Chapter 408: A Dead Eunuch

Oliver understood her intentions and turned to Hattie. “Where is Riley staying now? Is he at the inn?”

“He’s not staying at the inn, but at the biggest guesthouse in Zrork City. He’s been treated to lavish meals every day. I’ve heard that in the private rooms where he stays, there’s always the sound of music, and many beautiful women come and go,” Hattie reported.

Oliver shifted awkwardly. “But he’s a eunuch.”

“Does that make him incapable of enjoying such things?” Isolde sneered. “There are many eunuchs in the palace like that. Some even take advantage of the palace maids.”

Oliver was uncomfortable with such talk, but he furrowed his brow. “Riley isn’t a good person, that’s for sure.”

“Of course, he’s not a good person. If he were, would he be spreading lies about Geoffrey?” Hattie fumed.

“Fine, we’ll go see him tonight and find out what he’s up to,” Isolde decided.

Riley was staying at the Cohgan Inn, owned by the Sharp family. Coincidentally, it was one of the properties Natasha had allocated to Isolde, as it was in Geoffrey’s hometown. Most of the properties in Zrork City had been passed to Isolde. While the paperwork for the official title hadn’t been completed yet, Natasha had already given orders, and the inn’s manager was well aware that the new owner was the Marquise of Filial Devotion, Isolde, and the Soaring General.

Although the Zrork City properties weren’t as valuable as those in Argentum, they held special meaning for Isolde. The most valuable properties in Argentum were already under her name, and Natasha had made sure she was well-provided for.

The Cohgan Inn was Zrork City’s most expensive and luxurious guesthouse, with three branches. The one where Riley stayed was located on South Street, surrounded by high-end shops—jewelry stores, restaurants, banks, and silk shops—where the wealthy gathered.

That evening, Isolde and Oliver, accompanied by Hattie and Hazel, made their way to the inn. Since Hattie had already informed the staff, Rudy Lindsey, the manager, personally came to greet Isolde, the new owner.

After some brief pleasantries, Isolde asked, “Is Riley staying here?”

“Yes, he is,” Rudy replied.

“Take me to him,” Isolde commanded.

Rudy hesitated. “But Riley doesn’t see just anyone. All visitors must be announced. Even people from the government have trouble getting an audience with him. He has quite a high opinion of himself.”

Isolde smiled coolly. “That’s fine. If he’s upset, I’ll handle it. If I can’t, well, there’s Oliver.”

She glanced at Oliver.

Rudy froze, then looked at Oliver. Upon recognizing him as Isolde’s husband, the famed General Oliver, he quickly bowed, “General Oliver.”

Rudy wasn’t dismissive of Isolde, but as a woman, he feared she might be taken advantage of. Now that he saw Oliver, he felt reassured. “Alright, I’ll personally show you the way.”

Riley’s room was in a private wing on the first floor, a standalone building with its own small courtyard.

“How much is it for one night here?” Isolde asked.

“One night, twelve hours, costs 2,000,” Rudy replied.

Hattie gasped, “2,000? Riley must be rich! That’s almost my entire monthly wage!”

Rudy smiled. “This is actually cheap. In Argentum, a place like this would cost at least 5,000 a day.”

“Riley must be using Victoria’s money to live it up,” Isolde muttered.

“Actually, it’s not Riley’s money. A middle-aged man paid for him. He gave us 100,000 at once to ensure Riley is well taken care of,” Rudy explained.

Outside Riley’s room, two guards stood watch, dressed like imperial soldiers.

Oliver dismissed Rudy and stepped forward. “Is Riley inside?”

One of the guards, shivering in the cold, eyed Oliver with suspicion. “Who are you?”

“I’m Oliver. I’ve heard Mr. Lowe came to Zrork City on official business for Victoria, and I’m here to pay my respects.”

“Oliver?” The guard recognized him, his surprise evident as he noticed Oliver’s stubbled, tired appearance. “You’re in Zrork City too? What a coincidence.”

Isolde exchanged a glance with Oliver. The guards didn’t seem to know about Riley’s underhanded dealings. What was more surprising was that Riley was inside, and the guards were standing outside. How much power did Riley have to make these arrangements?

“Please wait, I’ll inform him,” one of the guards said.

Although Riley was here on Catherine’s business, Oliver, being a general, didn’t need an announcement to see him.

Isolde glanced at Hattie and Hazel, signaling for them to stay behind and try to get information from the guards.

A few moments later, two women with heavily applied makeup and strong perfumes emerged from the room. As they passed, they threw a flirtatious glance at Oliver, clearly women of ill repute.

As they left, Isolde and Oliver both frowned. The room smelled unnaturally sweet, a fragrance so overpowering that it made the air feel heavy.

Oliver’s face tightened. He opened the windows and doors to let the cold air blow through, trying to dissipate the sickening smell. He then poured a glass of water and splashed it on a nearby plant.

Riley, dressed in a robe, had a smug look on his face as he smirked. “I wondered who it was. So, it’s Oliver.”

Isolde stared at him, waiting until his fingers were nearly on her skin, then slapped him hard across the face. The force of the slap sent him reeling, his rage flaring.

Riley was a favorite of Catherine’s, and many people knew he had a taste for women. He was accustomed to seeing people try to bribe him with women, so when he saw Isolde, he assumed she was just another offering. He never expected this.

Oliver remained calm, his eyes sharp. This encounter was far from over.