"Lucien Valois, here's some news for you—you've been suspended."
Schick strode forward under the escort of several subordinates, stopping arrogantly in front of Lucien Valois. The mockery on his face was undisguised.
The office staff in the hall paused their work one by one, turning to watch with expressions that clearly anticipated a spectacle.
Lucien Valois's reaction, however, was utterly indifferent.
"Oh."
Schick's expression darkened. "Aren't you curious how you were suspended?"
"To be honest, I am a little curious," Lucien Valois replied calmly. "Under normal procedures, suspension approvals take quite some time."
Schick grinned smugly. "The Court issued a report and had your superiors and colleagues sign it."
He paused deliberately before adding with a sneer, "Aside from Luke andFrederic, everyone else signed.
Lucien Valois, it seems you're not very popular."
Lucien Valois shrugged. "I never thought I was."
Schick felt as though he had punched cotton—utterly unsatisfying.
"Hmph! Just wait until I catch you again."
He stormed off with his men.
The surrounding staff couldn't help but admire Lucien Valois's composure, yet many sighed inwardly.
In Fontaine, offending the Kappe family usually led to one destination—the Fortress of Meropide.
Lucien Valois ignored their gazes and walked out.
Not far from the Palais Mermonia, the overweight Grothar hurried toward him, panting heavily.
"Lucien Valois… I truly didn't want to sign, but the Kappe family applied pressure. I had no choice…"
Lucien Valois smiled faintly. "Captain, I understand."
Grothar exhaled in relief.
But Lucien Valois's tone suddenly turned icy.
"I understand you. But you must also understand me. If I truly lose my position… your good days won't last much longer."
Grothar's face shifted between pale and flushed.
"Don't worry. I'll do everything I can to block the dismissal procedure."
Lucien Valois stared straight into his eyes. "You'd better."
He turned and walked away, no trace of his former deference remaining.
Grothar stood still, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes.
…
After leaving the Palais, Lucien Valois went straight to Chiori's Boutique.
The moment he entered, he said to Chiori, who was focused on cutting fabric, "Close the shop for now."
She paused and looked up. "What happened?"
"I've been suspended," he replied honestly. "If someone comes to cause trouble again, you'll be at a disadvantage."
Chiori's lips curved slightly. "Wasn't someone just saying a few days ago that he'd shield me from wind and rain?"
Lucien Valois spread his hands helplessly. "Fine. Consider it my loose tongue."
She snorted softly and moved to close the shop.
As she passed him, he caught a faint scent of cherry blossoms—the perfume he had given her.
Just as she was about to shut the door, several uninvited guests appeared.
Leading them was Olivier's servant, followed by several burly men.
The servant lifted his chin arrogantly. "Chiori, has the outfit our young master ordered been finished?"
"No," Chiori replied coldly.
The servant's face twisted in anger. "You dare disobey our young master? Boys, teach her a lesson!"
The burly men cracked their knuckles, leering as they stepped forward.
Chiori clenched her fists, ready to fight.
But Lucien Valois's voice drifted from behind her.
"If you want to go sew uniforms in the Fortress of Meropide, go ahead and throw the first punch."
Chiori lowered her fists and glared at him. "So what then? Just let them bully me? I'm not some submissive fool."
Lucien Valois stepped forward calmly, a gentle smile on his face.
"Times have changed. Fists don't solve problems."
"Oh? Then what does? Reason?" she scoffed.
Lucien Valois's gaze swept coldly over the men.
"This."
He pulled a flintlock pistol from his pocket and aimed it squarely at the servant's head.
"If I shoot you now, at worst I'll spend some time in Meropide. But you? You'll be dead."
The servant turned pale, his legs trembling.
"C-Captain Lin… please calm down! I was joking!"
The burly men exchanged uneasy glances. Lucien Valois looked like a man with nothing to lose.
They earned only one hundred thousand mora a month. Not worth dying over.
They subtly stepped back, ready to flee.
Lucien Valois pressed the barrel harder against the servant's head.
"Who sent you?"
The servant trembled violently. "It was… it was…"
Before he could finish, a sharp shout rang out.
"Lucien Valois, put the gun down! Or I'll fire!"
Lucien Valois spun around.
A lean middle-aged man in Special Patrol uniform stood there, a long rifle aimed squarely at him.
"Deputy Captain Ophiel Kappe," Lucien Valois said lightly. "You've arrived right on time."
He immediately dropped his pistol to the ground.
Ophiel's expression darkened further.
If Lucien Valois hadn't lowered his weapon so quickly, he would have fired without hesitation.
"You're still pointing that rifle at me," Lucien Valois said, walking forward until the barrel pressed against his own chest. "Did your family order you to kill me?"
He leaned closer.
"Go ahead. Shoot."
"Shoot!"
His sudden roar startled Ophiel into stepping back instinctively.
Humiliated and enraged, Ophiel's eyes turned bloodshot. Without thinking, he pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The gunshot echoed across the quiet street.
But Lucien Valois was unharmed.
At the instant Ophiel fired, Lucien Valois had grabbed the barrel and tilted it skyward.
He patted Ophiel's flushed face lightly.
"Deputy Captain Ophiel, go write your report.
Tomorrow, I'll be filing an administrative lawsuit against you—for attempted murder."
Stretching lazily, Lucien Valois turned and walked away.
Ophiel stood frozen, his expression shifting repeatedly, yet he lacked the courage to fire again.