Limited by what she knew, Slater had no reason to doubt Hunter's story.
After all, she was certain she'd never met this Asian young man before.
Precisely because of that, everything he said seemed credible.
If he hadn't felt guilty about dragging her in,
he surely wouldn't have risked returning to Steve's villa to save her.
Thank you, then.
Well-bred even in disarray, Slater voiced her gratitude.
Hunter had been studying her the whole time; seeing her nerves uncoil
and her guard drop,
he knew it was time for the real topic.
He smiled and shook his head. "A beauty like Miss Brief has a charm no man can resist.
Getting you involved in this mess was my responsibility to begin with.
Besides, I didn't rescue you without an ulterior motive."
A small smile curved Slater's lips; the flattery pleased her,
and his frankness didn't bother her in the least.
What motive?" she asked.
Hunter knew the main act had arrived.
Whether he could rocket his Lockpicking Skill to the top and become the world's greatest lockpicking master depended on his next performance.
He smiled and raised both hands,
wiggled them in front of her, then slowly drew them apart.
With a sudden flip, two objects appeared—
an ordinary door lock in one palm and a length of wire in the other.
Magic?"
Slater was a little startled; she hadn't spotted the technique or the switch.
Yet she wasn't particularly surprised.
As a top Lockpicking expert, Slater's social circle was actually quite extensive.
Henrietta Reeves, a famous beauty Magician in the US known for escape Magic, was a good friend of Slater.
Because of this, Slater had witnessed even more incredible Magic performances.
So, although she couldn't figure out how Hunter conjured a lock and a metal wire out of thin air in his hand,
She didn't pay too much attention to it!
A strange expression flashed across Hunter's face. He hadn't expected that just as Slater uttered the words 'Magic',
The proficiency system suddenly reminded him that he had triggered a new skill: Magic.
This was a good skill with a very high ceiling. Therefore, even though he had recently become quite adept at concealing his expressions and emotions,
Hunter still lost himself for a brief moment before feigning a wry smile.
He nodded, successfully glossing over it.
"Hello, Miss Brief!"
Hunter inserted the metal wire into the keyhole of the lock.
Then, after poking it a few times with his eyes closed, there was a click, and the lock was opened.
Slater frowned slightly, still not understanding what he meant.
Her gaze lingered on the lock for a moment before she shifted it.
Slater could open an ordinary lock like this, available on the market, within ten seconds when she was six years old.
Now, she felt it might not even take two seconds.
Hunter also noticed Slater's expression and could only continue with his pre-prepared explanation.
"A long time ago, I discovered that I had excellent learning ability."
"As long as it's something I'm interested in, I can learn it quickly."
"After becoming a thief, I also tried to use my learning ability to make myself stronger."
"I am willing to apprentice myself to anyone capable and learn more skills."
"Miss Brief, I've actually been watching you for a long time."
"You, like your father, John Brief, are both top masters in the field of Lockpicking."
"This time, I risked returning to Steve's villa to save you."
"Another reason was to befriend you."
"And then apprentice myself to you to learn Lockpicking techniques."
After speaking, Hunter maintained a smile and watched Slater without saying anything further.
Upon hearing this, Slater suddenly had a realization.
"So that's it!"
"So he has something to ask of me!"
Slater's Lockpicking talent was inherited from her father, John Brief.
John Brief was once the world's top lockpicking master. He spent his entire life studying all types of locks in the world.
From ancient Chinese locks to various modern smart and security locks.
Decades passed, and he benefited immensely.
From a young age, Slater began learning and researching various Lockpicking techniques under the guidance of her father, John Brief.
By the time she turned sixteen, her father personally admitted that she had learned all the Lockpicking techniques he had developed.
The only thing she lacked was experience.
After graduating from university, Slater, with her father's financial support, opened the Brief Locksmith Company.
In the following years, she collaborated with the Los Angeles police and banks, encountering various world-class and even top-tier safes and vaults.
In the process of continuously overcoming them, Slater had long since integrated all the knowledge her father taught her.
It was indeed no exaggeration to call her the world's top Lockpicking expert.
Therefore, Slater could accept the excuse that Hunter risked saving her simply to learn Lockpicking techniques from her.
Slater could accept this excuse.
"…You are honest!"
She said calmly to Hunter, but didn't agree directly.
However, seeing this, Hunter's heart swelled with joy.
He knew that Slater not directly refusing meant there was a chance.
After all, her Lockpicking techniques were something her father had spent his entire life researching.
Naturally, it would not be easily taught to others.
(Good money, good) Hunter then smiled and said, "There's nothing to hide!"
"Miss Brief, please consider it carefully."
"Of course, if Miss Brief doesn't agree, I won't blame you."
"By the way, you must be hungry now."
"When you escaped earlier, your clothes seemed to have gotten dirty."
"Wait for me a moment; I'll go out and buy some food and see if I can get you a change of clothes."
With that, Hunter got up and walked out.
Only Slater was left in the hotel, her stomach rumbling for a long time.
She also remembered her disheveled state, her face slightly red as she watched his retreating figure, with even more admiration in her eyes.
"He's a good guy!"
"Father wouldn't mind if I taught him some Lockpicking techniques, would he?"
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