Eric knew that the eldest lady couldn't be lying.

"You're saying that the phoenix butterfly stole the original Medellín, but I made sure the painting was still on the ceiling. ”

Not even he noticed, a drop of sweat slipped from his forehead.

Joanna smiled and said, "Have you really checked the painting on the ceiling?"

Eric was silent. He only saw that the painting was still on the ceiling, but he didn't remove it and confirm it with his own eyes.

Could it be that the original painting has really been swapped unconsciously?

"I don't understand. If it's true that the phoenix stole the painting, as you said, how did you help him?"

Eric was still skeptical of Joanna's words.

"Actually, the phoenix did steal the fake in the first place. But he didn't fail, because he would get a hint of the location of the real thing from that fake..."

"You're saying that your painting hides the location of the real thing?! But I was standing behind you when you were drawing... What did you do?"

Eric is incredulous that Joanna can fool his eyes.

"Pigments that fade. After a few hours, when the phoenix stole the fake, the paint faded. The message hidden in the painting will be revealed...... At that time, the phoenix butterflies will naturally come back to steal the authentic works. ”

Oh no.

Eric then remembered that he had asked Joanna.

......

"Is there a place in the main fort where I can hide the real paintings?"

Joanna, as the owner of the main fort, certainly knew more hidden places. But instead of recommending any spot in the main castle, she took out a wooden board from her back: "I think you can use it to nail the real painting to the ceiling." Remove the Magic Crystal Lamp again. In the darkness, no one will notice that there is a painting hidden on it.

There's such a saying, isn't it? The most dangerous place is the safest place. ”

Eric thought for a moment and agreed. In his opinion, it was a brilliant idea. This eldest lady's head is simply terrifying, no wonder the Duke asked her to handle the affairs of the family.

And when she was painting in the studio before, her calm posture did not make Eric suspicious at all. In fact, he only admired Joanna's superb painting skills.

She first drew a fake with a code word, and then tricked Eric into hiding the original text in the ceiling.

Joanna has been arranging everything for Saiba.

Eric was put on a show by his own people.

If it weren't for the relationship between Miss Pelos in front of him, Eric would undoubtedly be able to defeat the phoenix. In doing so, she undoubtedly cast a shadow over the detective's performance. But at the same time, Eric also interfered with Joanna's plans, and even indirectly led to Saiba's death. That's why he can't blame Joanna.

And at the end of the day, Stairway to Dreams is the property of the Pelos family. As the eldest daughter of the family, Joanna can do whatever she wants with it.

As for being kept in the dark and used by Joanna, Eric only felt that he didn't have enough wisdom to see through it.

Perhaps, Joanna told Eric of her plans in advance, and he might help Saiba escape.

Probably not. Because after all, he can't let the thieves get away with it.

Who knows.

"I don't blame you. ”

At this time, Joanna said to Eric, "Although Saiba's death has a lot to do with you. But it all came down to Pelos trapping him in the main fort. I'm not an unreasonable guy. So, I don't resent you. ”

From Joanna's expression, Eric could tell that she was resentful of someone. If not yourself, who is it?

"But I have a request, please grant me. That's what I, Saiba, and I did, and I hope you can keep it a secret from the rest of the family, especially ...... Keep it in your heart and it's better to forget about it. ”

Joanna did not use a commanding tone, but adopted a negotiating stance. Eric was surprised, making him feel respected by the eldest lady, and at the same time, he sympathized with Saiba's plight. For both reasons, he agreed to Joanna.

"I'd love to do it. But I want to ask more, what if I say no, or if I pretend to say yes and then tell the truth?"

Joanna's eyes narrowed, and she bent it into a crescent moon.

"If you can say yes, that's great. You know, I like smart people, especially smart people who are alive. ”

When he heard this, Eric had only one thought in his head: Joanna was serious.

"As for saying no, I don't recommend that you do that. Trust me, you wouldn't want to know the consequences of that.

I don't think a humble gentleman would do such a despicable thing. I trust my judgment more than the law of profit - you disdain that kind of behavior. ”

To be honest, Joanna was so imposing that Eric was a little out of breath. He'd experienced it in another person before.

Queen Elizabeth.

The difference is that the queen is solemn and gentle, while Joanna is indeed gloomy and solemn.

This makes sense. Duke Pelos, who holds the largest port in the east, is equivalent to the king of Odin's east. His daughter naturally inherited that kingly spirit.

At this point, Eric reacquainted himself with Miss Pelos. And he seriously suspected that she had a dual personality.

Because what she showed to Eric before was kindness, wit, seriousness, and diligence. And now it is like a compelling posture of a superior.

Sure enough, the people of the Pelos family are crazy!

"Ahem. Eric steadied himself and spoke again: "Indeed, you are right in your judgment of me, and I can keep this secret. But I still have a question, how much do you know about "them", and why is Saiba trapped in the main fort?"

"I don't have any information about them, and they're still under investigation. I don't have a definite answer to the latter question. I've guessed a few, but that's not in the scope of what I can tell you. ”

Perhaps to Eric's delusion, Joanna's face seemed to show a look of imminent enemy.

"If you don't want to say it, I won't force it. So, I'm going to make up a perfect dossier that records the whole process of the case. ”

Eric didn't dare to think about it, so he casually found an excuse to say goodbye to Joanna.

"Remember what you promised. ”

Joanna left this sentence with her back to Eric.

The door closes.

Joanna now needs to be alone with "Saiba" for a while, perhaps accompanied by crying.

But Eric believes that her sadness will soon fade with time, because there is a queen living inside her.

......

Eric walked towards the main castle's studio.

Move over the ladder, climb up and rip off the cloth, then use a hammer to remove the plank. Revealing the painting hidden behind it.

He was amazed to find that there were words written on it.

"Painting on the ceiling"

Don't think about it, it must be Joanna's handiwork.

The phoenix butterfly was swapped with a fake and a real painting nailed to a wooden board.

In this way, he can not only teleport himself, but also items. The phoenix butterfly used teleportation to directly swap the fake with the real thing, otherwise it would not be possible to explain that there was not the slightest trace of prying open on the ceiling.

Tricky guys.

The butterfly sign behind the door seemed so glaring to Eric at this time. He had thought it had become a stigma of shame for the thieves.

Because the phoenix butterfly only leaves a butterfly sign when it is successful.

Now, the butterfly seemed to be laughing at Eric.

"Next time, you're not so lucky. ”

Eric said, looking out the window.

I saw that there were no clouds and the sun was dazzling.

---------------------------

Strange Thief Loves Famous Painting (End)