"I refuse."
When Lex's clear and firm voice echoed in the hall, people responded with bitter smiles and sighs.
As the person involved, Barton's mind went blank with a buzz. A thought immediately popped into his head: he was going to be unemployed.
As a noble, it was not difficult for him to make a small police officer lose his job. And next, he would have to find another way out.
Before he found a job, his children might have to become newsboys or work in sweatshops; his wife, who already worked as a laundrywoman, would probably have an even greater workload every day.
Next to Barton, Inspector Roy wanted to snort through his nostrils to show his displeasure. But considering the other party's identity and his own future, he chose to remain silent.
But in those eyes, anger was carefully hidden.
As for Bison, he was not surprised at all. He knew his son's temper very well. If Lex had indeed received such 'treatment' on the ship.
Revenge would be the most normal option.
He hoped he wouldn't make too big a fuss, lest it become unmanageable. Bison had already begun to consider that he would have to stop his son at a critical moment.
Just then, Lex continued, "Why should I forgive you, Officer Barton? You didn't do anything wrong."
"You were just doing your duty as a police officer should. If even that requires forgiveness, then it would be too hard for police officers to do their jobs, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, I just..."
Barton froze, thinking he had misheard, and looked at his superior next to him in disbelief.
Roy was also bewildered, unable to believe his ears. Not only did this noble youth not blame Barton, but on the contrary, he subtly and implicitly praised Barton's actions?
This is a bit different from the nobles I know.
The Inspector quickly recovered, and seeing his subordinate looking at him, he quickly cleared his throat: "Why aren't you thanking Mister Lex quickly?"
Barton, as if waking from a dream, confirmed that his job was saved and said joyfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Mister Lex."
Lex originally wanted to say, "This is all due to my father's excellent guidance," but then remembered Loen's reserved customs. Such a blatant expression would be too deliberate, so he merely smiled, nodded, and bid farewell.
He and Bison got into a carriage that had been waiting for a long time. In the carriage, Bison tidied his clothes, took off his top hat, and looked at Lex with a smile.
Lex felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and couldn't help but say, "Father, just say what you want to say."
Bison laughed heartily and said, "I have nothing to say, I just find it strange. Lex, seeing you this time, I feel that you have changed a lot."
The Baron counted on his fingers: "First, you had a lawyer defend others, then you generously gave travel expenses. Just now, you not only forgave that police officer, but also implicitly praised his actions. Well, assuming he understood the meaning in your words."
"Honestly, these were all things I hadn't expected before seeing you."
"Can you tell me what made you do this?"
Reason? That's probably because your son has changed. Lex adjusted his sitting posture, casually glanced out the window, saw the carriage heading towards the port, and then spoke.
"That's probably because, after this Sea incident, I feel it's necessary to re-examine my life."
"Father, I feel I must make changes and no longer live aimlessly as before. I want to participate more actively in your career and contribute to you and the Family, to fulfill my responsibility as the eldest son."
Lex knew that his actions would definitely attract Bison's attention. While alone in the 'single room', he had already thought out his words.
And, he planned to use this as a foundation, so that when he did things that didn't match the original owner's personality in the future, the people around him would only think that Lex was making changes, and wouldn't have the idea that 'Lex has been replaced'.
Of course, these changes must be natural, gentle, and gradual, so as not to arouse suspicion.
Bison showed a relieved expression and said, "I'm very pleased that you have this idea, son, you've finally grown up."
"Don't worry, there will be opportunities. Soon, you will step onto a wider stage, and I'm really looking forward to your performance."
On the evening of the second day, Lex returned to Enki Town.
This bay Town in Desi County faces Desi Bay and is backed by Eberly Mountain.
The scenery here is pleasant, and many people come here for vacation every year, so there are many small hotels with local characteristics in Enki Town.
When the carriage passed Mermaid Road, Lex saw that a hotel was brightly lit, and the doorway was crowded with people. Police officers in black and white checkered uniforms were moving around, something seemed to have happened here.
"Your mother must be anxious, but I already sent a telegram back yesterday, so she shouldn't be too worried."
In the carriage, his father's voice made Lex withdraw his gaze from the street outside the window.
Soon the carriage turned into Golden Champagne Avenue and stopped at a black iron gate on this main street. Next to the gate was a sign with '13' on it.
It was late, but the gas streetlights on both sides of the road were exceptionally bright. The black iron gate was slowly opening, revealing the brightly lit mansion inside.
This was Lex's home, a four-story villa with over twenty rooms, a stable, servants' quarters, and a large garden.
At this moment, the servants of the Family came out under the leadership of the butler, dividing into two sides inside the gate, waiting for the arrival of the Baron and his son.
Lex followed his father out of the carriage and the first person he saw was the butler, Sebastian. He was a middle-aged man nearing fifty, stern-faced, with classic features and graying whiskers.
Behind this butler were all male servants.
On the other side, the leader was a woman. She was the Family's housemaid, named Quenna. She was responsible for managing the maids and the Family's financial expenditures.
This lady in her early forties had deep brown hair, and pronounced nasolabial folds made her look very strict.
Behind her, naturally, were all female servants.
Seeing Bison and Lex alight, led by the two housemaids, Marion and Quenna, all the servants stood in standard posture, respectfully saying in unison: "Welcome back, Master Bison, Young Master Lex."
Bison nodded slightly, said nothing, and entered the villa.
Lex followed his father, entering the villa surrounded by servants. As he walked into the hall on the first floor, he heard a cheer.
"Dad!"
"Lex!"
A nine-year-old boy, with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a child-sized tuxedo, excitedly rushed over.
This was the youngest member of the Family, Lex's younger brother, Joe.
He seemed to have a good relationship with Lex, passing directly by his father, who had already squatted down and opened his arms, and rushing straight towards his elder brother.
Lex picked him up, a surge of affection welling up from the bottom of his heart: "How are you, our little General? Has your swordsmanship improved while I was away?"
Joe, who always aimed to be a "Kingdom General", waved his small hand proudly: "Of course, just yesterday, I was already able to hit Mister Shire's hand."
Mister Shire was the teacher hired by this Family, responsible for teaching Lex's three siblings horsemanship, swordsmanship, combat, and marksmanship.
In addition to this teacher, Lex's Family also had an etiquette teacher, a general studies teacher, and an art teacher.
Just then, a clear, teasing voice sounded in the hall.
"Isn't this our Lex? I thought you were already working as a Sailor on the King of the Five Seas's ship. I didn't expect you to come back."