Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

Without speaking immediately, the old detective took an object from a drawer on the side and handed it to the girl, quietly watching her change from surprise to appreciation.

"Keep this gun license I applied for for you. Since I don't know your birth background, it's just a temporary document. If you want to extend its validity, you can register your personal information at the building in the central area."

"Thank you for your kindness, I will make time to go."

How could I possibly go? I don't even know Miss Watson's background myself.

Thinking this to herself, Charlotte put the slightly uneven document into her suitcase. She then looked at the former, and she could tell that Singh still had something to say.

"Alright, I can't hide it from you after all. I'd like to ask you to look after those two young ladies at the tea party to avoid any unnecessary trouble. You know, nobles aren't exactly friendly people."

"This is my duty."

Charlotte would still look after the two little birds to some extent, of course, provided that it didn't affect her.

"That's good. The carriage is ready and waiting outside. We look forward to your good news."

The old detective had no doubt about his assistant's abilities and knew exactly what role he was to play at the tea party.

Wearing a dark felt hat, he pushed open the door of the office, walked to the side of the carriage, bent down, and clasped his hands to make room for him, looking like a mature butler.

"Ladies, it's time for us to set off."

It is a respectful reminder, and also a signal for the opening.

“Mr. Singh, isn’t this too much, too much?”

Winnie carefully twisted the hem of her skirt, afraid of getting it dirty or damaged. Especially after seeing Singh bow in greeting, a look of nervousness appeared on Winnie's face.

Even though Charlotte had comforted her a lot beforehand, she was still a little flustered when the time came.

"Miss, watch your tone of voice."

Immersed in the role vividly, the old detective lowered the step at the entrance of the carriage and humbly awaited the three of them to approach.

"Yes, Miss Winnie, let's not forget our appearance and demeanor."

She tilted her head slightly and saw that the sun was already high in the sky, casting a thin layer of warmth. Charlotte smiled faintly and stepped inside first.

Su Fu frowned even more than Yun Sheng, annoyed that the girl had remained silent all this time, and even more annoyed that the other party had ignored her.

She stomped heavily on the pedal and then stepped into the carriage, as if venting her pent-up frustration.

At that moment, the hissing sound of a whip cracking rang out, and the carriage rumbled slightly as it sped forward.

The venue for the Winter Tea Party is located in a corner of the central area, and there are transportation options available, so you don't need to rest for too long to get to your destination.

Unlike the roadside carriage they had ridden in before, this horse-drawn carriage was neatly furnished and spacious, and the three girls did not feel crowded at all when they sat in the carriage.

Aside from the carvings surrounding the horizontal railing and the numerous floral branches adorning both sides, no superficial work was overlooked, perfectly matching their current feigned aristocratic status.

Because the journey was short, Charlotte had no interest in interacting with the two little sparrows. She only opened and closed her eyes briefly before the sound of the horses' hooves gradually subsided, and the scenery outside the window changed dramatically.

He quickly opened the car door, and as his leather boots stepped onto the road, the lush and fresh greenery outside was immediately visible.

The ride wasn't bad at all. The soft seats and the leaf spring suspension made the carriage run smoothly and steadily without any bumps.

Just as its name suggests, the courtyard is filled with a vast expanse of green duckweed as a backdrop, with colorful cabbages waving their branches. With a gentle breeze, this magnificent scene unfolds like waves.

Not only Charlotte and her party, but also carriages were parked around them, and every now and then a few exquisitely dressed, haughty girls would get off.

Clearly, they were also part of this tea party, and the reason for describing them as verdant was not only because of the magnificent scenery, but also because of a beautiful person.

Falling behind the many figures, this fresh greenery, unlike the previous ordinary and vulgar flowers, is more eye-catching than any other flower branch.

Unlike the timid little bird or the peacock with its tail feathers closed, this was an elegant and playful parrot.

Chapter Thirty-One: Emerging from the Water

Her wide-brimmed velvet hat was adorned with silk flowers, and her dark green sweater was paired with a fishtail skirt. Unlike the young ladies in their corseted gowns, her gait was steady and agile, yet slightly light and quick.

Especially when she lightly lifts her fingertips to push the temple of her glasses, partially revealing her slightly upturned lips, her intellectual and playful beauty shines through.

Like a parrot leaping onto a branch, or a lazy, carefree cat.

No detail was overlooked; a finely crafted fountain pen was also pinned to the lady's chest.

Perhaps because Charlotte's gaze lingered a little longer, the chestnut-haired girl also turned her head and looked at Charlotte with curiosity.

"Hello, ma'am?"

Noticing the girl's clothing and her composed demeanor, her eyes also showed considerable interest.

Extending her five fingers, draped in white gauze, she was about to utter a simple greeting when a flurry of casual conversation began to circulate around her.

"Is it her?"

"Yes, yes, it's that rich merchant's daughter. If she hadn't gotten a title with a few stinking coins, how could she have the nerve to attend this tea party?"

"Shh, watch out, she might look over here. I heard she even climbed over a lady's wall for some personal matter."

Charlotte was slightly surprised by the whispers around her; it seemed that this Miss Parrot did not have a good reputation in aristocratic circles.

Instead of pretending not to hear, the chestnut-haired girl smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then withdrew her slender hand and prepared to leave.

However, Charlotte did not let this opportunity slip away; she simply extended her hand and clasped her hands together.

"Josephine Watson, that is my name."

Everyone spoke harshly to her, but she alone remained clear-headed and offered a helping hand without hesitation. Wasn't this the best way to help someone in need?

"My name is Melina McCullough, it's an honor to meet you..."

Slightly surprised, yet also grateful, Melina glanced at the two girls behind the young woman, seemingly considering her words. This hesitation did not escape Charlotte's notice.

She spoke at the opportune moment to ease the other person's hesitation, and introduced herself in a poised and confident manner.

“These two are my friends. This is Winnie, and that is Sophby. They arranged to come to the Winter Tea Party together by carriage.”

"Hello, Miss Melina."

She awkwardly gave the person a less-than-perfect bow, and due to the inaccuracy of her movements, Winnie's voice inevitably sounded somewhat flustered.

As for Sufby, due to her temperament, she only glanced at him for a moment, nodded and gave a soft "hmm," and then fell silent.

"Nice to meet you too."

Not paying too much attention, the chestnut-haired girl nodded to the two in turn before turning her gaze back to Charlotte.

It can be said that all she cared about from beginning to end was this girl with her neat demeanor and elegant temperament; her unique charm had already made her unable to look away.

“Ladies, according to regulations, the carriage can only stop here. Now that we have reached our destination, I should take my leave. I will have to trouble you to make the rest of the journey yourselves.”

Seeing that the three of them arrived at the courtyard without any trouble, the old detective did not linger any longer. He bowed and then mounted his horse again, whipped his whip, and drove away.

The wheels rolled over the grass, leaving a few muffled sounds. Soon, this garden covered with flowers and grass was only occupied by passing guests and women who stopped to admire it.

Seeing this, Charlotte had no intention of lingering and instead spoke to the newly acquainted Miss Parrot, explaining in detail the reasons for her petition.

“Miss Melina, although this is our first meeting, we may need your help with the rest of the journey. After all, we are still strangers to this tea party.”

As a newcomer to the event, it's understandable that you're not very familiar with the roads, and it's perfectly reasonable to ask for help.

"I would be more than happy to do so; it's my pleasure to lead the way for such a beautiful girl."

Touched by this uninhibited demeanor, Melina raised the corners of her lips and took the lead, glancing sideways from time to time to keep track of the distance between them.

It wasn't without reason; her goodwill had already been solidified by his uncompromising and subtly supportive words and actions, and the impact of their first impression was so significant.

Passing through verdant pines and cypresses, crossing indigo flowerbeds, and treading on smooth stone paths, at the end of the green duckweed, an elegant villa comes into view.

The warm yellow lights, the melodious violin music, and countless stained-glass windows neatly embedded in the white exterior walls—not enough, the sunlit side draws in the soft sunlight, making it shimmer and sparkle.

Looking back at the direction they had come from, the wide road they had come from was now far away, and they could only see pedestrians and speeding vehicles through the gaps in the fence.

Just like the difference between commoners and nobles, this courtyard is indeed far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, a perfect place to enjoy luxury and indulge in entertainment.

There was no need to approach further; a group of maids waiting not far away immediately came to greet them. They were dressed cleanly and had neat appearances, and it was clear at a glance that they were not servants who did odd jobs, but rather the face of the entire courtyard.

"May I ask if you four ladies are here for the Winter Tea Party?"

The lead maid stepped down half a step, leaned forward slightly, and bowed respectfully to the group.

"Of course, this is an invitation."

Both Charlotte's group and Melina sent letters expressing their approval.

After a brief inspection, the maid nodded slightly, signaling the others to stand on either side, making room for each other and creating a pleasing path.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Sunrise Courtyard."

As their voices rang out, they officially stepped inside, and an elegant and solemn atmosphere filled the air, like a European drama unfolding before their eyes.

The warm midday sun shines obliquely on the walls, the smooth and neat marble extends inward, and the dazzling and exquisite chandeliers are laid out along the ceiling. The fragrance of incense lingers in this welcoming foyer.

The guests were impeccably dressed and exuded an air of elegance. From the sofas and windows to the curtained rooms, the hushed conversations of the nobles could be heard. Servants moved through the corridors with utmost courtesy and graceful manners.

"This place is so big..."

Upon witnessing these magnificent scenes, Winnie clutched the hem of her dress and murmured softly.

It's no wonder she couldn't contain her nervousness; after all, this courtyard was a place she might never have been able to set foot in her entire life.

Unlike the former's astonishment, Sufby simply lowered her head, biting her lower lip, seemingly lost in thought.

"Miss Melina, where should we go next?"

"Go up the stairs to the top floor. The reason for choosing midday is that the sun is shining brightly at this time, and you can enjoy the warmest moment of winter."

Follow Melina up the spiral escalator to the top floor, which is an open rooftop overlooking the clouds.

Not only is the view expansive and accompanied by a gentle breeze, but one can also gaze into the distance and witness the unsightly state of the laborers toiling away.

It is truly exquisite, with two layers of rooftop, inside and out. Outwards, there are vibrant, evergreen cabbages, while inwards, there are rows of carved tables and chairs, each filled with snacks and tea. Nearby, there are also cloth umbrellas to shield people from the falling frost and snow.

When Charlotte and her companions arrived, the seats in the inner ring were almost full. Apart from a few beautiful young women, most of them should be called ladies, since the rings on their fingers clearly indicated their marital status.

Because of Miss Parrot's company, the gossip from before echoed in my ears again, and many people even cast looks of rejection and disgust at me.

Unaffected by the actions of others, Melina calmly sat down nearby, took out a pen, and began to record her observations in the notebook beside her, writing them down one by one.

Perhaps it would be difficult for an ordinary person to see even a little bit with just a glance, but Charlotte's extraordinary vision allowed her to catch a glimpse of the words that were still wet with ink.

[First source: Today I had the good fortune to meet a beautiful woman. Although she was attending a pedantic aristocratic tea party, she stood out from the crowd, exuding elegance and refined taste. Her men's trench coat and trousers, far from diminishing her charm, actually accentuated her beauty...]

Oh, what a wonderful compliment! Blow it a little more, I love to hear it.

Knowing that these were words praising herself, the rhetoric seemed somewhat similar to the writing style of the book "The Mossy Newcomer." Could it be that the newly acquainted Miss Melina was the currently popular novelist "Mistletoe"?

Unable to confirm anything, just as Charlotte was lost in thought, a maid's respectful welcome came from the rooftop entrance, her tone instantly drawing everyone's attention.

“Miss Leona Bathory, welcome to the courtyard. All the ladies attending the tea party are here.”

"Ah."

A slightly upturned voice arrived first, followed by a bright and arrogant face as she approached. The main character of this tea party slowly stepped into everyone's view.

As if sensing the girl's attention to the former, and with a hint of probing, Miss Parrot paused her pen and asked in response to the voice.

"Miss Watson, could it be that you are quite interested in that eldest daughter of the Bathory family?"

"Well, I think no one would be indifferent to this Earl Cliff Bathory's darling daughter."

Indeed, Charlotte cared, cared about the Bathory name, and cared about the mastermind behind the destruction of the Earnshaw family.

—To the point of caring so much that one wants to tear it apart, skin it alive, and grind its bones to dust.

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Truth Revealed (4k)

Just as the girl said, everyone was watching the lady walking gracefully towards them, and Charlotte was no exception.

She was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with long, light-gold hair that was slightly curled. Her narrow eyebrows and eyes gave her a somewhat harsh look, and her hat was adorned with gorgeous accessories, which made her look noble.

Her bust wasn't particularly perky, but the tight and form-fitting top made her chest appear more prominent and her waist slimmer.

This face is not considered superior, and the face powder is also heavy and gaudy. Only the arrogant and cold words and deeds are natural, as if he was born noble and looked down on everyone.

The floral skirt brushed against the carpet with a soft rustling sound. The lady seemed quite pleased with everyone's reaction, and then raised her neck, making no attempt to hide her arrogance.

This is truly a perfect portrayal of aristocratic ladies of this era—quite stereotypical and uninteresting.

Feeling a lack of interest, Charlotte withdrew her gaze, only lowering her fingertips to lightly lift the cup handle and take a small sip of the black tea that had been sitting there.

The tea was still warm, with a faint sweetness and a lingering fragrance of flower petals.