The Traps of the Black Swan

156

Zain and the rest saw Lisa taking a U-turn which would take him back to the JL mansion that confused the rest while Zain rolled his eyes and got to his car.

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At JL mansion

Lisa slammed on the brakes in front of the entrance and alighted the car.

Melia who was still standing there uneasily was checking inside when Lisa asked, "Aunt Melia, did Ruby Jane come?"

"Huh?" Melia was confused hearing it. She followed him inside as she asked in confusion, "Young Master, didn't you get Miss? I was standing here and Miss didn't come home."

Lisa saw all the maids sighing repeatedly as they cleaned. He knew they weren't sad for more work but to know Ruby Jane wasn't home. They quickly composed seeing Lisa rushing to the stairs and Melia following him.

Lisa noticed the white floor had dust and he was sure Ruby Jane returned by walking through the woods.

Melia missed seeing Ruby Jane because she was standing at the entrance of the mansion and Ruby Jane had her ways to enter the premises from behind but he didn't know how the maids missed seeing Ruby Jane entering inside from the back or side door.

Melia tried to catch up with Lisa but she couldn't match his speed or long legs but she kept on asking in worry, "Young Master, will I be of any help? Young Miss was so excited, what happened suddenly? Did you scold her? Who was that old man?..." She went on as she followed him to Ruby Jane's dimly lit bedroom.

Lisa saw Laze wasn't there inside, the walk-in closet door was slightly open. Proceeding inside, he pushed open the door to see the unlighted room. But the lights from the cabinet blocks were serving as faint light to the room.

Melia paused behind Lisa panting to catch a breath. She was about to ask him what he was checking when their eyes fell on Ruby Jane's sparkly white sequins pumps which were thrown aside.

"Young..." Melia pointed at the shoes and tried to tell, those were the shoes Ruby Jane was wearing but Lisa raised his hand to stop her from speaking.

Her gaze followed his line of sight to see the beautiful white evening gown's hem had turned brown and the dress was... slit and thrown aside with the scissor laying on it.

The walk-in closet was rather silent, almost making him think Ruby Jane might be in the bathroom until his eyes fell on the pair of feet. The soft pale feet were brown and bruised with many tiny cuts, he could even spot the dried blood dots.

As he guessed, Ruby Jane indeed walked through the woods without going towards the lake. If one has to reach from the lake to the JL mansion, the shortest route is by walking through the dense woods and need to jump the tall fence.

He didn't know how she crossed the fence. He waved his hand which Melia understood, and left silently.

Pushing the door close, he crossed the island cabinet and saw her awake in a nightdress, curled up on the cold floor. Laze had snuggled against her and closed its eyes while her hand softly brushed its fur.

He could only sigh seeing her unreactive despite knowing his presence. Moving closer, he kneeled down behind her and carefully removed a dried leaf from her hair before brushing her hair with his fingers.

Ruby Jane took a deep breath and breathed out slightly louder but didn't face him. Her voice was bland and too low while saying, "Go, eat and rest." She knew he was tired after a long day and flight.

However, Lisa sat down leaning on the island cabinet. He held a hand around her shoulder and another coiled around her waist, pulling her up to lean on him instead of lying on the cold floor.