"Looks like you've done an unnecessary thing," Hector stated when Mattheo entered the torture room.
"Said a lunatic who is still thinking about having sex while his body is in critical condition," the doctor sneered.
"Just do your job, Sandro. Or I will reduce your salary," Hector said without bothering to look at the caramel-haired man.
Sandro clucked his tongue and shifted his focus to a man who was tied to the torture chair. The man was one of the culprits who attacked Hector before. The torture was used to force him to speak. His body was covered in bruises, and blood gushed from his mouth. He couldn't speak anymore and just stared blankly with a trembling mouth.
"Can't help it," Mattheo shook his head dramatically. "The young lady will never trust you, so I stepped in instead."
Hector chuckled. "Indeed. Looks like she will be plotting something."
Even though he didn't meet her, Hector has full control of the CCTV in the mansion. What made him more lunatic was that he also planted the CCTV in the restroom to monitor Estelle. All of the CCTV was connected to his iPad.
Sometimes, he giggled while looking at the screen. Sometimes he jerked off while moaning her name. Of course, Sandro and Mattheo were aware but made no comments. Let him be as long as he is not dying.
Hector dying is never a rare sight. That's why Mattheo insisted on building a private hospital behind the mansion. So that Hector will be treated as soon as possible. This time he was lucky, the bullet didn't damage his organs. So, he could recover faster. But every time they saw him covered in blood, Mattheo and Sandro became extremely anxious.
"Possibly, she will ask to investigate the matter herself," Mattheo stated.
"It seems so." Hector smiled. "I have to keep tying her here somehow. Now that Lucille knew she was being held captive in my mansion."
"He also sends the hitmen to kill you," Sandro said as he pulled one of the culprit's nails. A scream of agony echoed.
"Thanks to Lucille, spreading the news that I am dying is so effective. It's worth the pain," Hector laughed. "Should I pretend to be sick to gain her sympathy?"
As soon as Mattheo announced that Hector was in critical condition, many families who joined hands with the enemy showed their fangs. There were times that Mattheo had to "sweep the dirt" for a whole night. The Andersen, which was led by Lucille, also made a move for the second chance to attack. It seems that he loves his nephew so much that he wants her back so quickly, even though that damn man is still overseas.
"Nah, the young miss won't buy it," Mattheo said with a gentle smile on his face.
"Can't agree more," Sandro added. "Moreover, you almost raped her. She would become more suspicious towards you."
"Don't get me wrong. I asked for her consent, and she said yes."
Both Mattheo and Sandro knew well how Hector persuaded someone. Most of the time, it was not an agreement because the other side had no other choice. Well, that was the first time Hector was interested in a woman. So, the two men were relieved that the sign to have little Hector was no longer a dream. No matter what happened, they would support their Master to build his own family.
Not long after, the men's attention shifted as one of their subordinates entered the room. He whispered something to Mattheo's ear before he left.
"Master, Young Miss asked to meet you," Mattheo explained.
Hector nodded, but then he let out a cunning smile.
"Let's pretend to be a sick person to get her sympathy."
The two aides sigh deeply. They never knew their employer was a shameless man.
***
Lucille Andersen was Estelle's step uncle. He was adopted by Estelle's grandfather in his teenage years. As a young man, he was a capable person with high intelligence. His field of study was always related to traditional medicine. This led him to be a great pharmacist.
After her parents passed away, Estelle was raised by Lucille. She shared every stage of life with him. The uncle who was always by her side was a warm and delicate person. Far from the image of a murder suspect.
Just imagining her uncle plotting a murder is beyond Estelle's imagination. That was an impossible thing by logic. However, the case file in her hand said otherwise.
"Miss, are you okay?"
After her discharge from Nightwood's private hospital, Estelle was locked up in an unfamiliar room. Again, she was held like a prisoner by Hector. A maid was appointed to assist with her daily routine. And it turns out she was a maid that she met when she wanted to run away from Hector.
"Is there anything I can help with, Miss?"
"No, I don't need anything."
The truth is, Estelle re-read the case file a few times. And she chose to make it another hypothesis that needed to be confirmed. Even if it is a formal document, Estelle needed to make sure all that was written there was true.
So, she made her conclusion. First, she needed to meet the person who took responsibility for this case. Edward Wright was the police officer who took this case. Wherever he was, Estelle needed to meet him as soon as possible.
But there was one problem she faced: How can she get out of that damned mansion? The bracelet on her wrist will tell her location to Hector. Should she ask and be honest with Hector?
"Maria, is Hector awake now?" Estelle asked as she looked at the young maid.
"As far as I know, Master has awoken. But he hasn't left his room."
Weird. That Hector was not even on the brink of death anymore. What was he plotting now?
The good thing was he didn't sleep on the same bed as her. And she received the potion without physical contact with that damned man. Even his own subordinate called him a "lunatic," so his face among his own men is not normal after all.
"Can you tell Mattheo that I want to meet Hector?"
By the time Estelle mentioned "Mattheo" the young maid's face turned bright red. Estelle knew, but pretended not to care.
"I will convey the messages to Mr. Mattheo," said the young maid.
"Okay, thank you very much."
When the maid left, Estelle opened her notebook—which was brought by Mattheo by her request, and started to draw a mind map. Her mind gathered any information that would help her in the future.
"First, I need to confirm this case file is authentic. Then, I will…"
What bothered her was she never learned about what was written in the document. It was new information for her. If she recalled the past, her uncle never mentioned the details of her parents' deaths. Even the ring … she knew it from the photo.
The document stated that even though the ring was present when the incident happened, Hector had a solid alibi about how that ring was in her father's possession. And the alibi was never mentioned.
However, Lucille occasionally said that the ring is the proof of Hector's sins. Estelle would never doubt Lucille, but when she learned the other point of view, she had to make sure that what he said was the truth.
So, should she investigate Hector? Or contact Lucille to make sure what was written in the file is wrong?
Well, she could decide later. For now, she had to meet Hector and persuade him to let her go outside. That was enough to open the journey to justice for her parents.
"Miss, Sir. Mattheo said that you can meet Master Hector now," Maria said after entering the room.
"Well done. I will meet him now."
***