"Well, so when your teacher's son was down and in trouble, you didn't hesitate to hit him," Matthew
said in a flat tone, but Hollis
trembled with fear at his words.
"Your Highness, you are scaring me. I didn't hit him when he was down, nor do I have the nerve to do
such a thing. As for this
case, after the post-mortem examination of the corpse, Marquis Pearce pressurized me to bring justice
to his son. I did
everything according to what the law prescribes."
"Really?" Matthew sneered. "Are you trying to fool me thinking that I know nothing about the law?"
"Please forgive me, Your Highness! I never meant to offend you. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!" Hollis
could not help but curse
his assistant in his heart, because it was the latter who had advised him to visit Matthew and get some
information about the
murderer. But now, it turned out that he came to dig his own grave.
"All right, I don't intend to call you to account for this. I will be going back to the imperial capital in a
couple of days. You may
leave now." After taking a cold glance at Hollis, Matthew stood up and walked upstairs as he saw
Harper coming out of the room
fresh after her bath.
"Your Highness, the murderer...?" Hollis tried to ask once again.
"It's the government's duty to arrest the murderer. What is it that you want? Do you want me to arrest
the murderer for you?"
Matthew asked, as he paused and turned around to cast a sinister look at Hollis.
Hollis felt so terrorized that his heart almost stopped pounding. He bid goodbye and left as soon as
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpossible, fearing that he
would be killed by Matthew then and there.
Harper saw Hollis moving out in a hurry. She asked Matthew silently with her eyes what was going on.
"It's nothing serious. He came in an attempt to sound out my opinion and get some information from
me," Matthew explained with a smile. The fact that Hollis made his visit as soon as they arrived at the
official inn was an indication that they were always under constant surveillance. However, someone like
Hollis was incapable of doing such a thing. Chances were that, someone working for the murderer was
in the government office, or the murderer himself was in the government office. A flicker of light flashed
across Harper's eyes. "It seems that many people are uneasy due to Alexander's release from prison,"
she said.
"If they know that I'm going back to the imperial capital, their uneasiness would only increase. I'm sure
they will react," Matthew said, playing with his wife's long hair. "Darling, do you think I have stirred the
grass well enough to alert the snake?" "Not bad. But, I'm not sure if the people hiding behind would
take the bait." Harper feared that the aim of their opponent would have been to make them leave the
imperial capital. If so, now that they were in the River City, the opponent was successful in achieving
their aim. So she was afraid that they wouldn't be hooked easily. "Even if they want to keep me out of
the imperial capital, I still don't think it would be easy for them to do what they want. They will have to
keep me in the River City by all means, at least till they achieve their target," Matthew analyzed. He
had his doubts that there was another hidden force in the imperial capital. But it was only that the force
had hidden itself too well, making it
difficult for him to find a trace.
"Are you suspecting anyone?"
Matthew shook his head and said, "It's difficult for me to make a wild guess, especially with minimal
evidence. Otherwise, I will
be misled by my impression, which will only satisfy our enemy."
Harper nodded in agreement. At that time, she saw Alexander coming out after freshening up. She
went to check on him, and
tried to find out if he was injured. Fortunately for him, Hollis hadn't tortured him. Moreover, since
Alexander believed that it was
he who killed Alban, he signed his confession without offering any resistance. In this way, he had also
avoided suffering
inquisition by torture. However, as the food in prison was gross, he hadn't eaten well and thus suffered
from malnutrition. Although hungry, Alexander was careful to keep his manners. Harper picked up food
for him and served with her own hands. "Harper, can I go back to the school tomorrow?" Alexander
asked curiously. "I don't want to miss any more courses." "No way," Matthew answered firmly, even
before Harper could say something. "You can't go back to the school until the murderer is
apprehended." Alexander was also aware of the fact that the people hiding behind were targeting him.
If he were to go back to the school, he
might be in danger once again. So, he didn't resist Matthew's decision. "Then, at least can you have
someone bring my books
here? I would be able to read and write in the official inn."
"No problem. That I can arrange," Matthew said without hesitation. Immediately, he then looked in a
certain direction. Although
Harper couldn't see anyone there, she knew that there would be secret guards hiding there. Matthew
always had a unique way
to communicate with his secret guards.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Harper, can I go to visit Marquis Pearce and his wife tomorrow?" Alexander asked with caution, after
finishing his lunch. Though
he was innocent, Alban's death was related to him anyway. He wanted to console Pearce and his wife
Allie.
"What are you saying? We can't tell how they would react upon seeing you. They might even vent their
anger on you physically.
Aren't you afraid?" Harper stared at Alexander for a moment and asked back, without answering yes or
no.
"Yes, I am," Alexander answered frankly. "But I am more afraid about my conscience. I know I didn't kill
Alban, but if I would have
put up with him without much arguments, maybe he wouldn't have died. I think I am obliged to
apologize to his parents."
Harper stretched her hand to touch Alexander's head with affection. "Alexander, you've grown up. You
know how to consider
others."
"Marquis Pearce and his wife are good people," Alexander said with embarrassment. "Although Alban
was a bully, he never did
anything evil. He just liked to make fun of us occasionally. He shouldn't have died. Marquis Pearce and
his wife would have been
heartbroken as he was their only son. My apology is insignificant and can't change what happened, but
I hope they would see
my sincerity."
"Good! Don't be afraid. I will take you tomorrow to Marquis Pearce's mansion," Matthew praised him for
his attitude and
volunteered to go along with him.