After leaving the Gardes, Lucien Valois headed straight for Fontaine's underworld—the Fleuve Cendre.
The moment he stepped into the district, a dim and damp scene unfolded before him. Rusted iron pipes crisscrossed overhead like lurking tentacles stretching through the darkness. Filthy waterways ran through the area, filling the air with a pungent stench.
And yet, along both sides of the canal, life thrived.
General stores, bars, clinics—one after another lined the streets. People came and went without pause. Children even laughed and played nearby, completely unfazed by the smell.
Lucien Valois entered a bar and found Cares seated in a quiet corner.
Beside him sat a somewhat youthful girl.
She had long, wavy golden hair that shimmered like a sunlit river, striking even in the dim light of the room.
Lucien Valois took a seat across from Cares and got straight to the point.
"President Cares, I hope you have good news for me."
Cares replied calmly, "There's good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
Lucien Valois waved a hand. "The bad news. At least then my mood won't sink too far afterward."
With faint regret, Cares said, "The Spina di Rosula didn't find the clothes."
Disappointment stirred in Lucien Valois's chest.
"And the good news?"
"The good news is that the clothes were indeed sold to the black market by Olivier's servant. The buyer was a Snezhnayan merchant of unknown identity."
Lucien Valois extended his hand expressionlessly.
"Refund."
Cares refused without hesitation. "No money."
"You're the president of the Spina di Rosula. How can you be this shameless?"
"You never said no results meant a refund. Besides, we did our best."
"I don't care. No clothes, you return the money. Half is fine."
"Not even half. No money means no money."
"…"
The two argued back and forth like children squabbling over candy.
Navia, sitting beside them, found the sight oddly amusing. She couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
Instantly, both men turned to look at her.
Navia's face flushed bright red, wishing she could disappear into the floor.
Lucien Valois glared at Cares. "Fine. My bad luck. Keep looking for the clothes. I won't ask for the money back."
Cares snorted. "I'm not one to take advantage either. If the Spina di Rosula still can't find it in the end, I'll send Navia to join the Gardes."
Lucien Valois agreed immediately. "Deal."
He stood and left without another word.
The moment he was gone, Navia protested anxiously, "Father, I don't want to join the Gardes!"
But Cares remained firm. "You must."
"Why?" she asked, utterly confused.
Cares replied seriously, "I intend for the Spina di Rosula to back him."
Navia's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father, he's just a deputy captain on the verge of dismissal. Why would we support him?"
Cares smiled faintly. "Precisely because he's on the verge of dismissal."
Navia's head filled with question marks.
Seeing her confusion, Cares explained patiently.
"He may be cornered now, but with his talent, he will inevitably rise to high office.
If we align with him now, the return will be greatest."
Navia felt unconvinced.
Lucien Valois looked only two or three years older than she was. How could he be worthy of such high regard from her father?
…
Inside a lavish villa, Olivier's face was as dark as storm clouds as he listened to Schick 's report.
When it ended, he turned toward his servants.
"Was it you who leaked the information to him?"
The servants turned pale, trembling as they swore their innocence.
But Olivier didn't care. He kicked and struck them, venting his fury.
At that moment, a steady set of footsteps echoed through the room.
Odeman entered, solemn and composed.
The instant Olivier saw his father, he rushed forward.
"Father, it must have been—"
Before he could finish, Odeman raised his hand and delivered a sharp slap across his face. The sound echoed through the room.
Olivier clutched his burning cheek, eyes filled with grievance.
"Why are you hitting me again?"
Odeman glared at him, fury simmering beneath his composure.
"I told you not to leave the villa. Why did you insist on confronting Lucien Valois?"
"I just…" Olivier stammered, unable to offer a proper excuse.
Odman's voice grew colder.
"Do you think Lucien Valois is a useless fool like you? From just a few careless words, he deduced our plan."
Olivier froze. "Th-That's impossible!"
"Impossible?" Odeman sneered. "He rose from a destitute outsider to deputy captain in less than a year. That is not something ordinary men accomplish."
"He only succeeded by flattering Furina," Olivier muttered disdainfully.
Odeman nearly struck him again.
"Thousands try to flatter Lady Furina. How many succeed the way he has?"
Olivier had no answer.
Odeman grabbed his collar tightly.
"From today onward, if you take one more step outside this villa, I'll break your legs."
"I understand, Father!" Olivier nodded frantically.
Odeman shoved him aside in disgust and turned to leave.
Outside, he looked up at the sinking sun and sighed softly.
If Lucien Valois truly uncovered key evidence…
Then he would have no choice but to abandon this disappointing son.
For the survival and honor of the family, he had few options left.