Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Bagus Club, inside the villa.

Luke sat on the living room sofa, holding a glass of red wine, with a plate of freshly sliced ham and a fruit platter on the coffee table in front of him.

The TV was showing Los Angeles news, Kerman Pharmaceutical Company's stock price had dropped another three points, and Luke felt that this price had hit bottom. News of Fred Kramer returning to the company to continue developing the new blood pressure medication would likely soon surface, and perhaps there would be a slight uptick in the stock price.

Luke had already invited his father to Los Angeles as a guest; although such matters could be discussed over the phone, Luke felt that phone calls weren't absolutely secure, and besides, his new home was finally renovated, and he wanted his father to see it.

"Knock knock..."

A knocking sound came from outside.

Without looking, Luke could guess who it was. If it were someone else, they wouldn't knock directly but wait outside and ring the doorbell.

Luke opened the door and saw Lilith standing at the entrance, her cheeks slightly flushed, as if she had been drinking.

"Want another glass?"

Lilith changed into slippers, lazily sat on the sofa, took the glass of red wine Luke handed her, and took a sip. Curious, she asked, "How did you meet Penny?"

"Just saw her at the club." Luke briefly explained what happened this afternoon.

"Do you know she's my sister?"

"No, she only told me her name was Penny, didn't mention her last name."

"Don't you find it strange? Why did she coincidentally meet you at the beach and offer you fifty thousand US Dollars to paint?"

Luke countered, "You think she deliberately sought me out?"

Lilith said seriously, "I don't know, but it's highly possible."

Luke laughed, "Then why would she be looking for me?"

"My sister is very jealous. Seeing me winning grandfather's favor and becoming the club's manager, she must feel unbalanced, so she purposefully approaches people close to me to gather information." Lilith's life had changed significantly recently, with Luke playing a key role. She felt her sister had the intention of undermining her.

Luke nodded slightly, not too concerned. It was just a drawing and dinner, nothing major.

Lilith's big blue eyes turned, and she asked Luke, "Did you already sense something was off about her?"

Luke shrugged, "What's wrong?"

"You must have sensed it. You can solve complex cases, and Penny's approach was no small matter." Lilith felt more convinced the more she thought about it.

"Come on, I'm on vacation right now, not investigating cases.

If I treated everyone and everything with a detective's mindset every moment, wouldn't that kind of life be terrifying?" Luke clinked glasses with Lilith.

In truth, Luke had felt Penny was a bit deliberate this afternoon. Even though his sketching skills were great, it's not like a well-drawn piece would necessarily sell for a high price.

If any random drawing could sell for fifty thousand US Dollars, he'd quit being a cop and become an artist instead.

But during their interaction, Penny hadn't harmed Luke, so he was lazy to dig deeper.

Just like Luke said, he's here on vacation. There's no need to be on edge all the time; he's not the President of the United States, so no need for paranoia every day.

In fact, during dinner, the conversation between Luke and Penny was pleasant, and there was no conflict between them.

As for the 'family tension' between Lilith and Penny, Luke wasn't very clear on it either and wasn't keen to be involved.

Frankly, even if Lilith and Penny had minor issues, they're ultimately family, siblings. Today they might quarrel, but they could make up in the future. Why should Luke step in as the bad guy?

Lilith seemed convinced by Luke's excuse and changed the topic, "We've known each other for so long, why haven't you drawn a picture for me?"

Luke laughed, "I can draw for you right now."

"Are you sincere?"

"Of course."

Lilith also laughed, "I refuse!

I don't want to be your material for practicing criminal investigation sketches."

Luke "..."

You...

I...

Lilith leaned against Luke, speaking in a playful tone, "Tell me, what did you talk about tonight?"

"First meeting, just casual chat."

"Did she ask about me?"

"Yes, for example, our treasure hunt on the island, and the recent auction theft incident."

"What did you tell her?"

"I only told her what she could find out with some effort. Things she couldn't find out, I didn't say." Luke held her fair chin, smiling, "I wouldn't sell you out for fifty thousand US Dollars."

"Well done."

Lilith kissed Luke's cheek and blinked her big eyes, looking at the ceiling, "Do you think she'll come to find you again tomorrow?"

Luke shook his head with a chuckle, "Everything you have now, you've achieved through your own efforts. I've only given a little push.

She's just fishing for information from me, and when she hits a wall, she naturally won't come back.

If she comes looking, she'll be looking for you."

Lilith leaned on Luke's shoulder, "I always feel uneasy, Penny always liked to snatch my toys since we were little, always liked to outdo me, embarrass me in front of elders. She's an unequivocal bad sister.

Do you understand that feeling?"

Luke said, "But now you're all grown up, you're more beautiful than her, with a better figure and younger. She should be the one feeling uneasy, not you."

Lilith smiled, "So, you only care about appearances."

Luke picked Lilith up around the waist, "I've always been a superficial person.

For example, right now, I don't want to talk about Penny; I'd rather explore new yoga positions with you."

Soon, the room was filled with playful sounds that made people blush...

The next morning.

At seven o'clock, Luke heard some noise, opened his eyes, and saw Lilith lying next to him looking at her phone.

Luke turned to her, holding her, "Awake so early."

"Yes, just thinking about that annoying old woman affects my rest."

Luke laughed. Is this the suppression of bloodline? "Then leave the club for a few days, go somewhere else for a while."

"That's not a bad idea," Lilith said and then shook her head, "No, that makes it seem like I'm afraid of her. She's the one who should leave, not me."

Luke shook his head with a smile, "Then there's nothing I can do."

"Do you think she'll invite you to dinner today?"

"She won't get the chance."

Lilith's eyes lit up, "You'd refuse her?"

"I'm leaving the club today."

"Why leave?"

Luke did a quick mental calculation, "I've been living at the club for ten days; there are a lot of things waiting for me to handle."

Lilith turned over, touching the stubble on Luke's chin, "Almost forgot, you're still a busy man." Get full chapters from ⓝovelFire.net

They had breakfast together, Luke packed his things and drove away from Bagger's Club.

He didn't go straight home but instead drove to the airport.

This morning, Li Zhaofeng was already on a flight from New York to Los Angeles.

The flight from New York to Los Angeles actually takes six hours, but because of the three-hour time difference, it's like a three-hour flight.

At ten in the morning, Luke arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and saw Li Zhaofeng pulling a suitcase in the arrivals hall.

"Dad." Luke went up to greet him, took his father's suitcase, and asked, "Why didn't my grandparents come?"

"I'm checking things out this time, next time I'll bring them to have fun," Li Zhaofeng looked at his son and asked, "How have you been recently?"

"Not bad, a friend of mine just took over the family club and invited me to hang out for a few days."

"Is work not busy lately?"

"I just finished investigating a pharmaceutical company's case, and now I'm on vacation.

You came just at the right time; if you had come two days later, I'd be back at work."

In conversation, Luke led his father into the parking lot, placing the suitcase onto the pickup truck.

Looking at the tall, imposing Raptor pickup, Li Zhaofeng couldn't help but walk around it, "This truck looks powerful. Did you just buy it?"

"Yes, driving it feels wilder; do you want to try it?"

Li Zhaofeng hesitated a bit; it's easy to go from frugal to extravagant but hard the other way around. How would he face his own Volvo after driving this truck?

But in the end, he couldn't resist and climbed into the driver's seat, "Wow, the view from this truck is amazing."

He familiarized himself slightly and then started the car, pressing the accelerator, making a 'vroom vroom' roar.

The Raptor pickup sped down the highway.

Li Zhaofeng laughed, "Haha, this truck is incredible!"

"Dad, you've been driving that Volvo for quite some time now. If you like it, you could buy one too."

Li Zhaofeng thought for a moment and said seriously, "I'd rather not. New York is different from Los Angeles, it's hard to find even a parking spot.

Besides, I don't want to be too flashy."

Li Zhaofeng isn't short of money, but as a Chinese person, he's gotten used to keeping a low profile.

Luke didn't push any further. They hadn't seen each other for some time, so they chatted about family in the car.

Half an hour later.

The car drove into the Palisades Community. Li Zhaofeng had been here once before, but upon entering the community again, he still couldn't help but praise the scenery.

The Raptor pickup drove along the community road and entered the Luke family home.

Li Zhaofeng stopped the car, jumped out of the driver's seat, and, looking at the newly built villa, showed a face of admiration, "The house is beautifully built. Last time I came, it was still run-down, now... it's stunning."

Li Zhaofeng seemed at a loss for words, patted Luke's shoulder, "Son, I'm proud of you.

Not because you have this luxury house, but because of the effort behind it.

I know how hard it is.

No one understands it better than me."

Luke was also a bit moved, recalling his journey to Los Angeles, from having nothing, being disliked, having to shamelessly drag his suitcase to borrow a place at his mother's, to now being successful with assets worth millions of US Dollars—it indeed wasn't easy.

Of course, this is just the beginning, and he will go further.

Luke put his arm around his father's shoulder and smiled, "Dad, let me show you around, and you can choose a room."