?Chapter 240:


    Aelfric’s words dripped with sarcasm and menace. Derek’s heart raced as he stammered his loyalty. “No, no, no, Aelfric, I ampletely loyal to Melinda. None of those female fans can attract me.”


    Aelfric’s smile was mocking, clearly unimpressed by Derek’s deration. He didn’t really believe the story about Derek’s head being shaved by a crazed fan; he simply didn’t care enough to investigate further


    Meanwhile, outside the door, Melinda, who had been listening in, took everything to heart and felt her anxiety spike. Initially, she had dismissed Derek as a simpleton from the countryside. It was only after Aelfric’s persuasion and witnessing Derek’s sess through live streams that she began to value him. Now, aware of his poprity among women, she feared losing him


    After a pause, Aelfric broke the silence with a question. “So, what made you suddenly kneel at the engagement ceremony?”


    Derek showed him his injured calf. “Look, Aelfric. Someone threw something that hit my calf. The pain made me kneel.”


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    Aelfric bent down for a closer look at the wound on Derek’s calf. Neil sensed something was off. “Aelfric, do you see a problem?”


    “Judging from this wound,” Aelfric analyzed, “it was likely caused by a sharp metal object. The assant must have been highly skilled to execute such a swift, silent attack.”


    Neil’s anxiety spiked. “The engagement banquet was at a vi owned by the Daniels family, with tight security. How could anyone bypass the surveince and guards to reach Derek? This is too dangerous!”


    “No need to worry, Neil,” Aelfric reassured him. “If the assant wanted Derek dead, it would have happened. Their aim was likely to stir chaos.”


    Neil sighed, relieved the danger wasn’t greater


    “Given the use of a sharp weapon,” Aelfric continued, “the assant probably left it at the scene. Neil, have someone search the area and bring me any suspicious items.”


    Foley interjected before Neil could act. “No need to make a call, Dad. The venue has already been cleaned, and I happened to oversee the inspection myself. I didn’t find anything unusual,” he said, holding up a small metallic object. “Except for this strange little object.” He opened his hand, revealing a small metallic object the size of a coin


    As Foley revealed the metallic object, Aelfric stood abruptly, a look of shock on his face. “ck Snake!”


    “What? ck Snake?” echoed Neil, rising to his feet in rm


    “BI-ck Snake?” Foley stepped back, his voice trembling with fear


    Only Derek looked on, utterly confused. He stared at the small object in Foley’s hand, recognizing it as the same one Marissa had used to shave his head. He was perplexed as to why this tiny object would invoke the name of ck Snake


    Derek had heard of ck Snake—a reputed mercenary queen and one of their allies in killing Connor. What baffled him was how Marissa’s simple de was linked to ck Snake. As Derek mulled over this, Aelfric snatched the small circr de from Foley’s grip and examined it intently


    After a moment, Aelfric spoke with conviction. “There’s no doubt about it. This is ck Snake’s deadly weapon. The one who injured Derek was ck Snake!”


    “No, that’s absolutely impossible!” Derek said loudly


    Aelfric turned to him, his expression stern. “Why do you think it’s impossible?”


    Derek blurted out impulsively, “Because this thing belongs to…”


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