Stop trying to control me, Miss Moriarty!

Chapter 36 Loyal Dog

It's 7 p.m.

The carriage rolled over the last puddle on the gravel road, splashing up dark yellow water, before slowly coming to a stop in front of an inconspicuous, dilapidated house.

"Keep the change, please."

The gold coin in Lady Burtis's hand arced through the air and landed precisely in the coachman's palm.

"Oh! Thank you, Your Excellency!"

The driver bowed and thanked him. After the two guests got off the carriage, he immediately brandished his whip and lashed the horse's rump hard.

It was practically like they were running away.

However, it's normal to have this reaction.

The landmark on the road sign in the distance was long since eroded and ruined by dampness, but the text was still barely legible.

—Whitechapel district.

The heart of London's slums, sometimes referred to as Hell's London office.

The streets were piled with garbage that hadn't been cleaned in who knows how long, and a deep yellow stench billowed from the sewer openings. Rats as thick as an arm scurried around without restraint, and stray cats dozing on the garbage cans opened one eye and then lazily closed it again, having long been accustomed to this sight.

The surrounding buildings were crookedly crammed together, their exterior walls mottled, their windows boarded up, or simply empty, leaving only dark, gaping holes.

This area is home to a large Jewish immigrant population from Eastern Europe and is known for its overcrowding, filth, and high crime rate. It is said that London police would rather patrol other areas twice as much as possible than venture into this area late at night.

It's almost as if it's there to prove this point.

A ragged little boy ran past Lady Burtis.

She grabbed the boy's almost bony arm, her face contorted with malice: "You brat, how dare you steal my things!"

The boy's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"Madam, I'm sorry... I..." His teeth were chattering, and he could barely speak.

"Madeline, let him go," a gentle boy's voice rang out.

"Yes, sir." The fierce look on Lady Burtis's face vanished instantly.

After regaining his freedom, the boy staggered back two steps and almost fell to the ground.

He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a hooded older brother. Even so, the half of his face that was visible was extremely handsome.

He couldn't think of any words to describe it for a moment.

Erin walked up to the boy and knelt down.

He moved very quietly, as if afraid of startling the other person, and then secretly put two rolled-up banknotes into the boy's pocket while making a "shh" gesture.

"Let's go quickly."

The boy was stunned.

He felt the texture of the contents of his pocket; the patterns on them confirmed that they contained two ten-pound notes.

For a moment, he almost doubted that he was dreaming, and quickly pinched his arm, which had almost no flesh.

The pain felt very real...

"Yes, yes!" He kept bowing his head in gratitude, like a wind-up puppet. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Let's go quickly," Erin simply repeated.

The boy snapped out of his daze and darted into the alleyway beside him like a startled rabbit.

He didn't dare stop until he had run a very, very long way, and leaned against the wall, panting heavily.

Twenty pounds.

That's enough for Mom's medical treatment.

The extra money could feed my sister for several months.

He pinched his face hard.

pain.

It really isn't a dream.

Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes.

"Lord Adler, the brats here are all bad seeds. You don't need to feel sorry for them," Duchess Burtis couldn't help but remind her.

She had seen too many; out of ten children growing up in this area, five would become thieves, pickpockets, or criminals.

As for the other half, they never even reach adulthood.

"No." Erin shook his head. "The child's clothes were old but clean. I think he probably has a loving mother."

"Besides, you didn't conceal your magic at all. The other people who were spying were scared and kept their distance. Only that kid knew this and still dared to come over. His stealing method was also quite clumsy. Something must have happened at his home."

"I see, as expected of you."

Because of the hood, Duchess Burtis could only see the slight curve of Erin's lips.

She immediately looked delighted: "Just like when we first met, you are as kind as ever. No wonder I fell in love with you at first sight."

Erin also played along, feigning a nostalgic expression: "Nice to meet you? That was so long ago."

Upon hearing this, Duchess Burtis blushed instantly, her face lighting up with delight: "You also remember what happened eleven years ago?"

How many? Eleven years?

Love at first sight?!

Wasn't I only four years old then?!

Erin silently increased the distance between them.

Let's put her in jail after this incident is over.

No, this kind of person should be thrown into the Inquisition.

Duchess Bourges, completely oblivious to his inner thoughts, began to recount the events of the past.

"I was working for a big slave owner back then, and my daily task was to whip the slaves. Until that day, I saw you as I passed by the theater..."

At this point, she couldn't help but cover her cheeks, like a young girl experiencing her first love: "You were standing at the theater entrance, wearing a white suit, your silver hair shimmering under the lights, you looked just like, like a little angel."

"At that time, I was dressed in rags, looking as slovenly as a beggar on the street. I reeked of the sweat and grime of the slave camp, my hair was greasy and stuck to my face, and my hands were stained with blood that hadn't been washed off."

Her voice began to tremble: "But you actually smiled at me, my God, you actually smiled at me! From that moment on, I made up my mind that one day I would stand before you. For that, I killed countless opponents, sold slaves and opium to America..."

Erin: "..."

What can a four-year-old understand?

Isn't it normal for him to smile at strangers?!

"Stop, Madeline, stop."

Erin didn't want to listen anymore; he felt something called merit was slipping away from him...

He glanced at the still-closed metal door and changed the subject: "Haven't your men arrived yet?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps echoed through the mansion, indicating that a group of people were running frantically.

The door was suddenly pulled open.

A bald man was at the front, followed by seven or eight subordinates.

He completely ignored the muddy ground, bent his right leg, and knelt down heavily.

Then he crawled forward and kissed the tip of Lady Burtis's high heel.

"Mother--"

His voice trembled, filled with regret and awe:

"I'm so sorry, it's all my fault for making you wait so long in this dirty place. I deserve to die."

Mother?

Erin's expression was quite strange.

This bald man named Tao, who looks to be almost fifty, is calling a woman in her thirties "Mom"?

Oh, no, no.

The word "mother" here likely refers to the godmother, which is a preconceived notion.

"It's alright, Tao." Burtis reached out and gently stroked his bald head, as if petting a loyal dog. "I'll forgive you."

Tao's tears welled up instantly: "Praise be to your kindness, Godmother!"

Then, he looked up and curiously examined Erin: "And who is this?"

"Tao, you are not qualified to know this lord's name."

Tao's curiosity vanished instantly, replaced by a fawning smile on his greasy face: "My lord, I have offended you. Please forgive me."

Erin pulled her hood down, completely ignoring him, and said in a low voice, "Madeline, my time is precious."

Tao immediately understood and roared at his subordinates, "What are you all standing around for! Quickly pave the way for the godmother and this gentleman!"

Upon hearing the order, his subordinates fell to the ground like dominoes, forming a human carpet with their bodies.

Their faces were pressed against the ground, their expressions showing no humiliation, as if they had long been accustomed to it.

Erin clenched his fists and walked directly onto the muddy ground beside him.

His boots sank into the mud, making a squelching sound.

Tao paused for a moment, then quickly ran forward to lead the way: "I apologize for my intrusion, Godmother, sir, this way please."

From the outside, this mansion looks no different from other old houses in the Whitechapel district, with its mottled walls and broken windows, and is quite unremarkable. But inside, it is a completely different world.

The walls on both sides of the corridor are covered with original works by various famous masters, such as Turner's seascape, Constable's clouds, and several paintings whose origins even Erin couldn't name. Even the frames are made of pure gold, shimmering with the luster of money under the magic lamp.

The carpet underfoot was so soft that your ankles could sink into it, and its intricate pattern clearly indicated it wasn't a cheap product.

Then they went into the living room.

The aroma of the black tea has already spread, rich and mellow, with a faint floral scent.

Just by smelling it, Erin knew that this was a very high-end product, the kind that costs at least ten pounds a pound.

It has to be said that illegal activities can indeed be profitable.

Tao personally brought over two cups of black tea and carefully placed them on the table.

He stepped aside, standing with his hands at his sides, as humble as a loyal servant awaiting his master's command.

"Godmother, is there anything I can do for you here?"

Lady Bourgess picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

"Tao," she said, disappointment in her eyes, "some say you went against my will."

Tao's ugly face instantly turned completely bloodless.

He practically roared, "Godmother! Absolutely not! How could I dare disobey your will! Who's spreading these lies?!"

He started looking around, as if trying to find that guy.

"Is that so?" Duchess Burtis looked puzzled, then her eyes flashed with a fierce light: "But Archie has already confessed that you and he were involved in human trafficking."

Tao froze, as if struck by lightning.

He completely abandoned any hope of survival, his legs buckled, and he knelt on the ground. "Archie forced me to do this!"

He cried out hoarsely, "You know, he... he's always been that kind of person! A lowly Lupo! I'm no match for him, Godmother!"

Duchess Burtis lowered her head, reached out her hands, and gently stroked Tao's cheeks, as if she were handling a pet:

"You know what, Tao? You've always been my favorite child because you're so capable, and you also share the same name as another Tao."

Tao looked up, his face full of relief: "Godmother, thank you for your mercy! I will definitely kill Archie for you!"

At the same time, his expression showed a hint of jealousy: "Who is the other Tao?"

"Don't you remember? You met it just last year."

"……it?"

"Oh, that's my fault too." Duchess Burtis seemed to realize something. "Tao is the Bieber dog that I keep at my manor. I didn't introduce him to you."

Tao felt the hands begin to move downwards, from his cheeks to his neck.

He suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Is it...is it alright now?"

Duchess Burtis smiled again, her smile incredibly gentle: "Three months ago, after I returned from the zoo, it barked at me three times, so I had no choice but to kill it with a golf club."

The temperature in the room dropped below freezing instantly.

Tao quickly forced a smile: "Godmother, I can be your dog too!"

"Woof woof woof—woof woof woof—"

However, Duchess Burtis's face showed disappointment: "Why do you imitate it? It sounds much cuter than you."

Tao wanted to say something more.

But he could no longer make a sound.

Lady Burtis grabbed Tao by the neck, and under the light, the crimson nail polish on her nails looked as vibrant as fresh blood.

"Why?" A tear slid down her cheek.

"Whether it's you or it, I've already given you two chances, but you didn't know how to cherish them?"

She gradually increased her strength.

Tao's eyes rolled back and bulged out, he foamed at the mouth, and kicked the coffee table while his feet were thrashing on the ground.

The tea set was scattered all over the floor, making a crisp sound.

Normally, those loyal subordinates would stand motionless by the wall, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

Tao's face turned from pale to bluish-purple, and his tongue slowly emerged as he struggled.

However, there was a huge disparity in strength between the two sides, leaving them no room for resistance.

soon.

He stopped struggling.

Duchess Bourges tossed the corpse aside like a dead dog, took out a square towel, soaked it in hot water, and carefully wiped her hands.

She looked around, her gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"From now on, we will all obey this person's arrangements!"

Everyone knelt down simultaneously, their foreheads pressed against the cold floor, their voices in unison:

"Yes, Godmother!"

.

A small alley.

In the darkness, Lady Burtis, who had just exuded authority and murderous intent in the mansion, was now crouching on the ground, rubbing against Erin's hand like a spoiled pet dog:

"Lord Adler, do you believe me now?"

Erin gave him a forced, businesslike look: "I've never doubted you, Madeline. But as your subordinates, you should be held accountable for their actions to some extent."

Duchess Bourges smiled. "Yes, that's why I killed him. Did I do a good job?"

"...Very good, next up is another place."

Earlier, Erin had a friendly exchange with Lady Burtis and subsequently established a cooperative relationship with her.

It was from her that Erin learned that the mastermind behind this human trafficking incident was likely the already deceased Tao, and another Lupo subhuman named Archie Brooks.

Just now, the identities of the trafficked people held in the basement were successfully confirmed, and they will be sent home tomorrow morning.

However, there were no demi-humans among them, because Archie Brooks had already taken all the demi-humans to another place beforehand.

Duchess Burtis looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Before we set off, could you please give me a reward?"

"..."

Erin looked at her with disgust, but finally took out a bag of cookies from his trench coat pocket: "Open your mouth."

"Waaah..."

Duchess Burtis did not take the biscuit with her hands, but instead stuck out her tongue and put it in her mouth.

"Woof woof~"

She let out a joyful cry, her face beaming with delight, and rubbed against Erin's thigh.

Erin sighed inwardly and stroked her head: "Good girl, good girl~"