The manor's housekeeper came out to greet them. The language of M Country is quite niche, Polly Sutton couldn't understand it, but Victor Parker was fluent in his responses.
Polly Sutton couldn't help but wonder, is there anything this person can't do?
The housekeeper led them into the living room, and as Polly Sutton looked up at the designs inside, that familiar feeling came over her once more, though she couldn't quite figure out why.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Victor Parker, the housekeeper left them to be entertained and went to find Mr. Young to inform him they had arrived.
After Victor Parker sat down, Polly Sutton continued to observe her surroundings. "I keep thinking this design looks familiar, but..."
"It uses the pattern of a winding water motif," Victor Parker commented as he sat down, looking at Polly Sutton.
Polly Sutton paused, looking at Victor Parker with excitement as she confirmed, "So the sketches he has might really be authentic, right?"
Victor Parker: "..."
Is that the key point here? The key point is how this person knows about the winding water motif!
Knowing that the Rook family didn't die by accident might be the peak of her intelligence, can't expect too much.
Polly Sutton's attitude changed eighteen times over, with her smiling expression practically treating Victor Parker like a father.
Victor Parker watched her ingratiating manner and remembered the look of a little guy who wanted money, it was almost an exact match.
"Polly Sutton, I'll give you one more chance. Have you lied to me about anything?" Victor Parker suddenly asked, this was his second time asking Polly Sutton this question.
If she admitted now to hiding something like the matter of his child, he might be inclined to forgive her more generously.
"What are you talking about?" Polly Sutton was full of small question marks, even her eyes showing confusion.
Victor Parker's expression changed instantly, pushing her head away, not wanting to deal with her.
Polly Sutton's face was distorted by his hand, taking a step back and about to say something, when they heard a hearty voice.
"Mr. Parker has arrived, apologies for the delay."
Polly Sutton straightened up and turned to see the man coming with a big smile. The man was of medium height and wore gold-framed glasses, appearing to be around fifty years old. Polly Sutton used her eyes to ask Victor Parker: Is this Mr. Young?
It differs quite a lot from the online personal introduction.
Moreover, he spoke in Chinese, with extremely precise pronunciation.
Victor Parker stood up and shook hands with Mr. Young. "I heard Mr. Young has Mr. Rook's sketches, my wife is particularly interested in them, so we'd like to take a look."
Mr. Young chuckled, looking at Polly Sutton, "The young lady seems quite young, and is interested in Old Rook's designs?"
"I was fortunate to glimpse the winding water motif," Polly Sutton stood next to Victor Parker, always feeling that this man's laughter was discomforting, making her unconsciously move closer to Victor again.
Victor Parker listened to Polly Sutton's words, with a half-smile, glanced at her, only to be pinched at the waist by Polly Sutton. Victor's expression was obviously saying: Are you really speaking human language?
"The winding water motif is indeed classic and an irreplaceable classic," Mr. Young exclaimed, "I just didn't expect it would be a young lady, as the motif is no longer known by many, especially someone of your age. The young lady looks about twenty?"
Mr. Young invited them to sit down, as if making small talk.
"Twenty-three," Polly Sutton replied.
Mr. Young seemed somewhat shocked, or perhaps recalling that great fire twenty-three years ago.
"That's fate, indeed," Mr. Young said, chuckling, "However, I'm not sure who spread the word that I have Old Rook's sketches? It's a rule that Old Rook's sketches are never shared, not even I've seen them, even though this manor was personally overseen by Old Rook during its construction."
Polly Sutton frowned, looking towards Victor Parker.
"The Parker family and the Rook family have been close for generations, this you should know better than anyone."
Victor Parker constantly watched Mr. Young, assessing him since he mentioned fate, but the man continuously maintained a smiling demeanor, showing no signs of anything unusual or tense.
"I remember Mr. Young intended to apprentice under Old Rook, but it never came to fruition," Victor Parker said.
"Yes, back then, anyone in architecture wanted to learn from Old Rook. Unfortunately, the whole family suddenly emigrated here, so the opportunity was missed. Later, when the family prospered, we invited Old Rook to design the manor, which fulfilled that regret," Mr. Young answered smiling.
"So, are you saying you really don't have Old Rook's sketches?" Polly Sutton displayed her disappointment, which also indicated she had indeed been deceived in the past.
"I wonder who spread such a lie, it's truly nonsensical," Mr. Young seemed quite helpless too. "I've heard before there's someone looking into the winding water motif, I didn't expect it would be such a lovely young lady."
Mr. Young wanted to host them for dinner, but Polly Sutton really wasn't in the mood, so she bid farewell and left.
After escorting them out, Mr. Young's smile finally faded, turning and quickly walking away.
Polly Sutton slumped onto the car, not wanting to speak.
Victor Parker glanced at her, "Wasn't it five million spent?"
"Eight million, there was last year's three million bonus as well," Polly Sutton replied lifelessly, her words lacking strength.
Victor Parker: "..."
Andrew Lindsey silently drove, not making any comments.
"But something's not right. A designer's design concept would never be used twice, if those patterns were in the winding water motif, Mr. Rook shouldn't have used them again," Polly Sutton thought it was strange, and after speaking, looked towards Victor Parker, "Are you sure that was the pattern used in the winding water motif?"
"Want to see the model?"
"Sure!" Polly Sutton replied immediately.
Victor Parker: "..."
Really knows how to take advantage of situations.
"Just a glance," Polly Sutton blinked, gesturing to Victor Parker, trying to play cute and get away with it.
Victor Parker suddenly recalled earlier when little Tommy gestured with one finger in front of him saying he wanted just one piece of cake, how it was a complete replication of this look, and whether his son, Victor's son, was adorably silly?
Seeing Victor Parker continuously looking at her with an indescribable expression, Polly Sutton immediately withdrew her finger, "If you don't want to show me, then don't, stingy."
Victor Parker wondered how Polly Sutton managed to live this long?
Thinking of this, Victor Parker suddenly asked, "You're staying at Mr. Walker's place, but where are your family?"
Polly Sutton regarded Victor Parker defensively, "What do you want? We're about to divorce; are you planning to visit my parents? Don't even think about it."
"There's still a year left, paying them a visit wouldn't hurt." Victor Parker had merely thought to ask suddenly and hadn't expected this woman to constantly have divorce on her mind.