Chapter 40
Rina tidied her makeup a little, took the notebook from Kurosawa Shiran's hand, and politely rang the doorbell.
The old servant, who was mowing the lawn in the yard, heard the noise, turned around and glanced at them. He probably thought the two looked quite agreeable, so he turned off the tap, wiped his hands with his apron, and walked towards them. "Who are you?"
Rina: "Hello, I'm a reporter from the Mainichi Shimbun. Is Mr. Winmeru home?"
The old servant looked the two people at the door up and down suspiciously and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"
Rina smiled and nodded: "Yes."
The old servant said, "This is Mr. Winmeru's private residence. Outsiders are not allowed to enter. If you want to interview him, you should go to the company."
Rina cleared her throat and said softly, "It's like this, we want to do a family interview, about the wife who silently supports a successful man."
Kurosawa Shiranxin said: Sister, do you just lie like that?
The old servant's eyes lit up, showing interest in the matter. He said with a sigh, "Few people notice the hardships and struggles women endure behind the scenes. You are the first family to do so. It's a pity Mr. Winmeru isn't home. If you want to conduct an interview, you must first show your press pass. Only then can I let you in."
Rina: "..."
Perhaps this had happened too often, because when the two remained silent, the old servant became wary: "Are you lying to me?"
Rina glanced up at the courtyard and inadvertently met the gaze of a woman drinking tea there.
However, she didn't seem interested in it, gently put down her teacup, and turned to leave.
"You liars, get away from me! If you keep bothering me, I'll call the police and have you arrested!" The old servant said this and left angrily.
The two of them were left out in the sun, sweating profusely.
Rina brushed her wet hair aside, feigning a calm smile, "We should find a tea shop to cool down."
Kurosawa Shiran smiled and said, "When I came over just now, I saw a tea shop over there."
The temperature has reached 34 degrees Celsius. If you don't drink some iced beverages, you'll melt from the heat. Especially this British retro high-waisted A-line long skirt, although it fits the body without being tight, makes you feel very uncomfortable wearing it.
Rina ordered an iced coffee with lots of ice and also ordered a small cake.
She sat down opposite Kurosawa Shiran. "Do you want some?"
Kurosawa Shiran rested her chin on her hand, casually flipping through the newspaper on the table. "I don't really like sweets."
"I see, I'll remember that. But if you don't like sweets, you'll really miss out on a lot of delicious food."
For her, what is the meaning of life if she can't even eat cake?
"Sister, is it really okay to drink such cold water?"
Rina scooped up a small spoonful and put it in her mouth. "It's delicious."
"Sister, are you really going to keep this child?" Kurosawa Shiran seemed to be flipping through the newspaper casually without looking at her. "Giving birth will cause irreversible damage to a woman's body. I have never understood why they would sacrifice their bodies to reproduce and then take on the responsibility of their lives."
Rina: "Perhaps it's to witness the miracle of life's creation."
Kurosawa Shiran: "Sister, can you tell me which man it is?"
Rina smiled helplessly, feeling that he would go crazy if she didn't tell the truth. "Can't you even see through such a clumsy lie?"
"What?" Kurosawa Shiran's eyes widened slightly. "My sister is lying to me?"
Rina: "I was lying to that doctor."
"But you clearly told me you were pregnant... You lied to me again. You're so mean, sister, watching me suffer for so long," Kurosawa Shiran accused. "I should have known better. You're the same as always, only good at bullying me!"
Meeting those pitiful eyes, Rina helplessly rubbed her temples.
Kurosawa Shiran: "Are you happy that you're bullying me, sister?"
Rina: "..."
Kurosawa Shiran: "How long are we going to wait here?"
Rina looked up at the woman who walked in. She had bright red hair, was dressed exquisitely, and had elegant makeup. Rina smiled slightly at her and said softly, "It probably won't be long."
Bonner glanced around quickly, then walked to Rina's table. "I am Winmeru's wife. You can call me Bonner."
“Hello, Ms. Bonner.” Rina stood up and politely extended her hand.
However, Bonner ignored her. She opened her handbag, took out a torn newspaper, and placed it on the table. "I've seen you in the newspaper. A London newspaper, a second-rate detective."
She deliberately emphasized the last four words.
Rina maintained her smile and withdrew her hand.
Bonner: "Not particularly bright, not very voluptuous, but that's no big deal. I don't expect you to solve murder cases, but you can always catch someone in the act of adultery, right?"
“Of course I can, that’s what I do all the time,” Rina said seriously. “If it’s a murder case, I can only say, as the newspapers say, that I’m helpless.”
Bonner: "Being able to be honest with others is a very good quality."
Rina spoke softly, "Is it about Mr. Winmeru?"
Bonner hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I suspect he's having an affair."
Rina: "Is there any basis for this?"
Bonner looked around to make sure no one was around, then turned to look at Kurosawa Shiran and said, "You have no sense of propriety."
Kurosawa Shiran stood up and sat down next to Rina, behaving quietly and obediently.
Bonner straightened her skirt, sat down, and remained silent for a long time before whispering, "My husband has been behaving strangely lately."
Rina nodded in agreement.
Bonner took a deep breath, and after hesitating for a moment, finally said, "He doesn't want to sleep with me, but he's a man who's passionate about... [illegible]."
Rina: "Does he often not come home at night? For example, he doesn't come home even when the company is closed on Saturdays and Sundays?"
“No, even though he’s very busy with work, he’ll always make sure he has a comfortable weekend off.” Bonner knew his character well.
Rina's dark eyes sparkled as she said, "Could you take me to see your home?"
“Okay, but don’t rummage through things. He’ll notice.” Bonner said solemnly. “Miss Rina, I hope you understand what I mean. No one else should know about this except the two of you.”
Rina: "I understand how you feel."
Bonner shook her head, concealing the sadness in her eyes. "I don't think you understand how heartbroken and sad a wife is when her husband cheats on her."
Rina didn't say anything more.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Winmeru's villa.
The old servant came into the living room to pour tea and, seeing the two swindlers sitting on the sofa, couldn't help but get a little angry. "What's wrong with you two?"
“Mrs. Nylon, this is my good friend. She came all the way from out of town to give me a surprise. It was a misunderstanding just now,” Bonner said, putting his hand on Rina’s shoulder. “Let’s go upstairs and chat. Don’t worry about us.”
The old servant still looked confused: "This gentleman is also?"
Rina smiled and said, "Of course."
Bonner lifted her skirt and went upstairs, leading them to the guest room. Only after Mrs. Nylon left the villa did she lead the others to the bedroom.
She opened a bottle of red wine with a corkscrew, took a sip from the glass, and gazed at Rina.
Rina put on gloves, looked around, and glanced at the documents on the table.
She said, "Would you mind if I took a look at the wardrobe?"
Bonner noticed the man's gaze, and her eyelids twitched slightly. "Okay."
Kurosawa Shiran picked up the documents on the table and asked, "Are you already planning to get a divorce?"
“If he really did that, I wouldn’t forgive him,” Bonner said, swirling the wine in his glass and looking away, “even if I love him deeply.”
Lina opened the classic solid wood wardrobe and inspected each of the thirty suits inside.
After about twenty minutes, Bonner said impatiently, "What did you find? Those are all washed clothes, they won't have any perfume or hair left."
Rina glanced at the cuffs in the drawer, her emotionless eyes blinking slightly twice. "Are there any other clothes?"
“The company might keep a few on hand just in case,” Bonner said, thinking for a few minutes before adding, “Recently, there was another one that was missing a button, and I’m contacting the manufacturer to send a replacement. My husband really likes that shirt.”
Rina: "Could you please let me take a look?"
"You wait here." Bonner put down his wine glass and left the room.
Rina closed the wardrobe and turned to look at Kurosawa Shiran: "So what did you find inside?"
“There was a piece of paper with five landline numbers written on it. I just texted them to inquire, and they seem to be a detective agency as well.” Kurosawa Shiran blinked. “Sister, why do you suspect Winmeru?”
“The reason for Vanilla’s silence,” Rina paused, “is that she suffers such unbearable pain but refuses to utter a single word.”
Kurosawa Shiran pondered, "What else could Wenmeru be threatening besides her life?"
Rina: "The cooperative relationship between the welfare home and the women's textile factory."
Kurosawa Shiran: "A girl would think of these things?"
Rina took off her gloves and said regretfully, "Xiangcao is a kind and sensible girl."
Just then, Bonner rushed over, panting, and said, "That shirt is gone."
Rina took a button from her pocket. "Do you recognize it?"
Bonner stepped forward and carefully checked, "Why is it in your hands?"
Rina: "Are you sure this is from that shirt?"
Bonner emphasized, "That shirt was custom-made, and I personally selected the buttons. Why are you in your hands?"
Rina glanced at Kurosawa Shiran, "We should go."
“Explain yourself,” Bonner said.
Kurosawa Shiran followed, and Rina stepped out of the room with one foot, then suddenly stopped and looked back at her, "I think you don't need to collect any more evidence of his infidelity, and you shouldn't file for divorce. Your husband is a heinous criminal, and after the law convicts him, his property will belong entirely to you."
Bonner stared at her blankly. "How did you know?"
Rina didn't answer, and walked away from the room.
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