Chapter 253 So, I Was Betrayed?
In an elegantly decorated, high-end restaurant, Lorne and Fors were enjoying their dinner.
"A medium-rare steak and a bottle of South Wales white wine." Lorne took the menu from the waiter and began ordering.
"I'll have spaghetti bolognese and an Intis stew—"
Perhaps because she was annoyed at the exhibition earlier, or for some other reason, Fors was not as reserved as Lorne had imagined.
For the exhibition, Lorne was dressed quite well today, in a well-tailored suit with a matching top hat.
And Fors was also dressed appropriately in a literary girl's style. The combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman quickly received warm and attentive service from the waiter.
"For dessert, let's have a fruit ice cream."
Wait!
Just as the waiter was about to turn and leave, Lorne suddenly called out to him.
"Sorry, please change the ice cream to crème brûlée."
Although he really wanted ice cream, for some reason, he felt that the word "ice cream" seemed to have taken on a peculiar symbolic meaning recently. After much thought, he decided to change it.
Moreover, he had just eaten ice cream in front of Hugh two days ago. It was best to pay attention to such small details and not form a fixed pattern.
Soon after, the dishes were served one after another. Lorne raised his goblet, filled with clear wine, and gestured to Fors. Fors, understanding, also picked up her glass and lightly clinked it with his.
The crisp sound of "ding" was particularly pleasant amidst the melodious violin music.
"It's a pity there are no candles here, otherwise, it would be a true candlelight dinner." Fors took a sip of wine, looking enviously at the couples at the surrounding tables.
"Does the brave Ms. Xixi also like such romantic scenes?" Lorne asked with a smile.
He borrowed the name of the heroine from Fors's novel.
"Of course, Ms. Xixi also has a young girl's heart that yearns for romance." Fors smiled shyly, a blush rising on her face.
She took another sip of wine, and emboldened by the alcohol, she bravely asked:
"Lorne, are we—is this a date?"
"—This—" Lorne looked at Fors, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes sparkling, and his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed up and down.
"Gulp."
Just as he was about to speak, he heard Fors interject, saying with a hint of playfulness:
"It doesn't count~ How can a lady ask such a question first~"
"I—was I just teased?" Lorne was stunned for a moment, asking in a bewildered tone.
"Pfft!"
Fors finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Yes, Mr. Lorne, you've been targeted by the brave Ms. Xixi."
"I had a very pleasant day, and I gathered a lot of inspiration. When my new book is finished, I will definitely send it to you first." At the restaurant entrance, Fors said to Lorne.
"Really? Then I'll look forward to it." Lorne, with a smile, gallantly saw Fors into a hansom cab.
Watching the carriage gradually disappear, the smile on his face slowly faded, finally turning into a sigh.
A literary girl's thoughts are truly hard to guess.
He didn't know if she was angry or not.
And—that detective named Sherlock, and his ill-behaved superior, were indeed not good people!
In front of Fors, he deliberately asked me why I had a different lady.
Making it sound like I'm some kind of playboy who flirts everywhere—Lorne sighed again in his heart.
He knew that the blonde lady the other party mentioned last time referred to Miss Sharon. He also knew that the other party deliberately said that in front of Fors.
When Plum Blossom 5 finished speaking, Lorne clearly felt that Fors's gaze towards him was off, becoming somewhat strange, even with a hint of coldness. He spent a good deal of effort to barely explain himself.
He had originally intended to go out to gather information, but he didn't get any information and almost dug himself into a hole.
"So unlucky—" Lorne couldn't help but mutter.
Sir, you might be very unlucky recently. A childish, innocent voice suddenly appeared in his mind without warning.
It was what the limping little boy named Will said when he gave him a divination.
Could it be—that child really has a problem?
"It's an illusion—how could there be such a coincidence—"
Lorne shook his head, shaking off these untimely thoughts.
He looked up at the sky, planning to wander around nearby first to digest his food, and then take a detour back to Rose Street to bring the newly acquired Dark Lurker's poison sac to Lachi. Her Beyonder potion ingredients were almost all gathered.
"The sky in Backlund really darkens quickly. Is it because of the fog?"
Lorne turned into a quiet, deserted alley, intending to take a shortcut.
However, after only a few steps, the hairs on his entire body suddenly stood on end.
His Spiritual Intuition was triggered!
There was a Beyonder nearby, and the target was himself!
Was it that Sherlock? Or that Plum Blossom 5? Were they finally going to make a move on him—Lorne's heart tightened, and his steps unconsciously quickened.
When he emerged from the alley, an ancient coin-shaped necklace had appeared on his neck, and he tightly clutched a faintly glowing charm in his hand.
After a few steps, the figure of a veiled, slender lady abruptly appeared in the middle of the street in front of Lorne.
Lorne pretended not to see her, keeping his eyes straight ahead and walking on his own.
"Monqi Brando."
A clear, cold female voice came from behind him.
!!!
Lorne's pupils suddenly contracted, but he did not stop walking.
"Monqi Brando."
The voice came again. She reappeared in front of him without warning, blocking his path.
Lorne stopped. He composed his expression and asked in an unreadable tone, "Madam, have you mistaken me for someone else?"
Bernadette did not speak, but merely raised her hand slightly, and a wanted poster for ten thousand pounds appeared out of thin air between the two of them.
It slowly drifted down.
This—
Lorne pretended to examine it curiously for a few moments, then shook his head, spread his hands, and said with an innocent expression:
"Hmm—Madam, I think you really have mistaken me. I do resemble this person somewhat, but I am not him."
"There must be some misunderstanding."
"No, this is no misunderstanding." Bernadette gently shook her head, her voice carrying an undeniable certainty.
"And, we have met before."
Before her words finished, the thin veil on her head seemed to be blown away by an invisible wind, revealing her true appearance.
This was a lady with chestnut hair, delicate and beautiful features, and a mature and mysterious demeanor.
Most importantly, Lorne recognized this face. It was the mysterious powerful individual who had descended from the sky in Bayam to capture him.
"What is your purpose?"
Caught red-handed by the other party, Lorne simply stopped pretending and asked in a deep voice.
"I came today primarily to deliver a letter to you." Bernadette spoke slowly, her tone calm.
"A letter?" Lorne was a little confused. He and the other party shouldn't have any connection, right?
Under Lorne's puzzled gaze, a letter appeared out of thin air and floated lightly into his hand.
"Cattelya asked me to give this to you."
"Cattelya?!"
Lorne was slightly startled, his expression turning somewhat grim.
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to open it and read it?" Bernadette looked at him, a meaningful smile curving her lips.
Lorne shook his head. He didn't look at the letter but raised his head, staring directly at Bernadette with a cold gaze.
"Am I to assume that Cattelya betrayed me?"