My chat group members are all legendary criminals.

Chapter 36 Rockefeller

In a private woodland on the outskirts of Fremont stands a white manor.

The main building is a magnificent Georgian-style building, with an annex and a sports field in the distance.

The air was filled with the smells of grass, soil, and money.

In the main bedroom, Mia sat in front of the dressing mirror, surrounded by several maids helping her with her grooming.

She wasn't wearing her police uniform; instead, she had changed into a pale yellow dress, her hair was up, and she wore a pearl hair clip.

"Miss, the master is troubled lately. If he wants you to resign, you should comply," the older maid advised.

Mia ignored her and continued typing.

Mia: My sis, I'll test that jerk for you today!

Chen Ruoyan: ? (Scratching head emoji)

She looked at herself in the mirror and was very satisfied.

I recalled the "108 ways to flirt with men" that I had learned while staying up all night.

For the sake of my sisters, I'll sacrifice my good looks. Today, I'll make sure that scumbag is exposed for what he really is.

Why hasn't she arrived yet? The phone rang; it was Lu Yiming.

"Big sister! Didn't you say you were coming to pick me up?! Where are you?!" Lu Yiming roared.

Mia slapped her forehead; she'd forgotten about it! She'd gone back to the manor last night.

She quickly asked the housekeeper to send a car to pick her up, and then headed to her father's study.

In the study, her father, Belloc Rockefeller, and a British-dressed man with a pipe were looking at paintings at the desk.

Mia was a little surprised. Who was this guy cosplaying Sherlock Holmes?

"Dad, I've found a police officer friend to help you."

Bellok stood up and patted her head: "My Mia looks really good without her police uniform."

He still couldn't understand why his beautiful daughter had to become a police officer.

Dealing with guns and criminals every day is so dangerous.

"Dad! Let's get down to business! My colleague is really capable; he can help you find the painting!"

Belloc coughed and looked at the "Holmes" beside him:

"Mia, I appreciate your kind intentions. But Mr. Weber has already found it for me."

He pointed to the painting spread out on the table.

Mia leaned closer and saw that it was the sketch of "The Battle of Angeli" that had been lost from her home.

They really found it? Then Lu Yiming's trip was in vain?

"Miss, your guest has arrived," the housekeeper announced.

Belloc patted her on the shoulder:

"Thank you, my friend. Although I don't need it, I'd still like to invite you to stay for a meal."

……

Lu Yiming got out of the car and was shocked by the scale of the manor.

Good heavens, I thought my villa was big enough, but it turns out it's not even as big as someone else's pond.

Is this the true value of Rockefeller's wealth?

He composed himself, took out his phone, opened the "Legendary Criminals Chat Group," found KID's red envelope, and clicked to use it.

In an instant, my hands became nimble, and knowledge of theft techniques, magic props, and attention diversion skills flooded into my mind.

At this moment, Mia, dressed in a little dress and high heels, came out of the front hall accompanied by a maid.

The sunlight shone on her, making her golden hair glitter; she was indeed very beautiful.

She was figuring out how to "test" Lu Yiming.

As it turned out, Lu Yiming wasn't as nonchalant as usual. Instead, he bowed to her, naturally took her hand, and kissed the back of her hand.

"Oh, Miss Mia Rockefeller, you look radiant today." His voice was deep and alluring.

Mia: ? ? ?

Busigomen, who are you?

I haven't even made a move yet, how come you've already revealed your true colors?

Her mind went blank for a moment, but her face began to burn.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Yiming straightened up, winked his left eye at her, and grabbed her ear with his right hand.

A bright red rose appeared out of thin air between his fingers.

"This is for you." He smiled and handed over the rose.

Mia was completely dumbfounded and took it in a daze. When did this guy learn magic tricks?!

Her face burned even hotter, and she completely forgot the "108 ways to flirt with a man" she had learned last night.

She quickly changed the subject:

"Um... excuse me... I think I've found the painting..."

Lu Yiming's smile remained unchanged as he said regretfully:

"To see you in your finest attire is already a reward. But, may I take a look at that masterpiece?"

Mia couldn't stand Lu Yiming's behavior any longer, so she quickly turned around and led the way.

"Of course, I'll take you there."

On the way, Lu Yiming mentally ranted:

Holy crap! This is a side effect of Phantom Thief Kid's ability!

What was with that pretentious act just now?! And why did I keep wanting to look under her skirt?

Belloc and Weber were still in the study.

"I'm sorry, Officer Lu, for making you come all this way for nothing. The painting has been found," Belloc said politely, pointing to the painting on the table.

"It's alright, Mr. Rockefeller. I'm already very satisfied to be able to appreciate the masterpiece."

Lu Yiming politely agreed and, at the other party's prompting, walked closer to take a closer look.

The scene depicts a classic war scene, with knights and warhorses locked in fierce combat, exuding a strong sense of history.

He shook his head and calmly said, "This painting is fake."

The study fell silent.

"Pfft~" Weber took off his pipe and mocked in a British accent, "Young man, it's normal that you don't understand art."

Lu Yiming ignored him and looked at Belloc: "Did Mr. Weber find this painting?"

Belloc frowned and nodded.

But this doting father was plotting something else entirely.

This kid looks decent enough, what's his relationship with my daughter? Why is Mia's face so red?

Lu Yiming's hand slowly touched the painting.

"Leonardo da Vinci had a habit of leaving an L-shaped mark in the corner of his works, but this painting doesn't."

Weber's eyes flashed with surprise. This guy actually knows something?

Lu Yiming himself certainly didn't understand, but everyone has their own area of ​​expertise.

Every thief has a certain ability to distinguish; otherwise, they are just a low-level, stupid thief who cannot tell whether what they are stealing is genuine.

Belloc, however, didn't seem to care and leaned back in his chair.

"Good observation skills. But this painting, 'The Battle of Anghiari,' was not finished; it was just a draft, so it's normal that it wasn't marked."

"You're right."

Lu Yiming nodded, his gaze returning to the painting, and his hand stroking the "warhorse" as he said:

"Leonardo da Vinci's lines are precise, delicate, concise, and full of elasticity. But this one..."

He pointed to the outline of the warhorse's muscles, "The lines are hesitant and stiff, lacking inner vitality."

He paused, then picked up the paper again: "The pigment on this paper has faded too evenly. Real ancient paintings have deep, rich colors and oxidized paper, giving them a layered, aged look from the inside out, not this superficial hue."

He looked up, his gaze darkening.

"Mr. Rockefeller, if I may be so bold, this painting doesn't look like a Leonardo da Vinci manuscript that's been lying around for hundreds of years; it looks like it was just painted last week."

He glanced at Weber, whose face was stiff.

"Could it be that Mr. Weber fabricated this to appease you?"

The study was eerily quiet.

Mia looked at the painting in surprise, then at Lu Yiming.

This guy used to treat fire hydrants like works of art when he was a kid, how come he knows so much now!

Weber's face flushed red: "Ridiculous! What do you, a mere policeman, know about art appraisal! Mr. Rockefeller..."

Lu Yiming had expected Belloc to be furious.

He simply leaned back in his chair, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed.

He looked at Lu Yiming and said:

"I didn't expect you to have such a sharp eye. That's right, it's a fake."

He paused for a moment, then gave an unexpected answer:

"However, it was not copied by Mr. Weber."

"I had someone make a fake one."