Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO

Chapter 813 - 525: On the Road [15] Over Forty Years Ago, Mechanism City in the Desert

"Have you heard him mention the ’Loulanel plan’ or ’Mechanism City’?"

Suddenly hearing these two terms, Eli Linfield was astonished and widened his eyes.

He asked back, "You know too?"

Marcus Shaw and Oliver Scott’s expressions turned tense.

Instinctively, they sat upright.

They suddenly had a premonition that the reason Nora Scott had Eli Linfield prepare in advance wasn’t just because of them, but because of—"Loulanel plan," "Mechanism City."

Nora Scott responded with an "Mm."

"To be honest, that’s the reason I first got curious about him," Eli Linfield scratched his chin, looking a bit troubled, "But I’ve tried to cozy up for a couple of years, and he hasn’t said a single word about it."

Nora Scott laughed, "Was he fooling you for drinks?"

"... "

Eli Linfield was speechless.

Well, it seems that might be the case.

Seeing that he had no information of value, Nora Scott waved dismissively, her interest waning, "Let’s go."

"But I know a little," Eli Linfield felt he still had a bit of value to offer and gestured ’a little’ with his fingers, saying, "Though just a little."

"Speak."

Nora Scott lifted her eyelids slightly.

Eli Linfield glanced at Marcus Shaw and Oliver Scott.

Nora Scott said, "My brother."

"... "

Eli Linfield thought to himself, your brothers are all over the world, you might have misjudged, right? These two teenagers seem immature, even if they’re loyal to Nora, they might reveal everything if they get scared. Not reliable.

While considering this, he heard Nora Scott speak again—

"They’re related."

"Cough cough!"

Eli Linfield almost choked on his own saliva.

What?

What the heck?

Nora, you rebellious female Wraith Lachlan, how do you have two related teenage brothers?! The mystery dropped significantly!

After thinking for a moment and recalling the two’s ID cards, Eli Linfield realized, "Both related, huh? Then their surnames—" Seeing Nora Scott glaring at him, he promptly changed his tune, "I’m not asking, I’m not asking."

"Speak."

"Alright."

Since there’s a blood relationship, Eli Linfield couldn’t say much else, so he nodded.

He said, "The Loulanel plan is something I heard from my elders. Roughly forty years ago, a secret project took place near Lanel City, gathering the country’s top engineers at the time—probably around a hundred people. But the core team only had seven members. Strangely, all seven were experts in Mechanical Techniques, and among them, the leader was probably the country’s most outstanding master of the art."

"What they were building was a Mechanism City."

Upon hearing this, Nora Scott’s brow twitched, her eyes slightly narrowed.

"To be honest, one of my grand-uncles was a participant in that project, kept it a secret all his life, only mentioned it during his twilight years when his mind grew dull."

"But not much. It was a confidential project, not allowed to be publicized."

"I just know he felt regretful, as it seems the Mechanism City was halted before completion."

"... My grand-uncle passed away early, he was young at that time, just heard and asked curiously, never pursued further. When the thirst for knowledge came, my grand-uncle had already left. Isn’t it because Clarence mentioned it I got curious, so I’ve been pestering him?"

After speaking, Eli Linfield lightly furrowed his brow, giving Nora Scott a heads-up, "Even though you’re all-powerful... Clarence has a really tight-lipped mouth. I estimate that even if we confront him, he won’t say anything."

Nora Scott showed no expression, "We’ll see when the time comes."

After extracting all of Eli Linfield’s value, the cold and ruthless female Wraith Lachlan—Nora Scott had her two brothers escort him out, tossing the limping Eli Linfield out the door.

After seeing Eli Linfield off, Oliver Scott scratched his head and doubtfully asked, "Sis, is there any connection between Mechanism City and Mechanical Techniques...and you?"

Nora Scott casually responded, "I’m only 25."

It’s something from forty years ago, if it’s related to her, it could only be from a past life.

But she has no memories of a past life.

"... "

Oliver Scott was rendered speechless.

Actually, he wanted to ask if it had any connection to Nora Scott’s lineage of Mechanical Techniques...

After all, Nora Scott’s proficiency in Mechanical Techniques is incredibly impressive, and judging by her usual attitude, Antonio Easton in Mechanical Techniques could easily outmatch her.

It’s conceivable how formidable Antonio Easton’s techniques are.

Moreover, forty years ago Antonio Easton was in his twenties...what if such an extraordinary person was recruited into the project?

Oliver Scott felt his imagination was running wild, and decided to stop his thoughts from diverging too much.

Marcus Shaw took a trip outside, came back, and brought some prepared milk pudding to Nora Scott.

Preoccupied with unknown thoughts, Nora Scott distractedly finished the milk pudding, then said, "If anything comes up, find Clarence and discuss it."

"Mm."

Oliver Scott nodded in agreement.

Marcus Shaw had no objections to this.

The two didn’t linger, tidied up some trash for Nora Scott, and then left.

Nora Scott nestled in a rattan chair, organizing her thoughts, suddenly thinking of the reason the Loulanel plan seemed familiar to her—

Evelyn Winter!

Nora Scott suddenly sat upright.

She recalled.

The first time Evelyn Winter came to Cloudwater Haven, they recognized as sisters, and when leaving, Evelyn Winter asked—"Do you know about the Loulanel plan?"

At the time, she knew nothing about it and showed no reaction.

Evelyn Winter didn’t say much and left.

Evelyn Winter, Mechanical Techniques, Loulanel plan.

She painstakingly sought out Master Sliver, perhaps aiming for Antonio Easton.

...

Nora Scott felt like a net was being woven larger and larger, ready to drop down any moment, potentially involving generations.

She was just one of them.

Nora tried dialing Evelyn Winter’s phone.

No one answered.

*

The next day, the weather was clear with a spotless blue sky.

The three-day hike was about to begin, and what faced the guests and the production team was an even harsher challenge — the chosen path was inaccessible to vehicles, relying only on two legs to proceed.

At seven in the morning, after practicing the bamboo flute, Nora went downstairs to sit in the restaurant, enjoying the sandwiches and eggs made by Marcus Shaw.

After a few bites, Nora suddenly asked Marcus, "Any progress?"

The others looked puzzled, but Marcus instantly understood what Nora meant.

"..."

Regarding Nora’s bamboo flute performance, Marcus chose to remain silent.

"Got it."

Nora waved her hand, signaling Marcus to scram.

The people around her either showered her with all kinds of unwarranted praise or mercilessly criticized, few like Marcus were honest, brave, and spoke truthfully.

This life as lonely as snow.

Nora took another bite of the sandwich.

At this moment, Clement Winter came downstairs, still sleepy-eyed, with his hair sticking up, rubbing his eyes as he greeted Nora, "Morning, Nora."

Nora was surprised, "Just woke up?"

"Uh-huh."

Clement nodded.

Being stared at by Nora for a few seconds, Clement belatedly thought of Nora’s bamboo flute noise and explained sheepishly, "I have earplugs."

"Oh."

That explained it.

Sitting down, Clement rested both elbows on the table, slightly leaned forward, and asked seriously, "Nora, haven’t you thought of finding a teacher to systematically learn it?"

Nora’s eyelids drooped halfway, answering lazily, "Tried, they said I have no talent, won’t teach."

"..."

Clement blinked.

Privately he felt Nora hadn’t reached the "unteachable" level yet.

Clement tried to help, "Find another one?"

"Let’s just muddle through for now."

Nora was quite indifferent.

Though Julian Linfield was rather irresponsible and had a sharp tongue, maybe if he ever decided to teach, Nora might suddenly excel.

Nora felt there was no need to rush this.

——After all, she wasn’t the one being tortured by the noise.

Clement sighed, thinking that since it’s on TV, if her playing is broadcasted, viewers might find new dirt to add to "poor acting skills"...

Clement didn’t want Nora to be bashed.

He worried a bit, "I heard there’s a banquet when we reach the destination in three days, requiring a talent performance."

"I can play guitar."

"..."

Clement’s eyes lit up.

"Flute."

"..."

Clement’s eyes shone bright.

"Drums."

"..."

Clement’s eyes were glowing.

His idol was truly multi-talented!

For a moment, all Clement’s worries and concerns disappeared, he happily stood up, went to the kitchen to find something to eat, and a minute later was handed a sandwich and a cup of hot milk by Marcus.

Marcus made a portion for everyone.

Except for Valeria Young.

The last one to come downstairs, Valeria saw the breakfast in everyone’s hand, took a turn in the kitchen, puzzled, "Isn’t there one for me?"

"Forgot."

Marcus answered righteously.

Valeria was a bit upset, but naturally suggested, "Then make one for me."

Marcus didn’t even lift his eyelids, eating the sandwich, coldly tossed out two words, "No time."

"..."

Valeria was rebuffed, felt flatly defeated.

Everyone understood; facing someone like Valeria, either be as unsparing as Marcus, or as tactful as Oliver Scott, otherwise even a slight indulgence would have Valeria steer them around, whether willing or not, they would be led by her.

Nelson deeply felt this.

Valeria found some fruit and cereal in the kitchen to fill her stomach, and didn’t forget to sell misery in front of the camera, making a routine of dissing Nora and her siblings.

The plan was to set out by nine.

Everyone was ready, but since Valeria delayed, they were late, and she complained about not being helped.

Everyone adopted a cold, ignoring stance.

As they stepped out of the guesthouse, Nelson actively asked the production team, "Director, where’s our new guest?"

Just as he finished speaking, a sedan drove down the road, stopping exactly at the entrance.