The Deceitful One



Bryan smiled, "That was quicker than I expected."

Connor laughed heartily, "I must act quickly on this opportunity. After all, it's not every day that you receive a revelation from God!"

Bryan mocked him inwardly, 'Kekk, you fool!'

But on the surface, he displayed a pious expression, "Praise the Goddess!"

"Praise the Goddess!" Connor replied with a genuinely happy smile.

Meanwhile, the butler and Mrs. Winchester stared at the duo and wondered if they were right in the head. Although they too believed in the Goddess but clearly didn't believe in the fact that a deity had sent a revelation to Connor.

Especially Mrs. Winchester! She angrily scrutinized Bryan from top to bottom, wondering if he had swindled his husband or something. Apart from his good clothes and average appearance, she couldn't read anything else.

But she knew better than most that looks could be deceiving and to never judge a book by its cover.

She looked back at her husband and protested, "Do you really believe that the Goddess had sent you a revelation? What if this person is playing mind games with you?

"You know, Connor, I have heard from my friends that there are con artists in this city who covertly give you psychedelic drugs and play with your mind."

Listening to her wife, Connor was infuriated, "Silence, woman! Do you think I'm lying!? An Angel had visited my dream last night and told me things about myself that only I knew!

"He is guiding me on the right path! And you dare claim his blessed to be a mere con artist!? Can a con artist enter your dreams and enlighten you!?

"Apologize to Mr. Wayne right away!!"

The fact that his wife would not believe him and even worse, question the might of an Angel and a God, made him livid! Especially when he considered himself a devout believer of the Goddess of Wisdom.

Listening to her husband yell at her in front of a stranger made Mrs. Winchester feel like she had been wronged. Her eyes threatened to tear up and her lips quivered.

She then heard Bryan's gentle voice, "It is all right, madam. It is only right that you question the authenticity of something so mystical. This only shows your genuine love and concern for your husband."

However, inwardly he couldn't help but mock, 'Oh, woman! You have no idea how right you are!'

He then continued, "But you must believe in the Goddess! For she works in mysterious ways!"

Listening to Bryan take her side, Mrs. Winchester felt a little better. Connor on the other hand also felt that what Bryan said was the truth.

He looked at his wife and spoke warmly, "Forgive me for yelling at you, Dorothy. But all of this is God's plan. Do you trust me?"

Dorothy looked at Connor with reddened eyes and nodded, "With all my being!"

Connor hugged her and patted her head, "Then let us depart towards the coastal area! A life full of riches and peace awaits us."

"Mmh!" Dorothy nodded.

Seeing this display of affection, Bryan lowered his head, afraid that others would see the devious smirk on his face. He struggled to prevent himself from laughing as he thought, 'You idiots!'

A few moments later, the couple separated with smiles on their faces. Connor looked at Bryan and handed him the land deed and other house-related documents, "Mr. Wayne, this entire property is all yours."

Bryan accepted the documents with both hands and replied piously, "Praise the Goddess!"

He then looked at one of the steam cars behind him and praised, "You really have a nice car collection, Mr. Winchester. I for one really like that one."

Bryan pointed to the left-most black car, which to him seemed like the best one out of all four.

Being a shrewd businessman, Connor naturally understood what Bryan was implying. When he saw Bryan point at the car that also happened to be his most favorite, his heart pained for a moment.

But ultimately, in the name of the Goddess, he decided to give it away as well, "Consider that car as my gift to you, Mr. Wayne!"

"Oh my!" Bryan appeared to be surprised, "You are far too generous, Mr. Winchester. I was merely admiring it."

Connor's lips couldn't help but twitch, "N-No, I insist!"

"Well, if you say so." Bryan instantly agreed.

'This guy…' Connor couldn't help but be reminded of his earlier days as a sleazy salesman. But he threw this matter to the back of his mind. He simply thought of this as doing charity for the Goddess.

Bryan walked the couple toward the entrance of the compound as they told him about a few things that he needed to know about the house. They were very cordial about it.

"Oh, that's right!" Connor was suddenly reminded of something, "I am only taking the head butler and the head maid with me. The rest of the servants can stay here. Is that okay?"

"Of course," Bryan smiled, "You've saved me a lot of trouble."

"Very well then," Connor nodded, "Mr. Wayne, this house and everything else on this land now belong to you. I hope that you take good care of it."

Bryan smiled brightly, "Thank you very much. And have a safe journey."

He then bid farewell to the couple and turned around and went back inside the house. After he entered through the door, he saw half a dozen maids and servants look at him nervously.

The one standing at the front was none other than the butler who had earlier shown him around the house.

Bryan looked at this middle-aged man with black hair and brown eyes, who seemed to be in his forties. He asked with a smile, "What is your name?"

"Sir, my name is Donald." The old butler bowed respectfully.

"How long have you been working as a butler?" Bryan asked as he stroked his goatee.

Donald replied, "Sir, it has been more than twenty years."

"Is that so?" Bryan inquired, "Have you worked at other places as well? Or have you only worked for Connor?"

"Mr. Winchester has been my only employer," Donald replied, feeling slightly anxious. Because he had an idea about where Bryan was heading with his questions.

"Then how come Connor did not take you with him?" And as expected, Bryan asked the question that Donald had been expecting.

"Uhm, you see…" Donald hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to tell the truth, "I had some disagreement with the current head butler of the Winchester Family.

"And because of that, I was shown the cold shoulder even though I had been working for this family for more than half my life."

'He's telling the truth.' Benny's voice echoed inside Bryan's mind.

Bryan nodded, "Well, as long as you work hard, you can rest assured that you will be taken care of."

He then looked at the rest of the maids and servants and added, "And that goes for you lot as well."

Donald bowed once again and replied with a bright smile, "Thank you, Master Wayne."

Bryan nodded, "And you'll be my head butler from now on."

Donald's eyes lit up, "I shall not let you down."

"I'm going to head upstairs to take a shower first. In the meantime, clear out the painting room on the second floor. And for god's sake burn all those hideous paintings to ashes." Bryan stated as he climbed the stairs.

Donald's eyebrows couldn't help but twitch, "Y-Yes Master."

After Bryan had gone upstairs, the maids and servants behind Donald couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

They had thought that the new owner of the house would fire all of them. And during such turbulent times, it would have become very difficult to find another job.

But thankfully he hadn't. One of the younger maids tugged at Donald's sleeve and said, "Our new Master seems like a nice person. What do you think, Uncle Donald?"

Donald patted her head with a warm smile, "I haven't spent much time with him to say for sure. But he does seem different. At the very least, I don't find the disdain in his tone that wealthy people usually have towards people like us."

The young maid nodded, "You're right!"

"Anyways, you lot go to the second floor and clear out the painting room," Donald instructed.

One of the other maids asked hesitantly, "And should we really burn those paintings?"

Donald thought for a long time and then finally nodded, "Yes, do as Master says."

After all, this was the first instruction given to them by Bryan. And he wanted to follow it through. His gaze then landed on Benny who was looking around the living room with curious eyes.

Donald found Benny's actions to be very strange. He couldn't help but think inwardly, 'The cat's expressions are just like a little child's.'

He then instructed one of the other servants, "Also, someone go tend to the cat. Give him a proper bath first and then serve some fresh milk."

When Benny overheard the term 'bath', he glared at Donald, "Meoowww!!"

Donald was greatly taken aback. He felt as if he was being stared at by a mighty predator. His back was drenched in a cold sweat!

He couldn't help but look at Benny and ask, "O-Only milk then?"

Benny nodded.

Once again, Donald was taken aback! He couldn't help but mutter in disbelief, "The cat can understand human speech!"

And not just him, even the surrounding maids and servants were flabbergasted. Under their shocked eyes, Benny elegantly strutted towards the kitchen.

Midway, he stopped and turned around to look at them. He then waved his paw as if telling them to follow him! And then he turned back around and entered the kitchen.

One of the maids spoke in a daze, "I-I think the cat wants some food…"