"Is this not too hasty, Sir? You haven't fully recovered yet, so why do you want to leave the hospital prematurely? If this is about your work, I can rearrange your schedule later." Ten, Mr. Fred's trusted aide, looked worried as his master chose to go home rather than wait to fully recover in the hospital.
"You ask too many questions, Ten. This place doesn't feel right. How could I possibly be comfortable here? Besides, the taste of the porridge is so strange, it makes me nauseous. I want to go home quickly and eat Aunt Marta's cooking, which is much tastier," Mr. Fred calmly replied.
"But Sir... You haven't fully recovered. I'm worried about your health. Especially if you decide to go back to work." Ten was endlessly concerned about his master.
Mr. Fred gently patted Ten on the head and then ruffled the young man's hair, whom he regarded as his own grandson. "Calm down, Ten. I'm fine, and besides, when I get home I'll focus more on my recovery and put off all my work for now. Don’t worry."
"Do you promise?" Ten still didn't seem convinced by Mr. Fred. It was understandable, as Mr. Fred often broke his promises and went back to work while still unwell.
"I promise." Mr. Fred smiled. "Oh, you go ahead to the parking lot, please bring my things. I might be a bit delayed because there's a little matter I need to handle. So please wait for a moment before I arrive."
Ten nodded. "Yes, Sir," he said obediently. He then turned and left Mr. Fred's hospital room.
After Ten left, Mr. Fred walked toward the window. He stealthily peeked out and noticed a black car parked at the curb. Truthfully, Mr. Fred felt suspicious of the figure inside the car.
Especially when he felt watched by the figure inside. Mr. Fred quietly drew his pistol and aimed it at the car.
BANG
After firing at the car, Mr. Fred quickly left his room and pretended as if nothing had happened.
***
"I'm curious what you're going to do next, Madelin? I really want to see you crumble." Flora, sitting leisurely on a sofa, stared at a photo of Madelin embracing Sam tightly. "Especially when you survive your own death." Flora already knew that Madelin was alive. She survived the murder plot involving herself and Mrs. Lily. However, Flora herself deliberately pretended not to know this fact, especially in front of Jonathan.
For she was the one who attempted to kill but also saved Madelin at the same time. That night when Madelin was thrown from the river, she had arranged for some people to rescue Madelin, ensuring she didn't actually drown.
She did this so that all the blame and murder attempts would fall solely on Mrs. Lily. But unexpectedly, Jonathan himself was too aggressive, causing her to experience some of the consequences. She had to admit that her plan was not meticulous enough, resulting in a significant setback.
"People like you shouldn't die so easily. I want you to suffer in hell longer." Madelin tore up the photo of Madelin and Sam. "So you know how much I've suffered all this time."
Flora then glanced at the girl sitting next to her. The girl in the pink dress looked sweet, but her expression was very blank. Instead of looking like a beautiful girl, she more closely resembled a mannequin doll.
KISS
Flora kissed the girl's cheek. "Ah... every time I see your beautiful face, it always brings me relief. You really look like your mother, Misa." Flora felt calmed every time she saw the flat expression on the face of the girl named Misa.
Misa had a beautiful face, like her mother. Flora had been close friends with the girl's mother. And before Misa was born, Flora had always admired the beautiful face of Misa's mother. It felt like Flora had an obsession with the beautiful face of her close friend. Every time she saw her friend's beautiful face, it calmed her as if she were taking drugs. This strange obsession emerged because Flora felt insecure about her own face, which she considered very unattractive and plain. So seeing girls with beautiful faces made her feel as though she possessed their beauty, calming her heart.
***
"I want to meet Jonathan, Micel." Madelin stared intently at Micel.
Micel was silent but soon replied, "Madelin, are you sure?"
"It's been three months, it feels weird to keep hiding from Jonathan. After all, I will have to meet him eventually." Madelin was sure that she needed to see Jonathan. Enough time had passed for her to keep hiding from him. Maybe Jonathan was dangerous, but Madelin believed she could use him as a useful tool.
"Do you have a plan?"
Madelin didn't answer but her eyes locked onto Micel, giving another sort of response.
Micel didn't fully understand what Madelin was planning to do. However, no matter what, he was on Madelin's side, so he had to support whatever she did.
"Alright. I won't stop you. But at least tell me your plan later. Because you know, you've been using me as your tool," Micel said firmly.
"Of course, when the time comes, I'll tell you everything," Madelin confidently replied.
***
Jonathan was surprised to find Madelin standing in front of him, dressed in a beautiful black gown.
"Is this not a dream? After everything that happened, I'm truly grateful to see you again," Jonathan said sincerely. Even for a madman, he seemed to still behave decently in front of someone he liked.
Madelin smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Of course, this is reality. It's been a long time since we last met. And I've seen many devils around me. Jonathan, will you help me?"
"We can talk about it over dinner later." Jonathan opened the car door for her and let Madelin get inside.
Madelin entered Jonathan's car with a graceful smile.
***
"I'm grateful you're still alive. Knowing the scoundrels who have ill intentions towards you, I've been worried sick about you. I promise I'll punish them." Jonathan looked at Madelin with a gaze that clearly expressed his concern.
"I'm fine. You should worry more about yourself. Are you in pain?" Madelin asked gently.
Jonathan was slightly shocked. He had been hiding his pain. Could Madelin really tell that he was hurt?
"Oh, it's nothing. I've just been feeling unwell lately. Besides, how could someone crazy like me fall sick in such a pathetic state?" Jonathan tried to cover it up, though he was slightly afraid Madelin might find out. In Jonathan's eyes, Madelin's gaze seemed so sharp as if it were dissecting him.