Arren walked with a slight limp to reach the greenhouse, following Poppy's instructions. Somehow... everything in this mansion seemed so strange.
Firstly, the owner of this house is a kidnapper and rapist. Arren must put him behind bars!Secondly, a jealous concubine? Arren could sense that a woman named Vennina seemed to feel threatened by her presence. "I will tell her that I am not her rival!"Hearing the word 'rival' made Arren's hair stand on end. Only a fool could love a vile man like Leon. No. Arren is not that kind of person."Welcome, Miss...."A servant seemed to welcome Arren as she entered the greenhouse.A table was beautifully decorated, surrounded by rose petals. Their fragrant aroma added elegance to the room. Arren immediately liked the feast that was being held."Hello," Arren greeted warmly.A woman in her thirties rose from her chair. Her face was beautiful, with fiery red hair. The emerald green dress that enveloped her body contrasted with her fair skin.Arren was even captivated by her beauty."Welcome, Miss Arren. I am Vennina Skylar. Mr. Leon's concubine," Vennina introduced herself."Arrendice Hart," Arren did the same.After the introduction, Venn invited Arren to sit in the provided seat. "Pour the tea," the concubine instructed her personal servant.The servant came as requested and poured tea into the ladies' cups. However, there was something strange there. Upon closer inspection, the servant's hands appeared to be trembling."Are you okay?" Arren asked in her soft voice. She understood the suppressed feelings of the servants who were used to being belittled. Arren used to be a barmaid."Y–yes, Miss...." The servant replied, trembling. His breath seemed contrasting with the atmosphere. Why did he seem scared?"Well, now... let's chat." Venn broke the awkwardness. She didn't want her plan to fall apart."Please," Arren smiled kindly.Venn responded with a similar smile, though the difference in sincerity was evident.In Venn's eyes, Arren was just a dirty-looking, very rustic girl. The servant's words praising her beauty were exaggerated. If the woman were polished, would her beauty show? Impossible.Once picked up from the streets, she would remain a street rat. However, of course, this rule did not apply to Venn. Even though they both came from the streets, their levels were different. According to Venn herself, she radiated an elegant aura equivalent to a noble in the country."So, what is Miss Arren's occupation?" Venn asked to start the conversation. Arren smiled and answered honestly."I am a barmaid. How about you?"Venn almost choked. She had thought that Arren was indeed a disgusting lower-class commoner. "Me? Hm... well, I usually manage socialite gatherings."Venn did have a special position among the socialites. Although she came from the common people, Venn falsified her identity. She even used the best tutors to teach about aristocratic etiquette and bribed girls in the social world who gossiped about her origins.Venn fabricated a story about her romantic encounter with Leon abroad, attending the top noble banquets. There, Venn and Leon fell in love for the first time.Of course, it was all a lie. Venn was the number one prostitute abroad, paid for Leon's success in conquering the drug cartel there. The powerful nightlife boss felt indebted to Leon, so he handed over his favorite courtesan."Interesting. What do you do?""Well. Organizing meetings, hosting parties... and arranging marriages among the nobility."Venn boasted. In reality, she didn't do any of that. Venn was only an honorary member because she was the biggest sponsor at every meeting. Of course, all thanks to the financial injection from Leon, her lover."It seems you are very busy," Arren appreciated. Venn nodded."Well. Let's end the chat. Please enjoy my special tea," Venn said with a mysterious smile that was hard to interpret."Okay, Madam...."Arren agreed with Venn's suggestion and began to lift her cup. A moment later, after the cup touched her lips, Arren suddenly stumbled and... coughed up blood!"No–Miss!"A startled servant witnessed one of her mistresses coughing up blood.Immediately, Venn summoned someone to assist the helpless Arren. "Call the doctor!" she yelled, feigning panic. Only one servant knew it was Venn's trick, while the others didn't dare to think in that direction.Shortly after, Leon's personal doctor rushed into the greenhouse. "What's going on?" the doctor asked quickly, examining the patient's vital signs."She suddenly vomited blood and fainted," Venn said, having previously injected a hallucinogenic substance into Arren to blur her memory of the preceding events.The doctor appeared alarmed, finding signs of poisoning in Arren's body. "Move her to the room!" the doctor ordered the guards who had accompanied him.The guards quickly carried the unconscious young lady back to her room on the third floor. The doctor immediately provided the first aid he could, but unfortunately, there was no more effective way than extracting the poison through an oral method."How is
The search process for the suspect became a heated topic in the mansion. Everyone appeared anxious and doubtful— who could have provoked their master to such an extent?"Idiots," muttered a servant passing by the master's office. After delivering two cups of tea to her mistress, the servant returned to the kitchen, where she should be. She then continued spreading gossip and rumors about the comprehensive search by the security team for the perpetrator of the poisoning of the master's new love.***"Could it be Miss Venn who did it?" asked Ford, Leon's newly joined aide, after completing a reconnaissance mission at the Napoli headquarters, Leon's business rival who had recently disturbed the peace of his club."Venn? Hmm..." Leon seemed to consider the possibility. For men, competition in the power domain might be common, but does the same apply to women?"I'll find out," said Leon seriously. Ford burst into laughter. "Oh God. What happened to this polar monster? Why do you seem so con
The guards tasked with Arren's safety asked her to come down from the tree. This situation could lead to punishment and even a reduction in their pay if their employer were to get injured."Calm down, I'm good at climbing," Arren responded confidently. She moved her feet slowly, climbing up one by one until she reached the end of the branch.At the end, there was a nest of sparrows missing one of its chicks."There, there, little bird," Arren said gently, placing the fallen bird back into its nest.Arren was about to descend the sturdy but slippery tree trunk when, unfortunately, she slipped."Aaaaaaakkkhh....."Arren slipped and nearly fell. Her leg could have been sprained, but luckily, someone caught her just in time. Arren was truly grateful. It seemed the guard assigned by Leon had a purpose after all."Who is saving whom?" Leon retorted, displeased because Arren was in danger once again. The guards exchanged worried glances, realizing they wouldn't be getting overtime pay that da
"Before that, explain first, why did you suddenly drag me into the warehouse?" Arren asked, bowing her head to hide the fear and embarrassment she felt.Leon raised an eyebrow, considering the question foolish from the girl who had captured his heart. "Are you foolish or just don't understand?" Leon retorted."What do you mean?""I already warned the guards to keep you safe. And what did I witness? You almost broke a bone!" scolded Leon while gripping Arren's frail arms."Aww...."Instantly, Leon released his grip as he knew Arren winced in pain. The girl's face looked pale and frightened."Sorry, I mean it. Don't endanger yourself! Understand?" Leon emphasized so that Arren would be more careful in the future."Okay, Master," Arren obediently replied. Somehow, Leon's behavior seemed different. He wasn't as arbitrary as before. What was this? Was Arren starting to melt toward him? Arren quickly slapped her face hard to snap out of the hallucination she created for herself."Just call m
"Your final task is to become the scapegoat. I will create a story to protect myself and blame you for the poisoning," Venn said with a threatening tone.Hillis knelt led with Venn not to trap her like that."Have mercy on me, Madam. I would never dare to lie like that." Hillis's tears flowed freely, and her body trembled irresistibly."You will take the responsibility, and I will ensure the safety of your family. It must be done!" Venn insisted without giving room for negotiation."Oh, God!" Hillis cried out in desperation.Hillis paled, feeling the weight of despair in her heart, but she knew there was no other option.Her family and her life are in Venn's hands. She could only follow her master's orders."Remember, Hillis," Venn added sharply. "If this plan succeeds, your family will have a better life. If it fails, you will face the consequences."Hillis nodded sadly, lowering her head. She felt an immense burden, but she had no choice.Venn looked at Hillis with satisfaction, know
"When will she regain consciousness?" Leon asked, his concern evident."She will regain consciousness soon, Sir. You don't need to worry. It's the same poison Miss Arren had before, and we have the antidote," the doctor reassured him."Alright, thank you for your assistance," Leon said, and he walked away. He had fulfilled his duties as the host towards his ward. Now, Leon needed to return to work.Venn was unaware that Leon's treatment of her was very different from how he had treated Arren when they were both on the brink of death. Only the doctor and the servants knew about it. If Venn had been conscious, she would have thrown a fit to gain her lover's lost affection.***"Leon, what's happening? Why is the mansion in such chaos?" Ford, who had just stepped out of the car, asked. He was carrying some newly designed alcoholic drinks for Leon's club testing.Leon's nightlife business required him to supply the best products to his clubs in the capital. He must ensure the best materia
Chapter 12 # The SecretArren held the girl's hand tightly and led her to sit in the nearest pavilion. She instructed a servant to prepare a warm tea to calm her."Please drink," Arren said gently as she offered her a cup of warm tea.The girl appeared trembling and accepted the cup with fear. A moment later, the cup slipped from her grasp.Crash!The cup shattered, startling Arren, and the guards returned to their positions near their master. However, with a hand gesture, Arren managed to send them away."I'm fine," she said firmly.Arren ordered his guards to keep their distance, creating a less intimidating space for the girl. She didn't want to make the situation more complicated.Arren refocused his attention on the mysterious girl who remained silent."Do you want to keep acting like this? How can I help you if you don't speak?" Arren began to press the girl, giving her a reassuring hand squeeze.He truly didn't know how else to persuade her to talk.The girl lowered her head and
Amid the police investigation deadlock, Ford and Leon felt the pressure. They knew that to uncover the truth behind the riot, they needed support from the critical witnesses among the guests."You know, right? Who doesn't know you, Boss? They're afraid of speaking out and getting caught by those two wild animals out there," Ford concluded about the guests' reluctance to speak.The guests certainly wanted to avoid adding more trouble to their lives. Leonard Connor, the most dangerous man in the capital, and his rival, Napoli Toredo, were equally terrifying.In this world, anyone in their right mind would consciously avoid connecting with dangerous men like Leonard Connor and Napoli Toredo. They knew that even the slightest involvement with these dangerous men could significantly risk their lives.Leonard Connor and Napoli Toredo could be called arch-nemeses, uncompromising enemies in the criminal world. Over time, their rivalry deepened, creating constant and inevitable conflicts.Many