My older sister is a villainous rich girl

He looked up in surprise and saw the boy holding the dog still standing there after the crowd had dispersed.

The stranger and his dog both had identical innocent and clear eyes.

Wayne noticed that the man's brow furrowed even more deeply the moment he discovered him.

"You...who are you?" Out of wariness, he subconsciously straightened his body.

The boy wore exquisitely tailored and cleverly designed clothes, clearly expensive at first glance. He also wore a ruby-encrusted ring on his right thumb, proclaiming his wealth and status. Bartók was certain he didn't know this person.

"Well, I'm just an ordinary passerby who happened to be eating. I overheard your argument and know you're having a little trouble. Would you mind finding a place to sit down?"

Upon hearing this, the group exchanged bewildered glances.

To avoid the embarrassment of having to turn back, Wayne took the lead and walked in the opposite direction from where he had come from.

Fortunately, there was a small coffee shop around the corner.

Whether he believed Wayne's claims of seeking business cooperation or not, Bartók dismissed his men and went inside alone.

"You look quite wealthy."

After ordering two coffees and settling down by the window, Bartók spoke directly.

"For someone like you, time must be very precious, and you probably wouldn't have time to waste on a nobody like me. So, let me be blunt."

"My name is Bartók, and I have been running a timber mill for many years. Some time ago, a type of wood called 'Yang wood' became very popular in the market because of its excellent properties, and the handicrafts carved from it were very beautiful. A friend introduced me to a small town that produces this kind of wood, and I signed a... huge contract to buy a piece of forest."

When the word "huge" was mentioned, Bartók looked a little strained, as if he was struggling to breathe under the weight of the word.

“Yang wood isn’t a particularly rare plant, nor is it a traditional building material. And that town is very remote. If it weren’t for that ‘friend,’ I wouldn’t have needed to go to such a place and spend so much money—” He paused for two seconds, not wanting to mention too much irrelevant shady stuff, and quickly shifted the topic to the current transaction.

"If you need this batch of timber, I can sell it to you at a lower price, but the payment must be settled in full at once."

After giving a brief overview of the situation, he stared at Wayne with a serious expression, his right hand unconsciously clenching.

That fully alert posture made Wayne feel that if he said anything inappropriate, Wayne might explode on the spot, angrily grabbing his collar.

"No, no, no, I'm not interested in wood."

Before his expression could change, Wayne swiftly uttered his next question: "What I want to know is, from whom did you purchase this land?"

Upon hearing this unexpected question, Bartók's eyes showed a hint of doubt.

Although he was somewhat suspicious of the other party's true intentions, he still answered in a gruff voice: "The largest landowner in the town of Perdonis is said to be a branch family of a very important noble family in the capital."

Wayne pondered for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

How strange! Although it wasn't a secret that the Wincher family sent people to inspect the fiefdom, not many people knew beforehand that they and Chris were also in the inspection team.

Not to mention the completely unplanned destination of Perdonis.

How could it be such a coincidence that the clues I wanted were delivered to my door as soon as I stepped out?

Thinking of this, he glanced at Xiaobai, who was lying listlessly to the side.

According to Wayne's original plan, he and the main force would split up in a nearby city, with only Chris and the personal guards his father had specially arranged for him. He knew that there must be powerful enough mages among these guards to protect Chris's safety, and the other accompanying persons were not so important.

Rather than having everyone put aside their important matters and accompany the young masters and ladies on their journeys, it would be better to leave some people behind to focus on official business, allowing us to travel more easily.

He didn't want to make a big fuss about the visit. While past disagreements weren't enough to make him hold a grudge, they were still unpleasant...

Thinking of this, he smiled politely.

"Alright, I've decided to go and inspect the site first. If there are no other problems, I'd like to buy that piece of land."

Wayne uttered the word Bartók most wanted to hear: "Full payment."

Chapter 638 Doing Whatever You Want

After settling some details with Bartók, the lumberyard owner, who was both surprised and skeptical, Wayne took Little White on his way back to their lodgings.

"You didn't arrange this, did you?" Wayne asked suspiciously.

"what?"

"How could there be such a coincidence? Perdonis is just an extremely poor border town with no reputation whatsoever. It might not even be marked on the maps printed by the royal palace."

"You doubt me?" Xiaobai glanced at him with the look one would give someone an idiot. "Do you think I'm a god?"

Seeing that its expression didn't seem fake, Wayne was mostly convinced, but he still couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Didn't you shamelessly claim to be a god before?"

"Tch, you believe everything I say?"

Wayne was furious and rubbed its head hard.

After using its soft fur to ease his frustration, Wayne muttered to himself in confusion, "Could it be that we've been targeted by someone else?"

It seems we still need to investigate secretly, lest we be tricked without even realizing it.

However, now that I've brought people with me, it's probably not convenient for me to handle this matter alone anymore. I'll leave it to the people arranged by the family.

However, when Wayne returned to the front door of the temporary residence, he was surprised to find the executive butler who was in charge of arranging his and Chris's trip sitting on the roadside looking very confused.

"Huh? Uncle Joels, what's wrong with you?"

He was worried that something might have happened to Chris.

To everyone's surprise, when Joels saw him, he almost couldn't catch his breath and rushed to him with a heavy gasp.

For the first time, Wayne noticed that this executive butler, who usually only tended to the flowers and plants in the Duke's mansion, actually possessed such remarkable skills.

"My little darling, you scared me to death." Joels pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead, barely managing to maintain his composure. "Next time you go out, just don't shake off your guards again."

Joels hadn't expected that the two bodyguards who were specifically assigned to protect his young master would return shortly after he left to report that he was missing. He was terrified and restless, fearing that his failure to protect him had put young master Wayne in danger and that he had failed the Duke's trust.

Wayne was surprised for a moment upon hearing this, and under the other party's resentful gaze, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

He had only gone out to say some shady things to that dead dog, so he subconsciously concealed his whereabouts as soon as he stepped out the door, without even noticing whether anyone was following him.

He apologized for causing everyone unnecessary worry.

I'm sorry, I'll do it again next time.

"—However, if I suddenly disappear again next time, don't worry, and don't spare anyone to search for me," Wayne instructed. "I'll come back naturally after I've resolved the issue."

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

Even though he didn't say it aloud, Wayne understood what he meant. He patted Joels on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Uncle Joels, I'm stronger than the other mages in the team. If you don't believe me, let them come and spar with me."

The steward was momentarily at a loss for words to refute.

"Oh, right, I have another task that I need to assign someone to handle."

……

When Wayne knocked and entered Chris's bedroom, she had changed into more comfortable clothes and was sitting quietly at the table, flipping through a book.

Since Wayne had informed her in advance, Chris did not suspect his whereabouts.

"How's it going? Got the spot right?" she joked without looking up.

"Why do you make it sound like I'm about to commit a thief?" Wayne casually moved a chair and placed it next to Chris. "Isn't it a coincidence that I ran into people from the town of Perdonis as soon as I stepped out?"

Chris was indeed drawn to the topic and closed her book.

Seeing her interest, Wayne shared the story of the Bartók lumber mill with her. "So I immediately decided that, if there were no problems, I would buy that land, do some minor renovations, and then move my... parents and some other things that might still be there."

As is customary, the assets of Wayne's original parents should all be under the control of the divided family, and he didn't have much confidence in their sense of responsibility.

“That’s definitely a good idea. At least we’ll have ownership of the land, and it’ll be easier for us to arrange for people to take care of it in the future,” Chris nodded.

"But... if you really don't like those people, why not just change the head of the family?"

She tilted her head and casually uttered words that were beyond Wayne's imagination.

Wayne's eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" Chris chuckled when she saw his surprised expression. "Although they have long since severed ties with the main family and are not even considered vassals of vassals, theoretically Father cannot directly interfere in their family's internal affairs, but you don't really think they dare to disregard the Duke's opinion, do you?"

"Uh... this isn't quite right." Wayne finally understood what it felt like for the wealthy and powerful to bully others.

"Stop talking nonsense and just tell me if you want to or not."

"think."

—It is indeed very enjoyable to do whatever you want.

"Then you just stay silent and watch my performance."

She slammed the book on the table with a "thud!", stood up, and deliberately rudely lifted the lace cuffs of her skirt, saying in a harsh voice, "Hmph, I am the dignified heiress Chris, the tyrant of the capital, and my title is not just for show!"

The tranquil atmosphere inside the room, which had just been peaceful and serene, was immediately shattered.

Under such an imposing aura, Wayne immediately revealed his deep admiration and gratitude for Miss Chris, wishing he could offer himself to her on the spot.

“I know you’ll definitely stand up for me, but I don’t want this to make your reputation even worse…”

Pah! What a classic line from a hypocrite!

Wayne shook off those messy thoughts, straightened his face and said seriously, "Chris, have you ever thought that you don't have to always label yourself as a willful and capricious young lady?"

That's clearly not your true nature.

As he uttered those words, a slight thought stirred within him.

Perhaps this is something I've wanted to say for a long time, not just for this occasion.

His gaze drifted in another direction, feigning nonchalance. "If I were to do something that would be distasteful, regardless of how others would judge me, I would want to bear the consequences in my own name, rather than hiding behind you, enjoying your protection, and ruining your image."

After a moment, Chris burst out laughing. "Hey, what kind of image do you have of me?"

Unexpectedly, she was concerned about this issue, and Wayne's face flushed slightly.

"Hmm... Is he reliable in crucial moments?"

"anything else?"

"I get confused when it's not crucial."

Chris's expression hardened. "Oh."

"Of course, whether you're reliable or a bit absent-minded, it's all part of what makes you lovable. So—"

So it doesn't matter if you don't play the villainous heiress who only exists in stories.

Chapter 639 Things Have Changed

Sometimes Wayne would ponder what [time travel] truly meant for him and Chris.

Want to experience a life different from the past? Want to make up for regrets that can never be undone?

However, new life will also create new regrets. Whether in stories or in reality, if things continue to develop, the outcome will always be unsatisfactory.

Just like fairy tales always end with the prince and princess getting together, without depicting how happy their married life is.

The prince and princess who come together amidst blessings may one day become the foolish king and wicked queen at the beginning of another story, becoming the targets of struggle for a new generation of princes and princesses.

However, however...

Even so, Wayne firmly believes that this extra life he has been fortunate enough to gain, the people he has met, and the happiness and joy he has experienced must all have their own unique meaning.

Confusion and doubt simply stem from not having found the real answer yet.

Flocks of birds took flight from the forest roadside as the sun gradually set.

A well-equipped convoy drove in an orderly fashion along a flat road, kicking up a trail of dust.

At the head of the caravan, Wayne, taking the initiative, was privately entertaining Bartók, the timber merchant who had been invited to join the group. In the spacious carriage, he raised a long-necked silver teapot and poured Bartók, who was sitting opposite him, another cup of black tea.

Thanks to structural improvements and special balancing magic, even though the dirt road wasn't perfectly smooth, the liquid in the teacup only swayed slightly.

Bartók was flattered.

He had assumed the young man before him was wealthy and powerful, but to have such a caravan and knights as guards... the young man was probably even more influential than he had anticipated. He carefully considered every question and answer before daring to speak, lest he displease this mysterious guest.

"Relax, Bartók." Seeing his restrained demeanor throughout the journey, Wayne felt both amused and helpless.

For safety reasons, Wayne had someone investigate Bartók's background before setting off again.

According to the guards' reports, there was nothing particularly noteworthy. Bartók had inherited his family business and had been in the timber processing industry for over twenty years, earning a small reputation within the field. Most of those who had worked with him spoke highly of him, saying he was very loyal and righteous.

For this reason, Wayne simply invited him to travel together to the town of Perdonis, so as to resolve the land transaction issue as soon as possible.

Under the watchful eyes of many knights, Bartók agreed to set off together, but his cautious demeanor made it seem as if he had been forcibly kidnapped by himself.