Caron Fairchild was still talking on the other end of the line, but Ethan Lancaster, afraid Raina Reddington would overhear, hung up abruptly.
"There’s a contract. We only found a problem right before signing, so I had Seth Sinclair go handle it."
Raina Reddington didn’t suspect a thing. "I’ve picked out a pair. Co take a look."
"Okay."
Ethan Lancaster sent a text to Caron Fairchild, explaining the gist of the situation. This couldn’t be delayed, and more importantly, Raina Reddington must not find out.
The next day, when Raina Reddington went to the hospital, she discovered that Minnie Hale had already been discharged without so much as a goodbye.
Her calls went unanswered. Ethan Lancaster knew how efficient Caron Fairchild was; it looked like the matter had already been resolved.
"Let’s go out tomorrow. We can just grab a al."
"Where to?"
Ethan Lancaster sat down next to Raina Reddington. "The Pine Crane Pavilion. A friend booked a table. We’ll have lunch, then play so cards in the afternoon. Do you like playing cards?"
"I don’t know how."
"I’ll teach you."
Raina Reddington knew he must be bored cooped up at ho all day. ’He hasn’t gone out to see his troublemaking friends recently, so this must be hard on him.’ "Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow."
Ethan Lancaster was naturally delighted. At least Raina Reddington was slowly starting to enter his circle.
Getting a table at The Pine Crane Pavilion was difficult on a normal day, let alone during the New Year. For this group, however, booking a private room was a trivial matter. By the ti Ethan Lancaster arrived with Raina Reddington, everyone was already there.
Raina Reddington greeted everyone briefly, then gently tugged on Ethan Lancaster’s sleeve. "I’m going to the restroom."
"Okay, there’s one in the private room."
Seeing Raina Reddington head for the restroom, Ethan Lancaster walked over to Caron Fairchild. "Is it handled?"
"By the ti I sent people to the hospital to look for her, she was long gone."
"What?" Ethan Lancaster was surprised. "You didn’t arrange it?"
"No..."
The door to the private room was pushed open while the two were still talking. The person who entered strode forward, their steps growing larger and more determined until they were right in front of them. Ethan Lancaster looked up and saw Minnie Hale’s face. He watched as she swung her arm forcefully toward Caron Fairchild and, without a second thought, instinctively reached out to stop her.
Ethan Lancaster’s hand closed around sothing. It wasn’t until a panicked Minnie Hale yanked her hand back that he felt a tearing pain in his palm intensify. Caron Fairchild jumped. "Fourth Master."
His palm throbbed with a burning pain that grew worse by the second. Ethan Lancaster lowered his arm and saw vibrant red droplets bloom across the tiled floor.
"Fourth Master!"
"What’s going on? Where did this lunatic co from?"
Minnie Hale raised her arm to slash at Caron Fairchild again, but he was prepared this ti. She was no match for him. Caron Fairchild seized her arm, and with a sharp squeeze, her wrist went limp. The bloody fruit knife clattered to the floor.
When Raina Reddington ca out, she found the private room in chaos. Soone had pulled up a chair for Ethan Lancaster. His head was lowered, and though he was clenching his fist, she could still see blood streaming from between his fingers.
Raina Reddington hurried over and knelt to check his wound. "What happened?"
A man beside them pointed toward Minnie Hale. "So crazy woman showed up. We should call the police."
As Raina Reddington turned to look, Ethan Lancaster covered her eyes with his good hand, turning her face away. The heavy scent of blood filled her nostrils. Raina urgently tried to pull him to his feet. "We need to get you to a hospital, now."
"Okay." Ethan Lancaster nodded, ready to get up and leave imdiately.
Minnie Hale was pinned firmly against a nearby round table by Caron Fairchild. Seeing Raina Reddington stand up, she couldn’t help but call out, "Raina."
Raina Reddington’s gaze swept over to them. She took two steps forward. "What are you doing?"
"Raina, don’t get near her. She’s the one who stabbed Fourth Master."
Raina Reddington looked back at Ethan Lancaster. He was clenching his fist, saying nothing. Her eyes filled with confusion. "What exactly is going on?"
"Raina, it was them... They..."
As if jolted awake, Raina Reddington’s head snapped toward Ethan Lancaster. Her gaze then swept over every face in the room before locking back on Minnie Hale in disbelief. "You said ’they.’ What did they do to you?"
Hearing this, Ethan Lancaster shot to his feet, his tone turning vicious. "Don’t you dare say another word!"
Raina Reddington’s gaze sharpened. "What are you so afraid of?"
"I’m not!" Ethan Lancaster’s face was pale from the pain. "Don’t listen to her side of the story."
"She hasn’t even said anything. How can you call it ’her side of the story’ already?"
Raina Reddington walked over and tried to pull Caron Fairchild away. "Let her go."
"This woman’s dangerous. She almost stabbed a minute ago."
"Let her go."
Caron Fairchild stepped aside, kicking the knife on the floor out of the way. A friend nearest the exit shut the door to the private room again.
"Minnie," Raina Reddington said, pulling the girl to her feet as tears stread down her face. "Don’t cry. There’s nothing to cry about. Just tell what happened."
Minnie Hale pointed at Caron Fairchild. "It was him!"
From those three words alone, Raina Reddington understood. Then, Minnie Hale pointed at Ethan Lancaster. "He was there, too."
Ethan Lancaster’s face darkened. ’What does this have to do with ?’ Caron Fairchild braced a hand on a nearby chair. "You’ve got the wrong person. He t you, sure, but he left before things got started. He has no idea what happened afterward."
Minnie Hale clenched her jaw as tears stread down her face. Caron Fairchild didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. "Besides, it was consensual. So what’s the deal with you pulling a knife now?"
He pulled his phone from his pocket. "I’m calling the police right now. I’ll tell them you committed attempted murder. You can wait to rot in jail."
"Fine, call them," Minnie Hale’s voice trembled. "That was my plan, too. You forced ..."
"Do you have any proof?" The smile vanished from Caron Fairchild’s lips. "It’s been ages. You’re coming to now, saying you were forced? Who’s going to believe you?"
He unlocked his phone and started dialing. Without a second thought, Raina Reddington lunged for it, but Caron Fairchild raised his arm out of reach. "Raina, it’s better if you stay out of this."
"Don’t call the police yet."
"Don’t get the wrong idea. Look at Fourth Master’s hand. One wrong move and we could’ve all been killed here."
Raina Reddington grabbed his arm. Caron Fairchild glanced at Ethan Lancaster, and when Ethan shook his head, he ended the call before it could connect.
Minnie Hale stood nearby, sobbing. "I’m pressing charges. I’m pressing charges against all of you."
"Let’s get out of here." Raina Reddington walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Co on."
His hand still bleeding, Ethan Lancaster saw Raina Reddington about to leave with Minnie Hale and stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
"Move."
"If what she’s saying is true, what are you going to do?"
Raina Reddington’s gaze fell on his bloody hand.
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