Chapter 890: Chapter 584: Fake Antiques [11] Concealing One’s Skill

For Nora Scott, installing a tracker in a car wasn’t challenging at all.

She just took a walk.

Strolling around as if she were just out for a leisurely walk, even with Pedro Langley watching her closely, he didn’t notice her actions until she returned and asked belatedly, "All set?"

Nora Scott replied with a "Hmm."

Seeing the surprise on Pedro Langley’s face, Nora Scott felt a bit smug, "Impressive, right?"

"Impressive."

Pedro Langley chuckled.

Nora Scott’s skills were indeed exquisite. But she wasn’t arrogant, always saying there were those more capable than her.

However, those more capable didn’t have as many skills as she did, and those with more skills weren’t as dedicated as her.

Such an extraordinary person.

...

Having found the dinner eavesdropping monotonous, Nora Scott didn’t want to waste more time, had no intention to keep watching the GPS, found someone else to monitor it, and let the people from Biel Hall act as they saw fit before heading to the night market with Pedro Langley.

At least she treated the unpleasant matter as a mere interlude.

After the outing, Nora Scott picked up drinks and snacks from a tavern, feeling satisfied as she returned with Pedro Langley.

"Master Pedro, Miss Scott."

Butler Loxley heard them coming and, as usual, came to greet them.

Nora Scott handed the bag to him and noticed a pair of shoes at the entryway, asking, "Do we have a guest?"

"Yes."

Butler Loxley replied, just about to explain when a figure emerged. Nora Scott and Pedro Langley focused their eyes and saw it was Deputy Llewellyn from Project 1101.

"Mr. Langley, Hall Master." Deputy Llewellyn greeted warmly, "I’ve come to deliver some information."

"When did you arrive? Why didn’t you call me?"

It was almost eleven now. Deputy Llewellyn wouldn’t come visiting this late, likely waiting here for quite some time.

Deputy Llewellyn smiled and said, "I and Loxley got along so well we ended up chatting for quite a while. Just now, I looked at the time and realized it’s already so late."

Despite their contrasting backgrounds—one a scholar, the other a butler—the two discovered mutual interests and shared extensive experiences, chatting non-stop as if they’d known each other forever, losing track of time.

"Oh." Nora Scott nodded slightly, "Come inside and have a seat."

The four of them headed to the living room.

Butler Loxley went to pour tea while the other three sat down.

"This is the data from our recent investigation," Deputy Llewellyn handed the materials to Nora Scott, "I also sent you the electronic version, but there are some notes on the printout that you might find useful."

Nora Scott accepted it, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, Hall Master."

Having seen Nora Scott’s imperious and domineering manner in the engineering team, suddenly seeing her as a normal, polite, and serene woman with an approachable aura, Deputy Llewellyn found it hard to reconcile, almost suspecting she’d been possessed.

Nora Scott lowered her head to review the documents.

Once the fragrant tea was served, Deputy Llewellyn asked Nora Scott, "Any progress on the drawings, Hall Master?"

"Hmm?" Nora Scott took a sip of tea and tilted her head, "Just started. Why?"

"I heard that your expertise in Mechanical Techniques is extraordinary," Deputy Llewellyn remarked meaningfully.

"Did Vaughn mention that?"

"Old Vaughn did mention it a couple of times. By the way, I was wondering, do you know a Mechanical Techniques expert with the surname Easton?" Deputy Llewellyn inquired.

Nora Scott paused briefly.

Noticing the slight change in her expression, Deputy Llewellyn felt confident in his guess and smiled, "I really shouldn’t pry into your personal affairs, and Old Vaughn didn’t reveal anything. I was only speculating. To be honest, in my younger days, I had some encounters with Mr. Easton. I think you bear quite a resemblance to him, both in your looks and your free-spirited and proud demeanor."

Putting down her teacup, Nora Scott reined in her surprise and said, "My grandfather’s name is Antonio Easton."

"I see," Deputy Llewellyn nodded, "I had just graduated back then, lacking much experience, and was recommended by my supervisor to participate in a bridge design project."

"Is it the one designed by Aaron Scott?"

Deputy Llewellyn was somewhat surprised, "That’s right."

He continued, "Mr. Easton was brought in unexpectedly, and everyone in the team thought he was riding on connections. But it wasn’t until he presented one-third of the designs that people started acknowledging his capability. At that time, he and Aaron Scott were at odds, neither yielding to the other, essentially forming two factions, each agreeing to submit a complete set of bridge designs within the stipulated time."

Anticipating the outcome, Nora Scott furrowed her brows.

Unaware of the inside story, Deputy Llewellyn only recounted that on the agreed day, Antonio Easton didn’t submit any designs, while Aaron Scott delivered an astonishing result.

Afterward, Deputy Llewellyn never saw Antonio Easton again.

Outsiders assumed Antonio Easton lacked capability. But Deputy Llewellyn knew that Aaron Scott’s version overlapped significantly with one-third of Easton’s designs, the traces were too evident. Later on, after gaining some knowledge about Mechanical Techniques, Deputy Llewellyn discovered many ancient Mechanical Techniques in Aaron Scott’s designs.

Deputy Llewellyn could roughly imagine what happened back then.

It was nothing but the theft of accomplishments.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Antonio Easton did not expose it. As for Antonio Easton, who was mocked by the team at that time... Deputy Llewellyn recalled it and only felt he was impressive; his research in Mechanical Techniques was probably unfathomable.

Many times, it’s like this: when your ability hasn’t reached a certain level, you don’t even have the foresight to differentiate between good and bad.

Nora Scott listened to the story and understood his implication, "Is Deputy Llewellyn reminding me?"

"It’s not a bad thing for young people to be flamboyant, but," Deputy Llewellyn lowered his voice and hinted, "you also need to know when to hide your skills."

"..."

After a pause, Deputy Llewellyn continued, "The engineering team all wants to target you, they had a meeting today, hoping you’ll submit a draft once this week. Probably tomorrow, they’ll contact you."

The reason he told Nora Scott about this was first to confirm her identity and discuss her past with Antonio Easton; second, to take this opportunity to advise Nora Scott, urging her not to show her edge too early to avoid jealousy and prevent others from doing something bad to her.

The human mind is the hardest to predict.

Nora Scott chuckled lightly, "Hmm, I understand."

If it weren’t for Deputy Llewellyn’s reminder, she wouldn’t have thought so much. With her bold nature, she tends to offend people; in such matters, she really might not hold back.

But——

She was different from Antonio Easton.

Antonio Easton raised Evelyn Easton, this wolf cub, which became his weakness. But around her, there was no disaster like Evelyn Easton.

Perhaps it was because Antonio Easton had suffered losses that, since childhood, she was taught to make friends and see through people, making her quite astute in judging people now.

"I trust the Hall Master to handle things." Deputy Llewellyn nodded.

Nora Scott asked, "Who does Deputy Llewellyn think I should be wary of?"

"Daniela Esteves." Deputy Llewellyn didn’t hide it, "It’s said her ancestors once apprenticed under a master surnamed Easton, I wonder if she’s from the same lineage as the Hall Master?"

Nora Scott didn’t like this phrasing, thinking she’s the first-generation successor of Elder Easton, but explaining this is tedious, so she vaguely said, "Roundabout way, yes."

"I see she’s quite skilled, solving many problems with Mechanical Techniques these past few days, becoming a popular figure in the team," Deputy Llewellyn said, "If you threaten her, she might have other thoughts."

Mentioning "Daniela Esteves," Nora Scott suddenly thought of the surveillance in her room and glanced at Pedro Langley.

Pedro Langley, who had been in an ignored state, saw her gaze, understood her meaning, and nodded slightly to her.

The meaning was: keep an eye on her.

...

As it got late, Deputy Llewellyn didn’t want to stay longer, fearing the engineering team would gossip, and he had to hurry back overnight.

After saying what needed to be said, he hurriedly left.

Nora Scott saw him out the door, and upon returning, she stretched her arms, "What’s Daniela Esteves doing all day?"

"Drawing designs, skincare, and..." Pedro Langley glanced at the messages, his brow slightly furrowed, "badmouthing you with friends. She might even be trolling you online."

Nora Scott: "..."

Someone sure is idle.

Don’t ruin "Master Sliver’s" reputation.

Nora Scott leaned over to browse a few videos on Pedro Langley’s phone, "Besides when she’s drawing, she doesn’t give off a consistent vibe, can she really make people believe she’s Master Sliver?"

Pedro Langley said, "At least wait until she delivers the first design draft to make a judgment."

Nora Scott clicked her tongue.

Suddenly, she laughed, and Pedro Langley extended his arm, put it around Nora Scott’s shoulders, saying earnestly, "You should believe, even if you announced you’re Master Sliver, no one would believe it. Maybe you’ll face the same situation as Daniela, and others would still choose Daniela."

"Why?"

Nora Scott was inexplicably competitive.

"Good looks don’t deserve talent." Pedro Langley bluntly revealed the truth that those who deemed Nora a mere pretty face firmly believed.

"..."

Nora Scott pinched him, smiling wryly.

This annoying man really knows how to get on people’s nerves.

*

Nora Scott temporarily set aside the matter of the 1101 designs.

She hadn’t forgotten about Ivan Ford and Butler Fong.

Close to midnight, after a shower, yawning with sleepiness, she finally received a call from her informant.

"Hall Master, we’ve identified the location."