Nora Scott nodded slightly. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Recently, indeed, she had heard some rumors about counterfeit "Master Sliver’s works" appearing on the market, and quite a few fools got swindled. At the time, she thought someone was just taking advantage to make a profit; she didn’t expect this thread to connect to CR2.

"Recently, there was an incident on the south side of the city where a tech company CEO was kidnapped, all in an attempt to find out Master Sliver’s whereabouts. We put two and two together, and there might be a connection between CR2 and that case. From what we know, ’Master Sliver realized someone was looking for him, so he hasn’t released any works since the end of last year’. So, we have a hypothesis—what if these counterfeits are meant to force Master Sliver to appear?"

Nora Scott shook her head, "You’re overestimating me."

She had none of the honor and pride a craftsman should have.

Counterfeits are counterfeits, even if mistakenly thought to be genuine and used to slander her... what does it have to do with her?

"Master Sliver" was called out by someone behind the scenes, anyway, a mere titular title.

Peter Hughes looked at Nora Scott carefully, pinched the cigarette butt, and pressed it into the ashtray, incredulous, "Is it really you?"

"Yes." Nora shrugged, pointing to herself, "Me, Master Sliver, the legendary real deal."

Peter Hughes was shocked, "When I first met you, you still had some dignity."

"Really?" Nora was quite surprised, "I might have been more reserved back then."

"..."

Peter Hughes covered his face.

Back when they investigated "Master Sliver", they dug deep and heard about Master Sliver’s expertise in mechanical techniques. Moreover, due to the external portrayal, in their squad, they all viewed Master Sliver as a reclusive sage. Although Peter Hughes was nearing fifty, he somewhat imagined Master Sliver as a wise and ethereal figure with flowing white hair.

In the end—

It was all ruined by Nora Scott.

The last bit of childish spirit in Peter Hughes was completely crushed by Nora Scott.

To commemorate this, Peter Hughes lit another cigarette and sighed deeply.

Nora Scott said, "I know someone is trying hard to find me. I’m also aware of the incident on the south side of the city. I’m looking for people too, and have used quite a few connections, but still have no clues. What I can say is, there’s no point in starting with me. I do look forward to you guys finding out who’s behind it all, to see what exactly the big commotion is about, and why."

Peter Hughes was taken aback, "You really know nothing?"

"Yes."

"They’re trying so hard to find you; surely, they want something."

"It’s just a few mechanical toys, it can’t be for money." Nora said directly, "It’s either for the technology or something else. I’m not sure."

Peter Hughes took a breath, feeling his mind blank.

In this case, what they couldn’t understand the most was—what exactly did the person behind all this want from Master Sliver.

And they all agreed: Master Sliver had remained hidden so long because he knew what they wanted.

So, they believed that as long as they found the real Master Sliver, this point would become clear.

But they didn’t expect the person to look so clueless.

Peter Hughes was bewildered, "Seriously, you don’t even understand what they’re after with you, so why hide?"

"He wants to find me, so I should just let him?" Nora sneered, "No matter what he wants, I won’t give him what he wants."

Peter Hughes: "..."

Not sure if she was being malicious or cautious.

"Speaking of which," Nora crossed her legs, leaned slightly forward, picked up a lychee from the coffee table, and peeled it slowly, "What group does Paula Loughton’s father belong to? Is Marcus Shaw supposed to use Paula Loughton as a contact?"

"Paula Loughton’s father is a carpenter." Amidst the swirling smoke, Peter Hughes’s gaze flickered, and he sighed softly, "An excellent carpenter, but a violent drunk, now completely ruined by CR2, turned into a puppet."

After a pause, he added, "Letting Marcus Shaw get close to Paula Loughton, one reason is that Paula’s father is the best at counterfeiting Master Sliver’s—well, your works, among all known carpenters. We think the person behind all this would value him, and if he wants contact with carpenters, it would be with him. It’s better to keep an eye on him. Another is his domestic violence... Marcus Shaw is a minor, not afraid of anything, and can take care of the little girl there."

Peter Hughes didn’t elaborate on the domestic violence, but Nora could imagine a few things.

Throwing the lychee skin into the trash, Nora leisurely took out her phone, "What’s Paula Loughton’s father’s name?"

"Max Loughton."

Peter Hughes didn’t know why Nora asked this, but he didn’t hide it.

Nora opened the Biel Hall’s internal APP, entered Max Loughton, Fenton City, thought for a moment, and added ’carpenter’, ending up with only one result.

After skimming through Max Loughton’s profile, Nora suddenly noticed a line, paused, and looked up at Pedro Langley, who had finished his phone call and was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window on the balcony.

She called, "Langley."

"Hmm?"

Pedro Langley raised an eyebrow.

Peter Hughes rubbed his jaw, feeling a twinge in his teeth.

Nora asked, "Which high school did Evelyn Easton graduate from?"

Hesitating for a moment, Pedro Langley didn’t know her intention but answered, "Fenton City High."

Pedro Langley actually had a good memory, not as instantaneous as Nora’s, but he had long-term memory. Although not photographic, important information, after a few passes through his mind, wouldn’t be forgotten.

When he first helped Nora investigate Evelyn Easton’s matters in the Scott family, Pedro Langley had Butler Loxley directly look into Evelyn Easton’s record and even studied it several times.

He was caught by Nora later, and Nora also saw it.

Nora only vaguely remembered, but now hearing Pedro Langley’s answer gave her the exact confirmation, "This person seems to be a classmate of Evelyn Easton’s."

They were in the same class for all three years of high school, classmates for three years, quite a curious coincidence.

"Evelyn Easton..." Hearing this name, Peter Hughes couldn’t help but speak, "That’s your mom?"

Nora glanced at him but didn’t reply.

Peter Hughes was certain, but soon thought of another matter, "Where did you check Max Loughton’s information?"

"Online." Nora quickly replied, exited the APP, and then, with a seemingly thoughtful expression, said, "The internet is really developed now."

Peter Hughes: "Nonsense! That’s private information!"

"Privacy isn’t worth much these days." Nora said nonchalantly, "Just a matter of a few data charges."

Peter Hughes: "..."

Realizing that Nora might indeed have some extraordinary abilities, Peter Hughes pressed his forehead, deciding not to question further. But suddenly, he thought of something and clapped his hands.

Peter Hughes exclaimed, "I figured! Marcus Shaw initially refused to get close to Paula Loughton, but after seeing Max Loughton’s photo, he changed his mind and agreed."

Nora realized, "He knows Max Loughton?"

"If Max Loughton was classmates with your mom, and they stayed in touch after graduation, Marcus Shaw might indeed have seen Max Loughton." Peter Hughes analyzed, then muttered, "But, what kind of reason is that?"

At this moment, Pedro Langley, who had once again been ignored, spoke leisurely, "Just ask him, and you’ll know."