Chapter 857: Poignant
*Cuarón committed suicide? His will accused me of forcing him to sell
his shares? His family can even provide evidence?* As Klein
listened to the officer's description, he digested the relevant
information and produced questions in his mind.
After he understood the situation, his first reaction was: *Baron
Syndras has taken action!*
*This powerful banker didn't hesitate to carry out his follow-up action
against me after failing to cooperate with me, treating me as an enemy.
He didn't hold back!*
*Furthermore, he has clearly gathered enough information to know that
Dwayne Dantès is involved with the Church of Evernight and Member of
Parliament Macht and the faction backing him. If he were to directly
deal with me, it would easily attract unwanted trouble. Therefore, he
chose to strike at the other end of the transaction, Cuarón. This will
be more indirect and safer, but it would be equally treacherous and
ruthless.*
This is an utter disregard of an ordinary person's life...
Klein suddenly recalled the innocent people who collapsed during the
Great Smog of Backlund. He couldn't help but feel a sense of rage surge
within him as it bubbled to the surface but was ice-cold.
Klein used his Clown powers to control his facial expression, making him
look even more surprised as he asked, seemingly finding the situation
incomprehensible, "Are you certain you aren't joking?"
The leading officer nodded solemnly.
"If we didn't have sufficient clues to support it, we wouldn't disturb a
gentleman like you.
"Mr. Dwayne Dantès, I'll have to trouble you to follow us to the station
for further investigations."
Despite looking unperturbed, Klein's mind was racing. Just as he was
about to say something, he suddenly noticed something illogical.
*Regardless, murder is a serious crime in the current Loen Kingdom. With
Baron Syndras's identity, status, and social connections, he will have
at least a few dozen effective means to deal with a foreign tycoon that
just came to Backlund two months ago. There's no need to go this
far.*
*After all, as a member of high society, he will more or less understand
or be in contact with Beyonder powers. He knows that there are all kinds
of incredible means to pursue the true murderer. Unless he's completely
confident, taking the risk to frame someone for murder is definitely the
worst choice.*
*If Syndras were to use his authority to suppress the investigations of
the official Beyonders, it will definitely be more effective and simpler
to employ other means!*
*Even if he temporarily isn't aware that I'm about to work with the
military, he's definitely aware of my connection with the Church of
Evernight and Member of Parliament Macht. He wouldn't do things in such
a simple and brazen manner... Most importantly, even if he's the kind of
murderer who would kill for 3% shares, why didn't he do it earlier? He
could've held Cuarón at gunpoint early on, resolving the matter without
causing any fuss...* Klein glanced at the officers in front of
him while in thought without immediately giving an answer.
And in an adjacent room, Xio and Fors were leaning against the wall.
Using the latter's ability to open a small door, they didn't miss any
parts of the entire conversation.
"What do we do? If the police want to arrest him, do we still provide
protection?" Fors, who lacked the experience of a bounty hunter,
hurriedly suppressed her voice as she asked her friend.
She never expected that the business conflict would result in a case of
murder and suspicion of framing. The enemy she had imagined had
transformed from an infiltrating murderous bandit into a police officer.
She was momentarily unsure of what to do.
Xio was also in a dilemma.
"Usually, a bodyguard will only deal with illegal encroachers.
"But... They have given a sufficiently sizable remuneration."
Fors was surprised and amused by the response as she asked, "If he
really is imprisoned, are you thinking of breaking him out of jail?
"Let's put aside the problem of danger. That way, you too would be
wanted, and you won't be able to be a bounty hunter again. When the time
comes, do you plan on fleeing elsewhere with this gentleman?"
As she spoke, Fors, who had already come up with a story, discovered
that Dwayne Dantès had a response.
This elegant gentleman with white sideburns turned to look at Walter and
said with a calm and gentle voice, "Two matters. First, visit Baron
Syndras and tell him that someone is trying to frame him."
Walter revealed a rare look of surprise and confusion, finding his
employer's instructions incomprehensible.
From his point of view, this matter was highly likely to be machinated
by Baron Syndras. It was pointless visiting him, as it would only result
in mockery.
Klein smiled.
"He was a guest recently, and he had threatened me for the shares.
Following that, Mr. Cuarón met with his demise. I find it hard to
believe that he wouldn't be under suspicion. Therefore, I believe that
it's necessary to warn him. This is what a gentleman should do."
The officers were slightly perturbed by what was said. They had the
inexplicable feeling that the matter was more complicated than they had
imagined. As for Walter, he was somewhat enlightened as he replied,
"Yes, sir. I'll immediately visit Baron Syndras and inform your friends
and his of this matter."
This way, if this wasn't done by Baron Syndras, all subsequent trouble
would be dealt with by him. If he were the mastermind behind this, by
involving him in the name of kindly warning him and spreading the news,
it could create sufficient pressure from public opinion. It would make
it easier for Member of Parliament Macht and company to "rescue" him.
Smart... A good butler really helps... Klein silently praised
him as he continued, "Second, please call for my lawyer to handle this
tiny inconvenience."
After instructing his butler and valet, Klein looked at the few officers
in front of him.
"Alright, I'll follow you back to the station. I won't make things
difficult for you.
"However, I wouldn't answer any of your questions before my lawyer
arrives."
The leading officer heaved a sigh of relief as he said with a nod,
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Dantès."
At this moment, in the adjacent room, Fors hurriedly said, "Are we
following?"
"Yes. I'll hide underneath the carriage now and follow it to the
station. We can't be certain that those police officers are real ones!"
Xio replied rather cautiously.
She paused, seizing the moment to ask, "What else do you wish to say?"
Fors thought for a moment and poignantly said, "Nobles and tycoons are
truly terrifying!"
Xio was taken aback. She didn't speak further as she walked to the
window. Supporting herself with one hand, she nimbly jumped down,
landing in the shadows of the building.
A few minutes later, Klein and two officers boarded a carriage belonging
to Dwayne Dantès.
When he sat down, he looked at the thick carpet, his expression the same
as before.
At the police station, Klein was directly brought to an interrogation
room. However, he didn't give a response, regardless of what the officer
asked.
Only when his lawyer arrived did he give an account. He said that he had
only met Cuarón once. He also mentioned that the negotiation of the
share purchase was completely handled by a professional team; hence, he
didn't personally involve himself in it.
He repeated his statements, saying that he was unaware of anything else.
This left the interrogator at a loss until he was called out of the
room.
After a while, the officer responsible for recording the statement
walked in and said, "Alright, you may leave. A gentleman with an
honorable status has vouched for you and paid for your bail."
Klein didn't immediately stand up as he continued sitting in the chair.
He looked up and asked, "Who is it?"
The officer said with a respectful tone, "Baron Syndras."
Klein immediately revealed a smile as he slowly got up. He left the
interrogation room with his lawyer before meeting up with his butler and
valet.
At the entrance to the police station, he met Baron Syndras once again.
This powerful banker's hair was still neatly combed back, with silver
and black interweaving with each other. Beside him was a valet and his
bearded bodyguard.
"Thank you for your warning, Dantès. Few people would be so calm and
sharp when they encounter such a sudden turn of events," Syndras smiled
as he took two steps forward, reached out his palm, and shook Klein's
hand.
Klein replied with a smile, "I was simply trusting your character."
Syndras obviously didn't believe such lip service. He found an excuse
and, with his bodyguard, boarded Dwayne Dantès's carriage.
As for his valet, he sent him off to his luxurious carriage to instruct
the carriage driver to follow behind.
As parasol trees flew past outside the carriage window, Syndras spoke
first.
"Dantès, how did you come to such a judgment?"
Klein glanced at his butler and valet beside him and chuckled.
"Two points. First, I believe that you will have a better solution. You
wouldn't do something this violent."
Syndras drank a mouthful of white wine on the carriage as he chuckled.
"Indeed."
"..." The corners of Klein's mouth twitched as he said, "I'm very
curious as to what kind of methods you would employ."
He had only asked in passing, without the extravagant hopes of obtaining
an answer. However, Syndras chuckled and said,
"With matters developing this far, it doesn't matter if I tell you.
"It's very simple: isn't your goal to enter high society? I planned to
hire women of different ages. They will accuse you on different social
occasions that you toyed with their feelings and bodies, but you refuse
to be responsible for your actions. If necessary, I'll find a few
toddling children to clasp you around the legs, calling you PA[This is referencing Mark Twain's "Running for Governor," a common piece of literature taught to Chinese middle-school students.]. Perhaps
I might get some civilians to accuse you of seducing their wives and
destroying their marriage.
"This is Loen, a rather conservative place. No one would wish to have
such a person as a friend. Likewise, the Church of Evernight who values
'marriage' and 'family' will also distance itself from you.
"It will be difficult to clear the air on such matters; yet, it wouldn't
be a big deal. They wouldn't use their resources to help do an
investigation for you. By the time you eventually find a loophole, your
image would be hardened and known by all. How many people do you think
will believe your explanations? You are just a newcomer and have yet to
build a reputation. You aren't that trustworthy.
"Of course, if you were willing to accept my conditions, I'd stake my
reputation for you.
"That will be the first step. Now, it wouldn't happen."
Klein was almost stunned by what he heard. He found himself too
inexperienced compared to a seasoned banker who had established a
commercial empire for himself.
"I believe I should thank you," he replied with an unfazed smile.
"Second, if you really wanted the 3% shares, I wouldn't be your match
when it comes to wealth. It would ultimately be better to force Mr.
Cuarón rather than killing him after the sale is completed."
Syndras raised his right hand and pressed his fingers to the corner of
his forehead as he chuckled.
"No, you're mistaken. I was bent on obtaining the 3% share.
"However, you're right about one thing. I did prepare an irresistible
offer for Cuarón, but he suddenly made a decision and completed the deal
with you at an extremely fast speed. It caught me by surprise."
Klein narrowed his eyes slightly as he suddenly fell silent.
Returning to 160 Böklund Street, Xio circled the area and entered the
third floor again, seeing Fors who had easily entered by using Door
Opening.
"How is it? Nothing happened, right?" Fors, who had only followed from a
distance away, asked curiously.
Xio shook her head in a slightly wooden manner.
"No."
She then revealed a poignant expression.
"Nobles and tycoons are truly terrifying."