The Shadow of Great Britain

199: Chapter 136: The Center of Attention (4K6)_2 199: Chapter 136: The Center of Attention (4K6)_2 General Cochrane nodded with a strong sense of agreement, “Exactly, isn’t it all clear?

This is the very trap they set for him, just like the one they set for me back in the day!

Back then, I was having smooth sailing and a promising future, but one day, a son of a bitch stockbroker came to me, telling me about some stocks that were worth buying, which surely would appreciate in value.

Young and gullible, I believed his damn lies!

Less than a month later, I was sued in court.

They accused me of manipulating the stock market, involving a staggering 139,000 pounds, and my crime was damn easily established!

Then, those dumbasses at the Navy Department discharged me from the service.

My rank, position, medals, honors, and even my parliamentary seat were stripped from me from top to bottom.

I was forced to make a living in South America!

Those bastards pulling strings from behind, they’re all the fucking same!

If they have the guts, let them come face me head on!

Watch me not blow them up with an explosive boat!

Upon hearing this, General Cordington hurriedly comforted, “Come on, Thomas, it’s this temper of yours that got you screwed over.

Back then, it was because you rallied your subordinates and went to Mr.

Burdette’s residence to back him up, injuring a few Army officers sent to arrest him, that they got back at you.”

Cochrane glared and said, “Burdette was my brother, if I don’t support him, who will?

Besides, his case is very unclear too, who in their right mind could understand all the ins and outs?

After all, these days, there are too many bastards trying to frame others and orchestrate conspiracies!”

Cochrane’s emotions were stirred, but the ladies and gentlemen present seemed to have a different focus.

Lady Milbank said empathetically, “The poor protagonist, Mr.

Dantes, he was clearly in love with Miss Tess, yet he got arrested on such a celebratory day as his wedding.

That cousin of Miss Tess, Fernand, he’s just despicable, secretly in love with Tess and unwilling to see them together, thus he conspired with the ship’s accountant to frame Mr.

Dantes.”

Lady Copper also blinked her appealing eyes, her trembling eyelashes revealing her mood, “Alright, alright, Mr.

Hastings, stop teasing us.

Ladies and gentlemen can hardly wait, please continue reading.”

Arthur shrugged helplessly upon hearing this and laughed, “Sorry, everyone.

It’s not that I don’t want to continue, but I don’t know what follows either, because my friend Alexander Dumas only wrote up to here.

To know what happens next, we’ll have to wait for his next installment.”

“What?

How could you stop here?”

“Oh!

My God!

Mr.

Hastings, will you be able to sleep tonight?

I definitely won’t be able to.”

“If it really gets too difficult, you might as well continue writing beyond that.”

“Wait, is this an unfinished novel?”

“Ah!

Is this about the Frenchman who was rescued at sea by the Royal Navy and Scotland Yard?”

“No wonder the setting is in France, and the plot relates to Napoleon; now I understand.”

Upon hearing this, Colonel Fitzroy also gradually caught on, “Mr.

Hastings, I remember Mr.

Dumas is currently staying at your place, isn’t he?”

Arthur nodded with a smile, “Yes, Alexander is living at my house.”

The previously preoccupied Miss Ada Byron, hearing this, bit her pen tip in dissatisfaction, “Then I would appreciate it if you’d urge him to speed up writing the rest of the story.

Having the story hang like this is even more troubling than not being able to solve a math problem.”

Arthur listened and just raised his eyebrows smiling, “Don’t worry.

When I get back, I’ll lock Alexander in a Faraday cage and hook it up to a high voltage current.

I won’t let him out until he completes the manuscript.”

Eld thought about that scenario and couldn’t help shuddering, muttering, “It has to be you, doesn’t it.”

Lady Somerville also sighed, “It’s easy to say, but without the rest of the story, I just feel itchy all over, and I’ve lost the mood to dance.”

“Mr.

Hastings, I…

I’m certainly not as important as His Majesty the King, nor can I force Mr.

Dumas, but if possible, could you let me have a copy once the manuscript comes out?”

“Mr.

Hastings, I want a copy too!”

“Exactly, price is no problem, I just ask that you get Mr.

Dumas to write faster.

My wallet is already open; he only needs to start moving his pen to take the money out of my pocket.”

Arthur saw that he had achieved his promotional intention.

He smiled and with one hand on his chest, he bowed slightly, “Thank you all for your support.

I think my friend Alexander will be very pleased to hear this.

However, ladies and gentlemen, there is no need to hurry, because in two weeks, Alexander will officially start a story column in a newspaper.

If you don’t mind, please leave your business cards, and once it’s confirmed in which newspaper it will be serialized, I will have someone inform each one of you.”

Arthur continued, then looked up at the sky outside the room, and spoke as he prepared to leave, “It’s getting late, and after completing this scientific presentation, it’s time for me to head home.

I apologize, as you may know, I am an officer at Scotland Yard, and I must be at the Greater London Police Department by eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”