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Scarlet Rose [ABO] - What Happens When the Villain Dies at the Beginning? (20)
“Let’s stay away from this, I don’t want to be affected.”
“Child, the banquet hasn’t even started, how are you already drunk?” Neptune placed down his cup, his expression and tone still pleasant. “The former Emperor died in a crash. It has already been investigated and the conclusion was that it was an accident.”
“You should be the most clear about if it was an accident or not.” Payne said sternly, “You were the one who ordered people to temper with the aircraft. Everything was your scheme!”
“Where’s your evidence!” Steven rushed out, angrily pointing at Payne. “You said that my father killed your father, so bring out the evidence! How can you accuse someone without evidence! I think you’ve lost your mind!”
“Steven, stand down.” Neptune walked down, stopping just in front of Payne and patting his shoulder, “I know that you’ve been dissatisfied with me, and have many questions about the late Emperor’s death. But Payne, you’re already eighteen, an adult, not a child. Adults need to be responsible for their actions, okay?”
“I know that.” Payne shook his hand off, “I obviously have evidence.”
Payne looked towards Cassia, but she just sat there with a face full of fright and didn’t stand up to speak for him.
Payne closed his eyes in disappointment, then ordered his guard, “Bring the person in!”
The guard brought a middle-aged woman into the hall. Everyone there cleared out a path for the woman to approach the Emperor.
“Your name.” Payne asked the woman.
“Olivia.” The woman said in a weak voice.
“Identity.”
Olivia glanced up at Cassia as she trembled, then hurriedly looked back down, “I used to be a maid of the Empress.”
“Since you’re the Empress’ maid, how could you be a fugitive?”
Olivia lowered her head, saying in a trembling voice, “Because I know the Empress’ secret.”
Steven suddenly started sneering with disdain, “Payne, do you think a confession from a humble maid would be enough? Who knows where you found this maid from, or if you had long been colluding with her!”
Payne calmly said, “The Empress should be clearer than me about the truthiness of Olivia’s identity.”
“Child, this is too much.” Neptune’s voice held grief. “I can understand your hatred towards me, and your absurd behavior today, but aren’t you forcing your mother to die with you right now? What do you want your mother to say? If she helps you, then she’s betraying to her husband, but if she doesn’t she’s not caring for you as she should. You can hate me and blame me, but you can’t hurt your mother, who loves you so much!”
Cassia’s eyes filled with tears and shook her head at Payne, silently begging him to not say anymore.
“If you want your mother to be disgraced as a slut, you can go ahead and let Olivia tell the secret.” Neptune lowered his head and finished his words in a voice only Payne could hear. Then, he lifted his head and continued to sternly scold Payne. “Child, I have a clear conscience and have done everything a father should. I didn’t expect you to be grateful to me, but I can’t accept your unrestrained actions. Do you know what you’re doing right now? You’re not just slandering me, but the Emperor of an Empire!”
Payne looked at Neptune’s fake expression in disgust. “You’re still pretending. Neptune, don’t you think your acting is disgusting?”
Neptune’s face sank. “I’ve said everything I should, but you’re still being so stubborn. I have nothing else to say. There are family rules and state laws. Payne, you can spin up lies that I killed the former Emperor, but I hope you can bear the consequences of the lie being exposed! Everyone, Payne has no respect for his elders, insulted the Emperor, and lacks morals. How do you think he should be dealt with?”
“This subject believes,” Prime Minister Lu suddenly said, “That there is no harm in hearing this maid’s words!”
Neptune was stunned, and turned to face Prime Minister Lu with a fake smile, “Is the Prime Minister serious? You’re also going crazy with him? This maid is a fugitive, what aren’t fugitives willing to say in order to stay alive? If any filthy words come out of her mouth, it will only pollute our ears!”
Prime Minister Lu bowed and said humbly, “It is about the death of the former Emperor. This subject believes we should be cautious. No matter what this maid’s testimony is, we should still let everyone hear and make their own judgements. If her words are that flawed, your Majesty will be subject to no more of such suspicions.”
“Prime Minister Lu!” Steven walked up to him with his head held high, his chin raised proudly, “These words are wrong. How can you let a fugitive throw dirty water on an Emperor? Payne, you slandered my father for killing your father, do you dare swear by your words?”
The gaze Payne used to look at Steven was akin to one used to look at a dancing clown, “Of course.”
“That’s great!” Steven snorted, “I also dare to swear by my father’s character. Since we’re swearing, we need to swear on something. Payne, do you dare make a bet with me with our lives on the line?”
Payne didn’t understand Steven’s purpose and asked with a frown, “What do you mean?”
Payne was familiar with his cousin. He had always been timid and mediocre. It was very strange for his behavior to be so forward and aggressive.
Steven disdainfully rolled his eyes, beckoning towards Gu Zhong. Gu Zhong obediently walked over and gave the revolver to Steven before backing away.
When he passed Payne, taking advantage of everyone’s attention being on the gun in Steven’s hands, he quickly whispered something.
Payne heard the three words Gu Zhong said to him.
“Bet with him.”
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