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✧So, Then?✧
“Did you find it, Master?”
Hessen entered the office shortly after Mark Evers’s left.
“What happened to the thief who stole Bill Remmer’s money?” Queried Matthias in an undertone.
“The officers are already on the site, but they are having a difficult time finding evidence and eyewitnesses.”
“Then what about Leyla Lewellin’s tuition money?”
“If the thief is not caught, the Madam and Miss Brandt both said that they want to pay the tuition. And I think Dr. Etman was equally willing as well.”
Nothing in his report seemed surprising.
Jutting his chin, Matthias giggled and put down the file.
Linda Etman was the scheme’s brain.
Matthias fixed on based from information he got about the stupid stranger he had met that morning.
Mrs. Etman seemed to be pleased with his son’s marriage at first glance. But who would have expected that her revealing-true-stripes would be much more toxic and menacing?
Though it’s unrelated to him, but Matthias didn’t want to miss the spectacle of their household’s intriguing drama.
The look on Leyla’s face gave an impression that she was all-knowing. Yet, in reality, she was completely clueless about how the world went about its job.
Should he now refer to her as a fool?
As he took Matthias’ silence as a kind of opposition, Hessen braved to ask,
“Master, if the your will is different….”
“No.” Matthias cut him short. A sneer surfaced on his lips. “I respect grandmother’s wishes. I’m not against it.”
From the time he said it, Matthias was inwardly in no doubt. Linda Etman must have planned the plot wisely without a lapse in her forethought.
The chess piece she had bought with her cash was a kind of a moron, but not with her very precise and bold scheme. She wasn’t naïve enough to be ignorant that many people would gladly pay for Leyla Lewellin’s lost tuition. She must already be aware of it just by looking at her husband.
So what’s her true purpose?
Matthias touched the tip of his chin, having her inside his brain.
Why would Linda Etman create such a fuss when she knew it’s hardly possible to hinder Leyla from going to college with Kyle Etman even if her money was stolen?
Matthias pursed his lips as if faced with an enticing riddle.
“Put someone on Mrs. Etman.”
Announced Matthias as he elegantly crossed his legs. His unamused visage was gentler than the recent command that escaped from him.
“Mrs. Etman? Are we talking about Dr. Etman’s wife, our family doctor?”
“Yes. Linda Etman. The doctor’s wife.”
His plainspoken reply made Hessen stagger somehow.
“There’s just one thing you need to report.”
Matthias rested his tired back against the sofa, a grin was tightly plastered around his face.
He said,
“Does Mrs. Etman meet with Leyla Lewellin separately? And what she talks about if she does.”
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
The next day at dawn, the police officers returned to Arvis. They visited the Duke’s manor and came upon Matthias by chance when he was descending from the stairway to the grand lobby.
“Good morning, Duke.” A man with silver hair who was the commander of the police officers gallantly greeted him. “Well, I felt ashamed by the theft incident.”
Matthias paused his steps in the middle of the hall, followed by Claudine and his attendants.
Hessen made a subtle approach and said, “They want to ask permission to do another investigation to find eyewitnesses.”
Matthias nodded approvingly, “Sure, as much as you want.”
“Thank you, Duke.”
Upon the salute from their commander in the front row, the young officers at the rear dipped their heads quickly.
Matthias was about to continue his stride when the silver-haired officer lifted his head and suddenly addressed him.
“So, Duke.”
Matthias turned his gaze back, his face had a calm demeanor.
“Did you see anyone suspicious in the estate that morning?”
The hesitant officer posed the question cautiously. Matthias took a second then made his way slowly up to him.
‘I saw it.’
That was a simple answer he should have given, however, Matthias just smiled gracefully instead. He mulled his thoughts regarding Leyla Lewellin for a while;
‘What should I do?’
What if he exposed Mrs. Etman and her early-bankrupt cousin’s conspiracy to thwart her son’s marriage now?
Though the dire situation was on her hand, Linda Etman could still settle things as long as she wouldn’t show her real fangs in front of Leyla. There would likely be some uproar, but Matthias believed that it would be for a brief moment; Dr. Etman and his son would strive to make sure the marriage will happen.
However, Linda Etman was not the kind of person to give up.
‘Then.’
Matthias looked up to the ceiling, and his gaze was drawn to the chandelier’s light.
Leyla Lewellin had gained a once-in-a-lifetime windfall; she would live happily ever after.
Mrs. Etman wouldn’t be able to meddle after the two of them moved into their newlywed residence in Ratz. Kyle Etman would be a devoted husband who loved and cherished his wife. With the spillage of his love, Leyla would be able to study as much as she wished and perhaps pursue her dream of becoming a scholar.
Matthias raised his gaze to the ornate inscription chiseled on the ceiling, high above the chandelier lampshade.
He surely could help Leyla if he were willing to trouble himself a bit. Before Linda Etman met her, Matthias had the privilege of meeting Kyle’s mother ahead. Linda Etman would likely withdraw quietly without fanfare if she knew Duke Herhardt had discovered all her schemes, and at least to save her face.
It seemed to be a viable way to lessen Leyla’s wounds.
Matthias gave the officer a once-over without a word being spoken. The senior officer stood in the state, interpreting that the Duke’s silence was a reprimand for his rudeness.
Matthias knew what makes Leyla happy And he could save her source of happiness just with a single flick of his fingers.
‘So then…?’
Matthias’s lips were drawn onto another smirk.
‘What pleasure can he gain from helping Leyla in finding her happiness?’
All that remained in him was the dreary roses season in the absence of her, which would be a fissure in his idyllic world.
“…I saw no one.”
Matthias replied curtly, as his eyes narrowed while staring at the officer. The faces of people watching them were a mixture of worry and soon-relief.
“Ah, yes. Well, thanks for your understanding, Duke. My apologies for all of my rudeness.”
Matthias accepted his apologies with a kind nod.
“Have you ever seen a stranger?”
The officer’s cooperative attitude had prompted him to pose the same question to Claudine, who stood behind Matthias.
“No.” Claudine answered without a moment’s pause. “Unfortunately, I don’t have any information that can help your investigation.” She gave Matthias a passing glimpse before turning to look at the officer with a smiling face.
After the case was closed, Matthias then resumed walking. The officers were left to question the employees, and Matthias got into the car which was parked outside the front door.
“You didn’t forget your promise, did you?”
Claudine kindly reminded him about their afternoon appointment; to join Riette for dinner after drinking tea together.
“Of course I remember, My Lady.”
Claudine’s face lit up at Matthias’ answer.
The car sped away from the Estate’s main gate, and soon departed the Estate. Matthias averted his gaze out of the window as the car drove down the road passing through the Doctor’s residence.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
Linda Etman wished for an amount of fun beyond her wildest dreams as a reward for her wait-and-see hard work.
She donned a stylish lilac dress. Her face had some light y makeup, and her chosen hat was both classy and modest in style. Her appearance wasn’t supposed to be showy. However, her elegance barely made her appear shabby in her attire today.
Mrs. Etman admired her reflection in the mirror for the second before stepping out of the bedroom.
Today she chose to walk rather than take the carriage.
The place she was going to wasn’t a crowded one. She would go unnoticed from all eyes, so she purposely cherry-picked a location distant from the cottage as she needed a quiet place to meet Leyla.
Mrs. Etman was a million miles away as she waited for the carriage at the stop. She had started everything, and with no way to turn back, she was left with no choice but to go ahead.
For her son, Kyle.
The carriage came shortly when she sought to gather her wits. Mrs. Etman climbed into the carriage, and from her mouth came out a slight sigh within her breath.
She was willing to go to any length for Kyle even if she were to become a villainess.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
The tea shop that Mrs. Etman told was located a couple of miles away from the downtown area. Leyla arrived earlier than their appointment time, so she sat at the table near the sunny window, waiting for Mrs. Etman’s arrival.
Rows of brick houses draped in ivy were lined the opposite side of the narrow road, it was barely wide enough for a wagon to pass. Stores with rustic and plain signage padded the left and right sides of the alley.
Likewise, the tea shop. The fading paint, worn furniture, and antique windows, as well as the tea-stained tablecloths, to name a few things. It was a place that didn’t seem to be to Mrs. Etman’s liking.
‘Why did she choose this place?’
Leyla decided not to be biased despite her cryptic feelings. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. She was averse to adding more to her already overburdened mind’s about the thievery.
So, Leyla didn’t want to continue assuming the worst that may happen.  Mrs. Etman may need a private talk with her in a less crowded place. There was undoubtedly plenty of things to discuss, and…
Layla’s thoughts that were trapped by the paralysis of analysis, were shortly disturbed by the clatter of a chime. She sprang to her feet, thinking it was Mrs. Etman who was coming. Instead, a young man walked into the shop. He was dressed conservatively in a suit complete with a fedora hat. He took a seat at a corner table and then opened a newspaper.
Leyla slumped on her chair, her eyes were fixed on the tea stains on the tablecloth.
She went to the police station today, but the case made no significant progress thus far. The lack of witnesses and evidence made it difficult for them to catch the thief. A policeman who took pity on her kindly advised; it’s better not to cling to a shaky hope and find someone else to lend her money urgently.
‘Should I?’
Dr. Etman, together with Duchess Norma and Lady Claudine, said that they would instead pay for her tuition. This morning, Madam Mona also visited her. She sweetly consoled Leyla and Bill by telling them if the thief wasn’t caught, Arvis’s workers had committed to fundraising for her college.
Their kindness weighed heavily on her heart.
When her deep sorrow was expressing itself through a sigh, the bell sounded again. Leyla jumped up from her chair reflexively and turned around.
“Hello, Mrs. Etman.”
Leyla faintly smiled and bowed her head. The real Mrs. Etman was now standing in front of the opened door.