Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Bailey stood at the entrance to the compound and stared intently at Beatrice. After a pause, she spoke through her clenched teeth and asked, “Did you start that fire?”
“Me?” Beatrice pointed to herself, then laugh hysterically and added, “Would you believe me if I said your mother was the one who started the fire?”
Bailey's stare became colder and more piercing as her eyes bore straight into Beatrice.
“I thought Madam Wenlock is an adult and would say something sensible,” she grunted.
Beatrice squinted her eyes and said, “Oh, you don't believe me? I totally understand how you feel. No one will want to believe something like that. Alas, the truth is that your mother started that fire herself! She wanted to commit suicide as that was the only way for her to take the secret to her grave! It was a shocking secret, and she died because she found out about it!”
Hearing that, Bailey became tense and nervous.
She started recalling the events that led to her mother's death, and she wasn't so certain of her earlier belief anymore.
If it was murder, there should be traces of evidence left behind by the murderer. However, despite all the efforts she put into the investigation for the past few years, she could not find a single clue. She couldn't help but wonder if what Beatrice said was true.
“What's the secret? What happened back then?” she demanded. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Beatrice smirked and mocked, “What's the secret? It was something shameful, of course! She was worried she would be condemned if others knew about the matter. She chose to end her own life as that was the only way she could be freed from that fear of being exposed!”
Bailey was about to take a step into the compound when she suddenly felt a gush of heat rising from within her.
This is...
She quickly overruled her own suspicion, relaxed her tensed muscles, and tried to take another step. Alas, the next hot flush was even more intense than the previous one.
Bailey was a full-grown woman with sexual experience, so she knew exactly what was happening.
What puzzled her was that she had not taken any food or drinks after she reached the Jefferson residence, so she had no idea how she was drugged.
She caught a whiff of the sweet floral scent, and suddenly, she realized what had happened.
“You mixed the aphrodisiac drug in the floral scent!” she exclaimed, her eyes cold and menacing.
“That's right! It is in gas form and odorless, so you can't possibly detect it in the air. Moreover, this place is full of beautifully scented blooms, so even that sensitive nose of yours will never detect it.” Beatrice laughed out loud as she gloated.
Bailey shook her head and forced herself to remain calm and alert.
“So what's next? What do you have up your sleeve?” she barked.
“What's next? My dear daughter, you must be desperate for a man now! As your stepmother, I'll have to do my part to help you! Enjoy yourself tonight! That's my welcome gift to you. Welcome back to Hallsbay... you trouble-seeker!” Beatrice mocked.
With that, she shouted for someone, and immediately, a few bodyguards dressed in black came strolling in and proceeded to surround Bailey.
As she was still alert, Bailey instinctively got into her battle mode.
“Still hoping to fight back? How ridiculous! All of you move in and get her!” Beatrice ordered.
“Yes, Madam!”
The few men moved in, and Bailey raised her arm and got ready to fight.
At that moment, out of the corner of her eye, she saw two figures sneaking past at the southeastern corner of the compound, and a small wicked smile appeared on her face.
The next moment, her legs jellied, and she collapsed face down onto the floor.
The bodyguards were stunned and froze for a few seconds. When they finally came around, they hurriedly went forward and restrained Bailey.
“We have her under control, Madam.”
“Well done! Bring her into the house and guard her well!” Beatrice ordered, smiling evilly.
“Yes, Madam!”
As they passed Beatrice while the bodyguards were dragging Bailey into the house, Bailey pretended to be frightened and asked, “Wh-what do you want?”
“What do I want?” Bailey's fearful look greatly satisfied Beatrice, so she laughed out heartily and said, “Naturally, I will need to find you a man! How about Laurence Luther? I heard he's a pervert and a sadist. He loves exciting kinky sex, so I'm sure he'll please and satisfy my lovely daughter tonight!”
The usually calm and collected Bailey was infuriated by the shameless Beatrice, and she clenched her fists tightly.
Laurence...? He's an old man who's over fifty years old! How can this woman be so evil!
“Why are you still here? Get her into the house! I'll head off to invite Laurence over for this special feast!” Beatrice said.
“Yes, Madam.”
“Hahaha...!”
Beatrice's shrill laughter rang out loudly in the deserted compound, sending chills down the spine of all those present.
Hidden at a corner of the house, Maxton nudged Zayron and grunted, “They are bullying Mommy! What should we do?”
Zayron gave him a side eye and jumped down from the high corner.
“Let's check on Bailey first before we plan our next move,” he said.
Maxton followed closely behind him, pointed out those men who were guarding the house, and asked, “There are six of them. How do we get rid of them?”
Zayron laughed out disdainfully and said, “Only six? Even sixty is not a problem for me!”
He immediately sneaked out like a quiet shadow, and in a blink of an eye, Maxton could hear the heavy men falling onto the ground with loud thuds.
His jaws dropped in astonishment, and there was a look of idolization in his eyes.
My gosh! That idiot is really something! I wonder if there's anything he can't do?
“Moron!” Zayron derided, then quickly rushed into the house, leaving Maxton behind.
Bailey's limbs were bound, and she was left lying on the bed in the room. Her face betrayed a look of great discomfort.
She wasn't shocked when she heard the commotion outside the house.
If that little jerk can't even settle those fools outside, then I'll quit wasting money on him. I'll just dump him at an orphanage.
“Are you okay, Bailey?” Zayron asked with concern after he rushed into the room and started undoing the ropes around Bailey. “You could have easily settled those men outside earlier. Why did you allow them to tie you up?” he questioned.
Bailey gave him a wry smile, flung off the undone ropes, and tilted her head toward a corner of the room. Zayron looked up and saw something with a blinking light there.
“It's a high-definition camera capable of doing live streaming. So that witch wanted to...” He narrowed his eyes as he uttered through his clenched teeth and slammed his fist angrily onto a rack
“Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. Those who treat me with injustice, I shall repay them tenfold! The two of you, try to get me some aphrodisiac drugs,” Bailey said.
“Eh...” Zayron touched his nose nervously and then hesitantly replied, “Eh—About the aphrodisiac drugs... You don't have to worry about it. I... I have some with me.”