"Stop. Let's skip this topic for now."
Mycroft raised his hand to cut off Russell, who was about to speak, and then pulled a newspaper from his coat pocket, placing it on the table.
"Simply put, Ethan Roy is finished."
He slid the newspaper toward Charlotte.
"His home was graced by the presence of Phantom Thief Moriarty, and subsequently, everything was stripped clean.
"Bribery deals, a chaotic private life, sexual transactions... in the span of a single night. The next day, The Times exposed it all directly."
"So? Isn't this purely beneficial for you, without a single downside?"
Charlotte picked up the newspaper and scanned it quickly from top to bottom.
The newspaper featured a headline in extra-large font:
[Cabinet Collapse: From Ethan Roy's Bedroom to the Parliament Hall, Phantom Thief Moriarty's Fatal Strike!]
Below were several key photos: one of a transaction record between Ethan Roy and a certain chamber of commerce.
Another was an intimate photo of Ethan Roy with a certain female celebrity in a hotel suite.
Furthermore, The Times had even dedicated a special section to publish Timmy Roy's humiliated state at the Icebreaker Party last night.
They even specifically named several noble daughters, acting as if they didn't mind the chaos getting bigger.
"Crude methods, but effective."
Charlotte tossed the photos back to their original spot and spoke concisely.
"Although I don't know why that thief did this... did you bribe him?"
"I have no connection with him whatsoever, Charlotte," Mycroft said seriously.
"Likewise, I do not care about his motives. In fact, because of this incident, the mess I have to clean up has only increased."
"But you are the biggest beneficiary; you cannot deny that." Charlotte took another sip of coffee.
"Moreover, although you sound like you're complaining, you're secretly delighted. You probably wish Ethan Roy would commit suicide right now so you could slap a 'suicide to escape punishment' label on him."
"I am merely stating facts," Mycroft said.
"And clearly, Moriarty's actions have crossed a line."
"Crossed the line where? How come I don't see it?" Charlotte asked back.
"Just because he broke into the home of a Cabinet Minister whose hands weren't clean to begin with, and then made all his embarrassing deeds public?
I don't understand where the harm is in that. At least the citizens of London finally know what kind of people their taxes have been raising."
"He has escalated from simple theft and invasion of personal privacy to interference in national politics," Mycroft said.
"I could tolerate his previous petty mischief, but this kind of behavior must not happen a second time."
"Oh, come on, Mycroft." Hearing Mycroft's explanation, Charlotte rolled her eyes and sneered disdainfully, then looked at Russell.
"See, Watson? This is exactly why I detest him."
Hearing this, Mycroft also turned his gaze to Russell.
"What do you think, Mr. Watson?"
"Think about what?" Russell blinked, wearing an expression that said, 'Why the hell are you asking me?'
"About Moriarty's actions," Charlotte said.
"Mycroft claims he has escalated from illegal entry and invasion of privacy to interfering in national politics. That is the funniest joke I've heard in a while.
As for why, you explain it to him."
"Uh... although I really don't want to say this... Mr. Mycroft."
Russell looked at Mycroft with a complicated expression.
"You are conflating concepts. None of the things he stole have anything to do with national politics."
"Well said, Watson. I'm glad your reading wasn't in vain." Charlotte snapped her fingers, then looked at Mycroft.
"Did you hear that? Even he can see that you are conflating concepts, Mycroft.
"If Moriarty had only stolen Ethan Roy's dirty secrets last night and sent them to Scotland Yard via an anonymous letter, then his actions would, at most, count as those of an enthusiastic citizen upholding justice.
"But unfortunately, he didn't do that."
Charlotte put down the newspaper in her hand and took over Russell's point.
"He chose the maximum degree of dramatization. He chose The Times. He chose to make everything public.
"He doesn't enjoy the result; he enjoys the process. He enjoys watching people like you scrambling in panic because of his intrusion.
"His behavior, from beginning to end, is purely for provocation, to satisfy his pitiful, restless desire to perform."
She stood up and walked in front of Mycroft, her grey-blue eyes holding undisguised mockery.
"So, what does this have to do with interfering in politics?
"If an actor curses a corrupt king on stage, must he be charged with attempting to subvert the royal power?
"Don't use your office theories on me, Mycroft.
"In the end, you're just worried about that thief. Since he could visit Ethan Roy's home, he might visit yours and dig out your embarrassing deeds."
"Hey, Charlotte, that's going too far." Mycroft's expression darkened. "I have never betrayed Britain."
"Then what are you afraid of?" Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"If you're truly clean, what could he steal from your house? Your savings?
"You want to catch him simply to make this uncontrollable pawn controllable. That's all. Don't give me that nonsense about national righteousness."
She paused, then continued:
"Likewise, I know your purpose in coming to me, so before you open your mouth, I can give you the answer first.
"—I refuse."
Charlotte said.
"I am not interested in a behavioral artist with an excess of performance desire.
"For catching thieves and such, go to Scotland Yard. Lestrade should be very happy to help you."
The expression on Mycroft's face didn't change in the slightest, as if Charlotte's refusal was well within his expectations.
"It seems," he spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful, "you haven't changed, Charlotte."
"Right back at you," Charlotte retorted without showing weakness.
Mycroft nodded and didn't argue with her further.
He turned his head and cast his gaze toward Russell, who had been acting as a background board from the start.
"Mr. Watson."
"Ah, here."
Russell jolted and subconsciously sat up straight.
"You are more interesting than I imagined," Mycroft said, a hint of approval in his voice.
"I'm... flattered?" Russell laughed dryly, completely unable to figure out what game this big shot was playing.
"I originally thought that anyone who could tolerate Charlotte's personality would either be a logic-obsessed eccentric like her or an ordinary person too obtuse to perceive her offenses."
Mycroft spoke unhurriedly, "But clearly, you are neither.
"You have a unique talent, Mr. Watson. My sister is lucky to have a neighbor like you."
He paused, then smiled slightly at Russell.
"You study at Imperial College, correct?"
"Um... huh?"
"What major?"
"Materials Science... If you want to ask about my grades, let's skip that."
"It doesn't matter. The major isn't important." Mycroft shook his head.
"Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"I've been enrolled for less than a week, Mr. Mycroft."
"One must always plan ahead for one's future."
Mycroft said meaningfully. Then, under Russell's bewildered gaze, he extended his hand:
"Are you interested in becoming a civil servant?"
____
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on (P). with 50 advanced chapters available on (P)
👻 Join the crew by searching Leanzin on (P). You know the spot! 😉