Chapter 2, The Manor
John smiled: "Liang Xi, I know you enjoy being a detective"
John waved his hand lightly, signaling that Liang Xi could leave
Liang Xi was looked down upon and helplessly said: "Let's see what happens next." People nowadays have a very weak awareness of the law
Liang Xi had a vague sense that something was amiss
Only those within the Earl's estate can steal the will, specifically those who work and live in the main residence. There are a total of eight suspects, including four children with inheritance rights and four staff members of the main residence. Cook urgently contacted John, hoping that John could help him recover the lost will before it is announced tomorrow night.
Mary asked: "Why?"
John: "Can't drive?"
At the entrance of the main residence, Liang Xi met the estate's butler, a very traditional and typical English butler. A security guard took the car keys and drove Liang Xi's Beetle to the parking space. When needed, after the security guard calls on the intercom, a dedicated person will bring the car to Liang Xi.
Oh, my God. Mary? Liang Xi looked at Mary, feeling deceived
Brief.
Liang Xi explained: "A person may appear very foolish, yet in reality, they are quite intelligent. They seem to engage in foolish actions, but ultimately achieve favorable outcomes"
John recovered from the powder attack, gestured for the smug Liang Xi to sit down, and said to him gently: "Child, there is a Chinese idiom that goes 'great wisdom appears foolish.' Do you know what it means?"
Liang Xidao: "We are not suitable for each other"
The assistant looked bewildered at Liang Xi and asked, "Do I need to contact you to report this? Are you a detective?"
The estate of the Earl of Davis exudes the grandeur typical of a manor. Not to mention the daily presence of dozens of estate employees, nor the lawns that resemble works of art, the existence of a dedicated chapel within the estate alone conveys a sense of sophistication and elegance. Wealth should indeed be spent in such a manner. The Earl's body is temporarily kept in the chapel, and after the memorial service, he will be directly interred in the backyard of the chapel, which is the ancestral burial ground of the Earl's family
Liang Xi persuaded: "When encountering theft, we should report it to the police, rather than seek a detective"
Liang Xi asked: "Is it possible not to go?"
John nodded thoughtfully, settled himself, and said: "I have told you a truth: the one who laughs last is the true winner"
The assistant explained: "The Count summoned Lawyer Cook on short notice three days ago to draft a new will. Lawyer Cook hurried to France to handle one of the Count's properties and did not have the opportunity to persuade the Count to make a backup of the will"
Liang Xi is speechless: "Even if you deceive me, that is one thing. But have you ever considered that showing off your affection like this might hurt my tender heart?"
John replied: "He has the ability to become wealthy and the talent of a detective. I worry that he will use his detective talent to become rich, while I hope he can use his ability to become wealthy as a detective. He will have enough money, but not at this moment"
Liang Xidao: "You have a pension, so of course you can enjoy being a detective. Last year, you traveled to the Mediterranean for a month, and I didn't earn a single penny."
John: "But I need to make a trip to Reading"
... ...
John laughed heartily, opened the drawer of the coffee table, and pushed a business card in front of Liang Xi: "Contact Lawyer Cook after arriving in Reading."
In light of Cook's attitude, the assistant instructed the driver to proceed ahead. He got into Liang Xi's Volkswagen Beetle and explained the reason for Cook inviting John to Reading. The assistant held no personal grievances against Liang Xi; rather, he was dissatisfied with Liang Xi's combination of jeans and T-shirt, as the destination was a nobleman's estate
John walked out of the living room and watched Liang drive away in his Beetle. Mary said, "John, you can give him a little more money if appropriate"
Liang Xi picked up the banknote in his hand and said, "Because I am poor"
John said: "But you have read the detective agency's book once."
John took the car keys and two fifty-pound notes out of the drawer and placed them on the coffee table
In the absence of a new will, the old will must take effect. However, in many cases where it is known that a new will exists, the old will cannot be effective. In the event of the loss of the new will, the distribution of assets can only be conducted as if there were no will. The negligent party, Cook Law Firm, will also be taken to court and face substantial claims
Mary stood behind the sofa, helping John with his shoulders: "You know, I love this man. For him, I could deceive the whole world"
John took the water that Mary handed him with his left hand and gently patted the back of Mary's hand with his right hand to express his gratitude. Holding the water, John asked, "Does the medicine have any side effects?"
Currently, there are over 1,000 hereditary nobles in the United Kingdom, but the number of wealthy landowning nobles is quite limited. However, one-third of the land in the UK is held by a very small number of nobles, who belong to the typical class of feudal hereditary nobility and are the true power holders
The main building of the estate covers a large area, with the earl's primary residence located in the center of the estate, and the left wing serving as the residence for the children. Cook, as the earl's chief attorney, has prohibited the earl's children and other non-residential staff from entering the main residence under the pretext of inventorying its possessions.
Liang Xidao: "Of course, taking on a part-time job occasionally is also acceptable." He reached out to take the money and car keys
Mary accompanied Liang Xi out of the living room and said, "The young lady who just brought you here is very beautiful"
His words left the already uncertain assistant feeling even more insecure
Lawyers should have backup wills
Mary laughed heartily and gave Liang a pat on the back: "Go on."
The assistant explained the legal issue that the employer has the right not to disclose the will to the lawyer, and in this case, there is no backup will. Because Cook was in a hurry, he did not deliver the will to the London law firm, but instead placed it in a safe behind a portrait in the Earl's bedroom. The loss of this will has caused significant trouble for Cook
Liang Xi: "I can only read books. Old man, times have changed; do you know how advanced technology is now? Even ashes of burnt paper can be pieced together to reveal fingerprints, and from the elemental composition of your hair, one can determine how long you have lived in a particular place. In modern times, being a detective can only be a hobby, not a profession"
Liang Xi contacted Cook in Reading, who is a lawyer providing legal services to a very small number of nobles. Cook's male assistant was responsible for receiving Liang Xi, and after they met outside Reading, the assistant expressed his dissatisfaction with Liang Xi, even directly calling Cook. Cook then reminded the assistant to treat Liang Xi with courtesy
The Earl of Davis was the largest landowner in the area, a hereditary noble, and a member of the House of Lords. In short, he was an extraordinary individual. This remarkable person passed away yesterday morning, and Lawyer Cook returned from France to London, arriving at the Earl's residence at seven o'clock this morning, only to discover that the will stored in the safe at the Earl's home was missing
... ...
Liang Xi nodded: "Yes"