All-around teacher at the magic academy

Chapter 181 Investigation and Follow-up

Inside the luxurious dressing room of Earl Hills' mansion, Earl Hills stood before a huge full-length mirror, intently grooming himself.

His movements were delicate and elegant, as if he were performing a sacred ritual.

The count's gaze slowly moved across his reflection in the mirror, his eyes revealing an extreme pursuit of detail.

He carefully inspected his attire, from his tie and cuffs to the pocket square and the shine of his shoes, ensuring that every inch of his clothing was flawless.

The black suit seemed tailor-made for him, fitting his figure perfectly without being too tight or too loose.

The suit's tailoring showcases haute couture craftsmanship, with every crease straight and clear, highlighting his noble temperament.

His hair was meticulously combed, each strand neatly arranged in its proper place, without a single stray hair.

Even his beard was neatly trimmed with sharp edges, showcasing his refinement and meticulousness.

Earl Hills smiled slightly at his reflection in the mirror. Although the years had left their mark on his face, his still bright eyes and upright posture made him look as elegant as ever.

He thought to himself, "Time waits for no one, but with careful grooming, one's charm remains undiminished. Who wasn't a heartthrob in their youth?"

Earl Hills gave himself a final look in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction, but a hint of worry inadvertently crept into his eyes, as if he were preoccupied with something.

His gaze appeared somewhat distant in the mirror, as if he were contemplating what might happen in the coming night.

Suddenly, a blurry figure appeared behind my reflection in the mirror, breaking my reverie.

He quickly shifted his gaze to his reflection in the mirror, his brow furrowing slightly. He asked with displeasure, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Mrs. Hills stood behind her husband, her gaze falling on him, who was once again dressed up meticulously.

She spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly: "It's so late, are you still going out?"

"Yes, I have some things to take care of during this period, so I basically won't be staying at home at night."

Earl Hills's reply was somewhat indifferent; his gaze never left his reflection in the mirror, as if he were deliberately avoiding eye contact with his wife.

Upon hearing her husband's words, Mrs. Hills' expression immediately darkened, and a hint of disappointment and pain flashed in her eyes.

She knew that no amount of persuasion would be of any use; his heart was no longer in this home.

After a moment of silence, she said nothing more, but turned away sadly and left the room silently.

Earl Hills watched his wife's departing figure, his expression complex in the mirror, but ultimately he did not call out to her.

He knew that his actions had created an irreparable rift in the family, but for the sake of what he had to do, he had no choice but to move forward.

He stood silently in front of the mirror, his gaze lingering on his reflection for one last moment, as if making final preparations for the role he was about to play.

He gently picked up the exquisite pocket watch on the table, opened the cover, glanced at the time, then closed it and put it in his breast pocket. This action was both a habit and a ritual.

Then, he reached for the top hat beside him, gently put it on his head, adjusted the angle, and made sure it fit his image perfectly.

Earl Hills took a deep breath, as if drawing courage, in preparation to step out of the room and into the upcoming social occasion.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hills sat alone in her room, her gaze fixed through the window on the receding figure outside.

Her gaze was deep and complex, filled with endless thoughts and emotions. As she watched her husband's figure disappear into the night, an indescribable loneliness and helplessness welled up in her heart.

The atmosphere in the room was unusually heavy. She sighed softly, turned away from the window, and returned to the center of the room, facing her loneliness and confusion alone.

......

Lord Hills walked along the familiar street and, as always, came alone to the ancient church.

The tranquility here contrasts sharply with the bustling outside world, making it seem like a secluded sanctuary.

Standing outside the church, he cautiously looked around to make sure no one was following him or suspicious eyes.

In the darkness of the night, his figure appeared somewhat lonely, but his movements were firm and decisive.

After confirming it was safe, he gently pushed open the church door and silently went inside.

The dimness inside the church contrasted sharply with the moonlight outside, and Earl Hills's eyesight struggled to adjust for a moment.

But soon, he saw the empty space in front of him, where rows of devout believers were kneeling and praying in hushed tones, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

He carefully made his way through the crowd of people praying silently, trying not to make a sound so as not to disturb their devotion.

Finally, he arrived at the very front and stood before a bishop dressed in red.

"You've arrived, Your Excellency." Although the cardinal's eyes were closed, he seemed to sense Earl Hills' arrival. He did not open his eyes, but simply greeted him in a calm yet firm voice.

“Mmm,” Earl Hills responded softly, his voice tinged with a hint of tension, but mostly with a sense of relief.

He sat down behind the cardinal, closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and began to pray silently, as if seeking solace or guidance for what was to come.

Rhine knelt on the cold, hard church floor, his lips moving silently, as if reciting a prayer, like the other parishioners.

But in reality, his heart was filled with confusion and bewilderment. He didn't know what he was chanting; he just mechanically opened and closed his mouth, trying to make a devout gesture, but dared not utter a sound.

He would occasionally stealthily lift his eyelids and cautiously glance at the cardinal sitting in the main seat and the Earl of Hills behind the cardinal.

His mind was filled with doubt and unease, a feeling that made him increasingly aware that he might be involved in an event that was more complex and dangerous than he had anticipated.

He now regrets it, regretting that he shouldn't have accepted the mission.

Initially, he, Tommy, and Coby staked out the Earl's mansion, hoping to follow Earl Hills and uncover the secret between him and his rumored mistress.

However, things took a completely unexpected turn. Instead of seeking a lover's embrace or heading to some secret hotel as they had anticipated, Earl Hills arrived at this solemn and majestic church.

At first, Rhine was filled with prejudice and misunderstanding. He thought that Earl Hills was a dissolute fellow who was even bold enough to do indecent things in the sacred place of the church.

He felt a mixture of curiosity and excitement, eager to uncover the count's scandal.

However, after several days of surveillance, Rhine gradually discovered that things were not as he had initially imagined.

Lord Hills behaved with piety and solemnity in the church, showing none of the frivolous behavior he had expected.

This contrast confused Rhine, and he began to realize that he might have misunderstood the whole situation.

To conduct a more in-depth investigation, Rhine decided to take a more direct approach. He resolutely joined the church's congregation, while Tommy and Kirby, lacking sufficient expertise, were persuaded to return to the agency.

Sitting in the church, looking at the devout congregants around him dressed the same as he was, Rhine suddenly felt a strange sense of absurdity and sadness.

He began to question his decision, and a wave of tears washed over him. What was he doing all this for? What happened to investigating the mistress? What happened to catching them in the act?

Now he sits in the church, a devout believer, a far cry from his original plan.

For several days in a row, Rhine's life fell into a strange cycle. Every night he would come to the church on time, sit on the cold stone floor, and mechanically repeat those murmurs that he did not understand.

He was filled with confusion, unsure of the meaning behind his actions, yet he dared not break free, fearing that any unusual behavior might attract attention and cause unnecessary trouble.

As time went on, Rhine became increasingly aware that he might have been caught up in a huge misunderstanding.

He began to regret it. He should have gone directly to Mrs. Hills and told her everything he had seen: that Earl Hills was not having an affair as she suspected, but was simply going to church every night to perform some kind of devout religious activity.

Rhine made a silent resolution to find a suitable time tomorrow to clarify this matter.

He blamed himself for being too tempted by Mrs. Hills' promise of 12 pounds, which prevented him from thoroughly investigating the facts.

Mrs. Hills's words were all based on her own speculation; she had assumed that her husband was having an affair because he didn't come home every night.

And yet, I foolishly believed these unfounded speculations, leading to this predicament where I am now in a bind.

He sighed. Tomorrow he would have to take action, not only to clarify the facts to Mrs. Hills, but also to find a way to extricate himself from this increasingly complicated investigation.

He didn't know if doing this would create new problems, but he knew that continuing like this would only make things more uncontrollable.