"After we head in, I want you to find a chance to talk to him in private. See if you can find out anything useful," I said in barely a whisper.


    Madison took the press pass from me. "Got it. Hopefully, we don''t leave empty-handed this time, or it''ll just be a waste of our time and energy."


    We briefly brought up the things we needed to be careful about and headed to the door. From afar, the manor loomed before us, surrounded by tall walls on four sides. The manor constituted a series of


    buildings.


    The doors of the manor were tightly shut, and there were two other guards at the door. Both of them were muscr and expressionless.


    Madison and I walked over to them and showed them our press pass. They took a look at our passes and looked the two of us up and down before reluctantly giving us clearance.


    When we finally stepped into the manor grounds, we saw a neatly cutwn and a marble fountain in the middle of the greenery. The water from the spout glittered as it rained down. Flowers of dozens of colors were nted around the fountain, making it a pleasant sight.


    Madison and I crossed thewn and followed the pebbled path ahead. We continued forward, where a three-story building was. Its walls were white, and they had wooden window frames.


    Two guards in ck suits stood at the door and stared at us with cautious eyes. They even had guns in their hands.


    This should be Murphy''s private quarters.


    Thinking about my n, I started getting nervous, and my hands turned mmy. I turned to look at Madison, who had her lips pursed, looking unsettled.


    Soon, she rposed herself and shot me a look. I got what she meant and went up to the guards.


    I presented my press pass and introduced myself in a business-like tone. "Hi. We''re reporters from Ster Magazine. We made an appointment for an interview with Mr. Albright."


    The guards looked at each other hesitantly. Sensing this, I quickly added, "Mr. Albright agreed to the interview himself. He''ll get upset if we''rete."


    "That''s right," Madison chimed in. "We came from far away. We''ll be in trouble if we don''tplete this interview.''


    The guards nced at each other again as if they weremunicating with their eyes. A momentter, one of the guards begrudgingly said, "Fine. Come on in."


    Turning around, he gestured for us to follow him into the building. Madison and I hastened our pace and went after him.


    When we were in the building, a middle-aged man in a butler''s uniform came up to us and bowed In a formal tone, he said, "Pleasee with me. Mr. Albright''s waiting for you in the drawing room.


    swnov


    We followed the butler past the hall and up a spiral staircase to the second floor. The drawing room was at the end of the corridor.


    The butler gently knocked on the door and waited for a bit. We heard Murphy say, "Come in."


    Then, the butler opened the door and stood beside the door for Madison and me to enter. Murphy sat on the couch, taking sips from a ss of red wine.


    I said, "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Albright. m Laura Lambert, and she''s Mnie Green. We''re reporters from Ster Magazine. Thank you for making the time for this O interview."  en


    Madison and I tried our best to look respectful and courteous.


    Murphy simply grunted in response. He nodded at us and gestured for us to sit. Then, he straightened his back so that he looked a little more gentlemanly and professional.


    "Have a seat. What would you like to ask me about?" He went straight to the point. There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.


    I said, "Ster Magazine ns to publish a special column on sessful people. We wanted to interview you since you''re a famous figure in the world of business."


    I continued, "Can you tell us how you managed to create a business miracle in just a few years? Please share with us your keys to sess."


    The gears in my mind turned rapidly as I weaved those lies and tried to make myself sound professional and sincere.


    "Is that all? I''ve heard that a hundred


    times over." Murphy raised an


    eyebrow, his tone telling us that he was even more annoyed now. "Spit it


    out. What do you want to find.


    Qut


    from me? I have no time to waste on


    you."


    I was stunned. I never thought he''d be so keen and sharp to see through our disguise, just like that. He


    was no ordinary person indeed.