Chương 94: The Assassination 2
Richard stood with an expectant eyebrow raised, watching Magdalene intently as she hesitated, lost in thought. The silence between them stretched, filled with unspoken emotions, until finally, Magdalene cleared her throat, her heart fluttering in a mix of nervousness and desire.
"That's how I came to know you, Richard," she thought, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than she meant. Her cheeks flushed a gentle pink, the warmth rising from the inside out. She quickly averted her eyes, trying to mask the feeling that had been stirring in her for some time.
"But still..." she began, her voice unsteady as she spoke. "You can't get into the Eastward without Lady Evangeline's permission. Except..." Her words trailed off as she turned her face to the side, avoiding Richard's searching gaze.
"Except the Cleaners, yes? Wasn't that up to your discretion?" Richard finished her thought, his voice low and teasing, but there was something in his eyes—a hint of something deeper. Magdalene's breath caught as she felt her face grow warmer.
She looked away, a soft blush painting her cheeks. "It's Lady Evangeline's discretion, not mine," Magdalene replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her heart was racing now, her pulse quickening with each breath.
Richard took a small step closer to her, closing the distance between them with ease. The heat from his presence wrapped around her, and Magdalene found herself unable to look away.
"This is for her safety," Richard continued, his voice smooth but serious. "I heard about the childhood bedroom she stays in. Could you at least direct me to where it is, and the inventory of the family? A Brusward is a Brusward; they are dangerous....." His words were weighted with an unspoken understanding of the dangers that lurked, and Magdalene couldn't deny that his concern made her heart stir even more.
Magdalene lowered her gaze, her eyes fixed on the ground as a silent struggle played out within her." He does have a point... "she thought, her fingers curling into tight fists at her sides. "But I can't betray her trust like this. Not everyone can locate the childhood bedroom... "Her mind raced with the consequences of defying her duty, but she clenched her jaw and stayed silent. "If I lose my duty, I'll be at Edward Brusward's mercy again..."
Richard noticed her clenched fists, and without warning, he leaned in closer. His proximity made Magdalene's breath hitch.
"If you're concerned about me going alone... then let's go together, just the two of us," Richard's words were gentle, but they carried a weight that made Magdalene's heart skip. Her face flushed a deeper shade of red as she felt the warmth of his breath brush her skin. Her heart beat faster in her chest, and for a moment, she forgot everything except the tension between them.
"Don't worry about losing your job," Richard continued, his voice low, almost soothing. "And I know you worked for the Bruswards. I'd get you a suitable job, away from Edward." His words were soft, but his gaze was unwavering, like he truly cared about her future.
Magdalene gasped, her hand instinctively reaching for the hem of her dress skirt as the reality of his words hit her. "You... knew?" she said in shock, her mind spinning with the revelation.
Richard gave a small, knowing smile. "Don't think I came into the Sarogaths house and didn't do some digging on everyone," he said with a hint of mischief. "But don't worry—I won't tell your mistress."
Magdalene's breath caught in her throat, and without thinking, she reached out, grabbing his hand with an intensity she didn't expect. Her cheeks were a vivid red, and her heart was pounding in her chest. For a split second, everything else in the world faded. She pulled him closer, her lips parting as she leaned in, her desire to kiss him overwhelming her.
But just as their faces were inches apart, a loud gunshot rang through the air, echoing through the hall. The sound shattered the moment.
Magdalene froze, her heart jumping in her chest. She and Richard turned simultaneously, their eyes widening as they both instinctively moved toward the direction of the sound—the hallway leading to Evangeline's bedroom. Their previous connection, the lingering heat between them, was instantly forgotten as urgency took hold. The air between them shifted, filled with tension and the sudden need to act.
Richard's hand slipped from hers, but the electric charge remained, leaving them both breathless as they rushed toward the source of the disturbance.
Evangeline's Bedroom
The door to Evangeline's bedroom slammed open with a loud bang, and Magdalene froze at the horrifying sight before her. A dead body lay on the floor, blood pooling around it, and Evangeline stood motionless beside it, her nightdress stained crimson and her face. In her trembling hand, she gripped a gun, her breath coming in heavy, shallow gasps. Her pupils dilated in shock, her mind somewhere distant, detached from the reality unfolding before her.
Magdalene gasped, covering her mouth in horror, her eyes darting between the lifeless body and Evangeline's empty gaze. Richard, stepping into the room, immediately rushed to her, his expression filled with worry and concern. He reached out, gripping her arms gently, trying to bring her back to the present.
"Evangeline, are you alright?" he asked, his voice thick with concern. But Evangeline didn't hear him. She stood frozen, unblinking, her eyes glazed and distant. No response. No acknowledgment.
Richard's grip on her arms tightened, but it did nothing to break the trance she was trapped in. His eyes flickered to the body on the floor, a chill creeping down his spine. "Evangeline…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. But there was nothing—only the sound of her erratic breathing filling the silence.
Flashback: An Hour Ago, Evangeline's Office
An hour before the grim scene in her bedroom, Evangeline was seated at her desk, intently taking notes from a set of records she had obtained from Dominic. The room was quiet except for the rustling of paper and the occasional scratch of her pen. Then a soft knock at the door interrupted her concentration. She looked up, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Come in," she called, her voice calm but distant.
The door creaked open, and a servant entered, pushing a food trolley. The woman bowed her head respectfully, her voice soft. "Good afternoon, my Lady. Lady Magdalene asked me to bring this to you."
Evangeline smiled slightly, her lips curving into a faint but genuine smile. "Thank you. You may leave it," she said, gesturing for the servant to go.
After the servant exited, Evangeline pushed the trolley closer to herself, her gaze flicking to the berry yogurt on top. She took a spoonful, savoring the taste for a moment before returning to her work.
Minutes Later, Evangeline Continued Studying
She was absorbed in her notes when another knock came at the door. She paused, glancing up, wondering who it might be. Must be Caleb... or Magdalene... or Richard? she thought to herself.
"Lady Evangeline, it's Caleb," came a familiar voice from the other side of the door.
"Come in," she replied, her tone warm, though she could feel a slight tension building.
The door opened, and Caleb entered with a manual in his hand. His eyes brightened when he saw her. "Ah, Lady Evangeline," he began, "Lady Magdalene said you requested the manual?"He placed the manual in front of her
"Yes, I did. Since Dominic isn't around at the moment, could you bring me the family records tomorrow? I need to see his spending on the family wealth, as well as his end-of-day records," she said, her voice firm but polite.
Caleb nodded eagerly. "Of course, my Lady."
Evangeline smiled, noticing the plate of cookies Caleb had brought with him. She picked it up and held it out to him. "Caleb..." she called, and he turned to her, his expression questioning.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"These cookies are for you," she said, her voice soft. Caleb approached with gratitude, taking the plate from her with great care.
"Thank you, Lady Evangeline"He said bowing his head slightly in appreciation
Evangeline giggled her eyes sparkling with amusement "it seems like he's a fan of cookies "She remarked in her thoughts, watching him with a playful smile bowing his head as she waved her hand reassuringly at him "it's fine.... You're like an elder brother to me, so you're family "She continued.
Caleb's face softened, touched by her words "Lady Evangeline is too kind "He thought staring at the cookies in his hand "I wonder why she's resentful towards Master Dominic"
Before either of them speak further ,a knock at the door interrupted them, the door swung open and a guard stepped inside bowing slightly
"My Lady the physician has arrived"He announced.
A few minutes later, Evangeline was seated on the sofa in her office, her back slightly stiff as the physician checked her pulse. His fingers pressed gently against her wrist, and he nodded to himself, a small smile curling on his lips.
"Lady Evangeline," he said, his voice warm and reassuring, "your health is improving. Make sure you continue with your medication and eat properly. You're on the right path." As he finished his examination, he withdrew his hands, stepping back with a satisfied nod.
Evangeline nodded in response, her lips parting to speak. "Thank you... Mister," she said, her voice polite but distant.
The physician chuckled softly, a hint of fondness in his tone. "It's nothing, Evangeline dear. I've known you since you were little. It's our duty to serve Lady Azielle and her household." He paused for a moment, then continued with a gentle, almost fatherly tone, "When you've fully recovered, you and your husband can talk about having children."
The words hit her like a cold wave, and Evangeline's breath caught in her throat. Internally, she choked on the word children. The mention of it brought her mind back to the conversation with Dominic, his admission of his impotence still fresh in her memory. She felt a slight bitter ache rise in her chest and had no idea why, and for a moment, she clenched her fists tightly at her sides, as if to hold back the surge of emotions threatening to break free.
She sighed heavily, the weight of it all pressing down on her shoulders. Her lips curled into a tight, forced smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. With a subtle nod, she acknowledged the physician's words, though her thoughts were far from the conversation.
The physician, unaware of the emotional storm within her, gave a final nod of approval. "Take care of yourself, Lady Evangeline," he said, before turning to leave the room.
As the physician left, Caleb, who had been standing quietly by the door, observed Evangeline closely. His gaze sharpened as he watched the subtle change in her demeanor. He could see her shoulders tense, the faint tremor in her hands as she reached for a glass of water on the nearby table. Her fingers were stiff, and she brought the glass to her lips almost mechanically.
She drank in silence, but when she placed the glass back onto the table, it clinked loudly against the surface, and her breath came out in short, heavy bursts. Caleb's eyes narrowed, piecing together the puzzle.
"Did Master Dominic say something about having children that upset her?" he wondered, his brow furrowing slightly. He could sense that something had shifted in her, a tension that hadn't been there before.
Evangeline, still lost in her thoughts, turned her face away from him, trying to regain some composure. But Caleb wasn't fooled. He watched her, his mind working, unsure of whether he should say anything. The silence between them felt thick, heavy with the unspoken words neither of them dared to voice.
Evangeline's internal struggle continued to churn, her thoughts slipping between the present and the past, a mix of hope, fear, and resentment. Caleb could see it in her eyes—the battle she was fighting within herself—and though he wanted to comfort her, he stayed silent, knowing that some wounds were too deep to heal with words alone.
An Hour Later
Evangeline sat at her study table, her nightdress loose around her, her posture weary from hours of poring over the Duke's records. Her head ached from the endless calculations and the weight of the world that seemed to be pressing down on her. She stood slowly from her chair, stretching her tired limbs, intent on heading to bed.
But as her feet moved toward the bed, a cold, sharp sensation against her neck froze her in place. Her breath caught in her throat.
Shing—the sound of the blade brushing against her skin echoed in the silence of the room.
"Do not move," the voice hissed, low and threatening.
Evangeline's heart hammered in her chest, her breath shallow, but she clenched her fists at her sides, forcing her body not to betray the fear crawling up her spine. She would not show weakness, not now.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice steady despite the panic rising within her. She didn't turn to face the stranger, knowing the knife's proximity would only make him more eager to strike.
A soft, sinister chuckle came from behind her. "I was sent by a notorious family to kill you," he whispered, the knife digging slightly into her skin as he spoke. "But... I don't want to. Not when I get a glimpse of your beauty."
Evangeline's body tensed as she felt his hand move, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. His fingers skimmed down her neck, tracing a line to her arm, where they lingered, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine. He continued, his touch moving with confidence and an unsettling smoothness as he cupped her breast.
She gasped, feeling a surge of disgust, but she forced herself to remain calm, her breath shaky but under control. "Please..." she whispered, trying to mask her fear, but her voice trembled despite her best efforts.
"Shh," the man's voice was like a venomous whisper. He kissed her neck, the sensation icy and wrong as he moved behind her. His hand slid further down from her shoulder, her arm , cupping her breast, caressing her thigh, and then dipping toward her groin. A cold dread crept over her. This was not how it was supposed to be. She was a noblewoman, and the pride of Verdaselles, she should not be here, powerless and vulnerable.
"Be obedient," he murmured in her ear, his breath hot and rancid against her skin. "Spread those beautiful legs for me, and I'll let you go. We can forget this ever happened."
Evangeline felt a wave of nausea crash over her, her mind whirling as she struggled to retain control. She couldn't give in—not like this. Think, think!
Suddenly, Dominic's words echoed in her mind:
"When you're threatening someone with a gun, you should cock the hammer to show that you mean it."
She remembered how he had shown her how to handle a gun, his voice calm and instructive, as though she had the strength to face whatever came her way.
As the assassin lifted her skirt, pushing his hand under her nightdress, his fingers brushing against her skin, her mind screamed for a way out. Then, in a flash, she recalled another of Dominic's lessons:
"When you point a gun, they won't be able to tell if you mean it or not."
Evangeline narrowed her eyes, her pulse racing as she fought against the panic threatening to choke her. She summoned all the strength she had left, twisting her head violently and slamming the back of it into his forehead. He staggered back, groaning in pain, his grip on the knife loosening.
In an instant, Evangeline bolted toward the bed. Trembling with fear but determined, she yanked open the drawer and grabbed the gun, her hands shaking. Her fingers fumbled, but she didn't care. She had to act—now.
Just as she aimed it at him, the assassin lunged, hitting her shoulder with brutal force. She cried out, the gun slipping from her hand as it fell to the bed, useless. The pain in her shoulder was blinding, but it was nothing compared to the cold dread pooling in her stomach as he pinned her to the bed.
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