Chapter 191
“What about my paintings?”
There could have been flammable materials nearby—old carpets, curtains wrapping the windows, or the soft bedding they shared.
And besides…
His nonchalant demeanor hardly seemed a mistake, Macy scrambled mentally to find any plausible excuse for him.
To make his words true. To believe he had accidentally started the fire and not deliberately burned her cherished paintings.
“Your paintings?”
The smirk at the corner of his mouth suggested he found her expectations amusing.
With a white-gloved, elegant hand, he pulled a cigar and matches from inside his jacket. He drew deeply on the match till his cheeks hollowed. As the end of the cigar glowed red, the cabin behind him collapsed completely.
“The painting oil certainly played its part in turning it into a sea of flames.”
The black ashes blossomed like flowers, and the scattered flames brightly illuminated the surroundings.
Macy watched the beautiful yet cruel scene in a daze.
“Why are you crying? They aren’t even yours. Neither the cabin nor the paintings.”
Eren approached and wiped her tears as if pressing down with his hand. It was only after hearing his words that Macy realized she was crying.
As tears welled up effortlessly again, his soft lips pressed against her stained face—a kiss tainted with the acrid smell of cigar smoke and the scent of burning.
“Since I made your hands and feet move, the paintings you created are also mine.”
“Hah…..”
“So, it’s me who has suffered a loss, Macy.”
The tears didn’t stop. Why was Eren doing this? Why had he burned their precious home? She couldn’t understand. But one thing was clear: he knew something.
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you everything. So….”
By now, it seemed like Eren had decided to discard her. The thought flashed through her mind, and her mouth opened involuntarily. Without a word, Eren pulled her into his embrace.
A sudden, sharp shock hit the back of Macy’s neck, overwhelming her.
“I don’t care anymore. Whatever you say now.”
Her mind went blank, and everything faded to darkness.
* * *
“Darling, wake up!”
“Ugh, why? I’m so tired.”
Catherine’s sharp voice pierced through Yannick’s drowsiness. After drinking heavily the night before, his head still felt foggy. As he struggled to open his eyes and burrowed back under the blankets, Catherine slapped his back.
“Get up! The police are here!”
“The police?!”
Hearing the word police made Yannick’s eyes snap open. He shot up from the bed, frantically looking around, trying to find a place to hide.
“Tell them I’m not here! Got it? Damn it! Why are they coming for me now? Macy must’ve reported me!”
“No, they’re here looking for Macy!”
“Macy?”
“Yes!”
Yannick’s eyebrows shot up. He was confused but quickly adjusted his appearance before heading with Catherine to the sitting room. Two officers were standing there, looking imposing.
“We’re from the Central Inspection Bureau. Are you Yannick Horton?”
“Yes, that’s me, but…”
“We’re looking for Macy Horton, the prime suspect in the arson case at Hallain Mountain. She’s a fugitive, and we believe she may have come here.”
“Arson? Are you saying Macy started the fire…?”
“Yes. There’s a witness. Duke Krygen testified that he saw Macy Horton with him before she set the fire and fled.”
Yannick almost fell over from shock. Not only was he surprised that the police were looking for Macy, but arson as well?
It was hard to believe that Macy, the woman rumored to be the Duke’s mistress, could be involved in starting a fire, especially with the Duke.
“This morning, a fire broke out at the cabin where Macy Horton lived, on the slopes of Hallain Mountain. It spread quickly, but fortunately, rain helped to put it out. However, arson involving forest land is a serious crime, even if there are no casualties or financial damages. And since Hallain Mountain is Duke Krygen’s private property, a massive damage claim will follow.”
It was the first time he had heard that Hallain Mountain was the Krygen family’s private property. He had always assumed Hallain Mountain was the royal family’s land that was barren and abandoned.
‘Then, were the guards there Krygen’s men?’
When Yannick had tried to enter Hallain Mountain previously, he had been stopped by guards at the entrance.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.