Chapter 359

The next day, in the Cleaning Bureau, next to Lyon's office.

"Oh my God! My dear Emma!"

After patting her empty purse, the "master of scheming" red-haired director grabbed her best friend's arm and pleaded with a mournful face:

"Can you… can you lend me some more money?"

"Not necessarily."

After glancing at her coldly without expression, Emma lowered her head and continued processing documents, her voice icy:

"Did you go drinking again yesterday?"

"Mm…"

"Then no."

"…"

"Director Olivia, I haven't finished my cleaning report. Do you have anything else?"

"No…"

"Then please leave."

Watching her best friend's cold hand point toward the door, the red-haired director shuffled toward it, glancing back every few steps, hoping to hear that familiar gentle call.

But even as she slowly shuffled into the corridor and the door behind her—bearing the plaque "Emma Alman"—slammed shut, she still heard no such call.

A heartless woman…

After letting out a faint sigh, the red-haired director quietly knocked on the adjacent door, her voice soft and seductive:

"Lyon, my dear Lyon, are you in?"

"Come in!"

At that moment, the very door that had just slammed shut inexplicably opened again—Emma stood there, eyes full of disdain, and yanked her into her own office.

"Last time! Speak up! How much do you need now?"

Huh?

? Ya? Ya?

Watching Emma suddenly change her mind, the red-haired director's eyebrows lifted slightly, then her lips curled into a knowing smile:

"Emma, why the sudden change of heart? Could it be…"

"Are you lending it or not?"

"Lending!"

After seeing her best friend's increasingly hostile gaze, fearing the god of wealth might flip the table, the red-haired director swallowed her teasing words and raised her right hand to gesture:

"Not much—just five gold wheels this time."

Only that much? For you, that really isn't much.

Surprised, Emma glanced at the red-haired director, opened her purse, counted out five gold wheels, and handed them over, then asked curiously:

"Why so little this time? Usually when you ask me for money, it's at least thirty or fifty."

"This time… the situation's a bit special…"

The red-haired director's face twisted with annoyance:

"Last night, after drinking until midnight, I paid and picked up my wine—then remembered I'd left my purse behind. When I went back, the waiter told me someone had taken it, and he didn't remember the person's face."

"So I don't need much now—just enough to get through these few days. Once Jerry returns from his mission, his 'friends' can help me find it."

"…"

So you, the red-haired director of the Cleaning Bureau, a warrior who's slain true gods, got so drunk you forgot your purse? Can you be any more ridiculous?

Blinking in disbelief, Emma shoved the gold wheels into the red-haired director's hand and snapped:

"The places you go, the drinks are expensive, customers rarely lack money, and they don't usually steal wallets. Also, that waiter is suspicious."

Generally, if a high-end bar's waiter notices a guest's lost wallet, they'll either keep it safe, or if they didn't see anything, they'll say they don't know—even if they saw someone take it, they'll likely lie to avoid blame."

But he specifically told you it was taken by someone else—and couldn't even remember who. That's strange. It's not certain he stole it, but he's almost certainly lying to you."

After analyzing the situation, Emma suggested:

"Tell me the name of the bar and what the waiter looked like. I'll go ask Lyon after work to check what really happened."

"This… once Jerry gets back, I'll get my purse back directly. No need to trouble Lyon with this?"

Remembering the things she'd said to Lyon yesterday when inviting him to drink, the red-haired director's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare wave of shame rising in her chest.

"Remember this: when someone has a weakness known to all, you must be careful."

"Learn from this, little Lyon—you're still too green."

Those words that had sounded so impressive yesterday, leaving little Lyon stunned, now felt like daggers after she'd drunk so much she forgot her purse.

If little Lyon found out, she'd have no face to show him this week…

If Little Li Ang found out, I'd be too ashamed to face him all week…

Wait, why are you blushing when you're just talking?

Seeing the red-haired director's flushed cheeks, Emma suddenly remembered their swollen lips in the Death Realm—both burned by the same spice—and her heart lurched. She gritted her teeth:

"Olivia! Did you… after I left yesterday, did you say something else to Lyon?"???

Hearing Emma's question, the red-haired director's heart jolted too—but instantly returned to her usual composed expression, replying calmly:

Upon hearing Emma's question, the Red-haired Bureau Chief's heart skipped, but she instantly resumed her usual confident expression and replied calmly:

Damn it! You can fool others, but not me! Every word you say with that face is a lie!

Emma clenched her lips tightly, said nothing, and stood up toward the door.

The red-haired director, unaware of what had gone wrong, instinctively called out to stop her:

"Wait—he's not here! Lyon's already gone out!"

Hearing this, Emma paused slightly, then turned back, eyeing her with suspicion.

Upon hearing the Red-haired Bureau Chief's words, Emma paused slightly, then turned back and gave her a skeptical look.

Seeing Emma stop, the red-haired director exhaled in relief and hurried to explain:

"It's already noon. Before you came back, Lyon already went to the Police Department cafeteria for lunch."

"Really?"

"It's already noon—before you came back, Li Ang had already gone to the Police Department cafeteria for lunch."

"Then why did you knock on his office door if you knew he wasn't there?"

"…"

"Then why did you knock on his office door just now, knowing he wasn't there?"

"Hold it steady!"

After piling five or six fried cod fillets onto Lyon's tray, the cafeteria aunt shook her wrist and scooped a full ladle of beef from a nearby tub, drenching it in braising sauce over the rice.

"That's enough. Go! If you're still hungry, come back for more!"

After piling five or six pieces of fried cod onto Li Ang's tray, the cafeteria aunt flicked her wrist, scooped a full ladle of beef from the nearby tub, and dumped it all over the rice, drenched in braising sauce.

More? If I come back for more, I'll burst…

Looking at the portion on his tray—enough to feed two adult men—Lyon, baffled as to why the aunt favored him, smiled weakly and begged:

"Um… tomorrow, could you…"

"Tomorrow's menu: green beans with salmon, roasted chicken, and mushroom cream soup. Check the board at the door for the rest. Hurry up, others are waiting!"

"…"

I didn't ask what's on the menu tomorrow—I wanted to ask if you could give me less tomorrow…

Under the hungry stares of towering police officers behind him, Lyon shrank his shoulders, hurriedly carried his tray to his usual seat, and stared at the food, troubled.

This is way too much… Even a pig would be seven-tenths full after eating all this.

Just as Lyon took a deep breath and decided he'd rather choke than waste food, a pig—no, a familiar figure—carried a tray and sat down across from him.

This is way too much… This mountain of food on the tray—even if you gave it to a pig, it'd be seven-tenths full.

After placing her tray on the table, the female officer with two dark circles under her eyes spoke seriously:

"Lyon! I need your help!"

"Fine… but you've got to help me first!"

Seeing her as a savior, Lyon nodded frantically, grabbed her spoon, and scooped half his braised beef onto her tray.

"Quick, eat two pieces… today Aunt Diana gave me way too much."

Seeing the arrival of a savior, Li Ang nodded frantically, as if granted a reprieve, then snatched the policewoman's spoon and scooped half the stewed beef from his own plate onto hers.

"Hurry and eat two pieces for me… Aunt Diana served me way too much today…"