CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: SOFIA SHIRE

"You said your surname is Bolita, what’s your name?"

In the interrogation room of the Prohibition Bureau, a large lamp was shining directly on the man who claimed his surname was Bolita.

Lewis sat across from him, smoking a cigarette, and asked.

"Vincent, Vincent Polleta, my father is Alberto."

The man stared directly at Lewis behind the glare, as if he wasn’t afraid of the light at all.

"Give me a cigarette too."

"Vincent? Vincent Polleta, as far as I know, there’s no one like you in the Bolita Clan."

"How is that possible? Just find anyone from the Bolita family, and they will definitely know who I am, or you can directly contact my father, or my brother Leonardo."

"Unfortunately, they’re both already dead."

Lewis feigned regret.

The man suddenly became furious: "Impossible! How could they be dead? No way, you’re lying to me, you’re deceiving me! There’s no way my brother and father could be dead—they are Bolita!"

"However, I have no reason to lie to you, take a look at these."

Lewis handed him several newspapers.

The newspapers naturally contained news of Alberto’s death and Ethan’s rise to power.

"So Ethan is in charge now?" Vincent asked, gripping the newspaper tightly.

"Yes." Lewis watched Vincent with interest from behind the light, as if a hunter was observing his prey.

"Then bring Ethan here."

"Are you sure you want me to call him?"

"What do you mean?" Vincent set the newspaper aside and stared at Lewis again.

"Vincent, listen, I’ve dealt with your brother, he’s an absolute power animal. He’s now firmly seated as the head of the Bolita family, and you’ve returned, you’re his older brother, you hold higher rank and inheritance rights—what do you think he’ll do to you?"

"You’re trying to sow discord between us brothers, it’s impossible. I tell you, I know what kind of person Ethan is, he loves art, he’s a good man, he..."

"People change, Vincent, especially since you haven’t seen each other for many years, right?" Lewis threw a cigarette to Vincent and even lit it for him.

"Smoke a cigarette, after you finish this, tell me your answer. If you still want me to call Ethan, I’ll call him, but then, I won’t be involved in this anymore."

————————

Ethan had a nightmare, someone shot him from behind in the dream.

When he turned around, what he saw was a face very similar to his own.

The dream made him very uncomfortable, but fortunately the weather was nice today, clear, with even some sunshine.

He planned to have breakfast, then visit the factory to check Walter’s progress. If Walter could produce the grape bricks earlier, it would benefit his business progress and the ’True God’s Name’.

But just as he was halfway through breakfast, a phone call came in.

"Young master, it’s El."

Dean El from Winster University, but he just attended class two days ago, there’s no need to hurry like this?

"Good morning, Dean El, what can I do for you?"

"Good morning, Ethan, I hope I’m not disturbing you. It’s like this: the other day, you drew a picture during class, do you remember?"

"Of course, what’s up?"

"The teachers at the academy all liked that painting, including the principal. The principal wants to meet you, do you have time today to come to the school?"

El was obviously cautious, probably because he owed Ethan a favor.

"Of course, no problem, it would be my honor. I’ll come right after breakfast."

Ethan hadn’t expected that the casual painting he drew that day would have such an aftermath.

But he attended school to improve his identity, status, and to network with more elites and important figures.

Now his goal seemed to be achieved.

The principal of Winster University carries significant weight in Winster as well.

As mentioned earlier, Winster University’s law department is very prestigious, and many graduates hold important positions in the legal and political domains in Winster and neighboring cities.

The current principal of Winster University was previously the dean of Winster Law School, and those holding important positions are almost all his students.

Being the principal of Winster University, he also holds a high status in the education field.

Such a person wanting to meet him...

After finishing breakfast, Ethan had Anya drive him towards the cliffs of Winster University.

When he arrived, El was indeed already waiting at the steps.

As soon as Ethan got out, he immediately walked over and complimented: "Ethan, I knew you were a genius. Indeed, as soon as you made a move, you attracted the attention of the principal. You’re absolutely remarkable."

"You’re too kind." Ethan really didn’t think his painting was that good.

The two of them ascended the steps, and once on campus, quite a few students who were either exercising or rushing to class cast glances and whispered among themselves.

The discussion centered around ’Is this the person whose painting caught the principal’s attention?’, as well as speculation regarding his surname and Mafia identity.

It seemed he had already gained a bit of notoriety at Winster University.

Following El, they navigated the large building, and eventually stopped in front of a visibly dated stone building.

"Wait a moment, Ethan, I’ll report to the principal. By the way, your professor and the female student who discovered your painting are also here, greet them." El pointed to the side as he spoke.

In this that seemed like a reception hall, some people were already present.

It was the sketch class professor from that day, along with a female student whom Ethan somewhat remembered.

El already went to report, while Ethan approached the two to greet them.

"Hello, Professor Faler."

The professor named Faler merely nodded, his attitude somewhat odd, showing a bit of appreciation, but mostly reluctance.

Unexpectedly, the female student took the initiative, introducing herself: "Hello, Ethan, I’m Sofia Shire, I really like your painting."

"Thank you."

Ethan looked at the girl.

She wore a vintage dress, the kind that’s entirely white with purple accents at the hem. The hem’s folds resembled flowers.

She indeed resembled a flower, a flower blooming in the warm morning sunshine.

Her beauty was different from Anya’s—Anya’s beauty was cold and direct; hers was like the wind in the warm sunshine.

Ethan could sense that, seemingly, Professor Faler was accompanying this girl named Sofia.

To meet him?

Is it a bit too narcissistic?

Ethan immediately thought of Sofia’s last name.

Shire, Shire, how familiar it felt.

Then, El came out and called him.