Mystery: Who has seen my brother?

Chapter 119 Bad Mood
"Although this does sound a bit unbelievable, the truth is always magical, Melissa," Klein explained seriously, his eyes evasive. "That security company has a partnership with the government and is definitely a legitimate company. In addition to collecting and protecting ancient artifacts, it also accepts commissions. Some of these commissions are private, but many are official. Those who complete the commissions receive a certain commission, and the five pounds is from the commission."

Melissa frowned and looked at Klein. She felt that Klein was hiding something from them. "I want to visit your workplace. Is that okay?"

"Uh……"

"Isn't it possible?" Melissa asked with a frown. "I'm not going there as a family member. Doesn't that security company also accept private commissions? I'm going there as a client."

"You don't have any commissions, right? And this is a lot of unnecessary expenses..."

Under Melissa's gaze, Klein's voice became increasingly quiet, and finally he simply shut his mouth.

"I'll control my spending," Melissa said. Then, as if realizing something, a look of distress crossed her face. "In terms of unnecessary expenses, Klein, you spent a full five pounds."

Klein fell silent and immediately agreed, "It's just too late now... You don't have time during school. Why not go next Sunday?"

Melissa pursed her lips and stared at her brother with a piercing gaze. Klein seemed a little uncomfortable being stared at and averted his gaze, staring intently at the sofa behind Melissa, as if there was something unusual about it.

After a long pause, Melissa opened her mouth and asked, "Klein, are you hiding something from us?"

Klein froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

This was the result of his guidance, and he knew exactly what Melissa was referring to.

Seeing Klein's reaction, Melissa knew she had guessed correctly. She lowered her voice and soothed him, "Klein, we're family. You don't need to hide anything from us. No matter what happens, we'll face it with you."

No, Melissa, you don't know... A feeling of helplessness and sadness surged in Klein's heart. He raised his head, his gaze moving slowly, like a rusty machine.

The girl's brown skirt appeared in his sight. Due to long-term washing, the dress had faded somewhat, and whitening marks could be seen on the fabric. Although Klein had a considerable income and could buy Melissa many beautiful and fashionable dresses, Melissa was reluctant to part with them and always wore her old clothes.

Klein's gaze paused after reaching the hem of the skirt. He lowered his head, then looked away, staring back at the sofa, silently expressing his response.

Melissa frowned. She was not angry, but she always felt depressed, as if something was blocking her heart.

"Okay, Klein, since you don't want to talk, I won't ask any more questions," Melissa said, suppressing her annoyance. "You're acting strangely today. Is it because of something you're hiding?"

Without waiting for Klein to answer, Melissa whispered, "Take me to your company next Sunday."

"Now, we need to get dinner ready before Benson gets home."

After she finished speaking, Melissa walked past Klein and headed towards the kitchen.

Klein turned around and looked at the girl's back. He silently put down his cane and hat, took off his coat and hung it on the sofa, then followed her into the kitchen.

Benson was the last one to return home among the Moretti siblings. When he got home, he saw mouth-watering delicacies on the table and a weird atmosphere among his younger siblings sitting around the table.

Hearing the door open, Melissa and Klein simultaneously raised their heads to look at their brother standing at the door, smiled, and then lowered their heads again.

Benson's heart skipped a beat, and he felt that there was something really strange about his home.

"Ahem..." Benson cleared his throat, took off his coat, and asked, "Where's Bella?"

Normally, the maid will appear at the door as soon as the master enters the house and take away the clothes that the master has taken off.

"Bella is resting today." Melissa replied. Benson vaguely felt that there was something wrong with Melissa's tone.

Melissa and Klein...had a fight?

An incredible thought suddenly popped up in Benson's mind. Because of family reasons, even though Benson worked hard so that his younger siblings wouldn't have to worry about the family, Klein and Melissa were still precocious since childhood and had never quarreled.

As this thought occurred to him, Benson pondered it for two seconds, feeling increasingly certain of its possibility. He felt a sense of both laughter and tears, delighted by the changes in Klein and Melissa. Benson put his coat away, assumed the attitude of a brother, cleared his throat, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"nothing."

Klein and Melissa answered in unison.

Benson smiled like a kind father. "I'm not a curly-haired baboon. It's not like there's nothing going on between you two."

Klein and Melissa didn't answer.

"Okay, okay," Benson rubbed his forehead, feeling both amused and annoyed. "Looks like I'll have to add some parenting books to the reading list. It's not too late to learn now. After all, you guys just learned how to argue."

"No," Klein sat up straight and replied in a muffled voice, "I won't argue with Melissa."

Melissa nodded. They really didn't quarrel, they were just in a bad mood.

"There's nothing wrong with quarreling," Benson said to his two younger siblings as he sat on a chair. "Emperor Roselle once said that fighting is a sign of intimacy, and quarreling is a sign of deep love."

"We really didn't quarrel," Melissa shook her head. "It's just that something happened that made us feel very bad."

"Is that so..." Benson said with disappointment and relief. He looked at his depressed brother and sister and suddenly said, "Let's go traveling during the New Year holiday. Traveling can make people happy."

Klein was stunned and lowered his head in silence.

"We're just in a bad mood," Melissa frowned and said, "We can recover tomorrow. There's no need to travel at all. Besides, it's still several months before the New Year."

"Wouldn't it be nice to take a trip? We really need one," Benson recalled the contents of the magazine, a hint of longing in his eyes. "Jianhai County is warm even in the cold winter, and Bansi Port is known as the 'Weather Museum'... There are so many places worth traveling, Melissa. We can't spend our whole lives in Tingen."

"We didn't have the ability before, but now we have it. I want to take you and Klein to see many places. Let's go to Jianhai County for the first time."

Klein felt his eyes a little sore. He closed them tightly, took a few deep breaths, and used his clown ability to cover up the abnormality.

"But Benson," Klein said, "you need to prepare for the future government employee recruitment exam, which will be around New Year's."

Benson was stunned for a moment, then said with some embarrassment, "Is that so? Then we can only do it next year. What do you think?"

Melissa quietly grabbed the hem of her skirt with both hands under the table, her expression full of longing and hesitation.

If I travel...it will probably cost a lot...

Benson immediately noticed Melissa's hesitation and said, "Melissa, this is a normal middle-class life. If you don't have travel experience, you'll be laughed at."

After saying this, Benson glanced at Klein, hoping that Klein would cooperate with him as before.

Klein received Benson's message. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. Nothing came out between his lips.

Benson, who had waited a long time for help, looked up and glanced at Klein in surprise.

"Yes," Klein pursed his lips after seeing Benson's look and said, "And we can keep our expenses within an affordable range."

Klein and Benson worked together as seamlessly as usual to convince Melissa.

"It's settled," Benson said celebratoryly, raising his beer. "We'll travel during next year's New Year's holiday."

(End of this chapter)