My older sister is a villainous rich girl

What's infuriating is that this tactic actually worked wonders on him.

Is being good-looking a big deal?

—I'm sorry, it's truly amazing.

Seeing Chris pout and look aggrieved, Wayne couldn't help but comfort her, "It's okay, you two can play train too, I'll cheer you on from the sidelines."

However, Chris hardened her heart and said, "You come to the table too, I won't go back on my word!"

Wayne was skeptical. "Really? Whoever goes back on their word is a little dog, okay?"

"A puppy is fine!"

She wrinkled her nose, found a square cloth and laid it between the two of them, then began dealing the cards.

……

Two hours have passed.

"Stop the car!" Chris yelled.

The carriage stopped immediately.

Under the driver's puzzled gaze, Chris stepped out of the carriage looking dejected.

"...It's too stuffy in the car, let's stop and get some fresh air." She made up an excuse for her strange behavior and walked over to the grass on the side of the driveway.

Wayne shook his head.

He clearly lost too much and his mentality collapsed.

He put down his cards. "Tasia, let's go for a walk too."

Startled by Chris's overreaction, Tasia was slightly worried, but naturally she wouldn't refuse Wayne's suggestion.

"OK, all right."

Tasia's mental fortitude was clearly much better than Chris's; even when she was dominating the game, she didn't show any excitement.

It's like thinking, "Oh no, I won again by accident."

It's as simple as eating and drinking.

If, when Tasia first started playing poker, she might have made some silly combinations due to her lack of experience, once she got the hang of it, the game completely turned in her favor.

Thus, Chris, who wanted to rely on her familiarity with the gameplay to show off her superior skills, suffered a cruel defeat.

His face was covered with notes.

Of course, now that she's run away, it's only natural that she tore up those notes.

While inwardly marveling at Tasia's seemingly superhuman card skills, Wayne expressionlessly removed the pieces of white paper from his face.

The group had been away from the capital city gates for some time and were now on a path surrounded by fields.

Vast expanses of green space dominate the view, while the trees are rather sparse.

Occasionally, a few small birds chirp and flit among them, instantly bringing joy to those who see them.

Still sulking, Chris sat down next to a large, leafy tree, hugging her knees, not worried about getting her clothes dirty from the dirt and grass roots.

She doesn't look very ladylike.

Wayne walked over and spread the handkerchief on the grass next to her.

Then, lie down on your back.

“The sun is shining brightly today, Miss Chris.” He tilted his head and looked at Chris’s face in the shade of the tree.

Chapter 272 We just want to ask you a few questions

If you have more free time in the future, wouldn't it be nice to go out for a walk like this more often?

Wayne thought to himself.

Of course... it would be even better if Miss Kareem could come along.

The premise is that his two girlfriends don't start fighting.

Chris, sitting next to him, seemed to still be sulking, resting her arms on her hands and ignoring his nonsense.

Tasia followed Wayne and stood beside Chris and Wayne.

She first looked at Wayne, who was spread out in a starfish shape, taking up almost half of the handkerchief, and then at Chris, who was sitting directly on the lawn.

Then--

He chose to sit next to Chris.

...Am I being rejected?

Wayne had a very subtle feeling.

"Chris, are you angry?" Tasia asked.

"No."

Answered instantly.

That's a very clumsy lie, Miss Chris.

Well, getting upset because you lost a game isn't such a big deal.

After thinking for a moment, Wayne changed the subject.

“Let’s start with the city of Costa. We may not have enough time to go further in the next couple of days, but in the coming days we will visit all the places around the capital.”

The list in Tasia's hand contained detailed addresses of the people she was visiting.

Although the number of people on the list is not actually that large, and may even have been pre-screened, the work they have to do is still essential.

When it came to serious matters, Chris's expression became much more serious.

She sat quietly to the side and listened to Wayne's itinerary for a while before adding, "Those people have all obtained noble titles now, so using Father's name when visiting them might save a lot of trouble."

Nobles have their own way of playing.

These lower-ranking nobles are precisely the lowest link in the pyramid.

Regardless of their inner thoughts, the reality they exhibit is—

They find it difficult to refuse any request from the nobles.

In a sense, the enormous interests of the great nobles were supported by these lesser nobles, layer by layer.

As for ordinary people?

Ordinary people who don't know magic are just a statistic.

Furthermore, it's not even accurate to the single digit.

Wayne nodded, indicating his agreement.

The three of them rested for a short while to relax their bodies, and soon resumed their journey.

We've already wasted a whole night, we can't afford to waste any more time.

……

Costa Rica.

This place was originally just a very inconspicuous little town.

But as the capital city became more and more prosperous, rents and living costs also rose, so many people settled for a less desirable option and came to the city of Costa, which was not too far from the capital, to make a living.

Gradually, the population of Costa City grew, and commercial activities developed rapidly.

Over the years, this place has benefited greatly from the trade routes along the western passage of the kingdom, and has developed into a satellite city of considerable size.

"Even though it's so close to the capital, I can hardly remember the last time I was here."

Chris lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and surveyed the fairly dense crowd on the street.

Apart from the fact that the city gates and other areas are significantly less grand than those in the royal city, the rest of the city seems to be about the same size.

"After all, the local customs and culture here are no different from those in the capital, so there's really no need to make a special trip here," Wayne remarked from across from Chris.

If there is a long holiday, Chris and she usually return to the Wincher family's territory, or simply vacation at the manor in the suburbs.

Therefore, they were not actually familiar with the roads here.

Fortunately, the route had been decided well in advance, and the driver had spent a considerable amount of time studying the map before setting off.

Upon entering the city of Costa, the horse hooves did not hesitate at all before heading towards the back of the city.

That area is where the nobility live.

The first person they were to visit was Viscount Simpson, who was temporarily residing there.

Viscount Simpson's title came from his father-in-law, who was an earl.

Having just graduated with honors from the magic academy, he successfully achieved a leap in social class by marrying the count's most beloved daughter.

In fact, under this feudal system where social mobility was extremely difficult, marriage was arguably the most convenient and common way to cross social boundaries.

The three men submitted a letter of visit in the name of the Wincher family, and Viscount Simpson soon came out to greet them personally.

He was a handsome middle-aged man.

It's clear that he must have been very handsome when he was young.

"Welcome, distinguished guests!" He placed his hand on his chest and bowed formally.

After Wayne and the others returned the greeting, Viscount Simpson put on a ceremonial smile and led the three into the reception room.

After everyone was seated, Wayne took the initiative to explain the purpose of his group's visit.

“I’m so sorry to disturb the Viscount’s rest time! We’ve come specifically to complete an important academic investigation and would like to ask you for some assistance with a few things,” Wayne said politely.

"Of course, if you have any difficulties, feel free to speak up. Just... don't provide false information."

At the very end of his speech, Wayne softened his tone and emphasized it slightly.

This statement must be revealed beforehand.

The implication is that if we are deceived, we will have to bear the consequences.

Viscount Simpson paused for a moment, then nodded hastily and said, "Understood."

Wayne glanced at the several maids who were attending him.

“Let the rest of you go down,” he suddenly said.

Viscount Simpson couldn't help but have some doubts about being suddenly asked to do so.

However... he had already verified the Wencher family's credentials, and what he saw before him were only three and a half-grown children.

With that in mind, he agreed to Wayne's request.

"You may leave."

Wayne noticed that when he spoke to his servants, his tone was noticeably less enthusiastic than when he spoke to the three of them, as if he had no emotion whatsoever.

However, he didn't say much.

Before long, only the four parties involved remained in the meeting room.

"Gentlemen, may we now state our purpose?" Viscount Simpson asked solemnly.

It seems he understands that a smiling face on the surface doesn't mean anything.

"Don't be nervous," Wayne laughed. "We just want to ask you a few questions."

"I promise you won't lose a single piece of your flesh."

Tasia took out paper and pen from her handbag, ready to record important information at any time.

Beside Wayne, Chris held a freshly served teacup in her hand, staring at the rim and swirling it back and forth, but showed no intention of drinking it.

His attention seemed completely elsewhere than to the conversation.

For a moment, no one spoke, and the meeting room fell into an unspeakable silence.

Under the watchful eyes of Simpson and Tasia, Wayne slowly opened his mouth.

"Excuse me, Viscount, did you have any noble ancestors?"