Wayne Baker looked over in surprise. He had misunderstood the young lady—he’d thought she was just someone who knew how to spend money, but hadn’t expected her cooking skills to be so exquisite.

　　Not to mention the color and taste, just the aroma alone was perfectly handled; even the hunger in his stomach was awakened.

　　Before long, William Johnson, wearing an apron, walked out of the kitchen. His strong chest and shoulders made the small apron look comically out of place. If your eyesight was good, you could even spot some chest hair poking out at the collar of his sailor suit.

　　William Johnson called Wayne Baker over to try his signature dishes: “You slept like a log. It’s already noon. I’ve prepared fish and chips, beef with gravy, and stir-fried noodles with mushrooms. Can’t wait to dig in, can you?”

　　Wayne Baker: (＝_＝)

　　He took back what he said earlier. He hadn’t misunderstood the young lady—he’d misunderstood the muscleman.

　　Soon, Veronica Smith, who had gone out shopping, returned. She wore a white shirt, a knitted suit jacket, jodhpurs with tall boots—simple and capable, exuding a strong professional vibe.

　　Wayne Baker nodded repeatedly as he watched. A beautiful appearance doesn’t guarantee a beautiful soul, but at least she was beautiful. Veronica Smith looked good in anything, and this outfit wouldn’t be out of place even in the era he’d traveled from.

　　Veronica Smith had bought a lot of things: besides simple furniture and daily necessities, there were potted plants, high-quality soil suitable for planting, and a bunch of jars and bottles filled with plant seeds. It looked like she was planning to decorate the rooftop terrace on the third floor.

　　After the meal, she put on an apron, hat, and protective sleeves and started a thorough cleaning of the third floor, with the black cat Monica Harris as her helper. The latter pressed a rag and diligently wiped the windows.

　　William Johnson was assigned a bunch of heavy-lifting tasks—moving furniture, taking out the trash—which made him complain nonstop. He’d applied for a clerical job, or at the very least, as a chef.

　　Veronica Smith didn’t assign anything to Wayne Baker. It was clear she didn’t like Wayne Baker much; unless necessary, she wouldn’t even take the initiative to speak to him.

　　This directly led to Wayne Baker feeling out of place in the detective agency. Everyone else was busy, and only he was idle, as if he were the outsider.

　　Turns out, the outsider is me!

　　People have a sense of shame, or at least a competitive spirit. Wayne Baker picked up a mop and joined the cleaning, working for an hour until the detective agency’s front door was knocked on again.

　　Mrs. Clark!

Chapter Four: So Delicious It Causes Hallucinations

　　Mrs. Clark wore a black overcoat, a pair of expensive women’s leather shoes, and a round hat adorned with a bird feather of unknown origin.

　　She was over forty, full-figured, with a frame larger than the average woman’s, looking quite strong.

　　As for her makeup, let’s just say she did her best—time had been far too ruthless.

　　Wayne Baker considered himself someone who didn’t judge by appearances, but if this lady tried to flirt with him, he had to admit: aside from judging by looks, he had no other flaws.

　　“Very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Clark.”

　　“The pleasure is mine, Wayne Baker.”

　　Mrs. Clark took off her leather gloves and opened her arms, about to give Wayne Baker a hug. Judging by the gleam in her eyes, once she got hold of him, she wouldn’t let go.

　　Wayne Baker politely declined the enthusiastic hug and formally invited Mrs. Clark to sit down, regretfully stating that the commission hadn’t been completed. He had spent a lot of time and effort but hadn’t found any evidence of Dr. Clark’s infidelity, and suggested that Mrs. Clark seek out another, more capable detective agency.

　　Mrs. Clark didn’t take it to heart, nor did she accept the deposit Wayne Baker tried to return. She expressed her trust in Wayne Baker’s professional abilities and was willing to wait a few more days.

　　That probably wouldn’t work—time waits for no one. Dr. Clark had evidence of your infidelity; if you wait any longer, you’ll be the one at a disadvantage.

　　Wayne Baker tried to persuade her a couple more times, then made small talk with Mrs. Clark for a while before personally seeing her out of the agency.

　　“Wayne Baker, was that lady just now a client?” Veronica Smith came down the stairs. Always attentive to her appearance, she hadn’t noticed the dust on her nose and cheeks.

　　Scars are a warrior’s badge of honor. Wayne Baker gave her a respectful look but didn’t say it out loud, and nodded: “Mrs. Clark is a client of the agency. She commissioned a family dispute investigation some time ago. Due to some unexpected circumstances, she didn’t get the report today. My abilities are limited, so I advised her to find another detective.”

　　“It’s just a family dispute—we’re perfectly capable. No need to turn away business.”

　　“That’s true, but the situation is very complicated. It’s hard to explain in a few words…” Wayne Baker muttered, trying to gloss over the topic.

　　“What did you find out?”

　　Veronica Smith narrowed her eyes. She would never let a lead delivered to her door slip away.

　　“Uh, how should I put it… Why don’t we continue cleaning and then—”

　　Swish!

　　Wayne Baker’s evasiveness was taken by Veronica Smith as holding out for a better offer. She decisively paved the way with money, handing over two bills with the Queen’s portrait.

　　Wayne Baker silently accepted them. A wonderful misunderstanding—he didn’t mind, and hoped Veronica Smith would do it again next time.

　　“Here’s the situation: some time ago, Dr. Clark commissioned me… That afternoon, Mrs. Clark… I conducted surveillance on both of them separately. Since Dr. Clark came first, both reports were given to him. To show his gratitude, he paid me…”

　　Wayne Baker explained the whole story: “A detective’s professional ethics don’t allow me to sell the results to both parties. I’m a man of principle and won’t accept Mrs. Clark’s commission again, which is why I advised her to seek someone else.”

　　Veronica Smith: “……”