Gun of Ashes

Although Lorenzo is a solitary detective, in reality, he has better luck with women than anyone would imagine.

His past experience as ’the affair terminator’ allowed him to meet many noblewomen. In fact, with Lorenzo as a connecting link, these noblewomen who were hurt by men formed a small group. They maintain a goodwill towards Lorenzo, making them a rare social network for him in Old Dunling.

Of course, in his six years of work, Lorenzo not only met those noblewomen; he knows people from various other industries. But since most of the employers were Bola, most of those people did not end well, with a few even fleeing overseas.

But the girl before him was different; she was one of his rarest and most special clients.

”I’ve told you, if you’re coming over, could you please give me a heads up?”

Lorenzo reached out to pull the shower curtain tight, then grabbed a towel to wrap himself.

You think she’s Eve? No, no, no. With a demon hunter’s senses, few could escape Lorenzo’s detection. If it had been Eve, Lorenzo would have noticed something was off early on. But there are always exceptions, like her. Her presence is so low that unless she explicitly emphasized her existence, even Lorenzo would have difficulty noticing her.

”So, what’s up with you this time? Did your cat run away? Or is it some strange commission? I charge a lot here.”

Lorenzo stepped out with the towel around him. The girl gazed directly at him, her clear blue eyes reflecting Lorenzo’s awkwardness. Even the demon hunter who never retreated facing demons felt a bit embarrassed.

”No, I was just passing by. I heard you got hired by Suyalan Hall, and wanted to congratulate you on finally getting a decent job.”

As she spoke, the girl opened a wine bottle beside her, emitting a crisp sound.

”Underage drinking is prohibited.”

Lorenzo, expressionless, took the bottle and placed it on the windowsill; he usually liked to nestle there for a drink.

”Here.”

With that, Lorenzo took a piece of paper from the counter, scribbled something on it, and handed it to the girl.

”This is my account. If you really want to congratulate me, transfer the money to me.”

The girl looked at the detective with a serious face, showing a slight ease on her cold face. This was still that somewhat eccentric Lorenzo; everything seemed normal.

”So straightforward? Do you want me to keep you?”

”If it’s about keeping me, you might not have a chance. Although I’m passably good-looking, I’m quite popular with the ’Saturday Housewives’.”

The ’Saturday Housewives’ is that group of noblewomen gathered because of Lorenzo. They usually meet for fun and to curse their husbands’ sins on Saturdays. But despite that, they really like Lorenzo, saying that without him, they wouldn’t have met, and even thinking of making Lorenzo the mascot of their group.

Lorenzo was quite tempted when he saw the price tag, but upon seeing that damned outfit, he sternly refused.

”Ah... by the way, Selyu, how did you get in?”

After contemplating for a moment, Lorenzo suddenly asked. Given Mrs. Van Rudd’s personality, she wouldn’t allow strangers in. Lorenzo’s work is special, and although he handles things very cleanly every time, it is inevitable that some overly sensitive people manage to find his dwelling.

”Very simple, by becoming friends with Mrs. Van Rudd.”

Selyu turned around to face Lorenzo, her clear gaze making Lorenzo quite uncomfortable.

”That grumpy old lady?”

”Yeah, it was your suggestion, Lorenzo. Becoming friends solves a large part of the problem.”

Looking at this girl who seemed like cold snow, Lorenzo slightly regarded her more seriously. He suddenly realized that he hadn’t seen her for quite some time, then, wrapped in a towel, sat by the window.

”Tell me, becoming friends with that old lady isn’t an easy task.”

It was as if it were a test, like an exam by a teacher for his student. Lorenzo met her gaze in return. There was a bit of a resemblance between the two.

”Old, living alone without family, at her age, she’d probably want a grandson or granddaughter, right?”

Selyu spread her arms, displaying her slender and graceful body.

Lorenzo nodded. This is what he taught Selyu; sometimes, the body is a very good weapon.

”And then? What did you do to make that old lady so besotted with you?”

Lorenzo grew more curious about what Selyu had learned in the time they hadn’t seen each other.

”Amuse her, that’s all. It was what you taught me, wasn’t it? Deceive them using what they wish for. She craved affection, so give affection. Even if she notices something is off, since it’s what she wants, she’ll accept it.”

There was a glimmer in Selyu’s eyes; those clear blue eyes were like sapphires. Lorenzo once said her eyes had magic power, allowing her to easily see through human hearts. The truth was indeed so. She was the sharpest child Lorenzo had ever seen. Everyone lost their mental defenses in front of her.

”Gaining an old woman’s trust this way is truly despicable.”

Lorenzo admired her skills, but still posed a question.

”Isn’t it a good deal? Although based on deception, the care she receives is genuine.”

Selyu’s voice remained icy. Lorenzo was used to her being like this; she was practically an ice cube.

”Actually, I just wanted to check on you. After all, you became an external detective for Suyalan Hall. It’s hard to imagine what might happen.”

”Why, is it so unbelievable that I’m doing legitimate work?”

Lorenzo replied fiercely, but Selyu suddenly fell silent, her blue eyes meeting Lorenzo’s. In that beautiful blue, Lorenzo felt a bit dizzy.

But Lorenzo quickly overcame that feeling, his voice a bit annoyed.

”Selyu, we agreed that not everyone wants their thoughts to be read by you.”

Selyu promptly replied.

”Just curious about what you’ve been through recently.”

The voice was still cold. In this girl, you rarely sensed her emotional side, and just like her magical eyes, she was the sharpest mind Lorenzo had ever seen. Compared to himself, she was the true detective, seeing through everything about you with just a glance.

But just as Lorenzo was about to say something, he heard the intense sound of tires screeching against the ground. Lorenzo instinctively turned his head, and a pitch-black limousine had stopped in front of 121A Cork Street.

”I guess you weren’t just passing by, right?”

Lorenzo felt a little out of breath, to be fair, he could fool many, but among all the people he had encountered, she was the only one he could barely keep up with.

Selyu finally showed a trace of expression on her frosty face, a look of what might have been an apology, perhaps trying to act cute, sticking her tongue out slightly. But to Lorenzo, it appeared to be mocking him.

The car door opened, and a group of black-clad men aggressively pushed open the main door. Lorenzo was initially bewildered, then quickly pushed Selyu’s head into the wardrobe and jumped back into the bathtub himself.

Almost at the moment Lorenzo lay back in the bathtub, the room door was ruthlessly pushed open, and the small room was suddenly filled with people.

”Mr. Holmes?”

An old butler slowly walked into the room, looking at Lorenzo in the bathtub with a menacing look.

”Hmm? What’s up, Yawei?”

Lorenzo turned his head, showing a polite but slightly awkward smile.

Honestly, this might be Lorenzo’s most embarrassing day, soaking in the bathtub while surrounded by men with guns hidden under clothes. He suddenly understood how the Marquis Barov felt when held at gunpoint in the bath... is this karma?

The butler named Yawei didn’t say much more; he dragged a chair over and sat in front of Lorenzo.

He remained silent, staring at Lorenzo as if he were a lion examining its prey.

After a long time, Lorenzo attempted to break the damned silence, cautiously asking.

”So... did Miss Stuart from your household sneak out again?”