"I'm glad you haven't forgotten me, Little Lioness."
Hector lied on the patient's bed with an IV drip on his right arm. He looked pale and had lost a bit of his weight. His hair, which is usually neatly combed, forms a bang that covers his forehead. However, his arrogant smile is still the same.
"It's too bad that I can't finish what we left off that time." Hector looked at her with seducing eyes.
Estelle frowned, she answered his seducing gaze with a glare. She ignored his seduction, she went straight to her main business.
"I want to ask for a favor," Estelle said. "I want to investigate my parent's murder case by myself."
"Every transaction needs a return," Hector answered. "What will you give me for a reward?"
Obviously, he didn't want money. Giving him money in exchange for a favor was like throwing salt in the sea. Everyone knew exactly which house was wealthier, Nightwoods or Andersens. Also, Estelle definitely didn't have any money because that jerk named Hector took her belonging.
"What do you want?" Estelle asked instead.
"I want several conditions."
"Several?" she made sure. Her tone felt as if she were offended.
"I know what's on your little head, but letting you go without amusing deals is a big loss for me."
She knew he wouldn't let her go easily. By the track record of his behavior, what he was after was her body. Most possibly, he would ask for something vulgar to her.
"What if we continue what we left off?"
Bingo. Estelle guessed it right. She would have found it offensive if she had heard him several days ago. But now, she steeled herself to continue to pursue justice for her parents. And she will bear whatever price it takes.
"What are the other conditions?"
Hector smiled. He looked satisfied with Estelle's answer. It looks like his Little Lioness accepted her role to be embraced by him.
"Come home before 9 pm. You must take care of me and drink the potion. The last one, I will assign you a bodyguard. Don't ever try to slip off from your bodyguard."
Estelle tightened her lips. Even after she was permitted to go outside, he still monitors her strictly. But it wouldn't be a problem, she will plan an escape soon.
"So, will you take the deal?"
She nodded. Her beautiful eyes looked at Hector with certainty.
"I will take it."
"Good. I like it when you are very docile."
However, Hector knew how Estelle's brain works. She would throw poison after giving him sweetness. He was certain that Estelle also plans the escape after she observes her surroundings. And he was there to break her every effort.
"I also have one more request."
"Speak."
"I want my smartphone back."
Hector smiles, "I destroyed your smartphone. I will give you the new one."
The phone was destroyed because Hector wants to isolate her and prevent the Andersens from tracking her location. While the other purpose was fulfilled, the others failed. Estelle's uncle still knows her whereabouts. This means the tracking device is not only planted on her phone.
It was also planted on her body. Hector took a guess with his sharp instinct.
That means whether she had a phone or not won't differ too much. The phone was also easy to monitor. Giving her one will not make a big impact.
On the other side, Estelle also knew Hector's method. It would be impossible for him to leave her alone. He will monitor her phone as well. But that's not a big deal. She will take care of it later.
"Whatever, just give me one."
"Sure."
The door opened, and a familiar doctor appeared. When Estelle's eyes locked with the doctor's eyes, the embarrassment from that day repeated. Hector, who found it strange, observed Estelle's expression.
"Ah, we meet again, Miss," Sandro said without a hint of awkwardness.
Estelle chose to lower her head, escaping Sandro's eyes.
"I have studied the poison that you used, and it is indeed an incredible poison that has not been developed by Nightwoods," he stated as he walked towards Hector and gave him the reports. "Where did you find this poison, Miss?"
Her lips tightened. Of course, she never expected them to analyze the poison. If she told them that she stole one of her uncle's poison, that would put Lucille in a difficult position. Moreover, the research about poison was forbidden in Nightwood's territory.
"I … bought it randomly."
"The poison distribution in Eden is low, and we are the ones who manage it."
Damn the Nightwoods and their privileges. Estelle couldn't hold herself from cursing.
"Sandro, don't push her too much," Hector said as he put down the report. "We already know the one who is capable of creating the poison, after all."
"Lucille is not related to all of this mess!"
Both Hector and Sandro smiled, but Estelle knew what that smile meant. They guessed it, and her statement confirmed it.
"Little Lioness, don't defend him too much. The one closest to you is the one who is capable of stabbing you deeply."
"He doesn't have any motivation to do that," she hissed.
"He has, but you haven't realized it."
***
The new phone arrived, but there is only one contact number. And it was Hector's number. He also put his phone number on the emergency contact himself.
"How shameless," Estelle muttered.
Calling Lucille was not a good move. Even if he were listed as one of the suspects, Estelle believed that he was innocent. Contacting him right now will make another mess. If Lucille knew Estelle was in Nightwood Mansion, he would be very worried. She didn't want to disturb his business trip in East Asia.
"Miss, I have prepared the car."
Sandra, the caramel-haired woman who was introduced as her bodyguard, guiding her to the red car that was parked in front of Nightwood's mansion. After all the mess she has encountered, stepping outside the gilded cage makes her head clearer.
She took the passenger seat and looked at the enormous mansion. It would be good if she didn't have to come back. Unfortunately, Hector will be able to find her because she still wore the damn bracelet.
"Where do you want to go, Miss?"
"Police station."
"As you command, Miss."
The female bodyguard assigned by Hector didn't talk too much, but Estelle knew that she was observing her. She reported her every move to Hector. On the way to the police station, Estelle didn't say anything, nor did Sandra. All of her plans have to be invisible from her, or Hector will ruin everything.
"Miss, we've arrived," Sandra said before she got out of the car and helped Estelle step out.
Finally, one step ahead for justice. This time, Estelle will make sure to find the real culprit of her parent's case. She took a deep breath and then walked to the main gate. However, she stopped her step when her eyes met a familiar figure who just exited the police station.
"Esse?" the man called her with trembling eyes. "Esse, is that you??"
Without a warning, he stormed towards Estelle and hugged her tight. Drowned her in his embrace.
"Thank goodness … thank goodness you are alright!"
Estelle bit her lips, but then she realized one thing.
Another nightmare will haunt her.
***