My older sister is a villainous rich girl

He had experienced this firsthand.

It's like graduating and starting work, and then unexpectedly encountering a toy you've always wanted as a child but never got to buy.

Or it could be like passing by a roadside shop one day, suddenly having the urge to buy a bunch of five-cent snacks to take home, only to eat one bite and then throw them away.

Once you miss the right time, you can never recapture that feeling you once longed for.

Upon hearing this, George II unconsciously frowned, but quickly relaxed his brow.

"I'm still young, thinking too simply," he sighed. "Not all wishes can be fulfilled in the present moment."

"The process of growing up is actually a process of gradually understanding what you should give up... This is the same for everyone."

With his gaze unfocused on a certain corner of the table, the king's eyes held a hint of melancholy.

“Even if you don’t understand it now, you will understand it someday,” he said.

Seeing that he was unwilling to speak clearly and instead kept speaking in riddles, Wayne quickly gave up trying to guess his implied meaning.

"Let's talk about it when we've grown up."

Wayne smiled broadly. "Anyway, I'm still young."

The king seemed slightly surprised by the reply and stared at him for a moment.

After a moment of silence, he said in a complicated tone, "Yes, you... and all of you, are still young."

Seemingly realizing once again the discrepancy between reality and ideal, the king instantly lost interest in continuing the conversation. Not long after, he excused himself, citing other important matters, and left.

Wayne and Chris were left sitting in the private room, looking at each other blankly.

"So, what exactly is he trying to say?" Wayne asked, puzzled.

Looking back, it was just a casual chat, and he mentioned that the king appreciated him and that someone in his circle had recommended him.

Apart from that, no other meaningful content can be extracted.

Chris hesitated for a moment, then guessed with some suspicion, "Logically speaking, His Majesty should also want to know our family's position... Could it be that he has already deduced our family's inclination from your reply?"

Wayne, however, thought that probably wasn't the reason.

"Putting aside the fact that I haven't officially taken over any family affairs, it seems unreliable that they would ask me for this kind of thing instead of my father."

Moreover, his words implied a sense of an elder instructing a younger person.

“Hmm…” Chris rested her hands on the table, propping her chin up as she looked at him.

"Perhaps he wanted to get to know your personality? He paid much more attention to you than to me just now."

Wayne couldn't help but laugh, "Why does that sound so sour?"

Chris simply snorted dismissively in response.

……

The two continued their original plan and went to the publishing house.

Upon returning home, Wayne truthfully reported the situation to the head of the household, Duke Elliott.

"Heh, he just wants to see what kind of person you are. Don't worry about it." Although Elliott hadn't expected the king to act unpredictably this time, he didn't think it would have any impact.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

The affairs of the Winchester family are almost entirely decided by Duke Elliott alone, and no one else has the right to interfere.

He respects and loves his children very much, but he subconsciously excludes them from many things. Perhaps in his view, this is also a way of protecting them.

"By the way, you sent people to investigate the background of a guard in the city guard. They've returned. Arrange another time to meet with them."

Upon hearing Elliott's words, Wayne's heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, once the family connections were involved, it was almost impossible to hide it from Duke Elliott himself.

"it is good."

Even if there was something wrong with this person's identity, it didn't really concern him, so Wayne wasn't too worried.

Under the guise of the family business association, Wayne met with his subordinates who did his family's private work.

Even if they made a show of withdrawing from the center of power, the Duke's family's foundation was still not to be underestimated, and Wayne easily obtained a very detailed background investigation report.

“Young Master Wayne, all the information we’ve gathered is compiled here,” a man who looked to be around thirty years old said respectfully.

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

Wayne quickly skimmed through the report. "Hmm. You all sit down, I'll take a look first."

He was trying hard to control his expression, but he couldn't help but furrow his brow more and more as he looked.

According to Gavin, the reason why the man named Dift came to the capital with his sister to make a living was because their parents had both died of serious illnesses. However, the results of the investigation he sent out were completely different.

No, to be precise, the girl named Debbie's parents did indeed pass away due to illness, and she had left her hometown many years ago, disappearing without a trace.

However, contrary to their original statement, they didn't have a son at all!

This message was like a spark that suddenly lit up in the darkest night, and a very surprising idea suddenly popped into Wayne's mind.

He couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, "I don't doubt your abilities, but the authenticity of this investigation is very important to me. Can you guarantee that it will be accurate?"

"Everything has been verified from multiple sources! I dare to guarantee with my life that there is absolutely no deception." The person in charge of this matter was extremely certain.

Chapter 497 Wayne, come save me!

Before this, Wayne had noticed that the way the "siblings" got along was a bit strange, but this outcome was truly unexpected.

If the sibling relationship doesn't exist at all, then what kind of relationship could make a man and a woman, who have no blood ties, care for each other so much? Sponsoring each other's studies and helping each other find jobs.

...I hope I'm just overthinking it.

In this situation, how should I inform Gavin?

Just as he was fretting about this, Gavin's close aides came to his door looking rather uneasy.

“Young Master Wayne! My master, Gavin Warren, has instructed me to invite you to visit him... He has something very important to discuss with you.”

As he spoke, he took out a handwritten letter from Gavin.

As soon as Wayne opened the package, he saw a line of hastily written handwriting that read: "Wayne, come save me! Urgent!"

Wayne's lips twitched involuntarily. He wondered if he had also discovered that Debbie and Dave had a problem.

"Is your young master at home now?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

“Yes.” The attendant nodded.

Wayne hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

...Never mind, we'll talk about it when we meet him.

"You lead the way, we'll go there now."

After saying that, Wayne told Chris where he was going.

Although Chris didn't think much of Gavin, she didn't object to him going out; she just told him to come back early.

So Wayne rode his horse at top speed to the home of the Kingdom's Foreign Minister, Mr. Dick Warren.

As a prestigious noble family, the Warren family traditionally leaned towards diplomacy, maintaining close ties with many high-ranking officials in other countries. However, contrary to the impression of diplomats as adept at diplomacy, Mr. Dick Warren was a rather ruthless man.

He believed that military force was the best way to communicate with other countries.

"What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get at the negotiating table." This was his motto.

Fortunately, in terms of military strength alone, the Kingdom of Lornes is no less powerful than any other country on the continent; in addition, the conservative military aristocracy within the kingdom is also very powerful, so his tough style is appreciated by many people.

As for those who might be unhappy about this... of course, there are. But who cares about them?

Perhaps it was because of his strong personality and lack of tenderness that Gavin always felt more fear than affection towards his father.

During this meeting with Mr. Dick Warren, Wayne also sensed the serious atmosphere surrounding him.

To be honest, Wayne was a little surprised.

According to Wayne, the Foreign Secretary was always busy with official duties and rarely had the time to meddle in family affairs. In short, as long as it wasn't in his presence, he rarely cared how much Gavin indulged in his private life.

But today, when he heard that I had come to see Gavin, he actually took the initiative to ask to say a few words to me, which was strange enough in itself.

Perhaps he had encountered some difficulties, for Lord Dick's expression was not very good.

“Wayne, your father and I have been old friends for many years, and our families are practically family friends…” His opening remarks gave Wayne a bad feeling.

“I already know some things, you don’t need to hide them from me for that rebellious son.”

These words made Wayne lose his composure. He hesitated and drew out the last syllable: "You mean?"

Dick said in a stern voice with a straight face, "It's those shady people he's been hooking up with outside."

Goodness, Wayne almost lost control of his facial expressions.

Has Gavin already revealed this himself? He once said that if his dad found out about this, he would break his legs.

No wonder he had to write himself a letter asking for help.

Wayne seemed to suddenly understand something.

"Hmph, that wretched son! If it weren't for the city guards purging the poisonous influence and tracing his involvement, I would still be completely in the dark!" Dick slammed his fist on the table, still seething with anger as he brought it up.

"He actually dared to plant a spy bribed by a foreign power in the city guard in my name!"

Wayne's expression turned serious.

Does that mean Dief has already been found out? Well, since he chose to side with Simon and betray Bulwer, it's normal for him to be purged afterwards.

“Even now he’s still being stubborn, saying there must be some misunderstanding, and that his friends couldn’t possibly be spies.” After saying that, Dick looked at Wayne.

He also said that since you know that person, you can testify for him.

Damn it, you've dragged me into this mess too!

Wayne was quite speechless.

“Through Gavin’s introduction, I did indeed meet that young man named Dift…” Wayne said carefully.

"At the time, Gavin wanted to help him find a job and offered to let him work for one of my family's properties, but I refused him outright."

Dick raised an eyebrow when he heard this.

"You refused? Was there something wrong with him?"

“No, simply because I wouldn’t entrust important matters to someone I don’t know,” Wayne explained.

"Not long after, Gavin told me that he had made arrangements and someone in the city guard would look after him, so I didn't pay any more attention to it..."

Unsure of the Foreign Minister's true intentions, Wayne carefully distanced himself from the situation.

Upon hearing his story, Dick clicked his tongue.

"That brat, if only he had half your brains."

Before he could say anything else, Wayne quickly interjected, "May I meet with Gavin first? I also have some questions I'd like to ask him."

Thinking of his son, Dick showed a look of annoyance.

"Alright, let him tell you some things himself."

“If a similar situation occurs again in the future, report it to me immediately. I, Dick Warren, guarantee in the name of the entire family that I will remember this kindness!”

Isn't this a sign that our friendship will eventually end?

“…Okay.” Wayne gave a professional smile.

……

Although Gavin has made quite a mess this time, the Warren family's power should be enough to smooth things over.

Gavin did get a good scolding from his dad.

"That old man has such a cruel heart!"

Finally seeing Wayne, Gavin couldn't help but pour out his grievances, showing him the wounds on his body with a face full of resentment. "He was holding such a thick wooden stick! He was hitting me all over the place, almost beating me to death. Does he even consider me his son anymore?!"

While Wayne felt a little sorry for him, he also felt that he deserved it.

"Judging from your father's tone, he must have already stepped in to help you resolve this trouble." Wayne could only try his best to soothe his grief and indignation.

When it came to the trouble he had caused, Gavin felt guilty, but he was still unwilling to bow his head to his father.