6:00 PM, 42 Amber Street, Blackstone City.
This was a manor nearly the size of a football field. The gilded, carved gates were magnificent, and the gateposts on both sides were inlaid with pale blue energy crystals that emitted a soft glow in the twilight.
Currently, Flynn, an elderly butler in a black tailcoat with meticulously combed hair, stood at the entrance waiting. Soon, the Lawrence family's hovercar drove up. As the vehicle came to a steady halt, the crystals on the gateposts lit up instantly. The heavy gilded gates slowly opened.
Seeing Selena, Old Flynn immediately stepped forward and bowed. "Young Mistress, you've returned... Have you purchased a new piece of jewelry?"
Jewelry?
Hearing Flynn's question, Selena realized she was still wearing the psychic suppression bracelet on her wrist. Regarding the bracelet's origin, she naturally couldn't tell the truth. Seeing his misunderstanding, Selena raised her left hand and smiled. "Yes, it's a new purchase. Does it look good?"
Old Flynn said respectfully, "It looks wonderful. Your taste is impeccable, Young Mistress. By the way, you mentioned before that you wanted to move out?"
Selena stopped in her tracks and frowned. "Yes, what about it?"
Old Flynn said, "Where do you wish to move? If you are dissatisfied with your bedroom, I can have craftsmen renovate it. External residences are never as secure as the family estate."
Selena's expression changed slightly. "Don't bother. I've already found a place on White Dew East Street. It's not far from the Tax Bureau where I work, making the commute convenient."
Old Flynn's brow furrowed. "While White Dew East Street isn't exactly remote, most of the residents there are commoners, and the conditions are far inferior to the manor. Young Mistress, if it's simply for a convenient commute, we can assign you a private hovercar. Why bother inconveniencing yourself by living outside?"
"Uncle Flynn, I'm not inconveniencing myself. I've stayed under the family's protection for too long; I need to learn to be independent."
Old Flynn tried to persuade her again. "But you are the Eldest Young Mistress. Living alone outside, regarding safety..."
Before he could finish, Selena cut him off. "There's no need to worry about that. I've received basic self-defense training, and the security at White Dew East Street is decent. Besides, I'm just moving out to live, not leaving forever."
Selena knew this old butler, who had watched her grow up, truly had her best interests at heart. But this time, she had a reason she had to move out.
Old Flynn looked at the determined Young Mistress. He opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed the rest of his words. Having served the Lawrence family for decades and watching Selena grow up, he knew that while she appeared gentle on the surface, she had a stubborn streak in her bones. Once she made a decision, it was hard to change.
Old Flynn sighed helplessly and bowed. "Since your mind is made up, I will no longer try to persuade you. However, rules are rules. I will report your insistence on moving out to the Master."
At the mention of her father, Selena's eyes flickered, but she quickly recovered. "That's only right. Just report it truthfully. I will explain things to my father myself."
Selena knew her father had always doted on her. As long as she remained firm and used the reasonable excuse of "cultivating independence," her father would most likely agree.
Before long, Selena and Old Flynn arrived at the main manor house. Selena changed her shoes and was about to head upstairs.
"Young Mistress, your dinner is ready. Would you like to eat now?"
Without stopping, Selena waved her hand. "No, I'm a bit tired. I'll head to my room to rest first. Let's talk about dinner in an hour."
She went straight to her second-floor bedroom. Once inside, Selena locked the door behind her. She walked to the vanity and sat down.
The elegant and composed expression on the Selena in the mirror vanished instantly, replaced by one of extreme excitement.
"Wonderful. I've finally found you, Maurice!"
In the mirror, the corners of Selena's eyes turned up slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled into an uncontrollable smile; even her fingertips were trembling slightly. This excitement did not resemble someone seeking to repay a debt of gratitude; instead, it looked like a hunter seeing a prey about to step into a trap.
After the excitement subsided, Selena pulled open a drawer in the vanity and took out a photo album. She slowly flipped through it; most of the pages contained social photos or photos with family members. She skipped these quickly.
Finally, Selena's gaze rested on a specific photo. It was taken three years ago, a photo of her and her best friend, Liel. Both in the photo wore exquisite lace dresses, standing in the manor's rose garden with brilliant smiles.
Back then, Selena's features still held a trace of childishness, while Liel standing beside her had dazzling blonde hair and a smile brighter than the roses around them. However, there was a tiny tear on the edge of the photo, as if it had been intentionally ripped and then carefully glued back together.
Selena extended a fingertip, gently stroking Liel's face in the photo.
"I have found Maurice. I will kill him soon to avenge you. Rest in peace, Liel, my dearest friend."
After looking for a long time, Selena closed the album and put it back in the drawer. Then, she stood up and walked toward the side door of the bedroom, which led to her private studio.
Selena pushed open the side door and flipped the switch. Soft yellow light spilled from the crystal lamps on the ceiling, illuminating the entire studio. The surrounding walls were covered with Selena's paintings in various styles.
Closing the door behind her, Selena walked directly to an easel covered with a red cloth. She sat on a chair and reached out to pull the cloth away.
A strange painting sat on the easel. The image was divided into three parts.
On the left was the Tax Bureau building. In the center was a series of numbers: C-378. On the right was a black cat.
While the painting looked bizarre, it was no ordinary work of art; it was a divination painting empowered by psychic energy. This was the vision Selena had obtained through psychic divination a month ago. Following the hints provided by the divination, she had finally tracked down Maurice's whereabouts.
The next step was to divine how to kill Maurice.
With her mind made up, Selena placed a new sheet of paper on the easel, took a brush, and slowly closed her eyes. Simultaneously, she repeatedly chanted the content she wished to divine in her heart.
After several seconds of silence, the brush left her hand and began to draw on the paper by itself. When the divination ended, Selena opened her eyes to look.
A portrait was drawn on the paper. The person was none other than the colleague who had joined the bureau alongside her.
Byrne Cloud.