The people of the Blazing Fla sect always hid in the shadows; they would know if anyone approached the manor. Yet, on the surface, everyone thought this was just an ordinary manor.
The study room on the second floor still had its lights on. Noah Reyes sat behind the desk, leaning against the chair back, looking at Deon Myers, who stood before it. Noah's eyes were also pitch-black. When he stared at soone, his gaze was so deep it seed like a bottomless pit, inscrutable. In fact, he and Glades Horne had a lot in common; no wonder they beca rivals.
The news that Hansen Ruiz's wife had been poisoned and frad was the talk of the town.
Noah Reyes's tone was even, betraying none of his thoughts on the matter. His handso face, illuminated by the light, looked beautiful and alluring. His robust body was dressed in casual ho wear, making him appear less somber and less sharp than during the day, with an added touch of gentleness. When he reined in his severity, he was actually more charismatic.
"Master, could they suspect us?" Deon Myers pondered. After all, the rivalry between Black Emperor Group and Valence Group was common knowledge.
"Both Glades Horne and Hansen Ruiz have strong, covert connections," Noah said coldly. "Their first instinct will definitely be to suspect us, but neither is impulsive. They will investigate thoroughly and, upon finding the truth, will automatically clear our na."
Deon could relate.
As if suddenly rembering sothing, Deon spoke cautiously and respectfully, "Master, I also looked into it. The poisoner is a woman nad Orlando Evans. This woman had been infatuated with Glades Horne for many years and was once Adele Horne's best friend. However, her jealousy turned to hatred. She angered Glades Horne and suffered his retaliation. Later, seeking revenge, she conspired with her brother to target Adele Horne. They drugged Adele, allowing her brother to rape her, which resulted in both siblings being imprisoned. The Evans siblings are shaless. The brother is lustful; he even violated his own sister." The fact that Orlando Evans had been violated by Othiel Evans was unknown to anyone but those involved. Deon's ability to uncover this spoke to his resourcefulness.
"A feint to the east to attack the west," Noah suddenly said with a cold chuckle.
Deon was montarily stunned, then understood. "So, Master, you an Orlando Evans's real target is the Horne couple, and she attacked Rachel Bailey first to distract them?"
Noah pursed his lips and remained silent, but his eyes showed appreciation for Deon.
"Master, this woman could be useful. Should we take her in to use as a temporary pawn?"
Noah shook his head.
Kicking soone while they're down!
「The next day.」
The sky was clear for miles, and early in the morning, the sun had already risen.
Julia opened her sleepy eyes and instinctively reached out beside her, only to find an empty space. Glades had long since left the bed; his side was cool to the touch.
Sitting up, she didn't think much of it. She changed her clothes, washed up, and then left the room.
It was still early, just past six in the morning. As sumr approached, the days began to dawn earlier.
She walked alone to the backyard, strolling and breathing in the fresh morning air.
Walking along the tree-lined path, she occasionally touched the ornantal trees planted along the way. Sotis, she would pause before the flowerbeds to admire the blooms. Her mood seed cheerful, as if yesterday's events had been tossed beyond the highest clouds.
Suddenly, she turned around and was t by a pair of deep eyes.
Jas Horne had followed her at so point without her knowing.
"Jas, when did you get here? You didn't make a sound; you scared ." Seeing it was Jas Horne, Julia subtly retreated two steps, increasing the distance between them. A warm, gentle smile appeared on her lovely face, but her almond-shaped eyes held a trace of well-concealed wariness.
Jas Horne glanced at her, then sat down on a stone bench nearby. "Julia, can we sit down and talk?" he asked indifferently.
He had harbored a secret love for her for many years. Though she had beco his sister-in-law so years ago, they had never really had a proper conversation.
Julia turned to look at him, noticing a trace of annoyance in his expression, as if he were troubled by sothing. Her brother-in-law had always been a man of few words, never sharing his worries. Due to his status as an illegitimate child, he carried a significant psychological burden. Julia felt sympathy for him.
She sat down beside him, her tone becoming gentle as she smiled and asked, "Did you argue with Rebecca?"
Jas Horne didn't answer imdiately. He leaned back against the stone bench, tilting his handso face to gaze at the trees overhead. His expression was focused, as if he were counting the branches and leaves.
Julia did not press further, simply watching him in silence.
"Uriel Hughes ca to see ."
"Pressuring you to marry Rebecca, right?" After all, Rebecca wasn't young anymore; at twenty-eight, she was considered an older, unmarried woman. The Hughes family only had her, their sole daughter, and she had been dating Jas for over two years. Naturally, the two n of the Hughes family wanted their sister's marriage settled soon. That way, they could consider their parents' unfulfilled responsibilities t.
Jas Horne did not respond, implicitly agreeing.
"What did you say? Jas, Rebecca is a nice girl; don't let her get away. You two are actually quite compatible. She's a bit careless in daily life, while you're ticulous. You're quiet, and she's talkative. You complent each other's strengths and weaknesses—isn't that wonderful?" Julia genuinely liked Rebecca, that forthright girl. Among the many daughters of wealthy families, Rebecca was the most sincere toward Jas. Moreover, Rebecca's status was a good match for him.
The most important point was that she could see Jas cared about Rebecca too.
"Julia." Jas Horne suddenly turned his head, staring intently at her. "You should know who it is I love."
Julia wasn't annoyed. She simply leaned back, like Jas, against the cool stone of the bench. Tilting her head, she also gazed at the treetops above, where dense leaves, layer upon layer, blocked the nascent morning sun. Beneath the trees, it was shady, while areas untouched by their canopy were brightly illuminated.
"Where do you think Dad went wrong?"
Jas Horne's gaze deepened as he watched her.
After a mont, he said in a deep voice, "Irresponsibility. He married, had children, yet failed in his duties as a husband and father, keeping a mistress. In the end, he was left with nothing: his lover imprisoned, that love extinguished; his wife demanding a divorce, that bond severed. He hurt others, hurt himself, and burdened the entire family."
"Do you think you're any different from Dad?" Julia turned her head to look at him, her gaze becoming very serious.
Jas Horne fell silent again, pressing his lips together.
Julia's eyes flickered, and she averted her gaze. His gesture of pressing his lips together without speaking was so much like her husband's. It was better not to look too closely, lest she fall into delusion.
He had secretly sworn never to hurt her or his elder brother, nor to co between them. He had managed to control his actions, but not his heart; it still lingered on her.
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