Since we usually eat well, when Marcus Shaw and Oliver go out to eat, it’s either hot pot or barbecue, and if it’s a bit later, they add grilling to the options.
Nora Scott has thoroughly explored all the hot pot, barbecue, and grill places nearby.
"When is Chapman’s grill opening?"
Oliver casually asked while putting a plate of at into the hot pot.
"Indefinitely postponed," Nora shook her head and said, "He’s picky and has high standards; he’s already driven away two batches of chefs."
Oliver was taken aback, "What about Durant and Mr. Jennings?"
Nora took the sauce Marcus handed to her and said lightly, "They might be plotting to assassinate Henry Chapman together."
Paula Loughton, who had been listening quietly, blinked and looked up at Nora quickly. Then a dish of sauce was placed in front of her, and after she glanced at Marcus, she didn’t know where to look.
Luckily, Marcus, with both hands occupied by the sauce dishes, placed them down and said, "They’re leaving in a couple of months," and then turned back to prepare his own.
Oliver curiously leaned over and asked Nora in a low voice, "How does my brother know?"
Fishing out the at, Nora said, "Maybe they have private contacts."
She had introduced Marcus to Benjamin Durant and Humphrey Jennings before; they certainly would take the initiative to get along well with Marcus and talk about various matters.
Oliver nodded, wanting to ask sothing else, but when he turned around, he saw Nora splitting the at between herself and Paula, looking dumbfounded. He grabbed half a piece of at with his chopsticks, completely forgetting what he was about to say.
*
Paula Loughton remained very quiet, not speaking unless spoken to, but she wasn’t shy. When a topic touched on her, she would respond, not timidly or carefully, but with a bit of grandeur.
It’s said Paula’s mother was an intellectual and a teacher who divorced Max Loughton ten years ago, so her mother had been educating her ever since. It wasn’t until two years ago, after her mother died from illness, that she started living with Max Loughton. Before CR2, Max was just a drunkard and abusive, but he still provided daily expenses for Paula. It was only after getting involved that he cut off Paula financially, occasionally giving her so money for groceries and cooking.
Paula’s life beca even harder.
That’s also why Peter Hughes insisted that Marcus Shaw take care of Paula Loughton.
After the al, Nora first sent Paula ho before taking Marcus and Oliver back to Cloudwater Haven.
At five in the morning, Nora was awakened by a phone call.
Unusually, this ti Nora didn’t lose her temper but suppressed her drowsiness to listen to the person on the other end of the line.
"The operation was successful; they were caught during the transaction, but the one responsible for CR2 deals in Fenton City wasn’t present," Rosie Sullivan said calmly. "It’s said he’s ticulous, never shows up, and even for CR2, they pay first and then collect the goods at a fixed location. These informants have no idea who he is."
Rosie paused for a mont and added, "But there’s sothing strange. It’s said his na is Paulo Vaughn. You know, like ’Paulo Vaughn passing the imperial exam,’ although whether it’s his real na or made up..."
Paulo Vaughn?
Marcelo Vaughn?!
!!!
Nora suddenly sat up.
An odd sense of déjà vu swept over her, leaving her mind a ss, unable to hear the rest of Rosie’s conversation.
"...Max Loughton was found dead; he handed over a counterfeit chanism to get the drugs, overdosing and dying suddenly. Just two streets away from the transaction spot."
Rosie seed to rember Paula, her voice becoming a bit softer, whether out of pity or relief.
What Nora handed Max that day wasn’t real CR2. She could get her hands on such drugs, but she had her principles. Using real drugs to extract information seed too unscrupulous.
After they left, Biel Hall sent soone to handle the "aftermath," which was nothing more than a threat plus a warning to stop Max from abusing Paula anymore.
Later, Max did try venting his anger on Paula, but Biel Hall kept him under surveillance, eting force with force. Whenever he tried to lay a finger on Paula, Biel Hall would repay him double, and Max eventually cowered.
Although it was known Max was beyond saving, there was a hope Paula could have a few peaceful days, but unexpectedly, Max just ended up dead.
A distracted Nora snapped back to reality and asked, "Does Paula Loughton have any relatives?"
"We checked earlier; she has an aunt who married into the south. What happens to Paula next is still up in the air," Rosie said.
Raising a hand to gently rub her temples, Nora squinted slightly and asked, "No leads on that Paulo Vaughn?"
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