Chapter Nine: Untitled

Not long after, Carmine and Melra arrived.

Verak rose and said, “Good morning, Father, Mother.”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, child.”

Carmine and Melra responded without any unusual expression and then took their seats.

Soon after, Kellerman and Julia also came into the dining room.

This time, Verak remained seated. “Sister, Julia, good morning.”

“Good morning, Chris,” Kellerman replied naturally.

Julia hesitated for a moment, casting an indescribable glance at Verak. “Good morning... Brother.”

With the family gathered, the servants laid out the breakfast.

Carmine took a sip of the white wine freshly poured by the servant and asked casually, “Chris, how is your health? Have you recovered some?”

“Much better, Father,” Verak answered, continuing Carmine’s words.

“Don’t overexert yourself. Take care of your health and rest early every day,” Melra said kindly, looking at Verak with a gentle expression.

In the previous life, at this very moment, Verak had truly been moved by Melra’s simple words. At that time, he was consumed by jealousy, desperately wishing he were really Chris.

But now, Verak wore a false smile just like Melra’s. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Kellerman, how is the preparation for tonight’s banquet?” Carmine focused on his breakfast without turning to look at Kellerman.

“All set, Father,” Kellerman replied.

After that, no one spoke another word. Everyone quietly and leisurely ate their breakfast, creating an atmosphere that made Verak feel somewhat uneasy.

Suddenly, Verak sensed something. When he glanced up at the others at the table, he saw Julia quickly lower her head, fiddling with the food on her plate with her knife.

After breakfast, Carmine stood and informed Verak that he should continue to rest well today and that he had been given an extended leave, so there was no need to worry about work. Then he left in a hurry.

As Verak prepared to leave, Melra called out, “Chris, Fletcher, come to my room.”

Verak exchanged a glance with Fletcher and followed Melra to her room.

Once inside, Melra’s voice suddenly choked with emotion; her eyes reddened visibly. “Chris, are you really Chris?”

“Sorry, madam, he is just someone from Zwod City who looks very much like Master Chris—”

“I am,” Verak interrupted Fletcher’s explanation. “Mother, I am Chris Thomas.”

Upon hearing this, Melra could no longer hold back and broke down in tears.

Fletcher shot a glare at Verak. “Madam Melra, he is not Master Chris; he is Most Verak.”

Melra’s emotional collapse was swift but she quickly regained her composure, wiping away her tears. Verak bowed at the right moment and apologized sincerely, “I’m sorry, Madam Melra. I only wished to ease your pain a little.”

“It’s alright. Thank you, child,” Melra understood Verak’s goodwill. “You may leave now.”

“Why did you take the liberty to interrupt me?” Fletcher’s face darkened as he walked down the corridor after calming Melra.

“Sorry, Mr. Fletcher. I saw Madam Melra was very upset, so I spoke instinctively,” Verak replied, having already gained a sliver of goodwill from Melra and caring little about Fletcher’s displeasure.

“You.” Fletcher grabbed Verak’s collar as soon as they reached Chris’s room and pushed him against the wall. “You are Verak, not Chris. Although what you did was well executed, I don’t want to see a second time.”

“Understood.” Verak looked panicked.

He didn’t feel he had done anything wrong; at most, he learned that next time he should be more careful in such matters.

Verak didn’t want his time living here to be overshadowed by Fletcher. The butler, who so far restrained himself because Verak hadn’t crossed the line, would become a nightmare if he revealed his true violent nature. Then Verak’s days would be over.

In the previous life, Verak had done almost nothing and thus had no deeper connections with more influential figures like Carmine or Melra. So when Fletcher insulted and abused him, no one helped, and Fletcher had no reservations.

This time, the opportunity to build a good relationship with Madam Melra was right in front of him. Verak would not let it slip. Even if Fletcher became harsher in the future for these actions, it wouldn’t shake Verak’s resolve.

The choice was simple.

The favor of the greater figure mattered more.

In the future, Verak would inevitably do more things to displease Fletcher. Then, Verak didn’t need to convince Fletcher to back down; simply using the pretense of persuading Madam Melra, who fancied him as Chris, would prevent Fletcher from acting rashly.

However, that time was still far off. For now, Verak couldn’t openly defy Fletcher, so he trembled as he apologized.

“Alright, stay here for now,” Fletcher said, unwilling to waste time on Verak’s regret and fear. He pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. “This contains the topics someone will discuss with you at tonight’s banquet. You must memorize it thoroughly before evening. There can be no stammering; you must speak as confidently and fluently as possible.”

“Understood.” Verak, panting, took the paper.

After Fletcher left, Verak began to memorize the content.

This was material from two months ago. The details had already slipped from his memory and needed to be relearned.

Fortunately, Verak had a good memory and quickly absorbed the full page. He practiced speaking without notes several times alone in his room and was basically ready.

Taking a moment to relax, Verak walked to the window and looked outside at one luxurious residence after another.

According to his recollection, Nord and Dumps were currently under house arrest in a hotel in the northern district of Lazein. There would be no chance to meet them in the coming days. Only after this busy period would Fletcher relent and arrange a meeting. But even then, it would be just a meeting; Fletcher would never allow them to be brought back. They would remain under house arrest until Verak lost his usefulness, at which point all three would be silenced.

This time, Verak could not stand by and watch Nord and Dumps be trapped in that hotel for two months, only to be killed alongside himself in a plot. He must find a way to free them quickly, bring them close, and make them his allies. After all, he was too weak alone.

“Phew...” Verak exhaled heavily, fully aware that there was still much work to be done.