Though Jasper was surprised, his thoughts were too tangled for him to dwell on
Dexter's words. He replied offhandedly, "Oh? Let me know when you'll be arriving. If you've got time, I'll treat you to a meal."
"Of course we're meeting. I'll make time even if I have to crawl through trenches or jump out of a plane to do it!"
"No need to go that far."
Jasper fell silent for a moment before asking, "What brings you to Solana City?"
In a lowered, mysterious tone, Dexter replied, "If I tell you, it's for your ears only."
"Then maybe it's better you don't. I'm not good at keeping secrets."
Dexter snorted. "Forget it, then. We've fought side by side-we're practically brothers. I know you well enough. You'd probably spill secrets even from the grave."
Jasper was left speechless.
"Well, truth is, I'm here on an escort mission with the king of Kontina."
"The king?"
"I'll tell you the rest when we meet. It involves the royal bloodline-long story."
Jasper had no interest in another country's royal affairs. "Fine. We'll talk when you get here."
In the early hours of the morning, Justin lounged on a dark red velvet couch in the manor's opulent yet desolate living room. One leg crossed over the other, he sipped his wine with leisurely ease.
The vintage record player blared at full volume, its soprano filling every corner of the dim, suffocating space-drowning out the desperate cries and muffled sobs of a woman from upstairs.
It had gone on for two hours.
Standing beside him, Eden could barely endure it. The sounds alone were torment —a grim reminder of the cruelty unfolding above.
Yet Justin remained utterly at ease, even curling his pale lips into a faint, satisfied smile.
When the noise upstairs suddenly stopped, Eden swallowed hard and leaned in, his voice tense. "Mr. Justin, could she have..."
"Perhaps," Justin said lightly. "But what's so frightening about that?"
d his eyes and took
He narrowed
het
another sip of wine. His pallid complexion only sharpened his resemblance to a refined yet bloodthirsty demon Do you know how many people have died in this manor? Who's to say their spirits aren't wandering around when
you're not looking?"
Eden inhaled sharply, a chill running down his spine.
Justin smirked. "Just kidding."
A while later, Zachary descended the spiral staircase, looking thoroughly satisfied, flanked by two burly bodyguards.
"Uncle Zachary."
Justin quickly poured him a glass of wine and approached with a flattering smile. "How was it? Is everything to your liking?"
Zachary took the glass and drained it in one go, then licked his lips, still smeared with a woman's lipstick.
"She's a bit lacking-flat, no real
curves. But young and delicate, I'll give her that. I barely touched her
before she hit hermit,
sneered.
She's defiant too. And those
sounds? Grating. You've done a poor job training her."
"It was my fault for not training her properly. When you come again—"
"I don't touch the same toy twice." Zachary shot him a dismissive glance. "Unlike
you, I can have any woman I want."
A cold, vicious glint flickered in
Justin's eyes, though his smile never wavered. "You're right. Forgive my.. inexperience. That was foolish of me."