Supreme Heir Son-in-law

Chapter 771: The Fig Leaf

When Xu Ke arrived, he could be said to be thoroughly prepared, so almost no effort was wasted, and the matter was already settled. Xu Ke’s side won an overwhelming victory without any pressure.

"Thank you." Xu Ke extended his hand to shake the lawyer’s hand and said.

"It was my duty, and besides, this case has been the easiest one I’ve ever handled. The evidence you prepared was very sufficient. I hope there will be another opportunity to work with you again." The lawyer said, a relaxed smile appearing on his stern face.

"There will be opportunities." Xu Ke replied with a smile.

The situation this time caused such a big stir that even without being told by others, Claude heard the whole story while walking down the street. After sending someone to the police station to inquire, he knew the result of this matter as well.

Listening to his subordinate’s vivid descriptions, a slightly peculiar smile slowly emerged on Claude’s face.

Once the whole story was told, the room fell completely silent, with only Claude silently smiling. The visitor waited with their head down for a long time without hearing Claude’s voice, then quietly looked up, their eyes meeting Claude’s, which startled them into quickly lowering their head again.

"You may leave now." Claude put away his smile and said, returning to his usual demeanor.

The visitor responded in a low voice and quickly turned to leave. It wasn’t until they were completely out of the room that they realized their back was soaked with sweat. Just now, Claude was truly terrifying, looking completely different from usual, like a demon crawling out of Hell.

With the door completely closed, the room was left with only Claude. His smile returned, and he even stood up from his chair, pacing back and forth in the room.

He wore a broad smile on his face, but no sound came from his mouth, just an open mouth displaying a smile. However, his eyes were filled with malice, making the scene before him particularly eerie and strange.

"Xu Ke, oh Xu Ke, you really surprise me. Indeed, my judgment was correct," Claude said softly.

Just as Claude finished venting his emotions in the room and stepped out, the butler, like a cat, reappeared behind Claude, speaking softly, "This Xu Ke has stirred up so much; it seems he’s not easy to control. I think it’s better for the young master to dismiss him and find someone easier to manage."

Claude stopped walking and turned to look at his butler.

"This is my business. I like conquering strong individuals like him. I hope you still remember what you promised me last time, and don’t think I’m just joking with you," Claude said, his gaze dangerously fixed on the butler who had been with him for many years.

Seeing Claude’s intense gaze on him, the butler’s heart trembled. He immediately lowered his eyes, avoiding the other’s sight, "I overstepped."

"As long as you understand. You have accompanied me for so many years, and I am grateful to you, but I am uncertain if your feelings for me are the same," Claude did not leave as usual; instead, he fully turned to face the butler directly.

"When I talked to you before, I felt you still had feelings for me, so I didn’t ask certain things, but today I’m not sure about your feelings for me, so there are some things I must ask," he continued.

"What would you like to ask?" the butler inquired.

"Yes, what do I want to ask? Could it be that you aren’t clear in your mind?" Looking at the butler’s graying hair and still-familiar features, Claude felt a bit dazed.

"Are you my butler or the Manson family’s butler? Is your affection for me born from our years of mutual support, or have you regarded me purely as a task from the start? Did you bring me the best teachers to educate me so that I would serve the Manson family when I grew up?" Claude asked three consecutive questions, staring into the other’s eyes.

"I hope you think carefully before you speak. You know I hate it when people lie to me," Claude said with a slight chill in his voice.

The butler maintained his bowing posture, saying nothing, and the air seemed to solidify for this reason.

"Sometimes, silence is indeed a very good answer. I think I know your answer. So be it; I don’t know whether I should applaud you for your years of endurance or myself for having such ridiculous feelings." A slight smirk appeared at the corner of Claude’s mouth, void of any real cheer, merely curved up. His eyes even held mockery, though it was unclear if it was directed at himself or the butler.

"Keeping you here has indeed wronged you, and I’ll arrange for a new butler to take over your duties soon. Once everything is settled, you can return to the Manson family," Claude said, retracting his smile and turning expressionless.

"Please, don’t say that. Everything I’ve done was voluntary. Staying by your side has been the happiest time of my life. However, I am not just your butler; I come from the Manson family, and since the lady is also from the Manson family, I believe she would hope for you to live within the Manson family," the butler said, affection and anxiety evident on his face.

Upon hearing Claude’s words of dismissal, a trace of panic finally appeared on the butler’s face. Looking fondly into Claude’s eyes, he spoke with earnestness.

"Perhaps, but I’ve never tolerated sand in my eyes, and you know this too. If you truly resent leaving, come bid me farewell before you do," Claude said, staring into the aging yet serene eyes of the butler, his expression unchanged from usual.

Seeing that Claude held no intention of changing his mind, a flicker of desolation crossed the butler’s eyes, but he maintained composure, saying, "Please be sure to protect and take care of yourself in my absence." He gave Claude a bow and departed, likely preparing to hand over duties to the new butler.

He failed to see the dangerous look Claude cast in his direction as he turned away.

The old butler was filled with sadness, and using the time before his departure from the manor, he nostalgically visited all the places he cherished, beginning to impart his knowledge to the newcomer.

Originally, he thought training the new recruit would take substantial time, allowing him to linger longer at the manor. However, whether it was due to Claude’s good fortune or not, the new butler was outstanding in every area, including learning ability. Like a sponge, he continually absorbed everything taught by the butler, as if perpetually insatiable.