Chapter 243 Hazel: Why are you at my house!
On Boklund Street, inside Council Member Macht's mansion.
"Mom, I'm really not sick."
"Don't get a doctor for me."
"I'm just—just a little tired lately and want to rest."
Liana Macht stood at the door of her daughter Hazel's room, listening to the irritable sounds coming from inside, and sighed helplessly.
It had been a week, almost a full week.
Ever since she came back from outside that day, her daughter had been cooped up in her room all day, not eating or drinking, and not even going to the ladies' academy.
Liana initially thought her daughter was sick and invited several well-known doctors in Backlund to their home. But without exception, her daughter refused to see them, insisting she wasn't sick.
"My daughter, what on earth happened? Why won't you tell us?" Liana's face was filled with worry, pain, and helplessness. "Could it be—did something unexpected happen at school?"
She couldn't understand why her daughter, who had always been confident, proud, and even a bit arrogant, would suddenly become like this.
"Could it be—possessed?"
As a member of high society, Mrs. Macht had heard some rumors about Beyonder powers.
"Should I—should I ask His Grace the Bishop to take a look?" Just as Liana was worried about her daughter's condition, the maid hurried over to report:
"Madam, we have a visitor."
"A visitor?" Liana was a bit surprised; she remembered her schedule for today and had no plans to receive guests.
"Who is it?"
"It's a young gentleman, Madam. He claims to be Miss Hazel's friend."
A young gentleman? Hazel's friend?!
Liana's eyes widened suddenly, her face filled with disbelief. Her daughter—actually had a male friend?!
At the same time, inside the room.
"What should I do!"
Hazel buried her head deep into the soft pillow, letting out a sob.
Anxious tears flowed from her eyes, quickly soaking a large part of the pillowcase.
"My teacher is also missing, and that scoundrel named James Scott has a hold over me and is threatening me—"
"What on earth should I do!"
These past few days could be said to be the darkest and most desperate days Hazel Macht had ever experienced in her life.
Because of a theft, she had been left with a handle that could destroy everything; her teacher had inexplicably disappeared and was still unheard from, and that man named James Scott looked as if he had her completely cornered, making her feel that her life was utterly over.
"What to do—should I tell Father the truth—" Hazel fell into a dilemma.
"No, I can't tell Father!"
She ultimately lacked the courage to face her parents' utterly disappointed expressions, and the potentially bleak and miserable future of their family.
"Oh dear, oh dear—what on earth should I do!" Hazel irritably grabbed her hair and shook her head vigorously, as if she could shake off all her troubles that way.
Just then, "Thump, thump, thump," a knock sounded at the door.
"Who?!"
"Miss, there's a visitor." The maid's voice came from outside the door.
"No, no! If it's Father's friend, let Mother entertain him, don't bother me!" Hazel's tone was irritated.
"It's—it's your friend, Miss." The maid said timidly.
"My friend?" Hazel was startled.
She was an extremely arrogant person by nature; few people usually spoke to her, let alone were her friends. For a moment, she really couldn't think of any friend who would come looking for her.
"Is it a classmate from school?"
"No, Miss. It's a—a Mr. James Scott."
"What?! James Scott!"
Hazel suddenly sprang up from the bed, her voice abruptly rising.
Why would he come?! Was he impatient to extort her? Or was he—was he going to expose everything to her family?! A huge panic instantly overwhelmed her.
"Bang!"
The room door was suddenly pulled open. The maid looked at the young lady before her, stunned. The usually meticulous and elegant young lady was gone, replaced by a girl in a wrinkled nightgown, with disheveled hair, red and swollen eyes, and a haggard face.
"—Miss?" The maid was a bit dazed; she had never seen her Miss in such a state.
"Where is James Scott?" Hazel's voice was hurried and trembling.
"In—in the living room. Madam is entertaining him; they should be chatting in the living room now."
"What?! With Mother?!" Hazel felt a sudden blackout. She couldn't imagine what that terrible fellow would discuss with her Mother!
She disregarded her appearance, pushed past the maid, and ran frantically towards the staircase.
Watching Hazel rush past her, the maid first froze, then reacted, lifting her skirt and chasing after her, anxiously shouting:
"Miss! Miss! You haven't changed your shoes or clothes yet!"
In the living room, Lorne was having a pleasant conversation with Mrs. Macht.
Although the Madam carried some of the common haughtiness of high society, it was much better than the Pride displayed by those nobles steeped in the glory of the Outer Deity.
Indeed, she was the mistress of a political family; her basic cultivation and demeanor were quite comfortable.
"So—you met at a church mass."
"Yes, Madam. That was an event organized by our school, and there were students from other schools present at the time.
It was then that I had the good fortune to meet and get to know Miss Hazel." Lorne's words and actions were polite and appropriate, while also carrying a well-judged touch of the reservedness of a young student.
He looked like a student visiting a friend's house for the first time, a bit nervous but trying hard to make a good impression.
He fabricated a plausible story for his acquaintance with Hazel and also created a positive persona for himself as someone who respected Council Member Macht. The other party had served in the military and in politics; it was perfectly normal for a newly graduated student to express admiration and reverence for such an experienced elder.
When praising Council Member Macht, he also deliberately steered the conversation towards national righteousness and public welfare, subtly avoiding giving himself the shallow impression of someone who merely flattered.
Seeing that the other party respected her husband so much, Liana's smile became a few shades more sincere, and she grew even more curious about this young man.
After all, she knew how arrogant her daughter was; anyone who could become her daughter's friend must be extraordinary.
For Lorne, while this might not be the best method, it was undoubtedly an effective way to quickly build rapport.
After all, who doesn't like to hear flattery? If others don't like to hear it, then there must be a problem with your way of speaking or your perspective.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Lorne then asked:
"Madam, is Hazel home today? I have something I'd like to talk to her about."
"She is, I've already sent the maid to call her. It's just—" Liana's tone was a bit troubled, "Hazel, she's been feeling a bit—"
"Tap, tap, tap, tap—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a hurried and messy sound of footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.
Liana and Lorne simultaneously looked in the direction of the sound. The next second, Liana covered her mouth in surprise.
Unlike her usual elegant and proper princess-like image, Hazel at this moment looked anything but ladylike.
Her hair was disheveled, she was only wearing a thin nightgown, her eyes were red, and her face still bore fresh tear stains, as if she had just cried a lot.
Hazel seemed completely unaware of her predicament. Her gaze was fixed on Lorne, who was chatting happily with her Mother, and she pointed at him, "You! Why are you at my house?!"
Lorne was also startled by her unexpected entrance, and only regained his composure after her question. He stood up from the sofa, straightened his collar, and showed a perfectly fitting smile, tinged with concern and confusion.
"Hazel—of course I came to see you."