My older sister is a villainous rich girl

After all, there's money to be made, and overall the job is relatively easy.

There's no way I can support two wives by robbing people in the middle of the night...

When he finally agreed, Bulwer was overjoyed and immediately gave him an advance of six months' salary, as if afraid that he might be dissatisfied and change his mind.

Hmm... Wayne had only one thought at that moment.

That means the commander-in-chief of the city guard could make more money than he had imagined.

After deciding on treatment for Aikos that was significantly better than that for the other members, the late-night meeting was a complete success.

Wien got the money, and Bulwer got the talent.

Bulwer was very satisfied with this. After all, no matter how high the salary was, it would eventually come from the national treasury. Being able to get a big shot like Echoes, who was hard to come by, to join the team was a sure win for him.

Wayne was quite satisfied. He not only got the information and made some money to fill his slush fund, but his initial worries also disappeared before he even had a chance to ask.

—Since Bulwer is not using the Edgeworth family's name to do anything shady, there shouldn't be any problems with the handling of the Gothic family.

Sigh, I really went to great lengths.

I need to find another opportunity to collect payment from Miss Ge Li.

Wayne sat at a wooden table in the library's study area, but his mind was already far away.

He was lost in thought for some time when he suddenly felt a slight darkness around him.

A slender figure appeared beside him, blocking part of the light.

He looked up and saw Tasia's hesitant and indecisive expression.

"What's wrong, Tasia?" Wayne asked.

Tasia breathed a slight sigh of relief when she realized he had noticed her.

"Wayne, I'm sorry to disturb your reading," she said softly.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, as if she were quite embarrassed.

...I wasn't reading at all.

"It's alright, just say what's on your mind," Wayne said in a friendly tone.

“I thought we were already good friends, Tasia, don’t be so formal.”

Chapter 217 My Sincere Feelings for Chris...

Lately, whenever Wayne comes to the library, he occasionally sees Tasia working part-time there.

To supplement her family's income, Tasia often took odd jobs in various auxiliary positions at the academy.

Even so, her academic performance never suffered, and she firmly held the top spot on the honor roll.

She's a very hardworking girl.

With Wayne's encouragement, Tasia's expression finally relaxed a bit and she became more natural.

"It's like this..."

She explained softly, "Didn't we assign a group research report for our social philosophy class these past two days?"

As expected, the problems that Tasia, a "genius student," encountered were also related to her studies.

"The teacher said that the assignment is the same for the whole grade and is quite difficult, so it is allowed to form groups across classes..."

She said, "So, if I may be so bold as to ask, could I also join your and Chris's group?"

Upon hearing her request, Wayne's eyes revealed a hint of understanding.

At Cheonggye Academy, it is common for students to complete their homework in small groups.

This is the case with this course on social philosophy.

In the past, I would usually finish my homework first and then sign Chris's name after mine.

However, this assignment is not so easy to complete. It requires social practice and the submission of a research report of at least 10,000 words on a specific topic.

Therefore, the instructor of the social philosophy course specifically allocated them a full thirty days.

It can be said that there is still plenty of time.

Although... no matter how long the deadline is, the last week is often the last week before the last-minute rush begins.

Today, Wayne came to the library not simply to reread Mr. Munro's works that he had already read, but to refer to other exemplary texts.

Each graduating class keeps many research reports like these.

Although most of them are academic rubbish of poor quality, a small number of valuable reports are preserved by the library.

Of course, it's not free.

The academy can afford to pay bonuses to the authors of outstanding reports.

Tasia must want to write a good report with her friends, right?

Wayne was about to agree, but he paused just before the words left his mouth.

If I agree, will Chris be unhappy?

After all... she seemed particularly bothered by herself and Tasia.

After thinking for a moment, he hesitated and said, "It would be great if Tasia could come and help. However, this problem is quite complicated, and there are more than just Chris and me in the group... So, let me check with the others first, and I'll give you an answer after school."

—If Chris really can't accept it, then shift the blame onto someone else.

Tasia was not displeased by his reserved words, and thanked him with a gentle smile.

Being gazed at by her with such pure and trusting eyes, even with Wayne's usual thick skin, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty, realizing that his little thoughts were really shameful.

……

In the restroom of the teaching building.

Chris looked in the mirror, then raised her hand to smooth her hair and adjusted the ribbon on her chest.

For the girls, going to the restroom together after class and chatting casually was a daily routine.

It's not like one person can't poop.

But I just feel that I'm happier when I have friends with me, I don't know why.

"Heh, that commoner is quite resourceful..."

She suddenly heard two girls at the door talking in a mocking tone.

"She wasn't satisfied with seducing Prince Richard, and now she's set her sights on Young Master Wayne. Miss Chris would be heartbroken if she knew..."

"As expected, lowly commoners can't change their nature."

Chris stopped what she was doing.

The girl in the mirror frowned slightly.

……

After registering at the library, Wayne returned to the teaching area with several borrowed books.

He thought that Chris would usually be at the Lily Club sharing desserts with her friends at this time.

But when he deliberately took a detour past the Lily Society's activity room, he did not see Chris.

At this time, there were only a few members in the Lily Society, not many people.

Ge Li was not there either.

"Chris? She said she had some things to take care of and went back to the classroom first," Sophia said after learning why Wayne had come.

"But she looks a little unwell; her complexion isn't good..."

Her tone was somewhat worried.

Upon hearing this, Wayne immediately bid farewell to the Lily Club members and hurried to the classroom.

The teaching building seemed unusually empty during free time.

The setting sun cast its rays on the smooth ground outside the corridor, which then reflected into the room, bathing the bright and clean classroom in a warm orange-yellow hue.

Wayne walked all the way to the back door of his classroom and, as expected, saw Miss Chris.

There was no one else in the empty classroom except her.

The girl, alone, lay on her side on her desk, staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

A brilliant sunset, neatly arranged desks, and that dazzling blonde girl.

This scene, filled with tranquility and beauty, is like a magnificent painting, captivating the soul.

After standing silently at the door for a while, Wayne stepped inside.

Hearing footsteps, Chris turned around and glanced back.

Upon seeing it was him, he turned his face away again, looking out at the sky.

Wayne put the book he was holding on his desk and then walked over to Chris.

He leaned on the table with one hand, bent over, and brought his face close to hers.

"What's wrong, Miss Chris?"

Chris looked annoyed and buried her eyes in her arms, refusing to look at him.

"Are you feeling unwell? Hmm?" He reached out his other hand and touched her forehead.

It wasn't hot.

But he really doesn't look very happy.

Wayne straddled the seat in front of her, facing the back row, and rested his head on her desk, staring at her.

Seeing that Chris didn't react, he poked her soft forearm.

Her snow-white skin dented slightly under the slightest pressure.

When he removed his finger, it bounced back to its original position.

“...You know it yourself,” Chris said without even looking at her.

Do girls all like to speak in this tone?

Does it mean that confessing will lead to leniency, while imprisonment will result in life imprisonment?

They were fine not long ago, how come they've changed so much in such a short time?

Wayne seriously reflected on whether he had done anything wrong during this period.

The answer is, no.

So he said with complete confidence:

"My sincerity towards Chris is witnessed by heaven and earth, and the sun and moon can bear witness! I really can't think of what I did to upset you again."

Chapter 218 is also correct; I doubt you'd have the guts.

I always feel like... the feeling of being constantly pampered by someone is addictive.

Once you've tasted the flavor, you'll crave to keep doing it forever.

Even things that wouldn't have made them so angry before, under this hidden expectation, have become more outrageous and excessive.

Looking forward to him—

Even if they don't say it, they can sense their own feelings.

I hate this version of myself.

Chris was feeling down.

At first, I was genuinely angry with him, but then I ended up getting angry with myself too.

This is so unreasonable...

Seeing that she still didn't react, Wayne said, "You didn't hear some rumors from someone, did you?"

Logically, since Eve said she would give herself another chance, she shouldn't have said anything to Chris.