The reason was very simple: It was because Luke and Selina’s living habits were different.
Also, to prevent people from spying on his yard, and more than that, to guard against snipers, Luke had put up a wall about 1.8 meters tall, and had installed hidden cameras inside the wall carvings.
That way, gunmen couldn’t fire directly at the house from the road, and if they lingered too long around the yard, they would be caught on the cameras which Luke set up.
These precautions were understandable for two police officers.
But Karen, who was too bored, told her husband that Luke had built the wall because he was hiding something.
Maybe these two people were making meth or even planting weed in the basement.
Thanks to the surveillance cameras, Luke had found this Karen wandering around his house a lot, so he, too, had monitored her in return.
It was a piece of cake to use the long-distance sound collector to handle this couple, who weren’t specialists, and Luke had easily found out about Karen’s bizarre thoughts.
Resigned and amused, he invited Jeff and Karen to a barbecue in his backyard.
After he told the mistrustful Karen that he and Selina were cousins, this interior designer, with her attention to detail, finally dropped her suspicions when she saw how the house was laid out inside.
As both a woman who had been married for years and a professional interior designer, Karen knew too well what the layout of a couple’s daily life looked like.
Luke’s and Selina’s personal items were clearly separated, which almost triggered her suspicions again.
When talking about their jobs, Luke said to Jeff in private, “Selina and I have sensitive jobs. You know, if someone spreads word of it in the neighborhood, we may get in a lot of trouble.”
Jeff couldn’t help but look at his wife, Karen.
Luke smiled. “No, I don’t think Karen is a gossip. But can she keep it a secret from Meg?”
Jeff promptly shook his head.
Meg was a nosy parker who wanted to know everything; it was impossible for Karen to stand up to her.
Luke patted Jeff’s shoulder and said, “I’ve hardly participated in community activities precisely because of Meg. I hate blabbermouths like that. As her next door neighbor, I believe you understand.”
Jeff looked conflicted, but still nodded his head in agreement in the end.
Despite his good temper, there were times when he really wanted to slap Meg in her face.
After the barbecue, Jeff talked to his wife Karen, and this housewife finally stopped with her conspiracy theories about Luke and Selina.
After seeing the luxurious massage bathtub in the backyard, Karen, as a professional interior designer, understood why Luke had built a wall.
Most people would choose to enjoy such a good thing naked in their backyard.
It was understandable that Luke had built a wall, since if Meg ever saw him, she would certainly tell everybody about it.
Selina remarked, “In any case, Meg and her husband moving out is a good thing. Her husband, Danny, isn’t a decent guy either. He hits on every woman he meets. He’s a greasy and balding middle-aged man; what makes him so confident?”
Luke laughed. “You won’t know until you try, right? Considering how he looks, do you think beautiful girls will throw themselves at him?”
Selina shot a glance at a certain someone. “That’s right. If you’re just a little handsome, girls will always throw themselves at you.”
Luke noticed her expression and nodded calmly. “I rely on my strengths, understand? However, being handsome is one of my strong points, I can’t deny it.”
Selina was lost for words.
They bantered all the way home and continued with their scheduled training in the afternoon.
After a shower, Luke stared at Jeff’s house as well as the new neighbor’s house that was some distance away, deep in thought.
Selina, who came out of the bathroom a while later, found that strange. “What’s wrong? Are you still thinking about the woman in the white dress? Give up, she has a husband.”
Luke said helplessly, “Try and recall what the two new neighbors look like from a professional viewpoint, okay?” Selina frowned and thought for a moment. “Nothing really stands out except for her legs, right? Maybe she likes sports. Those leg muscles can’t be maintained without long-term, professional training. But they’re not as good as mine.”
Luke smiled. “That’s right, but those muscles are good enough for most combat and tactical movements, aren’t they?” Selina’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that they’re professionals?”
By professionals, she was referring to people like them – officers, soldiers, agents – or
Luke nodded and thought for a moment. “Let’s go see what Jeff knows about our new neighbors.”
As a good-tempered man and a HR professional, plus his wife Karen and her conspiracy theories, Jeff knew the neighborhood better than anybody else. Otherwise, it was Meg and Danny, the troublesome pair.
Selina nodded and said, “This is the first time we’re visiting them. Do we need to bring some sort of gift?”
Luke said, “Some of your cake will do. I’ll fetch a box.”
Selina hesitated. “Can’t we give them a handicraft or something? Your gun models will work, right?”
“Jeff’s twin daughters are in middle school. Do you think it’s appropriate to give them gun models?” Luke rolled his eyes.
Besides, those models were experimental products Luke had made with Tony Stark’s abilities. There was no way he could give them away.
“Fine, I’ll compensate you with a huge feast for dinner tonight, alright?” said Luke.
“Deal.” Selina’s attitude immediately changed.
Luke choked, feeling that he had lost this round.
Ten minutes later, they pressed Jeff’s doorbell.
A moment later, there was the vague sound of Karen rambling. “Ah, please sit down. A lot of our neighbors tend to drop by. Just make yourself at home… ah, it’s you?”
Looking at Karen, whose mouth was wide open, as if stupefied, Luke smiled and said, “Good afternoon, Karen. It’s been a long while since we caught up with Jeff. I hope we’re not interrupting anything?”
