Chapter 59
As news spread that the issue containing Claudie’s article was selling like hotcakes, Aniella grew increasingly anxious. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine Paiki would just let this slide.
The first time she went to the Duke’s residence, hadn’t she seen them? The men bringing the body bags, saying they had brought them as he ordered. Aniella was afraid her sister might end up like that.
“It would be better for you to stay home and not go out for a while.”
“What are you talking about? The editor-in-chief said to strike while the iron is hot and is putting out another special extra edition on Tuesday as a follow-up article. I need to go to the office right now to discuss the specific details!”
It was no time to stay cooped up at home. Despite Aniella’s attempts to stop her, Claudie went out.
And, that night, Claudie did not return. Worried, Aniella headed to her office. Maybe nothing was wrong, and she was just so busy with work that she forgot about the curfew.
“Claudie? She went home yesterday.”
The editor-in-chief answered Aniella, who was looking for her sister. Avoiding the editor-in-chief, who said it was perfect timing and tried to interview her, Aniella searched all the places her sister might have gone. She couldn’t find a trace of her anywhere.
There was, in fact, one place she hadn’t gone. Even though it was the most likely place for Claudie to be, she was too scared and had put it off. Aniella forced her reluctant feet to move.
With a troubled expression, she visited the Duke’s residence and asked to see the Duke. The butler, who recognized her, ushered her into the reception room.
Aniella waited anxiously, checking the clock on the wall every five minutes. Ten minutes passed, then thirty. Over an hour passed, and he did not come.
After almost an hour and thirty minutes, Paiki finally showed his face.
“I wonder what brings the Viscount’s daughter here without an appointment.”
At his sarcastic tone, Aniella’s mouth went completely dry. The tension from when she first met him came back to her.
“My sister… she’s disappeared. I thought you might know something.”
“Why are you coming to me to look for your missing sister? Ah, right. I am the most famous kidnapper in the Empire, after all.”
Paiki smiled coldly. Aniella’s mind went blank, and she futilely moved her lips.
“Do you have any proof that I’m holding your sister?”
“That……”
“You don’t, yet you suspect me? It’s preposterous.”
“Sorry… I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
As Aniella got up, she staggered. She felt disgusted with herself, wondering how much more rudeness she had to show him to be satisfied.
“No need to be sorry. Because I am holding her.”
Paiki spoke to her back as she tried to leave.
Aniella stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly turned around, and Paiki gestured for her to sit back down.
“You lied… again!”
She clenched her fists, walked back with loud steps, and plopped down on the sofa. Her tightly pressed lips looked very angry.
“The older sister tries to save the younger sister. The younger sister tries to save the older sister. It’s a touching story.”
“What do I have to do for you to return my sister?”
“You certainly know me better than that journalist. You know I won’t budge if you just ask me to hand her over.”
Paiki put his arm on the armrest, leaned his head back, and stared intently at Aniella. Aniella waited with bated breath to see what he would demand.
No matter how long she waited, he said nothing. Understanding it as a sign for her to make an offer first, Aniella opened her mouth.
“The weekly magazine said they would write a follow-up article. I’ll have them publish a correction then, saying the current article’s content is untrue.”
“How many people do you think will see the correction article?”
“That is……”
She had never calculated it. As Aniella hesitated, Paiki waved his hand dismissively.
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