It wasn't an apple that hit Newton.

In Li Cheng's previous life, those newly rich coal bosses made the film industry live a particularly comfortable life. They could easily get large sums of money with a simple trick, and there were no unreasonable demands or contracts.

In short, with these thoughts in mind, Clive hurriedly took a carriage to the bank and met the man who was supposedly his friend.

......

Inside the reception room of Ritzman Bank.

"Alright, I'll make this a short story. My husband forced me to come here to ask about the situation. He has difficulty walking and can't endure another long journey."

"Now tell me the details of what happened before your father died, so I can go back and report."

"And you look pretty down on your luck. I'll talk to the old man about it later, and maybe he'll help you out of consideration for our past relationship."

Upon meeting Li Cheng, Clive was initially overwhelmed by his long speech, but he quickly began to organize his thoughts.

'This person is very impatient, but perhaps they are unwilling to do this.'

"He claimed to be the son of my father's friend. Because of the BRICS alliance, he seemed somewhat credible, at least not like a conman, especially since he mentioned wanting to invest."

After making the above judgment in his mind, Clive gave a friendly smile: "Mr. Holmes, these things are not urgent. May I ask your father's name first?"

Li Cheng had already prepared the answers to these questions, and he casually replied, "My old man's name is Conan Holmes."

This Conan doesn't refer to the perpetually elementary school student, but rather to Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. And this name is perfectly suited to be the father of Li Cheng's current alias, Sherlock Holmes.

Conan Holmes?

Clive tried hard to recall, but couldn't remember his father having such a friend. However, given his father's large circle of friends, it was normal for him to not know one or two.

So he simply asked directly, "Mr. Holmes, do you remember how our fathers met?"

This was a fairly direct test. Although the gold brick was expensive enough, it was still not enough to prove that the other party was indeed the son of the father's friend—what if the other party was a very rich and bored tycoon who was just there to amuse people? Although the probability was low, it still existed.

Li Cheng was also aware of this, but he didn't care, because he deliberately created this persona to avoid the corresponding problems.

"do not know."

He adjusted his wig, revealing a nonchalant expression: "I don't care about that. Maybe the old man mentioned it, but I don't remember."

"You don't remember anything at all? You should have some recollection, right?"

Clive frowned, his eyes filled with deep doubt, clearly harboring suspicion.

"I said I don't remember, that's it. Can you stop wasting time asking me questions?"

Li Cheng impatiently opened his exquisite silver pocket watch, saying as he looked at it, "I know what you suspect, but it's pointless. Do you think I'd be happy to travel all this way by boat to inquire about an old man's death?"

Clive thought the reason was quite sufficient, and he also realized that he was being a bit suspicious, so he smiled awkwardly: "I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes, please understand, what you want to ask about is the cause of my father's death."

"But as long as there is profit to be made, let alone the cause of a father's death, a merchant would even sell the rope that hangs himself."

Clive raised an eyebrow: "A very interesting statement, sir. Did your father say that?"

This statement is indeed very apt for the people in this group of banks.

"My old man said so."

Li Cheng first gave a casual reply, then snapped his pocket watch shut, his tone revealing a hint of annoyance: "Enough already! I've been waiting for you for a whole hour, and now I've been idly chatting with you for more than ten minutes!"

Li Cheng's previous performance had been very effective, and Clive had temporarily dispelled his doubts and was ready to tell the other party the information he wanted: "Sir, the following conversation will proceed as you wish."

......

Four months ago.

Although George Richman was a healthy and fit old man who exercised regularly, he ultimately succumbed to the terrible plague that swept through London.

The virus does not discriminate based on wealth or social status, but more fortunate than many others, Richman had a spacious and bright room, nutritious fruits and vegetables, and servants to take care of his daily needs. As a result, under the treatment of doctors sent by the government, his symptoms improved to some extent.

Unfortunately, just as his symptoms were gradually improving, perhaps due to catching a cold or old age, his symptoms suddenly flared up after a doctor's visit, and he passed away quickly.

"Is the same doctor always sent?" Li Cheng asked.

"I really don't know that. As you know, they all wear long bird-beak masks to prevent being infected by the plague."

Clive shook his head: "Are you questioning the cause of my father's death? Actually, I have had my doubts, but the doctor initially sent was Princess Veronica, who was in charge of the interim government, and the relevant government departments have been in charge ever since."

Li Cheng had heard from Stoller that the doctor was sent by Veronique, but now he was somewhat skeptical of it.

Since Clive couldn't be sure it was the same doctor, and the subsequent events were all orchestrated by relevant departments, there was a lot of room for manipulation, especially with Prince Edward's involvement.

Considering the King's personal physician, Arnold, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to influence the relevant departments as well.

Combined with Veronica's act of staying with him to check the ether reagent that day, and the information he learned from Newton that the other party had been making every effort to help with the search, rather than just going through the motions like Edward's search, Li Cheng had basically ruled out the other party as a suspect.

'Since that's the case, we can be fairly certain that Veronica is trustworthy, and we can contact her without worry... Finally, some good news! I don't have to go through all this alone anymore.'

Li Cheng breathed a sigh of relief. His foundation in London was too weak. If even Veronica couldn't be trusted, he would probably have no choice but to run away to France with Newton and abandon the idea that revenge was a matter of ten years.

Or they could simply defect to the Netherlands, correct the history of the Anglo-Dutch Wars, and give Britain a Black Ships incident as well.

"At the funeral that day, a large group of relatives and friends I had never heard of before appeared. Unlike you and your father, they were all shameless thieves, swindlers, and robbers..."

At this moment, Clive was recounting in detail what had happened during the days of the funeral, but Li Cheng, who had already found out what he needed, was no longer in the mood to listen.

Then, with a quick glance, she suddenly clutched her abdomen, revealing a pained expression.

Seeing this, Clive stopped his story and asked with concern, "Mr. Holmes, what's wrong?"

Li Cheng made an expression of barely suppressed urges: "My stomach hurts. Where's the restroom?"

------

After questioning Rickman in detail about his experiences in the period leading up to his death, Li Cheng decisively made an excuse to leave Rickman Bank and quickly ran along the path until he returned to the hotel without pausing for a moment.

hostel.

"call......"

Li Cheng sat down in a chair, panting: "I'm exhausted, but I finally got the information I wanted—thank you for your hard work today too, you haven't sat down for almost two hours."

"It's not hard work; farm work is much harder than this,"

Susie replied, then frowned deeply: "But why do I feel like the maid skills you taught me are pretty useless?"

After Li Cheng's special training, including the speaking skills of a personal maid, the posture of serving tea, and mannerisms, Susie thought she would be of great use and was nervous for a long time. However, apart from saying one sentence when handing over the gold brick, she spent the rest of the time standing behind Li Cheng, even more of a background than a background.

"..."

Li Cheng wiped away his cold sweat: "No, you are very useful, you just haven't realized it."

Susie asked doubtfully, "Really? But I feel like I'm just standing there."

"No, this is just in case. What if we need you to take action?"

Li Cheng first explained with a serious expression, then quickly changed the subject: "Let's not talk about that. I need you to go to a place to inform the people there."

"Where?"

Susie asked.

Although she had been busy running errands these past few days, gathering information, buying things, and delivering messages, that's what a follower does, so Susie never complained about how hard it was.

Moreover, the wizard treated her very well, not only giving her several beautiful outfits but also taking her to a restaurant once.

Li Cheng said, "Go to a small villa on St. George Street."

Susie asked, "Who should we notify this time?"

Li Cheng replied, "Your Highness."

Susie was instantly dumbfounded: "Huh? Say it again, who should we notify?"

"Your Highness."

Li Cheng smiled and said, "That is Her Highness the Princess's private residence."

"The princess's private residence?"

Susie's eyes widened in shock, even her brown pupils twitched: "I'm actually going to inform the princess???"

"Yes, it just so happens that today is Wednesday, the day she hides away in the villa to read."

Li Cheng nodded. He had gotten this information from Holly's easy-to-get-speak-about little maid.

"Hmm..."

Susie was completely speechless at this point, which was frankly a bit too shocking for a country girl who had only been in the city for a few days.

"Your Highness, it's Your Highness! Although I knew this wizard was powerful, I never expected he would have connections with Your Highness... Wait a minute, a wizard and a princess? A private residence? Wow!"

Susie's thought process suddenly started to diverge.

Li Cheng had no idea what the girl was thinking. He continued, "As for what to notify... let me think. Going directly to her door would be too conspicuous. I remember that Annie's play is always performed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. Why don't we invite her to see a play?"

They even invited Her Highness the Princess to watch a play!

Susie finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, what's your relationship with Her Highness the Princess?"

"Why are you still calling me master? You can change how you address me now."

Li Cheng first corrected the girl's way of addressing him, and then replied, "As for our relationship, initially she was half a boss, but now she should be called a business partner."

"That's all?"

Susie was quite disappointed; this didn't match the plot she had imagined. Shouldn't it have been some taboo subject that society wouldn't tolerate...?

"if not?"

Li Cheng was completely bewildered. The girl's shocked expression just now was quite reasonable, but why was she suddenly so dejected now?

What, you think the princess isn't good enough? Believe me or not, I'm telling you right now that our final boss is Edward VII?

Susie quickly waved her hands, "No, no, how could I dare to look down on Your Highness? It's just... by the way, what should I prepare to see Your Highness? Would it be too informal to just go like this? Should I take a shower half an hour beforehand and then kneel at the door for two hours...?"

"Stop, stop, stop, stop!"

Li Cheng interrupted her, "Let's put aside all this nonsense and where you heard it from. You knelt at the door for two hours as if you were afraid people wouldn't know you were going to inform Her Highness the Princess???"

“Doesn’t this seem too formal? That’s Her Highness the Princess!” Susie said earnestly.

"So serious my foot!" Li Cheng said angrily. "I remember telling you I have enemies in London, didn't I? Are you trying to make a big enough scene?"

Susie thought for a moment: "That seems to be the case. So what do I need to prepare?"

Li Cheng waved his hand: "There's no need to prepare anything. Instead of wasting time, you should rest and recharge..."

"No, no, no."