Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

The car circled around a fountain and stopped beside a two-story building with gray walls and blue glass, simple, elegant, with a hint of artistic flair.

Luke and Lilith got out of the car, and the pink Rolls-Royce circled halfway around the fountain and left through another exit.

In Luke's impression, art exhibitions are usually held in bustling downtown areas, or at least in conveniently located suburbs, to make it easy for guests to visit.

But here, it's a rather private estate, and Luke hadn't seen any other vehicles yet. He asked, "How many people will be at this exhibition?"

"That depends on how many people the host of the exhibition has invited, but the number probably won't be too many."

Luke and Lilith walked to the entrance of the gallery, where a suited attendant slightly bowed, "Miss Finn and this distinguished gentleman, welcome to the art exhibition. There are a few minutes left before the official start.

I can first take you to the lounge for a cup of coffee."

"I'll go myself."

The suited man made a gesture inviting them inside, "Once you're in the hall, just head right."

The two entered the hall and walked to the right, where there were several rows of sofas and a few round tables ahead, with fruit, desserts, and various beverages on them.

Luke asked, "Does the attendant at the entrance know you?"

Lilith shook her head, "It's my first time seeing him.

He might have seen my photo."

Luke glanced around and estimated that there were about twenty people in the first-floor gallery; some were viewing the paintings, and others were chatting on the sofas in the lounge area.

Luke asked, "Do you want to eat something?"

"No, thanks.

I'm going to say hi to some acquaintances; do you want to come along?" Lilith asked.

"Maybe later, I'll get something to eat first." Luke made a round and got a scoop of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

The ice cream had a rich taste and was quite delicious.

As Luke ate, he observed the people around him; Lilith was dressed rather casually among this group of people, while many of the female guests were dressed to impress, including one woman in a dress showing off her pale thighs, which made Luke feel chilly just looking at her.

A few minutes later, a white man with a hooked nose walked onto a makeshift platform in the middle of the gallery and said a few welcoming words. Only then did Luke learn that he was the host of the private art exhibition.

Luke asked Lilith beside him, "What does he do?"

"His name is Manny Hatton; his family is involved in finance and art collection. All the artworks in this exhibition are from his collection."

"What's his purpose in hosting this art exhibition?"

"There could be many purposes. Instead of worrying about that, why not see if there are any artworks you like? I'll get it for you as a New Year's gift."

"Are all the artworks here for sale?"

"Yes."

"Why aren't the prices marked?"

"If you spot a painting you like, you can ask the nearby staff, and they will tell you the price."

Luke wandered around the exhibition, and most of the displayed works were oil paintings. About a third were by the same artist, although Luke hadn't heard of the artist before. As for the paintings themselves... Luke thought they were just so-so.

Of course, it might be because Luke was still in the nouveau riche phase and hadn't elevated his aesthetic taste.

Luke picked out a rural-style oil painting that caught his eye, and when he inquired about the price, it turned out to be five hundred thousand US dollars.

With Luke's current wealth, he could afford it, but he felt there was something fishy and couldn't quite figure it out.

Lilith came over and said, "If you like this painting, I'll get it for you."

Luke shook his head, "Actually, my painting skills aren't bad either, remember?"

Lilith laughed, "That's right, it's my sister's style."

Luke joked, "If you like, I can paint one for you too."

"You'd better stick to forensic sketching." Lilith huffed and asked, "I just ran into a few friends who want to invite us for lunch together. Do you want to go?"

"Sure, I just want to experience your lifestyle, why not go?"

Nearing noon.

Luke and Lilith rode in the striking pink Rolls-Royce heading to the Barro restaurant.

Several of Lilith's friends accompanied them, each driving a luxury car, forming a luxury convoy that was quite eye-catching on the road.

At a red light, Luke suddenly saw a familiar figure at the roadside—it was Will.

Earlier in the morning, that chubby guy said he was going to hang out with Will, but now Luke only saw Will alone and not the chubby guy.

Luke took out his phone and dialed Will's number, "Will, it's Luke."

"Hey, man, what's up?"

"Is Jack with you?"

"Yeah, we're together, about to go have lunch."

"I'm going for lunch too, where are you guys eating?"

"Uh... We're near Beite Street, planning to grab some pizza, where are you?"

"That's a bit far from here, you guys go ahead and eat."

"Alright, it's busy over here, kind of noisy, talk later." Will said and hung up the phone.

Luke glanced over again, and yes, it was Will's figure he saw, but he didn't see the chubby guy, and this wasn't Beite Street.

So, why did this kid lie?

Luke thought about calling the chubby guy, but before finishing dialing, he put the phone away again.

From a brief conversation with Will, Luke guessed that they probably coordinated their stories, so calling wouldn't help.

We'll talk when we get home.

Lilith noticed Luke was a bit distracted and asked, "What's up?"

"Nothing, just saw a friend."

"I almost forgot, you grew up in New York."

As they chatted, the car arrived at Balro Restaurant on Wittney Street.

After getting out of the car, Luke looked at the fancy restaurant and asked, "Who's hosting today?"

Lilith pointed ahead to a blond man and said, "That's Audro Myers, the restaurant owner."

The group went up to the second-floor terrace of the restaurant, where there was a glass conservatory. Dining here offered a view of the outside scenery, with great visibility and better privacy.

They sat at an oval dining table, with seven people including Luke.

Audro Myers looked at Luke and said, "Lilith, what's your friend's name? I believe we've never met before."

Lilith said, "Why not let him introduce himself?"

Luke said, "I'm Luke Lee, I live in Los Angeles, and I'm a LAPD officer."

The curly haired girl sitting opposite Luke asked, "Are you really a cop?"

"Yes."

The curly haired girl doubted, "Then how did you become friends with Lilith?"

Luke laughed, "One day I was patrolling the streets, saw a car speeding, and stopped that car.

A blond beauty was inside the car, she sincerely admitted her mistake and begged me to let her go.

I told her, either take the ticket or buy me a drink…

And that's how we met."

Lilith was amused and exasperated, what a tall tale.

The curly haired girl swirled her wine glass, "Good thing you ran into Lilith and not me, or you might have been suspended already."

Luke shrugged, "Why?"

"My dad wouldn't allow me to date a cop.

And he knows plenty of people high up in the LAPD, just one call…" The curly haired girl wore a know-it-all expression.

Luke tilted his head slightly and whispered to Lilith, "Does this woman have a grudge against you? She seems a bit of a pain."

Lilith chuckled, "She's not targeting you, just got some issues."

Lilith was also a bit helpless, saying although most trust-fund kids received good education and etiquette, there are always some lazy ones who enjoy belittling others for a sense of superiority.

Luke laughed, "That explains it then."

The curly haired girl seemed dissatisfied with their whispering, "Are you two discussing me?"

Lilith slightly lifted her chin, "Rosie Per, Luke is a guest I invited, your tone earlier was quite rude.

You should apologize to him."

Audro Myers also looked at Rosie Per, "Right, Luke is also my guest."

Rosie Per smirked, "I was just joking, didn't mean any harm.

Besides, my dad really does know a lot of people high up in the LAPD.

If there's an opportunity, I can introduce you to my father, might be helpful for your career moving forward."

Luke countered, "Your father is really familiar with the LAPD?"

"Of course."

"Then your father should know me too."

"Do you know who my father is?"

"No idea."

The curly haired girl scoffed, "Then what makes you think my father should know you?"

"In the entire LAPD, apart from Commissioner Reagan, no one is more famous than me." Luke didn't care whether her father knew people high up in the LAPD.

He wasn't short of backing, achievements, or fame, just lacking seniority.

The curly haired girl questioned, "Wait, aren't you a police officer? Why such arrogance."

Audro Myers interrupted, "Stop being silly.

How could Lilith's friend be just an ordinary cop? He was just kidding, and you took it seriously?"

A guy with braids sitting diagonally across looked at Luke, slightly frowning, "I saw LA news a few days ago, saw a crime family boss shot dead by the police, that commander looked kinda like you, was that you?"

Luke said, "The Denara family."

"Right, it was indeed you." The braided man seemed excited and curious, "I heard the entire convoy got shot to bits, no survivors, is that true?"

Luke didn't answer directly, "They fired first."

The braided man exclaimed, "Wow, I saw a picture of the scene, it was truly insane!

Was it your order at the time?"

"It was me." Luke didn't hide the fact.

The people present looked at Luke differently, realizing he was someone not to mess with, no one dared to provoke him anymore.

Luke didn't mind much, every organization has some exclusivity. He just wanted to experience 'high society' living, now it seemed like leveling up in a game.

Just a change of scenes, facing different challenges.