Chapter 139: Clash

The dazzling afternoon sunlight poured into the dim restaurant—so blinding.

An autumn wind followed behind the black-and-white maid uniform, carrying with it a chill that snuffed out the ambiguous candle flames.

The once-romantic candlelight dinner now felt like it had transformed in an instant into a cold and solemn execution ground.

In the shadows, a faint, inconspicuous flash of white light flickered across the restaurant.

Anne didn’t pay it much mind. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the low light, and in a single glance, she took in the entire interior—leaving not even the most hidden corner unchecked.

There were three people in the restaurant.

One: a seductive little tramp.

One: looked quiet on the outside, but judging from her movements and the ample figure hidden beneath that loose school uniform—an undercover seductive little tramp.

And one more...

An old man with patchy hair?

Anna: “Oh my? A guest?”

Shali: “S-sorry, miss, the restaurant is currently closed.”

Old Man (Muen): “Ah buh ah buh.”

Anne’s gaze swept over the three, her slender willow-leaf brows arching ever so slightly.

The Young Master isn’t here?

No—everything from the atmosphere to her instincts pointed squarely to this restaurant.

“Sorry,” Anne said, stepping forward.

“I’m not here to dine.”

Her back was perfectly straight, each step as precise as if measured by ruler.

Her bearing was dignified, yet as she approached, she exuded the momentum of a thousand charging cavalry.

Anna had originally been watching the maid with mild curiosity, suppressing her laughter with a sideways glance.

But in that moment, it was as if her instincts had reacted to a beast trespassing on her territory. She straightened up, her narrow eyes narrowing further.

On the other side, even Shali looked like she could sense something, her expression tightening in unease.

“I’m here looking for someone,” Anne said.

“A man. Blond.”

“Oh? Looking for someone?” Anna replied, still not giving a direct answer. She picked up her wineglass and took a slow sip. Her rosy lips flared like flames against the dim candlelight.

“At the very least, shouldn’t you knock before barging into someone’s dinner?”

“I don’t think anyone knocks before entering a restaurant,” Anne replied, sweeping her gaze over the three again, her smile gentle.

“Unless... you were doing something you shouldn’t be?”

Anna smiled as well. “And if we were, what business is it of yours?”

“None at all,” Anne said after a pause. She then pulled out a photograph.

“So, have any of you seen this man?”

In the photo, the blond man was sleeping soundly—serene and peaceful.

From the bare arm and the glimpse of well-sculpted pectorals peeking from under the blanket, it was obvious... he was naked.

Just being able to take such a candid, defenseless shot said everything about how intimate their relationship was.

Anne——!

Where the hell did you get that photo?!

At this moment, Muen—still under the effects of Anna’s potion and looking like a half-bald old man—was too stunned to even process why Anne had suddenly shown up here. Cold sweat poured down his back.

But he quickly understood: as Anne was his personal maid, she could easily take any photo she wanted. If she felt like it, she could have him photographed in any shameful position imaginable. A whole gallery of humiliation play wouldn’t be hard.

But the problem was... pulling that kind of photo out now was clearly...

“Oh my, looks like quite the playboy,” Anna said, still smiling as she looked at the photo. Her tone didn’t change at all.

“But too bad—I haven’t seen him.”

Muen’s legs trembled uncontrollably.

Why are you shaking?! Dammit, get it together!

He slapped his own thigh in frustration.

Anna didn’t even bat an °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° eye when you were cozying up with Shali earlier, so why would she care about a sleeping photo?

Just a harmless picture! With a heart as broad as hers, why would she mind?

“Hmm?”

But Muen’s excessive movements seemed to have caught Anne’s attention.

“This elderly gentleman... You seem to be trembling quite a lot. Are you all right?”

“I-I’m cold. Yes, cold.”

Muen rasped out a hoarse voice, pinching his throat.

“Old bones—always sensitive to the cold, you know?”

“But you’re sweating so much.”

“Hot! I got hot all of a sudden!”

He tugged fiercely at his collar, shouting, “This room’s too small! Makes it stuffy!”

“Is that so? Well, someone your age should be careful with your health.”

“I will, I will!”

“But now that I mention it...”

Anne’s gaze dipped, sweeping over Muen’s clothes meaningfully.

“For someone so old, your fashion sense is surprisingly youthful.”

Muen’s smile instantly stiffened.

The potion could change his appearance, but not his clothing.

So at this moment, Muen was still wearing a crisp white dress shirt, a silver-gray coat adorned with a line of golden tassels, all custom-tailored—everything about the outfit screamed noble heir with extravagant tastes.

And nothing about it screamed shabby old man.

“Haha... I guess I just feel young at heart...”

“Is that so? That’s one way to put it. But... Elder,”

Anne flared her nostrils slightly. The room was thick with perfume and another strange odor that masked the Young Master’s scent. But still...

“You remind me a lot of him.”

“M-me?”

“Yes. Your movements, your expressions... even the way you tremble when scared—it’s... oddly similar.”

Anne took a step forward.

Then another.

Each footfall landing like a hammer on Muen’s heart.

His heart was up in his throat. He knew—if Anne figured out he was outside dating... and not just dating one woman, but two—

He was dead.

Absolutely dead.

Even if she didn’t kill him, she’d chain him up like a pet and keep him by her side forever.

No. No, no, no—anything but that!

But in his current state, Muen couldn’t move.

Any action risked giving himself away.

His only hope now was to pray—to beg Anne to—

“Excuse me, miss.”

Just as Muen had prayed to every deity from God to the Jade Emperor to Nyarlathotep—and none had stopped Anne’s terrifying advance—

Something soft and warm suddenly wrapped around his arm.

Anna had moved close, gently wrapping her arms around Muen’s. Like an affectionate lover.

She looked at Anne, her smile still as serene as ever.

“Maybe you’re mistaken. And if there’s something wrong with your eyes, I can call a doctor for you.”

She paused, then added with perfect poise:

“Look a little closer. My boyfriend couldn’t possibly be the man in your photo.”

“...Your boyfriend?”

Anne looked from the half-bald old man to Anna. For the first time, there was a faint trace of doubt in her voice.

“...You have... quite the taste.”

“Well, you know what they say,”

Anna brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her every gesture laced with charm.

“True love... transcends all boundaries.”