Chapter 1057: Chapter 80: Broken Thread_3

Arthur asked, “How did you find out?”

Victor began, “After I lost track of them, I decided to go back and chat with Mr. Jean Monette, hoping he could give some clues. But on my way back, the commotion on the street caught my attention. I blended into the crowd, hoping to catch the ruffians in their mischief on the spot, because only then could I justifiably teach them a lesson and ensure they receive the punishment they deserve by law.

This feeling made me temporarily forget the investigation mission entrusted by my friend. On the street, people gathered to watch the spectacle, which began due to a disagreement between two gentleman-like professional coachmen about road rights. In such situations, both sides usually maintain some decorum to show respect. After exchanging all pleasantries, one party drove away, leaving the road entirely to the other.

The two coachmen didn’t come to blows, which left everyone disappointed, and the crowd began to disperse; I followed the flow as well. But just as I turned around, I caught sight of Miss Monette in the crowd, leaning into the arm of her mysterious lover. The light from the streetlamp illuminated Emma and her heartthrob’s face clearly.

When I shifted my gaze from Emma to that gentleman, his whole face was unmistakably visible to his line of sight. This discovery thrilled me immensely; I couldn’t help but exclaim, ‘Oh! So it’s this guy!’

Arthur, not stupid, asked appropriately, “Maxi Francos?”

Victor nodded with a smile, “It’s indeed this scoundrel.”

Arthur took a puff of his cigarette, “I thought he was just an expert at forgery. I didn’t expect he’d be involved in tricking young girls.”

Victor shrugged, “If he’s merely deceiving young ladies, it doesn’t count as a crime. But Francos doesn’t engage in this profession for the love or body of young ladies but for money and gain. I immediately returned to Mr. Jean Monette’s house, telling him how fortunate he was to have a friend like me — knowledgeable about every matter and person locally.

Then, I divulged all the information I knew: his daughter always went somewhere to meet the most vicious, arrogant criminals in Paris. This guy is extremely adept at employing various counter-investigation tricks, even to the extent that despite the police knowing his criminal motives inside out, they have been unable to capture any evidence of his crimes and thus cannot bring him to justice. He frequently disguises himself, rendering all efforts of the criminal investigation team futile.

Old Monette was terrified by my words. When parting, this saddened old father begged me to catch the scoundrel and throw him into prison to spend the rest of his life isolated from the world.

After Emma returned, old Monette told his daughter about the information he received, cleverly avoiding mentioning the source, saying that he knew she had recently been with a man who would lead her to the brink of ruin and eventually discard her – like a child discarding a broken toy.

With tears in his eyes, he pleaded with his daughter to promise never to see that man again. This greatly shocked Emma; her father could speak so specifically, with such detail, turning the perfect image she had imagined into reality.

Then, the girl began using those tried-and-true methods unique to women to explain herself, pouring tears, and throwing herself into her father’s arms, promising never to meet her admirer again. If possible, she would completely forget that man.

Arthur, hearing this, mused with his pipe, “From what you’re saying, something major seems to have happened afterward? Is there a turning point in the story?”

“Indeed,”

Victor began, “Old Monette trusted his daughter, but he’d never trust a girl in love. He understood all too well what his wife was like when deeply in love with him, so to ensure his daughter’s safety, he didn’t let her leave her fifth-floor room for several days. Emma wasn’t an imprudent girl, but God knows what she was thinking at the time. Though she forced herself to forget that person, she constantly pondered meeting that man one last time.

And the biggest obstacle then was: she couldn’t leave the room. But that wasn’t a big deal; when a woman is determined to do something, she’ll always find a way to be creative. She suddenly thought that, although she couldn’t go out, it didn’t mean he couldn’t come in. Once the idea was set, she considered convincing the old lady who occasionally helped her tidy up the room to deliver a letter for her. That surely couldn’t be a hard task?

She wrote in the letter that her father hadn’t been well the last few days and typically retires early, resting. If dear Francos were to come over around eleven the next night, her father would be asleep. She would be watching closely for a signal: three gentle knocks on the door. The old woman performed the task excellently, even bringing back his pledge: loyal forever, also promising he’d be punctual for the meeting.

Arthur couldn’t help but scoff upon hearing this, saying, “How could he possibly miss the appointment? She’s been the prey he’s been eyeing for several months now. From what I know about these criminals, he must have been thinking at the time about fully utilizing the moment once he arrived there.”

Victor raised his eyebrows, “It seems that the rascals in London aren’t much different from those in Paris. You’re right, upon having such a good opportunity, it’d be truly regrettable to let any brother down. Thus, Francos immediately shared the plan with his two accomplices. In return for assisting him with the plan, he promised everyone would get a considerable share of the loot, and if any of them were interested in her, the girl would also be part of the reward.”