Chapter 125: Chapter 95: Scissors to Cut the Mouth, You’re Really Asking For It

"Yes, sir."

After bowing, Collins turned and said reassuringly, "Please pay him no mind. Mr. Ramiro is grieving young master Rutger’s sudden death and has been in low spirits lately."

Wei’en nodded noncommittally. ’This young Mr. Ramiro doesn’t have the slightest air of grief about him.’

"Please follow me. Mr. Sayam is in young master Rutger’s room right now,"

Collins then led the pair across the main hall. "When you speak, please be mindful of your tone. I hope you can appreciate what a father who has lost his son is going through."

"Yes, I understand."

Wei’en gave a perfunctory reply, following Collins to a bedroom on the east side of the third floor.

KNOCK, KNOCK KNOCK.

"I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. Sayam. The guests you were expecting have arrived."

"Come in," a hoarse, weary voice called from inside the room.

"Please. I won’t disturb you further."

Collins whispered as he opened the door.

Wei’en gave a slight nod, led Tina inside, and addressed the man standing by the window with his back to them. "Sir Sayam?"

’Calling him ’Mr. Sayam’ would be disrespectful.’

After a moment’s thought, he decided to address him by his title to avoid any disrespect.

"Sit," Sayam said without turning around.

Wei’en was momentarily taken aback, but he and Tina did as they were told, finding chairs and sitting down.

Compared to the dim room where the Divine Statue was kept, Rutger’s bedroom was much brighter.

Unlike the main hall, which was filled with the skeletons of sea creatures, the decorations here were more ornate and refined, with a predominantly dark color scheme.

A black wooden bed, a black sofa, black chairs—even the decorative paintings on the walls were predominantly black...

’It seemed this young Mr. Rutger was either a cunning schemer or one who liked to hide and evade reality.’

As this thought crossed his mind, Wei’en noticed the person lying on the bed—it had to be Rutger Seles, the man killed by the Vasquez People.

He looked much like Ramiro, with slightly curly hair, a fair complexion, thick eyebrows, and a high-bridged nose, though his frame was more slender.

’His physique suggested he took great care to stay in shape...’

"Rutger was my favorite son. Composed, reserved, brilliant, and clever... He was one of the successors I most approved of."

After a long moment, Sayam finally turned. "But he’s dead," he said, his voice low. "And he’s been made a scapegoat..."

"I’ve commissioned you to come here in the hopes that you can avenge him."

"Forgive my bluntness, but I was under the impression that the people who harmed Rutger were already... dealt with here at the manor?"

Wei’en observed the patriarch of the Ceres Clan. One look at the man’s face was enough to know he had a domineering personality.

Sayam wasn’t as tall as his two sons, but the deep lines flanking his neatly trimmed beard exuded an air of authority and confidence.

"It’s not enough. Those people were merely pawns."

Sayam was sizing them up as well, but without Ramiro’s disdain. "Find them. I want to make them pay."

"And what else?" Wei’en asked, his expression unreadable. "Is finding these people the entirety of the commission?"

Sayam stared at him, his expression growing more serious. "Your composure is far more impressive than your age would suggest. I’m satisfied. Your name?"

"Wei’en Loft. An ordinary Investigator."

"Wei’en?" Sayam mulled over the name, then said after a moment, "I remember you. Last night, at the Council..."

"Oh? You’ve heard about that?"

Wei’en was genuinely surprised this time. He’d thought killing Ognian would go unnoticed. ’How could these nobles possibly know about such a trivial matter?’

’That was not a good sign.’

"When it comes to the Secret Investigation Department and the Dawn Church, I doubt there’s anyone in the Caster City State who isn’t paying attention."

Sayam walked back and settled onto the sofa. "To answer your question from before, finding those people is secondary. What’s more important is the Divine Statue."

"I want it returned to the Ceres Clan. It’s a family heirloom of immense significance to us, and its loss is unacceptable."

A smile appeared on Wei’en’s face. "And what else?"

"What else could you possibly want to know?"

"Right now, all I know is what was uncovered during the previous investigation. As for the matter of your son, Rutger, stealing the Divine Statue, can you provide any new leads?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Likewise, what do you know about the identities of the people involved?"

Wei’en spread his hands. "My apologies. I hope my questions don’t put you in an awkward position."

Sayam’s gaze flickered, his expression growing even more severe. "I am very pleased... that an Investigator of such outstanding ability has come to Ceres Manor."