Funinna, please let me steal your heart!

Page 43

Before the words were finished, a gasp of surprise came from the crowd.

"What? You received a warning letter from the Phantom Thief!?"

Hmm? A pre-announcement?

Luna didn't recall sending any advance notices to anyone these past few days, since there wasn't even a single treasure worth looking at, so it wasn't time for the phantom thief to make an appearance.

Chiori glanced at the crowd: "Looks like the phantom thief White Cat is very busy."

"Yes."

Before finding the treasure, a fake appeared first.

But it's fine, let this real phantom thief see what's going on.

................

After the ball ended, Luna, Chiori, and Navia found the nobles who were surrounded by others.

It was this nobleman who had just spoken, and the woman beside him was clutching a card tightly.

“It really is a pre-announcement…” Navia exclaimed in surprise.

She squeezed in: "Can I take a look?"

"Ah, it's Miss Navia. Of course, please..."

The woman handed the card to Navia.

Luna leaned closer to look. The card looked the same as the one she used, but she could tell at a glance that it was deliberately imitating her announcement letter.

They actually forged the phantom thief's warning letter.

Is it intended for some "good" purpose? Luna pondered.

She glanced at the two of them.

"Who are you two?"

“I am Glenn Franwright, the current head of the Franwright family. This is my wife.”

The woman nodded slightly: "Hello, Miss Luna, I am Elle Franwright..."

Franz? Never heard of him, probably a minor nobleman.

Navia examined the notice carefully for a while, then shook her head: "This is not a notice from the Phantom Thief White Cat."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because I've seen what her advance notice looked like."

Navia stated unequivocally, "Indeed, the style and font you used are very similar to the Phantom Thief's, but it doesn't have that feel. This is a fake pamphlet!"

Elle Franwright's expression changed slightly, and she remained silent for a moment.

"Feelings? You're just making that judgment based on feelings?" Glenn Franwright questioned.

"Yes. The phantom thief White Cat's announcement letter has a... how should I put it, a very arrogant feel!"

Luna nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

Grant scoffed. "That's just your feeling. I'm telling you, it's absolutely—"

His sleeve was pulled.

“Darling, let me tell you.”

"....good."

Elle said earnestly, "Perhaps Miss Navia is right, but it is also true that I received this notice. There is no doubt that someone wants to seize our family's treasure—the 'Rock Jade Cup'."

Navia nodded, agreeing with this statement.

"But what is the Rock Jade Cup?" she asked.

"The Geo Crystal Cup is a treasure that our father obtained in Liyue. It was made by a master craftsman in Liyue based on the style of the cup that the Geo Archon once used, combined with modern art."

[Treasure Information Found: Jade Cup]

Now the real thief has caught wind of it.

"I heard that a Mr. Zhong Li—who is also a well-known critic in the industry—praised its exquisiteness, saying that although it was a bit ostentatious, the craftsmanship was ingenious and it was a rare piece of work."

If even Lord Zhenyan says it's good, then it truly is good.

[Treasure information has been updated]

Elle sighed, "It's no wonder that such a priceless treasure would attract malicious intent."

Navia couldn't help but wonder, in other words, could someone be disguised as the phantom thief White Cat trying to steal the treasure?

If they really succeed, then they can frame the Phantom Thief White Cat.

However, the phantom thief, White Cat, committed a crime and was not innocent.

"I understand. Let our Rose Society protect this treasure!"

"May I?"

Navia pressed her hand to her chest and smiled, "Of course! The Rose Society and the Phantom Thief White Cat also have a score to settle."

"But according to what you're saying, it might not be the Phantom Thief White Cat who comes, but someone else disguised as the Phantom Thief White Cat."

“That’s impossible,” Grant suddenly said.

Luna asked with interest, "Why are you so sure?"

"This... I knew it! Only the Phantom Thief White Cat could be so audacious!"

He stammered, unable to give a coherent explanation, yet his tone was strangely firm.

It was as if they were certain that the phantom thief, White Cat, would come.

No, it's something I absolutely have to have.

...Hmm. Luna seemed thoughtful, already having a guess in her mind, just waiting for further verification.

Navia also found it strange, but she didn't ask any more questions. Instead, she briefly chatted with the two of them, confirmed their address, and then returned to her original spot with Luna.

"Speaking of which, where's Chiori? We came here together."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chiori walked over.

“The Franwright family is a family that has fallen on hard times,” she said.

"Where did you go just now?" Navia asked.

"I just asked around a bit and figured you'd help them, Navia, so this is just to be on the safe side." Chiori's tone was calm, as if she had only done something casual.

Navia said, touched, "Chiori, you're so kind!"

"It's just a transaction; you'll have to repay this favor later."

"You're being arrogant again," Luna laughed.

"I am neither arrogant nor spoiled. As for the ball, I will settle accounts with you later."

"Wow, how petty!"

Chiori smiled, as if this were a compliment. Of course, if someone else had said that to her, her expression would have been quite different.

She briefly shared the information she had gathered.

The Franwright family's business ventures have failed one after another, leading to their decline and a sharp drop in reputation.

It's a complete dead end.

So what would these nobles do in such a situation?

bet.

Navia's eyes widened slightly: "Could it be that they're betting the Phantom Thief will come?"

"It's more like they're inviting the phantom thief over," Luna laughed.

40: Girlfriend by day, enemy by night

The following day, at the Franwright family mansion.

Although they were nobles, the Franwright family mansion was undoubtedly one of the poorest among the aristocratic mansions Navia had ever seen.

Some incongruous empty spaces suggest that this mansion may have once housed many valuable works of art, but they have all been sold off as the family declined.

This was caused by poor management.

Navia tugged at Luna's finger and whispered, "So that's how it is, isn't it?"

"Yes, roughly."

Although the Franwright family only invited Navia, they agreed to let "Detective" Luna accompany them due to Navia's insistence.

Having received Luna's affirmation, Navia then stated directly:

"You want the Phantom Thief to come and steal your cups, is that it?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it made the couple who were leading the way stop.

Just as Gran was about to speak, Elle gestured for her to speak instead.

"As expected, there was no way to hide it from you two."

"You admit it."

“...But there’s a reason for that.” Elle sighed softly.

Luna said with interest, "It's not hard to deduce—you want to use the Phantom Thief White Cat, right?"