Chapter 162 - Encounter & Clue
South suburban district, Sunflower Orphanage
After Estelle Xiao left the orphanage building, she immediately spotted the two br—ahem, kids, before making her way over.
"Armin, Shuren, both of you stop right there!" Estelle Xiao quickly hollered.
The two kids tried to escape upon being spotted by Estelle Xiao. However, their small builds made it impossible for them to outrun a grown adult like her.
"Stop! Didn't you both hear me? Or neither of you listen to your big sister anymore?" Estelle Xiao caught them by the arms before chiding each of them.
The sudden grip caused Change Shuren to wince in pain slightly.
Although he tried to hide it through gritted teeth, Estelle Xiao still discovered the bruises on Little Shuren's arm, causing her to soften her grip in alarm and surprise.
"What happened to you, Little Shuren? Where did you get these bruises?"
"I… I accidentally tripped while playing tag with the others…"
After hearing Chang Shuren's excuse, she immediately rolled her eyes and snarled, "Do you think I would believe such a lame excuse?"
Without warning, Estelle Xiao lifted up Little Shuren's shirt, revealing the bruises and swelling hidden underneath before her frown deepened.
"How do you explain these bruises, huh? Don't tell me it is also from tripping?"
"That's right! And Big Sister Estelle, you can't do this! This is sexual harassment!" Chang Shuren quickly resisted and pulled his shirt back down in a half-angry half-embarrassed manner.
"Ren, if you are being bullied, you can tell Big Sister. Big Sister will seek justice for you!" Estelle Xiao looked Chang Shuren in the eyes seriously.
"I know, I know. Big Sister Estelle is the best." Chang Shuren nodded before waving her away, "However, it's not as serious as you think, sister. I really wasn't bullied by anyone."
"Fine, I won't ask about this anymore," Estelle Xiao stated with slightly knitted brows.
Seeing Chang Shuren being so stubborn on the matter, she could only compromise and make a mental note to pay more attention to the little boy.
If she wanted to understand what is happening to her little brother, she could only observe him sneakily from a distance next time.
"Anyway, I can see everyone has new clothes to wear. However, these clothes look too weird being worn like this. Next time, Big Sister will go buy you all better clothes to wear," Estelle Xiao said with a sigh.
If she can become an Official Hunter, money will no longer be a problem. She will be able to support her orphanage family better.
"Thank you, Big Sister Estelle!
"Oh, that's right. Where are Little Sally and Wuxin? I haven't seen them anywhere."
As soon as Estelle Xiao raised the question, Chang Shuren and Armin's eyes both became evasive as they stuttered for an immediate answer.
"They…"
"Hm?"
Estelle Xiao quickly noticed something was seriously wrong before her expression turned glum.
"You boys better tell me everything, or else, hmph, prepare to be punished by me," Estelle Xiao threatened with a grave look.
She made a gesture that implied that she would spank the sh*t out of their rear bottoms if they do not comply with her demands.
The two boys became obediently immediately with their heads lowered.
"Yes, Big Sister Estelle…"
"Yes, Big Sister Estelle…"
…
Eastern Allure Casino
Sometime later, Albion left the third floor and followed Stefano Metti's lead as they headed down to the basement levels under the building.
'Goldfinger, can you tell if we are getting closer to the source of Divine Energy you detected?' Albion mentally spoke.
[The subtle fluctuation of Divine Energy is getting stronger. Goldfinger determined it to be true.]
After receiving Goldfinger's answer, Albion nodded.
Checking out the Metti Group's vault was the right call. He began looking forward to what else he could find there.
Shortly after, the group arrived at the large storage room.
At that moment, the entrance was opened, and several men could be seen moving large crates and cages into the large storage room while the vault lies deeper inside.
As if confirming his suspicions, Stefano Metti introduced, "This is the large storage room where we keep all our miscellaneous goods. The vault where we keep the truly valuable stuff is just deeper inside."
"Would you like to check out the items here before we proceed further inside, Young Master Albion?" Stefano Metti inquired.
If he could, he wanted to get rid of everything in the large storage room before they proceeded further. After all, $1.5 billion was a staggering amount to pay off.
Stefano Metto was not confident that the items in the vault equated to that amount. Furthermore, if the trash could be sold off first, he might still be able to keep a few valuable items.
"I guess it won't hurt to have a quick look," Albion replied casually.
[Eyes of Ashura]
His eyes glowed with a crimson sheen, allowing him to see through everything in the large storage room before his gaze fell on the steel cages.
An eyebrow was raised at the sight.
He walked over shortly and removed the cover with a tug before tossing it away, followed by gazing at the two little girls in the cage in silence.
"Is Young Master Albion interested in these two orphans?" Stefano Metti carefully asked.
"Yeah…"
Albion gave a calm answer.
He was not surprised to see children locked in steel cages. Although it was a little unexpected to find them here, he already knew about the Metti Group's child trafficking business.
Nevertheless, he was not interested in the two girls themselves, but rather the familiar clothes they wore like onesies.
'Those pants are mine…' Albion thought.
He finally found a clue regarding the mystery of his missing pants…
Little Sally and Wuxin cuddled each other and trembled fearfully under Albion's silent gaze—gaze that one gives when looking at two little thieves.
Unaware of Albion's thoughts, Stefano Metti was excited to sell the orphans after discovering that the young master was not disdainful of his child trafficking business.
"How about $100 thousand for each girl, Young Master Albion," Stefano Metti offered with his hands rubbed together.