My Precious Family [Jenlisa]

Chapter 150: An ominous night

Looking back, Bear remembered he had to check the wine cellar. Even though he told Jennie he wanted to check if there were some pest build-up, he truly wanted to see if there was a way that a person could use to hide things. The wine cellar was in the same area as the greenhouse, after all.

'She came here three times today,' he thought, turning on his heel as he faced the door. 'The first two, I understand. But the third one... it didn't seem she even took a sip.'     

He thought of what time Jennie visited the wine cellar for the third time. If his memory was correct, it was several minutes before Jevin arrived at four o'clock.     

'Was she... really drinking down there?' Bear narrowed his eyes, feeling this slight restlessness in his heart.     

Bear had worked in the underground for more than half of his life. A part of his job was disguising himself to infiltrate a seemingly impenetrable fortress of some powerful dons. He even worked for some corrupt politicians at Jane's behest.     

If there was one thing that Bear wouldn't forget in those missions was... people like them had quite some fetish. The list was quite long, but if he would think of one right now, he wouldn't be surprised if Jennie was a secret sadist.     

He met countless people like that.     

People who had a good public image, but behind closed doors, they were nothing but monsters.     

With this thought suddenly filling his head, Bear felt a strong urge to check the wine cellar.     

'It's not that I will snitch her,' he thought, reaching for the handle as he already made up his mind. 'However, it would be best to know her secret and what sort of person she was. I don't want to involve myself with such a person... that is not the life she wanted for me.'    

Bear deliberately paused, holding the knob as he thought about his previous boss for the umpteenth time today.    

Right.    

Associating himself with a nutcase was not Jane's last wish. The life she wanted for him was something she had always wished for but never attained, even during her final hours. The last thing he could do for her was to keep his promise and live the remainder of his life away from the underground.     

A deep sigh slipped past Bear's nostrils as he closed his eyes, shaking his head to get rid of the longing in his heart. When he reopened his eyes, he huffed and twisted the knob. His brows rose, gazing at the knob.    

'It's open?' Deep lines appeared between his brows, recalling Jennie locking the door securely.     

He didn't say anything about it, but watching how she made sure it was locked was a little suspicious. But then again, he would understand because the collection of wines in this house was worth more than a standard home in the city. If anything, keeping it unlocked was even more suspicious.    

'A thief?' His eyes sharpened with the thought, carefully pushing it open without making a sound.     

Bear snapped his eyes ever so tenderly as his gaze fell on the stairs going down. It was dark, and he could barely see the first few steps from his vantage point. There was a switch just right on the wall, but he didn't turn the lights on to not alert anyone if there was anyone inside.    

He considered the possibility of a thief taking wine as well.     

What an ominous feeling.     

Still, the sheer uncertainty that swelled in his chest raised his guards to another level. Bear took the step down as carefully as possible, barely making a sound. His hand felt the wall, letting his eyes slowly adjust to the darkness.     

As he made his way down the stairs to the wine cellar, Bear placed his other hand on his hip out of habit. He didn't have a gun with him. His expression turned grim, knowing he would have to fight hand-to-hand.     

Not a problem.    

His pair of silver eyes shone brightly and dangerously, almost at the last step of the stairs. At this point, his vision adjusted to the darkness.    

The dark... where he originally belonged.     

Bear looked around. It was still dark, but being used in such situations, he could see the wine racks, shelves, and even a counter around. He took a careful step, on high alert, listening to the piercing silence in the wine cellar with bated breaths. Considering it was placed underground, it was especially quiet and dark.     

CLING!    

Bear jolted in surprise when a sudden noise pierced the silent air, turning his head, only to see a rat run into the corner. A deep exhale slipped past his lips.    

'My age is truly catching up to me.' His shoulders relaxed, patting his chest to calm it down. Bear checked the wine cellar and in no time, he had already seen it all.     

There was nothing. There was no one.    

Bear reached for the switch on the wall near him, glancing at the lit bulb on the counter. He didn't bother switching all the lights on because it would hurt his eyes. One bulb was enough. Looking around once again, another deep breath escaped his thin lips.     

"I guess I was just... overthinking." Bear couldn't determine if he was relieved or disappointed. It had been a while since he got involved in any action, after all. Life was boring without Jane, but he immediately got rid of the thought.    

'I'll just come back here tomorrow to deal with the rats.' He switched off the lights, marching away from the wine cellar.     

Unbeknownst to him, the moment he lifted his foot, some bloodstained appeared underneath his feet. If only he looked more thoroughly, he would've found the severed ropes which were covered with blood hidden under the shelf.    

As soon as Bear reached the surface, he closed the door of the wine cellar. But just as he shut it closed, he heard a faint scream echoing in the mansion.     

"Kya!!!"    

His heart thudded as his breath hitched, turning his head as he somewhat recognized the scream.     

"Madam," he breathed out before dashing off to see what was going on.