In the right wing of the Edelweiss Estate, Rhea stood paralyzed before Lian's rooms. The door swung wide, revealing Lian standing motionless in the center of the room, yet an invisible wall of hesitation kept her at bay.
Rhea tapped lightly on the wood. "Master Lian... are you alright?"
"Come in," Lian replied, his voice devoid of warmth.
Rhea stepped inside, her pace measured and slow until she stood two paces behind him. The air was thick, suffocatingly still, making the frantic drumming of her heart feel deafening. Clenching her fists to steady her nerves, she took a deep breath.
"Master Lian... would you like something to eat?"
Lian shook his head slowly.
"Perhaps something to drink?"
"No."
Silence stretched between them, heavy and cold. Near the bed, Outer watched the scene with a cryptic, lingering smile.
"Rhea, why were they fighting?" Lian asked suddenly.
Rhea averted her gaze. "Perhaps..." she murmured, unable to find the words.
"So, you truly do not know? Or are you merely feigning ignorance?"
Rhea's pupils dilated. "What do you mean, Master Lian?"
"You know the cause, don't you?"
"I'm not sure! But it's probably Vashil... it has to be."
Lian tilted his head, a ghost of a thought crossing his face. "Ah... the man who handcuffed you?"
"Yes," Rhea whispered.
"He is a violent man, isn't he?"
"That..."
The temperature in the room plummeted. A sudden chill raced down Rhea's spine.
"There is no need to answer," Lian said, his voice cold as ice. "Outer has already told me everything."
Rhea bowed her head deeply in shame and submission, while Outer let out a low, mocking chuckle.
"Rhea... when will you take me to Ipsix?"
Rhea bit her lip as she clenched her skirt. "Master Lian... forgive me, but I fear it is too dangerous for us to go to Ipsix right now."
Lian turned. His hollow, vacant eyes locked onto Rhea's trembling body. "Why?"
"Because there are those who seek to ambush you, Master..."
"I just need to erase them all, right?"
Outer began to clap—a sound intended only for Lian's ears. Beads of cold sweat hit the floor near Rhea's feet.
"Master Lian... please, stay calm. I will take you to Ipsix, I promise, but not today."
Lian sighed, the sound weary and detached. "Forget it. I shall go myself, with Outer."
Outer nodded enthusiastically.
Rhea looked up, still maintaining her respectful posture, her eyes pleading. "Master Lian, please do not be reckless. I will help you, please trust me."
The distant wail of an ambulance siren pierced the tension. Lian moved toward the window, watching as medical personnel emerged from the vehicle at the gate.
"Rhea... shouldn't you go meet them?"
"Lena is already handling it."
"You may leave. I want to rest. And do not forget to close the door."
"Understood, Master."
With a final respectful bow, Rhea exited. She hurried toward the right wing to check on Lena and the others, her face as white as a sheet. Meanwhile, Lian remained at the window, his gaze fixed on the flashing lights.
"Outer... do you hate Ipsix?"
Outer drifted closer, draping his arms over Lian's shoulders. "Lian... Outer wants nothing more than to eradicate it."
"Serenity..." Lian whispered the name.
Outer leaned his head against Lian's back. "Why does Lian still think of that girl?"
"I don't know. I truly don't know..."
From his vantage point, Lian watched as the twins, Ashil and Vashil, were hoisted onto stretchers. Medics tended to Ron and Nox, with Lena and Rhea following close behind. Before long, the ambulances roared away, yet Rhea remained, standing in distant silence at the gate.
As Rhea turned to head back inside, a black sportscar screeched to a halt at the entrance. A young man stepped out.
"Outer, watch them," Lian commanded.
Outer released his hold, dissolving into a trail of smoke that slipped through the ventilation towards the gate.
"I have to leave this place..."
Lian turned back to his bed and lay down.
***
At the gate, Outer manifested back into his original form, standing invisibly between Rhea and the newcomer.
Rhea offered a polite, practiced smile. "Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Zigh Eosvile?"
Zigh let out a short laugh, his eyes scanning the left wing of the estate. "Miss Edelweiss, you have quite a unique estate. And please, just call me Zigh."
"Very well, Mr. Zigh. Is there something we need to discuss?"
"Quite a lot, actually."
Rhea gestured for him to enter. "Then please, let us speak inside."
Zigh followed her into the drawing room, where the faint aroma of spilled tea still lingered in the air, a set of five teacups left on the table.
"Oh," Zigh smiled, "do you use tea-scented perfume, Miss Edelweiss?"
Rhea touched her forehead, looking at the table.
"I apologize. Please, have a seat."
Zigh sat down, his eyes fixed on the tea stains on the floor.
"Would you like a drink?" Rhea asked, cleaning the table.
Zigh shook his head. "Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to it."
As they sat opposite each other, Outer stood between them, grinning like a shark as he observed the exchange. Zigh pulled out his phone and opened a video file.
"Miss Edelweiss, care to explain this CCTV footage?"
Rhea's expression remained flat, an impenetrable mask of stoicism. "Yes. My companion and I were running."
Zigh raised an eyebrow. "Towards the pillar of light on the pedestrian overpass?"
"Do you have proof of that?" Rhea countered, without even blinking.
"Not exactly. There are no cameras on the bridge itself. However, you and your associate were recorded climbing the stairs. Furthermore, two other men were seen there just before you."
Sir Nox and Master Lian... Rhea thought, her Peridot eyes on Zigh with unwavering conviction. "And?"
"Half the bridge vanished. No debris, no sound. Strange, isn't it?"
"Yes."
She doesn't even flinch, Zigh noted internally. He tapped the table with his index finger. "What happened there?"
"The pillar of light appeared, and then the bridge was gone," Rhea stated simply.
Zigh laughed. "A fascinating joke, Miss Edelweiss."
Rhea didn't waver. "Whether you believe it or not, that is the truth."
Zigh's gaze sharpened, turning cold. "You weren't seen on any other cameras leaving that area. You didn't even run back down the stairs."
He stood up, moving toward Rhea.
"Perhaps we can continue this conversation at the office, Miss Edelweiss."
Suddenly, Outer vanished, returning to Lian to whisper what he had seen.
Lian smiled, rose from his bed, and walked out.
Just as Zigh and Rhea reached the exit of the estate, the massive doors vanished before their eyes. Both froze in shock, Zigh's mouth hanging open.
The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps broke the silence. They turned to see Lian approaching.
"Leuliang Esculenta, though you may call me Lian. A pleasure to meet you, Zigh Eosvile," Lian greeted with a hollow smile.
Zigh whistled low. This guy... he's something else.
Rhea instinctively stepped closer, grabbing Lian's hand. "Master Lian, what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice like air.
"Shh..."
Lian looked at Zigh. Despite the smile, his eyes were empty. He gently pried Rhea's hand away. "You wanted to know who erased the bridge, didn't you? You've just seen the door disappear with your own eyes."
Zigh ran a hand through his maple autumn hair, then folded his arms. "And? What's the point, Leu—Lian?"
"Would you like to make a contract with me, Eosvile?"
Zigh clicked his tongue. "It's Zigh, okay?"
Lian's smile widened. "So, Zigh... what do you say?"
Zigh glanced at Rhea, who stood frozen in place. This man can make even the unshakable Miss Edelweiss look like that... interesting.
He snorted. "What do you want, Lian?"
"Take me away with you."
Rhea began to tremble, her eyes widening and then turning dark. "Master Lian, wait!"
Zigh smirked. "Oh, I like the sound of that."
Lian turned to Rhea, his smile lingering. "Rhea, I've destroyed your home. I won't stay with those four ruffians. If you want to help me, handle them first.."
Rhea shook her head, her voice thick with emotion. "Even if this house is reduced to ash, I could never be angry with you. I will handle the four of them so they never disturb you again."
Zigh watched the drama unfold with amusement, while Outer stood by his side, wearing a cunning grin.
"Rhea Edelweiss," Lian said firmly.
Rhea flinched, taking a half-step back.
"I need distance from them. Help me by taking care of that, can you do that for me?"
Rhea bit her lip, the weight of the request heavy on her heart. "Very well..."
Lian turned back to the guest. "Zigh, let's go."
Zigh glanced at Rhea, who was staring dejectedly at the floor, before following Lian out of the estate.
This man, Zigh thought, has something massive hidden inside him.
To be continued...