Chapter 9 Chapter IX Refusal of Bribery

Derek Kettering is rarely ruled by emotion.His ridiculously carefree demeanor has helped him out of trouble on numerous occasions.Not long after leaving Miley's apartment, he quickly becomes a different person: brave and fearless.After calm thinking, he felt sleepy again.This is the most difficult moment in his life. Some unexpected factors have appeared, and the countermeasures to solve these problems have not yet been found. He was deep in thought, pacing the street.Sometimes some solutions to difficult problems emerge in my mind.Derek Kettering is no fool.There are many ways to get him out of trouble, but only one way will work.Since a person is seriously ill, he cannot refuse to take even a dangerous drug.He knew his father-in-law very well.He must not hesitate for a moment in his contest with him.He slowed down when he got to the Korak Travel Agency, but didn't go in.He was still thinking.Suddenly he turned sharply and walked into the travel agency.There were very few people in the travel agency, and soon someone came to take care of him.

"I'm going to Niza next week." "What day?" "Number Fourteen. Which is the best car?" "The Blue Express, of course. Taking this train in Calais will save you a lot of trouble at customs." Derek nodded.Of course he knew all about it. "The fourteenth," said the clerk, "is late. The 'Blue Express' usually sells out many days in advance." "Please check again to see if there are still sleeping berths." Derek said, "Is it possible..." He didn't finish his sentence, and smiled strangely. The clerk walked into the office and came back a few minutes later.

"Okay, there are three places available. I can reserve one for you, what's your last name?" "Pavitt," Derek said.And write the address to him. The clerk went to take care of a lady next to him. "I want to go to Niza on the fourteenth. I heard that there is a 'Blue Express' train." Derek turned around.By chance, what a rare coincidence!What he had said jokingly with Miley came back to his mind. "Portrait of a Woman with Blue Eyes". "I don't want to see her again." But now she was seen again, and more than that, she would go to the Riviera with him.

There was something strange about this rare encounter, and something of a mystery.At that time he laughed and said that this woman might bring him misfortune.Is this really the case?At the door he looked back at her again.This is a lady, a real lady.Not young, not pretty, with blue eyes.Judging from her expression, she seemed to be able to see through everything around her.In front of this lady, he seemed to have a feeling of fear.There seemed to be an element of fate lurking in his soul. He returned to his dwelling and said to his servants: "Please change the condition of this check, and then go to Corrick Travel Agency to get a train ticket, which I ordered under your name Pavit."

"Yes, sir." Pavitt is gone. Derek went to the desk and looked at the mail there.He didn't need to look at it, he knew that there was nothing but a bill or a bill.But the tone of reminder is still very polite.He was well aware that the polite tone would change as soon as that news got out. He sat weakly in the armchair.His situation has never been more embarrassing than it is now.There is no way out of this predicament so far. Pavit came back, wheezing. "A gentleman wants to see you, Mr. Major Knighton." "Naton?" Derek stood up abruptly, frowned, and made a grimace. "Naton? What does that mean?"

"Bringing him to you, sir?" Derek nodded.Knighton came in, and he found Caitlyn agreeable and seemed in good spirits. "I am very pleased with your visit," Derek said. Knighton seemed a little nervous.Derek's keen eye saw this immediately.The secretary's mission was clearly a delicate one.He just sat there with Derek's ramblings.Offered him a glass of liqueur, he would not drink it, his manner stiff and stiff.Derek finally had to go straight to the point. "Well," he said cheerfully, "my dear father-in-law wants to say something to me? I'm afraid you have come to me with his mission?"

"Yes," said Knighton gravely, "if only Mr. von Alden had sent someone else." "Not so terrible? I assure you, I have a thick skin." Knighton cleared his throat. "I have been entrusted with explaining to you a payment from Herr von Alding." "A fee?" Although Derek was calm, he also felt a little unexpected.But he soon regained his composure, offered Knighton a cigarette, lit one himself, and said in his usual mocking tone: "A fee? This is just too much fun." "Shall I go on?" "Please go ahead. I feel as though my dear father-in-law has stepped back a little from the position in which we talked this morning. Perhaps he realizes that his position is not as favorable as he thinks it is."

Knighton continued: "The matter is very simple: Mrs. Kettering has decided to divorce you, as you have said. If you do not file a counter-complaint when she appeals, you will receive a sum of A fee of one hundred thousand." Derek tossed the cigarette match casually on the floor. "One hundred thousand dollars?" "GBP." There was silence in the house.Caitlin frowned thoughtfully.One hundred thousand pounds!This would allow him and Mirely to continue their carefree life.In addition, it also shows that von Arden has learned something from his daughter.Otherwise, he wouldn't spend so much money for no reason!

Derek stood up and leaned against the fireplace. "But what if I don't accept this generous sum?" he asked in a cold, mocking tone. "Mr. Kettering, I confess to you," said Knighton earnestly, "that I am placed in an awkward position by being sent on this errand." "You have nothing to do with this matter, and you don't know the mystery. Now I ask you a question, please give a clear answer." Knighton also stood up, and said with difficulty: "Herr von Alding told me expressly that if you do not accept the payment, he will get rid of you."

Caitlin didn't panic after hearing this, but said relaxedly and cheerfully: "Oh, oh, I don't doubt he's going to use his tricks. Money is tricky these days. A hundred thousand pounds! You can blackmail me with it if I like. But if I ask for two How about a hundred thousand pounds? What then?" "Then I will report to my master. Can this be your answer?" Knighton asked back. "No!" said Derek. "It's funny that you got it wrong. You can tell my father-in-law: let him give this bribe money to the devil! Understand?" "Totally understand," said Knighton, who stood up and hesitated, flushing.Adding, "If you will allow me to express myself, I may say: Mr. Kettering, I am very glad you answered this way and not another way."

Derek said nothing.He also stood leaning against the fire for a while after the other party had left the room.There was a smile on his lips. "That's how it's settled," he murmured.