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Chapter 50: The Big Case of the Nineteen Copper Wheels
Chapter 50: The Big Case of the Nineteen Copper Wheels
"The situation is already set in stone..."
Although this might sound a bit cringeworthy, Lyon thought it over and felt that this phrase perfectly described the current state of affairs at Char Department Store.
When Char Department Store first started causing trouble, perhaps someone could have stopped them. After all, before the train starts moving, all it takes is a small wooden block on the tracks to halt its progress.
But now, with the uproar growing louder and more people benefiting from the situation, and even more awaiting compensation, it's as if the train has already left the station. At this point, not even a wooden block would suffice, let alone a solid iron wall, to stop it without getting run over!
As Lyon's curiosity about Old Char grew, and he chatted with the carriage driver, the steam carriage roared along the road, already arriving near the headquarters of Char Department Store.
Peering through the gleaming glass, Lyon witnessed the frenzied crowd outside and the nearly full money chest. He couldn't help but marvel at Old Char's generosity while feeling a pang of sympathy as he took out two silver coins and handed them to the carriage driver.
"Keep the change!"
"..."
Seeing Lyon's serene expression as he stretched out his hand after paying, the carriage driver couldn't help but click his tongue in disbelief.
Damn, from the starting point to here, a distance of twenty-two kilometers, minus five and add two, this trip should cost you nineteen copper wheels. I've been answering your questions and chatting with you all this time, and you won't even spare a small tip? I should just keep the money!
Sorry, tipping is a habit of the rich, and I've been a poor soul for two lifetimes, still not completely out of poverty. I don't deserve such an extravagant expense.
Amid the carriage driver's disapproving gaze, Lyon took the copper wheel in change, feeling both happy and frustrated as he held the bloodstained file folder close to his chest and stepped out of the carriage.
The driving force behind his actions, from stealing documents at the Hydro Company to contacting the newspaper for exposure, was to help those patients wailing in the hospital corridors. He felt that only by exposing this incident and making a big fuss could they have a chance to receive adequate compensation for their treatment.
However, before Lyon could succeed in exposing the matter, the patients had already started receiving compensation. As Lyon breathed a sigh of relief, he also felt a sense of disappointment, like a powerful strike that missed its target.
Hmm... Maybe I should go meet this "Old Char" after all!
Recalling the situation he overheard in the Hydro Company's meeting room, Lyon pondered for a while before heading towards the building of Char Department Store.
The dispute in the meeting room involved three noble families, led by Lionheart Lain, who seemed to be conspiring to take over Char Department Store. They had intentionally reduced the number of filtration cycles and dumped partially treated sewage into the water supply.
Although the patients had received compensation, these three scoundrels had yet to be punished. Lyon happened to possess the operational records of the Hydro Company and several documents with approvals from higher-ups.
While the priority of "punishing evil" was not as high as "rescuing the vulnerable," there were tons of daily mishaps in the kingdom that Lyon couldn't possibly handle alone...
But since I'm here, I can't let these twenty copper wheels go to waste!
"You're telling me the most crucial files are missing?"
After hearing the detective agency's report, the dark-skinned old man frowned, twisting his thick knuckles, hardened from years of labor. He knocked on the sturdy desk made of curved willow wood and spoke with displeasure:
"It's not just about bribing a few security guards and archivists. The fees I've paid you these days are enough to buy off a county councilor. Are you really working diligently for me?"
"Well, Mr. Char, this situation is a bit unique..."
Seeing their biggest client's anger, the detective agency members couldn't help but change their expressions, quickly offering an explanation:
B
Taking advantage of the three consecutive days your wife spent in meetings, diverting everyone's attention, and during the most relaxed period for the Hydro Company, our team has completely taken over the archives room.
However, just as our people organized a few documents and followed the archivists into the inner room to search for the remaining files, that damn Security Manager happened to walk into the outer room.
Somehow, he picked up the two most crucial files out of the nearly thirty documents stacked on the table. Mr. Char, we really..."
"Enough, I'm not interested in your story!"
Glancing at the detective agency's gloomy expression, Old Char, his eyes bloodshot, frowned and spoke with a stern tone.
"Whatever mistakes you've made is your problem. I need evidence proving that the three old noble families, especially the Lane family, deliberately violated the regulations! Since the files are with the Security Manager, go get them back for me!"
"This..."
The detective pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and bowed, saying:
"Our people immediately went after the missing items, but soon after the Security Manager obtained the files, they were snatched away by someone who had sneaked into the conference room—the very officer who saved your wife.
That young officer, after taking the items, led our people on a wild chase through the Hydro Company, probably setting up tripwires in hidden spots beforehand, causing our team to fall and get seriously injured, with several of them knocked unconscious..."
He paused, allowing the person with bandages on his head to come closer. The detective opened his mouth, revealing his empty gums, and continued with a bitter smile:
"Mr. Char, I know this sounds hard to believe, but look at his teeth... Our people were chasing him like their lives depended on it, but they genuinely couldn't catch up.
The man's physical abilities are incredibly impressive, and he seems to have undergone special training. After thoroughly outmaneuvering us and confirming that no one could follow and interfere, he climbed out of the sixth-floor air vent in less than ten seconds.
Then, he kicked the window, flipped out of the sixth floor, and seemingly escaped via a pre-attached zip line. Our team chased after him, but we didn't even catch a glimpse of his appearance..."
"Then go find those who have met him!"
Old Char pressed his buzzing head and knocked on the table again.
"I've been supporting you for so many years, spending so much money annually, and hiring so many people. I expect you to be useful in times like this! Whether it's with money or other means, find out who he is, and get him for me! Retrieve those documents!"
"Yes, Mr. Char, we're already working on that!"
Seeing that the old man didn't seem to press further on his responsibility, the detective from the agency was overjoyed. He nodded repeatedly, assuring:
"That person kept his head down, hiding his face with his hat brim. The only ones who saw his full face were your daughter and that lucky Security Manager.
Since your wife suddenly fell ill, your daughter was crying... emotionally, so she didn't get a clear look at his appearance. We couldn't get a description, so we focused our investigation on the Security Manager, and we've already found some clues!
Mr. Char, rest assured, as long as those files haven't been destroyed, we at 'Silver Hook' guarantee we'll retrieve them for you!"
(End of Chapter)
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