Night of Eden 65

 Chapter 65

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I must stop him at all cost! 

The moment Tilly hurriedly grabbed the sleeve of the young master who was passing by and fuming and hit his shoulder,

"What are you doing!"

A shout made everyone stop dead in their tracks, and dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward the person at once.

"Edwin!"

"Brother!"

Edwin didn't make eye contact with any of the people who greeted him, but walked toward Marcus. The young men who had barricaded Marcus backed away hesitantly, and they were within touching distance.

"You promised, didn't you? Marcus."

It was the same man who had restrained Marcus whenever there was trouble. The simple words were enough to make Marcus cringe.

"You promised me you wouldn't touch her."

"Oh, I didn't do anything! These guys were out of line!"

Marcus shouted, his face reddening. The finger that had been pointed at Dana had now turned to the group of friends surrounding him.

"I was just trying to say hello, and these guys... they made a big deal out of it!"

But Marcus was aware that everyone was staring at him in disbelief. It was a ridiculous and shallow excuse, even for him. 

"Please, let's stop. How can it be so simple, and don't you realize that you're only making yourself look more ridiculous?"

Edwin said, and took a step toward him. That alone made Marcus's throat cringe like a turtle.

His pride was the second problem. His body remembered first the helplessness he'd felt when Edwin had grabbed him by the shoulders in the smoke room.

"Gee, I swear!"

He shouted, not wanting to lose at any cost, but the sneering faces of the men were already in his eyes.

"..."

Marcus clenched his fists in frustration. Part of him wanted to punch that smug Edwin in the face.

But he couldn't find the strength in his hands. Long after his legs were too wobbly to stand, Marcus stood there, unable to do anything but sulk.

"I was stupid. I should have given you a memorandum, not lulled you with wine." (Edwin)

Asshole.

Marcus barely swallowed the curse. His blood was rushing backwards, but he had no words to retort.

"So this time, I'm going to go to your father and tell him in person. It's a good thing he happens to be here...."

As Edwin predicted, Marcus's tail immediately twitched at the mention of ‘his father'.

"Oh, okay! I got it!"

He cried out in horror, stomped his foot on the ground in a frenzy of cursing, and spun around.

His skinny legs scurried across the lawn. His servants followed him, fidgeting restlessly.

The grill was as cold as it had suddenly become.

"Ha, that bastard!"

Edinger clicked his tongue as Marcus walked away.

"You've got great timing, Edwin!"

He laughed, spreading his arms wide to either side. Edwin relaxed his tension and hugged his friend tightly. The twins, Rob and Pearson, came over to him as well.

"You're the only one who can take Marcus down, after all."

Rob lightly punched Edwin on the side of the head, and Pearson grabbed him by the throat in a chokehold. A few more playful gestures followed. The tense atmosphere was quickly broken.

"But why are you here so soon? You said you'd be back by the end of the week."

"The negotiations ended sooner than I thought."

"So it worked out, then?"

"Yes."

"Son of a bitch, I knew you could do it!"

Edwin hugged each of his friends in turn. Finally, only Theodore remained.

"Teddy."

Tilly quickly searched Theodore's face.

The flames still crackled inside his cold eyelids. He was obviously still reeling from the shock of his previous encounter.

Besides, who was that Hastings lord?

He was once the one who almost got caught up in the lusty rumors of Dana Bordon.

The butler and the head maid here were quick to put a stop to the rumors, but you never know when or how people's words will spread.

How his Master will take this again...?

Tilly was nervous for a different reason.

"How are you?"

Edwin offered him a handshake, not a hug.

"As you can see."

Fortunately, what Tilly feared didn't happen.

The hands stretched out toward each other met nonchalantly and shook lightly.

Tilly glanced at Dana one last time, relieved.

As expected, the girl was quietly preparing to flee. He could sense the urgency of being chased to hell as she grabbed empty glasses, buckets, and napkins.

Yes, go away.

You're better off not being here.

Problem was, that Edwin Hastings wouldn't let her.

"Dana."

Tilly watched Dana's body sway slightly, frozen in place.

"Are you okay?"

Dana slowly turned around. She kept her head down, not wanting to make eye contact.

It was the first time she'd seen him since clay shooting day. And he was standing right next to her.

Compounded by the self-hatred that had been gnawing at her psyche for weeks, Dana looked like a scarlet letter on her forehead.

"Yeah, why......."

It was someone other than Theodore who cut off her answer that was about to come out.

"Brother."

Liana, who had been hanging back, saying nothing, stepped forward.

Edwin looked a little surprised, finally recognizing his sister's presence.

"Liana......."

"What the hell is going on?"

Edwin looked at his sister's face, which looked a little pale. Liana was like a plant in a greenhouse, and Marcus' behavior would be enough to frighten her.

With a short sigh, he opened his arms to his sister.

"I'm sorry, dear. For giving you such an ugly look."

"What makes you say that, big brother, that you did something wrong.......?"

Liana replied, and fell lightly into Edwin's arms. They hugged affectionately, like good siblings.

"Have you been well?"

"Yeah."

"Did you have fun at the party?"

"Yes."

Liana usually tried not to cling like a child to her brother as he carried the family burden alone.

But right now, for some reason, she didn't want to.

Her mind was filled with the look in her brother's eyes as he stood in Marcus's way to protect Dana.

The shocked look in his eyes like he wanted to punch him in the face.

"Now that I'm here, you can relax and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about entertaining guests, remember? You're the life of this party, no one else."

Edwin looked around at the glasses and buckets piled high on the tray.

"Thanks anyway."

Edwin patted his sister on the shoulder, but his gaze was drawn to Dana like a magnet.

She was the one who should be comforted.

But there was no one at Dana's side. As he watched her tiny hands organize the bowls, Edwin felt as if a hot blunt object had struck him in the chest.

Why was she working alone? Where were all the maids to help her?

And... Why was she wearing a maid's old uniform?

Edwin opened his mouth to speak, lost in thought.

"I won't let Marcus anywhere near you again. I promise."

Dana froze again. Despite the strong, warm voice that had always calmed her, her trembling didn't subside.

Perhaps it was the other pair of eyes that had been staring at her from earlier.

Theodore Macmilan was a man who took it as a challenge to have someone else take an interest in his goods, and what had happened in the warehouse must never be repeated.

"Thank you..."

She replied, deliberately cold, and frantically lifted one of the organized baskets.

"Now, if you'll excuse me... I'll go...."

"Wait."

Edwin stopped her again as she tried to get away. He suddenly jerked his upper body back and looked down at Liana.

"You need to go with her. She's scared."

Liana's head snapped up.

"You know what Marcus is like, he got Dana completely wrong, and I'm going to see Lord Drayton later to make sure he doesn't do it again."

Liana blinked a few times at her brother, who narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"But for the time being, don't bring her out in front of male guests."

Just then, a group of young men approached and placed a hand on each of Edwin and Theodore's shoulders. They were all ready for the game.

"Hey, what are you guys doing, why don't you get ready?"

"Yes, there's no time."

Just then, a male servant approached Edwin with a mallet. Tilly couldn't stand still, either. He hurried from behind the waiting table to gather his master's horse and equipment.

"Let's go."

"Yes, let's get to work!"

Edwin called out to Liana once more as the servant knelt down to lace up his kneepads.

"We'll see you again in the evening. I've had them prepare a formal dinner, and I've bought a present for you."

"Huh? Uh... Thanks...."

Liana's eyes were a little distracted as she replied, but no one noticed.

Just then, the whistle blew, signaling the resumption of the match. Edwin smiled sweetly as he led his horse to the start line.

Theodore, on the other hand, hadn't even put on his gear and was staring in one direction.

Ugh, not again!

Tilly quickly stepped in front of his master, blocking his view.

"Master!"

Theodore quickly pulled his cold mask back on. His gaze never left the maid, even as he held the muzzle in one hand and the reins in the other.

Gods, please have mercy on our master and bring him back to his senses!

Tilly prayed fervently as he watched him reluctantly make his way to the arena.

Now there were only two people left under the grandstand tent, Liana and Dana.

Liana turned toward the arena and stood as still as a statue. Her eyes were on the eight horses, but a storm was brewing in her head.

Brother Marcus and Dana.

Edwin in between them.

No, no, no.

Liana shook her head.

Brother Edwin was too protective of his servants. He's intolerant of injustice, compassionate, and would do anything to ensure that the weak don’t suffer injustice.

And then there's Marcus Drayton, the socialite's unstoppable asshole.

It was clear that Marcus had treated Dana badly. Dana didn’t have the character to hurt anyone.

But she couldn’t believe her brother gave her that look....

Like he was some kind of knight coming to rescue the princess.

"Excuse me... Miss."

She felt Dana's hand on her back.

Instantly, Liana felt a strange sensation creep up her spine, like a disgusting bug crawling up her back.

She closed and opened her eyes once, then slowly turned around. Her face was a mask of searing disgust and distaste.

***

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