Chapter 198 Case File 3: The Mysterious Dinner Party at Rose Villa (2)
Then, there was Count Valentine de Rosewood.
This earl is a well-known playboy. He is about the same age as Winston, but he has never done anything serious. He has a lot of romantic affairs, and he doesn't care about whether he is a man or a woman.
His gossip could be seen daily in the capital's tabloids. It was either about him being seen with a beautiful woman or him sneaking out of some wealthy family's back door early in the morning...
This man was extremely playful and philandering, but because he had a good-looking face that was both masculine and feminine, with soft, flowing and shiny golden hair, even if he had many jealous lovers, they would only dare to compete and fight in private, and no one dared to make trouble in front of him.
He is also a remarkable person, and his nickname of "Rose Lover" is totally worthy of him.
This playboy was obviously looking for trouble, and the attached letter he was holding must have been obtained from somewhere... The evidence was that he and Vivian were guests at Baron Neumann's territory a few days ago, and he bid desperately when Vivian was auctioning the quota, but unfortunately lost to Baron Neumann who had the home advantage.
If he was unwilling to give up and decided to attend this party, and then returned to his territory to use his connections to get a covering letter... well, this does seem like something he would do.
Winston was lost in thought when he caught a glimpse of Vivian walking back in, skirt in hand. She plopped down on the empty sofa next to him and exhaled, "I've been fighting these guys for most of the day. I'm so exhausted."
Winston's chaotic thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Facing his sweetheart who looked adorable with a pout, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips: "Oh?"
"I just went to make some inquiries." Vivian waved her small pink fan and leaned slightly closer to Winston. "Valentine was holding an accompanying letter from Countess Durand de Canberra. Their territories are adjacent, and old Earl Rosewood is an old friend of Earl Canberra, so they have a good relationship.
"Valentin lost the bid that day and returned to his territory that evening. He asked people around and happened to find out about the Countess of Canberra. She learned that she had also received an invitation from Madame Butterfly, so she took up her spot and came along."
Winston nodded slightly. "I see. That's not surprising at all."
"The Countess of Canbella came for the legendary treasure, the sapphire brooch, the Heart of Tiara," Vivian continued. "It is said that the Heart of Tiara is a top-grade sapphire mined from the gem mine of the Countess of Canbella's family. She presented this sapphire brooch to Queen Isabella on her eighteenth birthday. I believe the Queen later gave it to her daughter.
"This time, Countess Canberra heard from Madame Butterfly that the Heart of Tiara was hidden in the villa, so she agreed to attend the gathering. She wanted to find the brooch and bring it back as a memorial to her deceased friend."
"So that's how it is. Since it was a gift from the Countess of Canberra to the Queen, it makes sense for it to be returned to its original owner now that the Delman royal family has declined. Madame Butterfly's last words were just a bait thrown to the Countess of Canberra..." Winston changed the subject, "But why are the Baron and Baron Chandler here? I know they're short of money, but what can Madame Butterfly gain from them?"
"This matter, I'm afraid, has to start with Baron Chandler's father." A familiar voice suddenly interrupted the conversation between the two. The elegant earl with long golden hair strode forward, leaned uninhibitedly on the single sofa where Winston was sitting, and cast a coquettish glance at Winston: "Don't look at Baron Chandler as a mediocre person. His father was a member of King Delman's personal guard.
"He was a loyal knight of the kingdom. The wealth Baron Chandler enjoys today was all painstakingly accumulated by his father. It is said that his father left behind a secret notebook, recording much of what he heard and saw during his time in the Royal Guard. This notebook is written in a secret code compiled by the Chand family, and no one except the descendants of the Chand family can understand it."
"Ha, Baron Chandler must want to sell this notebook to Madame Butterfly at a high price!" Vivian clapped her hands and said excitedly.
Winston leaned back slightly and moved quietly towards Vivian, increasing the distance between himself and Valentine.
"What about those three scholars?"
"Oh, Daskus van Gently is an expert in studying King Rudolf Delman and his descendants. He is extremely interested in the legend of Rose Hill." Valentine turned around and pointed to the gray-haired scholar who was talking and dancing excitedly with Baron Chand in the middle of the hall. The man was not tall, with a ruddy complexion, a neatly cut gray hair, and a pair of silver chain glasses. He looked to be in his forties or fifties.
"It's said he's been searching for the mysterious Rose Manor for years, collecting a wealth of historical materials. His only frustration is that he can't enter the manor to explore its depths. This has caused his research to stagnate for years, with no progress. Ceylon Ven Casbello is his close friend. Whenever Daskus visits a historical site, he always brings him along. This magician can be considered Daskus's 'personal bodyguard.'"
"It seems that this time the historian will finally get what he wants."
"The botanist is in a similar situation. She's obsessed with the Oster rose, but unfortunately, this special artificially cultivated variety can't be found anywhere else except at Rose Hill. I heard that Landena van Betan wants to buy a few Oster roses from Madame Butterfly for research and cultivation."
"...But can these roses be considered Madame Butterfly's property now?" Vivian frowned slightly.
"No," Valentine said. "Even though Madame Butterfly has spent a fortune rebuilding and maintaining the villa, if she doesn't find the princess's descendant, she'll be nothing more than a cuckoo usurping her place. That's the purpose of Madame Butterfly hosting this gathering. If we can find the whereabouts of that descendant, know who he is, whether he's alive or dead, then everything will be different."
"Wait a minute," Winston asked doubtfully, "How can Madame Butterfly be so sure that the descendant will definitely pass on the inheritance rights of this manor to her?"
Valentine shrugged. "Who knows? Madame Butterfly has many means and resources, and she can always come up with terms that satisfy the other party. Besides, if it is finally confirmed that the descendant is deceased, Madame Butterfly will also get what she wants. She is a distant relative on Queen Isabella's mother's side. If the princess's descendant's bloodline is cut off, then as Queen Isabella's only surviving blood relative, Madame Butterfly will be the rightful heir to this villa and all its treasures."
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