9. Age is just number

"That's right," Frau finally said.

Then, he threw a sly smile at Serena.

"Do you know? The fee you need to pay for my services is not cheap," Frau added with cunning smile.

"Of course," Serena replied calmly.

Seeing that Serena remained unfazed even when he tried to make her submit a little, Frau eventually returned to being professional.

"So, what do you want to find out?" Frau asked seriously.

"Investigate David West family. Find out who they have been meeting frequently over the past year and assess their financial situation as well," Serena stated concisely.

"David West is...?"

"My biological father."

Their conversation was wrapped up in less than thirty minutes.

Iril re-entered Frau's office.

"All done?" Iril asked Serena.

Serena nodded.

"Then let's go home now," Iril added, feeling there was no need to linger in Frau's office since their business was done.

Hearing Iril's words, disappointment briefly flashed across Frau's face, but since Iril was looking at Serena, she didn't notice.

Serena, however, saw Frau's expression and immediately responded with a sly smile, as if returning the challenge Frau had attempted at the beginning of their conversation.

Seeing Serena mocking her, Frau could only sigh.He admitted , he had been a bit childish earlier.

Serena chuckled softly.

Noticing Serena's sudden laughter, Iril looked at her in confusion.

"Ril… isn't this your favorite snack?" Serena asked, glancing at the food and drinks that had been set out on the table.

Hearing Serena's words, Iril looked as well.

"Ah… you're right. What a coincidence," Iril replied.

"Really?" Frau now joined the conversation. "In that case, you should eat before you leave."

"But…" Iril hesitated.

"Go ahead and eat. It would be a shame to waste it since it's already prepared," Serena interrupted. "Isn't that right, Mr. Knight?"

"That's right," Frau answered with a smile.

Even though she knew Serena was mocking him, Frau chose not to react , if it meant keeping Iril there a little longer.

Observing the interaction between Frau and Serena, Iril seemed to realize something but quickly pretended to be unaware.

&&&&&

In a VIP Room at a Prestigious Hospital

A middle-aged man lay weakly in bed, while beside him sat a middle-aged woman. Despite her age, her appearance didn't reflect it—perhaps thanks to expensive and regular beauty treatments, she looked much younger than she actually was.

"Still no news about her?" the man asked his wife.

"Not yet, husband," she replied gently, full of care.

The man immediately showed his disappointment.

"Find someone who is truly professional in this field," he ordered firmly.

"She is not a child whose whereabouts should be difficult to track down."

"Alright, I'll replace them later," the wife agreed patiently, maintaining her role as a dutiful spouse.

"I want to rest now. You should go home," the man ordered again.

"But you'll be here alone," the wife protested.

However, upon seeing the sharp look her husband gave her, she immediately fell silent.

Finally, after putting on her coat and grabbing her handbag, she bid farewell and left.

Once inside the car, she immediately called someone on her phone.

"What's the progress? Have they done what I ordered?" she asked in a superior tone, completely different from the submissive demeanor she had shown earlier to her husband.

"Not yet, madam," came the reply.

Her expression instantly turned cold.

"Are they useless?! How hard can it be to make that wretched woman suffer?!" she shouted furiously.

The man on the other end remained silent, listening to his boss's anger.

"Call them again. This time, threaten them. They've already been paid, after all," she ordered.

"Yes, madam."

She immediately ended the call.

"That cursed child is truly an obstacle to my happiness," she muttered.

Not long after, once she had calmed herself and resumed the elegant demeanor of a high-class woman, she called for her driver, who had been instructed earlier to step away and give her privacy.

Then, they drove away.

&&&&

In the Car

As Serena and Iril left Frau's company, Iril remained unusually quiet while driving.

Serena glanced at her friend with a puzzled look.

"What?" Iril finally asked, unable to stand Serena's gaze any longer.

"Why did you become so silent after we left?" Serena countered instead of answering.

"I'm just thinking," Iril replied briefly.

"Ah… thinking about a certain handsome man? A man with the surname Knight?" Serena teased.

Iril shot her a sharp glare.

Seeing Iril's reaction, Serena chuckled.

"Ah… I thought you wouldn't notice Frau's feelings. Turns out you're more aware than I expected," Serena smirked.

"I'm always observant, S," Iril protested. "Especially with that sly look you gave Frau. I'd be an idiot not to notice."

Serena laughed again.

"Sooo… what's your opinion on Frau Knight?" Serena asked, curious.

But Iril remained silent, focusing on driving.

Noticing Iril's behavior, Serena seemed to understand what she was thinking.

"Age is just a number, Ril," Serena suddenly remarked.

"I know," Iril replied.

"Then what's the problem?"