🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 109
Emily went to see the most famous celebrity raised by the Star Organization, Roger Goldwin.
“Your performance was amazing today.”
“Ma’am! It’s been a while. But… who’s this with you?”
Roger eyed the person standing next to Emily with caution.
“Why are you so sharp? I was just about to compliment you on your acting too.”
Messina spoke in a slightly sarcastic tone.
“Messina, you didn’t come to see your own troupe’s performance?”
“Honestly, it’s more fun looking at your face than watching the kids. And that hairstyle suits you well today.”
“Messina, do you only ever talk about appearances when you see me?”
“Well?”
Roger gave up on trying to converse with Messina and turned his attention back to Emily.
“Ma’am, please come in first.”
He made space for her in one corner of his waiting room, and Messina quickly joined them, sitting beside her.
“I don’t recall inviting Messina here,” Emily said, looking slightly embarrassed by Roger’s still formal attitude.
“I brought her along. There’s something important I needed to discuss,” Emily explained.
Roger furrowed his brows and tilted his head.
No matter how he looked at it, the combination of these two was strange. It was as if an innocent, clueless puppy was walking alongside a wildcat.
Regardless of Roger’s thoughts, Emily cheerfully asked,
“Roger, do you like card games, by any chance?”
Out of the blue, Roger felt like he was getting more and more lost in a maze.
“Yes… I enjoy them.”
At Roger’s confirmation, Emily and Messina exchanged glances and smiled.
It was the most suspicious smile Roger had seen in a long time.
“Do you have any days off this month?”
Roger, ever cautious, answered slowly.
“Yes, I have a break starting the day after tomorrow.”
Judging by the atmosphere, it was clear they were planning to ask him for something unusual.
“What exactly is this about?”
Finally, Roger asked directly. Emily cleared her throat and got to the point.
“You’ve heard that the young master was attacked by the Viscount of Coventry, right?”
“Yes, I know about it.”
It was infuriating to think that someone so unheard of dared to attack the boss.
“Then, are you aware that the Viscount of Coventry made some sort of deal with Count Enoch Bloua?”
“Yes, I heard that you witnessed it personally.”
The Star Organization’s informants were fully mobilized to investigate the relationship between the two.
“I also heard that the Viscount of Coventry is a member of the Pantheon Club.”
Roger’s expression turned serious as he pondered.
“I thought the Pantheon Club was a secret club with very few members… how could he possibly…?”
“Smells fishy, right?”
Messina interjected while sipping her tea from the pot.
“Ugh, it’s all cold now.”
She pouted and put the teacup down again.
“What’s the point of keeping all that magic stone in your organization if you can’t even use it to heat the pot?”
“I like the bitter taste, so I drink it cold on purpose.”
“Everyone has their quirks, huh.”
Emily cleared her throat to steer the conversation back.
The two returned their attention to Emily.
“If we meet members of the Pantheon Club, we might be able to find out the extent of their connection.”
“That’s certainly possible.”
“That’s why I came to you. I want you to come with me.”
“Excuse me?”
It was a request Roger never expected.
“If I go alone, I’ll probably be turned away. But they say if someone as famous as you comes along, the chances of getting in are much higher.”
“That may be true, but will it be okay for you, ma’am?”
“The Viscount of Coventry injured his arm, so he won’t be visiting the club for now. We can take advantage of that.”
“No, I mean the boss probably wouldn’t let you go there.”
“Oh.”
Emily continued casually.
“I’ll just say I’m going to play a card game.”
“And the Pantheon Club is in the Lejeta district, right? If I say I’ll protect you, they won’t object.”
“Should I also mention that I’m going with you?”
“Then you’ll be even safer, won’t you?”
Both of them gave ambiguous expressions at Emily’s words.
“I think it’s better not to say that.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Roger remembered the nightmare when he used to cut his hair short to avoid Kilian’s jealousy after Emily said his long hair was attractive.
“Alright? Fine then.”
At Emily’s response, Roger hurriedly spoke.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going!”
“Hey, it’s rare a woman wants to step up for her man—are you really not going to help?”
Messina crossed her arms, and Emily nodded in agreement.
“You all know my game skills. I can beat all the Star Organization members.”
Though it sounded like cute bravado, it was actually true.
“It looks like it’s time to use my skills.”
At that, Roger sighed and buried his head in his hands.
“Ugh, this is really troublesome.”
“If Goldwin finds it too difficult, we can’t force him,” Emily said, lowering her gaze with a pout.
“…Fine.”
Roger eventually gave in.
“Really?”
“Yes, ma’am. Your proposed method seems the simplest way to figure out the Viscount’s identity.”
Messina patted Roger on the shoulder.
“Good thinking.”
Roger glared at Messina, suspecting she was the mastermind behind Emily pushing this plan forward.
“You’ll cover our backs, right?”
“Of course.”
Roger suddenly felt something was off.
“The Giuliano Organization isn’t involved in this, so why help us?”
“Are you sure Giuliano isn’t involved?”
Messina spoke with a hint of mystery.
“What do you mean? Are you saying the Giuliano Organization is involved?”
“Just my speculation for now.”
Messina stopped herself from saying more.
“If we dig into the Viscount of Coventry, we’ll uncover more eventually.”
Wishing anything from that witch-like woman was purely his own desire.
“…Alright. We’ll proceed assuming Messina is helping.”
Emily and Messina high-fived.
They had finally succeeded in persuading Roger Goldwin.
A few days later, the three stood in front of the Pantheon Club.
“My intel says today is the day members who frequently played with the Viscount of Coventry gather,” Messina said confidently.
“Are you sure the Viscount isn’t coming?”
“Yes, his wrist injury seems pretty serious.”
“Good.”
Messina shrugged and told them,
“Even though the Pantheon Club is in our territory, our influence doesn’t reach there.”
Usually, clubs had strong ties with mafia organizations, and the organization would provide protection in exchange for money.
However, clubs like the Pantheon Club with their own security were rare but did exist.
“If any problems arise inside, I can handle them, but you two have to manage your own entry.”
“Yes, we understand.”
Roger had gone to great lengths to look more polished than even for a performance, hoping for a smooth entry.
And beside him stood Emily…
“Does this look weird?”
“No, you look like a girl who ran away from home to gamble. Good disguise.”
She hadn’t planned to change her appearance at first, but with recent scandals involving Prince Kite, she disguised herself in case anyone recognized her.
Also, if there were rumors about her appearing with Roger at the club, she could become a legendary femme fatale, so she decided to disguise herself.
Wearing a platinum wig and using a serum that changed her eye color, gifted by Johan, Emily temporarily had sky-blue eyes.
She added beauty marks on one cheek and under one eye, and her makeup was several times more extravagant than usual.
“Do your best.”
With Messina’s encouragement, Emily and Roger knocked on the Pantheon Club’s door.
After a moment, a massive guard opened the door.
“Roger Goldwin?”
“You know me?”
Roger smiled confidently and shook the guard’s hand.
“Of course! Aren’t you the best actor in Vincent? Wow, I get to shake hands with such a famous actor!”
Despite his rough appearance, the guard was very sociable.
“But what brings you here?”
“I want to enjoy a card game with my friend,” Roger said.
Perfectly timed, Emily lowered the fan covering her face and gave the guard a charming smile.
“Hello.”
The guard swallowed nervously at the sight of her breathtaking beauty.
“This… is a members-only club… I could introduce another place instead.”
Roger firmly held the club door and said,
“Isn’t that possible? My friend is curious about the Pantheon Club.”
“Yes, I heard the cocktails there are amazing. I feel like we’d have a great game if we drink them.”
The guard hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Then please wait a moment. I’ll ask the president.”
“Yes, please.”
Emily continued to gently wave her fan, keeping her smile fixed on him.
