[Johan's POV]
It's as if the world stilled for a moment.
Johan stared at Raymond; the burning emotion in his chestnut eyes prickled the back of his neck with an indescribable chill.
What was he talking about? Russell getting Marianne killed to trap him here? That's impossible. He had been thoroughly investigated and removed from the suspect list.
Shaking his head, Johan pulled away from Raymond, and the world resumed moving. "You should go home and rest. All our assumptions about Adrian's disappearance must have stressed you out."
"Yohei..."
"Go on. I'll talk to you some other time."
"But--!"
"Ray." Johan's voice was firm. "I don't know where you've heard that rumor or how you've come to that conclusion, but none of that is true."
A look of disbelief crossed Raymond's features. "Rumor? You think this is just a rumor I came up with?"
"You know nothing—"
It pains me that it's getting difficult for me to write this story. I know you all have noticed that my updates kept declining as months passed, but my mental health is seriously getting worst. If this keeps up, I may need to take a break indefinitely after this volume is over. Apologies in advance to all my readers.