Chapter 9: Can’t Be a Fool

At first listen, there was nothing wrong with these words.

But upon careful consideration, they felt a bit strange.

It was hard to tell if the man who spoke was lacking emotional intelligence or deliberately provoking.

“Mr. Rhys.”

A steadier voice sounded from the other side.

Rosie’s gaze passed over the black-haired man and landed on the area touched by the firelight behind him.

As if in symmetry, the other party’s formation was strikingly similar to theirs.
It was also a small group of four, three men and one woman.

The one who spoke was a middle-aged man, wearing a top hat and a black formal suit.
He was also holding a wooden cane with a grayish-green brass handle, which looked rather exquisite.

“May I be allowed to negotiate?”

The young black-haired man called Rhys smiled and stepped slightly aside to make way.

“Of course, Mr. Nair.”

Mr. Nair took a step forward, then raised his hand to remove his top hat and held it to his chest, bowing slightly.

“Gentlemen, ladies, we have no ill intentions.”

“If we have offended you in any way, please allow me to apologize.”

The bodyguard was cold-faced and cold-hearted, saying nothing.

However, the fact that the other party was willing to communicate was a good thing after all.

Hannah took a step forward and became the spokesperson for their side.

“You’re too kind, sir. May I ask your name?”

“Dewitt Nair.”

“Hannah Carter.”

“Hannah Carter, you are Baron Carter’s daughter?” Dewitt Nair said in surprise.

“You know me?”

Dewitt’s tone became even more respectful as he replied, “I am a furniture merchant. I have a habit of reading financial newspapers in my spare time. One issue of the paper published an exclusive interview with Baron Carter, which included information about his family.”

“Baron Carter is not only an outstanding nobleman but also a shrewd businessman.”

Listening, Rosie couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

No matter the era or the world, being a “celebrity” really was more convenient.

“Is that so? Then as fellow businessmen, you and my father must have a lot in common.”

Hannah first hinted at the intention of introducing him to Baron Carter, then changed the subject.

“Pardon me for asking, but does Mr. Nair know where we are now?”

A slightly bitter curve appeared on Dewitt Nair’s lips.

He shook his head.

“I’m very sorry, Miss Carter. I and these few people with me all woke up in strange rooms. We don’t know where this is.”

‘Another group of victims?’

Eight people, no, including Hannah’s personal maid Janice, the number of victims was as high as nine.

With so many people missing, it was bound to attract outside attention.

So, for the “culprit” to take such a big risk to “kidnap” them, only to leave them alone and let them “move freely”—it just didn’t make sense logically.

‘Motive, purpose, what does the “culprit” want?’

Rosie discreetly observed the people around her and on the other side, trying to dig out the commonalities among the eight of them and then deduce the “culprit’s” thoughts.

“I wonder, Miss Carter, on your side…”
Dewitt didn’t finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

“The situation on my side is the same as yours.”

‘We are all lambs to the slaughter.’
For a moment, the atmosphere became slightly heavy.

“There is strength in numbers. As long as we help each other, the God of Fate will surely guide His devout followers.”

After speaking, Dewitt touched his forehead and chest, and laid his hand flat on his left shoulder.

With the misunderstanding cleared up, the group gathered together and began to exchange greetings and introductions.

The “low-EQ” man who had spoken first was named Hermann Rhys, a reporter.

‘Mm, no wonder his mouth is so venomous.’
Rosie gave him a couple of extra glances, not because he was handsome, but because Hermann’s hair color and softer features gave her a sense of familiarity.

After all, the other few people had blond or red hair, and their facial features were more like those of Europeans from her previous life, more deep-set.

Of the remaining two, a young man was named Jesse Holmes, a clothing store clerk, and the young woman was named Bev Hardy, who was quite beautiful and an employee at Dewitt Nair’s shop.

To be honest, having to remember so many names at once, and speaking in a new language at that, made Rosie feel a bit dizzy.

On a side note, besides Dewitt being more enthusiastic after hearing her title as a viscount’s daughter, the other two young men had also been paying attention to her.
The only difference was that one’s gaze was direct, while the other’s was reserved.

Judging by the looks of it, “Rosie” must be quite good-looking.

After exchanging names, although they were still a bit reserved with each other, it was much better than the initial stiffness.

Donahue pointed at the candelabrum Hermann was holding and asked curiously, “Don’t you have a candle? Why were you walking in the dark?”

Hermann raised an eyebrow, his fingers moved slightly, and he twirled the handle of the candelabrum he was holding.

He said, “A light source can be reassuring, but it’s not safe.”

‘Does he mean the candlelight will reveal our position?’

‘This guy is quite scheming.’

Perhaps because Rosie had stared at this sharp-tongued man a couple of extra times, which he noticed, Hermann suddenly turned his head and struck up a conversation with her.

“We were so far away and didn’t even have a candle lit. How did you all discover us?”

‘Can’t you ask Mr. Bobby, who you were just talking to?’

‘You can’t walk straight when you see a pretty girl, can you?’

Rosie complained inwardly, but on the surface, she maintained the persona of a viscount’s daughter.

Her clear, light voice politely answered his question.

“It was…”

‘Oh no, what was the bodyguard’s name again?’

“It was?”

Hermann repeated, mimicking her tone.

“…It was that gentleman, Hannah’s bodyguard. He gave us an advance warning.”

Rosie thoughtfully introduced the other person’s identity to Hermann.

‘A noble lady can’t be a fool who can’t remember names!’

Hermann followed the girl’s gaze and shifted his line of sight over, nodding.

“Oh, it’s Mr. Dennis Sanbek. As expected of a bodyguard for a noble, truly impressive.”

‘Dennis Sanbek, the bodyguard’s name.’
‘I have to remember it well.’

Rosie nodded and chimed in, “Yes, Mr. Sanbek is a bodyguard with outstanding professional skills.”

“Ahem.”

Donahue, who had been listening on the side, coughed lightly and corrected, “It’s Mr. Sandek, not Sanbek.”

“Oh, so it’s…”

Hermann deliberately paused here, then continued, “Mr. Sandek.”

“I’m not very good at remembering names. I always get them wrong.”

The man explained to himself, then looked at the viscount’s daughter beside him with a rather playful gaze.

Mr. Hermann’s frankness put Miss Rosie in a difficult position.

Someone else had mispronounced the name, and she had seriously chimed in.

“It’s normal. I often get names wrong too.”

“Then let me say it again, Donahue Bobby, my name.”

Rosie was speechless.

“…”

‘Mr. Bobby, when you talk to him, you really don’t have to look at me.’