you figure it out so quickly? Did someone tell you something?
"It wasn't entirely a coincidence."
Seeing Lyon's stern expression, the red-haired director, in a rare moment, blushed slightly and gestured with a hint of guilt.
"I did sense something was slightly off, but... although it wasn't much, there was indeed a hint of it."
"..."
So it was just as the Wooden Carved Black Sheep had guessed!!!
Observing the red-haired director's "slight" gesture, Lyon couldn't help but scowl. However, remembering her past kindness towards him, he suppressed his anger and instead, with a grim face, asked, "Director, in the future... shouldn't you drink less?"
"I... I'll try..."
Try your best, my foot!
Seeing the red-haired director's evasive expression, Lyon understood that her resolve would likely last no longer than a week. He sighed but didn't press the issue further.
After all, the red-haired director's situation was unique. She needed to occasionally numb herself with alcohol to temporarily escape the guilt brought on by the Divine-grade Cursed Beast, the 'Slaughter of Crimson Hair'. Forcing her to completely quit drinking would be a form of torment.
"Forget it, just drink if you want."
Lyon shook his head helplessly, deciding not to pursue the matter of her tricking him into searching for the wallet. Instead, he gently advised, "But you must be more careful than this. Don't drink to the point where you don't notice your wallet being taken. Always maintain some vigilance, or else you might get into real danger if someone takes advantage of the situation."
"..."
Lyon, clearly upset but not holding a grudge, gently lifted and released the red-haired director, causing her heart to skip a beat. She couldn't help but hiss, "Hiss... Lyon... Are you okay?"
"?"
What did he mean by that?
"Are you not angry?" the red-haired director asked, blinking.
"If it were Emma, and she found out that I made a mistake due to drinking and then lied to her to get her to run errands for me, she'd probably be mad at me for a long time and demand that I pay her back or something... Aren't you angry?"
"I am angry, but not as angry as I could be," Lyon said, after glancing at her vibrant red hair.
"Senior Emma and I are different. She might know about the existence of the 'Slaughter of Crimson Hair', but she probably doesn't understand the extent of the pain it inflicts on the user. I've touched your hair and know what it means to wield this Anomaly.
You have your flaws, but you've been doing well in your daily duties. It would be selfish of me to force you to stay sober while protecting humanity, enduring pain, and constantly shielding me from the storm.
No one is born with the obligation to bear these burdens. So, if you want to drink, then drink, but be cautious in potentially dangerous situations. Stay alert and don't give others the chance to harm you. Remember, the entire Virgin Bureau relies on your support, so always prioritize your safety."
"..."
After hearing Lyon's response, the red-haired director paused for a moment, then sniffed hard and clasped her hands to her heart, her eyes brimming with emotion. "Oh my, you're so sweet... You've really touched me!
This is the first time someone has been so considerate towards me. You're always thinking of me, not only do you not complain about my deception, but you even try to find reasons within yourself... Waaaaah, I'm so touched I almost offered myself to you.
By the way, Lyon, since you're supportive, I carefully considered it just now and realized that five Golden Wheels aren't quite enough. So... can you take out that wallet and lend me five more Golden Wheels?"
"..."
"No!"
Lyon felt a bit embarrassed when he heard the first half of her request, but upon hearing the latter part, his face darkened. "I've changed my mind. If you keep drinking, you'll eventually crash and burn! Also, if you don't have any objections, I'm taking the Loan Bag as well. Having this item with you is a waste of its potential... I'm off duty!"
"Alright, alright! You're so stingy!"
The red-haired director smiled as she watched Lyon leave. She sat alone at her desk for a moment before standing up and opening the window of her office. Leaning against the windowsill, she gazed outside.
In the direction of her gaze, a certain stingy man who refused to lend money was just stepping out of the Police Department's premises, signaling a carriage to pick him up.
As Lyon negotiated with the carriage driver and boarded the carriage, heading towards Bridge Street, the red-haired director with her sharp eyes sniffed and turned back inside. She picked up the bottle on the table and took a big gulp.
"A young lad who's barely grown his hair is trying to show off in front of me? Humph!"
..."
"Alright, stop here!"
Lyon calculated the distance from the Police Department to his home and, just before the meter started ticking, knocked on the carriage window. Amidst the rumbling of the steam engine, he shouted, "Stop here! I'll walk the rest of the way! If you drive any further, I won't pay for the extra distance!"
"Tsk! Don't people who work in the administrative district usually not haggle over prices? How can you be so stingy?" The carriage driver, who had intended to drive a bit further, clicked his tongue and, with a sullen face, stopped the steam carriage by the roadside.
Lyon handed over the exact amount of money he had calculated and, having saved one copper wheel, smiled as he stepped out of the carriage. In the moonlight, he walked towards the direction of Happiness Apartments.
"Grandpa, still working hard?"
Lyon greeted the elderly man in the garden, who was intently trimming hedges with a pair of shears. After the old man was tied up by a curly-haired old lady with yarn, Lyon chatted with the caretaker lady for a while, feeling quite pleased. He then cheerfully made his way upstairs.
Home sweet home.
Lyon had spent the morning handling mission reports, the afternoon gathering his radical faction to destroy evidence of the attack on the Dock Tower, and the evening working overtime to retrieve a wallet. After a long day, he stretched his tired body and walked towards the house he called home, his face relaxed.
As he reached the sixth floor, the door, which had been tightly shut, opened at that very moment, just like always. In the warm light that reminded him of the past, a beautiful face smiled at him.
"Anna, I'm back... but why are you here?" Lyon asked, surprised.
"Why can't I be here?" Princess Veronica asked with a playful smile, adjusting the collar of her silk robe to cover her ample cleavage. "My dear, you're back from work. Do you want to take a shower first, or eat dinner, or...?"
(End of Chapter)
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