Chapter 61

[Next day]

"Try not to embarrass me at the meeting. Just shut up and stand quietly. I'll do all the talking," Lydia warned, elegantly sitting and reading the latest business gossip on her iPad while Dexter drove.

Lia snorted, already thinking of ways to disrupt the meeting.

Lydia glared at him. "Learn to respect your elders. I'm taking you so that you can learn one or two things about business and hopefully stop acting like a homeless slut. You're not a prostitute. Stop being disgusting." 

Lia's expression turned into wrath. He snarled, "Says the one who cheated on my father. Don't twist your words. I know you're only taking me to show off to the world that you care for me enough to engage me in the business you stole from my dad after killing him."

"You—" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to contain her rage. "Don't try to get on my nerves. It's Eve's birthday soon, and I want to inaugurate the Verdant plot on that day. It's a present for his sixteenth birthday, so don't ruin it."

You didn't even remember my birthday. A good mother that you are. He felt a sharp pang in his chest, yet he smirked. "Sure, as you say. I won't ruin it."

"We are here," Dexter announced, stopping the car.

"The Wagnar family is well-reputed in the country, but we don't know how they are in hospitality. It was really hard to get an hour appointment, so I'm warning you again," She warned him with a serious death glare. "Don't mess things up for me."

Lia was already bored, still, he put on a fake large smile, which he knew Lydia hated. "Yes, madam."

They arrived at Wagnar's family estate, a vast mansion situated in the countryside. Dressed in a crisp business suit, Lydia couldn't help but notice the weird vibe that surrounded the mansion as she stepped out of her sleek black car. The dark weather just added to the ominous atmosphere that pervaded the house.

Lydia took a deep breath and walked up to the great entryway, which was flanked by stone gargoyles. The huge oak door creaked open to reveal a hall with antique furnishings and paintings. 

"Welcome to the Wagnar's mansion," Wagnar's stern-looking butler greeted them. He extended the things in his hands. "Please wear these masks before you enter." 

"Why do we have to wear masks? We are not sick," Lia let out a firm earning a glare from his birth giver. 

The butler gave him a sharp look. "Please lower your voice. There are certain rules that you need to follow before entering this house. Wear the mask, not touching anything, and absolutely not make useless noise. I hope you follow these rules with all of your heart." 

Finding the rules pathetic, Lia was about to ask why they have to follow such strange rules but Lydia cuts him off. "We will. Thank you for having us." 

The butler nodded and took them through a maze of dark corridors until they arrived at Wagnar's study.

Wagnar, a middle-aged man with a hard countenance, sat behind his mahogany desk. He was a worldwide famous face in business. The place oozed authority, which was heightened by the presence of bodyguards standing silently in every corner. 

Lydia, famed for her cunning and negotiating talents, felt a touch of anxiety in his presence. Lia and Dexter stayed at the door while she went in for the meeting. 

"Mr. Wagnar, thank you for granting me this meeting," She extended her hand but the man sitting in the mask just nodded. Lia fought back a snort as she awkwardly pulled back her hand before taking a seat. 

"As you already know I'm here to talk about the plot. I understand the importance of the land to your family, but I assure you that our acquisition would be mutually beneficial. And I hope you can help me this time. My company would go bankrupt if we couldn't acquire that plot." 

Wagnar leaned back in his chair. His half face was hidden behind the mask yet his eyes were enough to intimidate anyone. "Miss Lydia, your reputation precedes you, but I am not easily swayed. I don't do charities. Sentimental can not be valued by money. And I don't see any gain by giving you that land." 

Lydia's heart raced, she knew it wasn't going to be easy to convince this man. On the other hand, it was getting difficult for Lia to stand still, his legs began to ache. Looking to his side, he sneakily leaned on the big vase for support. 

"I understand it. However, I'm here to propose a fair deal that would allow you to maintain a stake in the plot while I safeguard my financial future. If you care to listen," Lydia let out, maintaining her composure. 

"I would love to–" 

He halted when they heard a loud noise. Lie looked around nervously as the vase he was leaning against fell to the ground due to his weight. He suddenly became the center of attention. He feels awkward in the midst of so many stares. Lydia clenched her hands and gritted her teeth to contain her rage. 

"What are you doing?" She exhaled deeply. Lia raised his brow casually, as if to say, 'Why are you angry? It was just an accident.' Lydia shook her head in disappointment and returned an apologetic face to Wagnar. "I'm really sorry, Mr. Wagnar. He's young and dumb." 

Lia felt the sharp look in Wagnar's eyes, and during that intense moment. Lia met his sight directly, his eyes defiant. It could be said that even the old man was a bit taken aback by how restlessly Lia could look at him as if he wasn't scared of anything. 

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, sending shivers down Lia's spine. He flinched, and with Dexter by his side, they both heard it more closely since they were standing at the door. 

Lia quickly looked back and it seemed as the chilling scream came from the deepest part of the mansion. 

"So, what were you saying about the plot?" Wagnar carried on with the meeting casually while the three guests were frozen. He calmly raised an eyebrow at their silence, motioning for Lydia to continue.

Lydia, her nerves on alert, exchanged a worried glance with Dexter, before turning back to Wagner. "Yes, I was say–"

Another agonizing scream echoed through the walls, even more ear-piercing than before. Lia's grip on the doorknob tightened, and he exchanged another tense look with Dexter.

Finally, Wagnar glanced at a nearby guard and ordered, "See, what's going on and put an end to that noise." The tone seemed like a warning. 

"Yes, boss," The guard exited the room, leaving a lingering feeling of unease as the scream came again.

"I'm sorry. Recently, we got a new dog. We are in the middle of training him. I hope you don't mind," He said and Lydia nervously nodded. 

While Lia mumbled under his breath with a frown. "But that was clearly a human scream." 

"Young master," Dexter hushed him. 

As the discussion continued, the screams subsided. 

But after a while Lia felt bored. He had no interest in whatever they were blabbering about the business. He looked around and when he saw Dexter wasn't paying attention. 

He tried to sneak out of there but stopped by a guard. "Where are you going?" 

"Umm.." He trailed off with an awkward and silly smile. Dexter looked back at them and mentally face palmed. This is an exhausting job for him. "I was looking for a washroom." 

The security scanned him suspiciously to which Lia blinked innocently. "Please come this way." 

"Sure," Lia beamed. As they left, Lia looked around at the beautiful pricey artwork and elaborate decor. 

"This way. I'll wait for you here," The guard pointed at the door. 

"Thank you," He nodded gratefully, pretending to open the door. But as the guard turned around, Lia also sneaked into the other hallway. 

I rather enjoy the beauty of this mansion than hear my mother playing her fake tricks at that stupid meeting. He looked around the extravagant display of wealth that surrounded him as he wandered the corridors. Chandeliers with magnificent designs hung from the ceilings, pouring dazzling light across the gorgeous marble floors. Expensive vases and sculptures decorated every corner. 

However, there was an aura of mystery in the gloriousness that sent goosebumps down his spine. Something about this place bothered him. He couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling that there was more to this villa than met the eye.

He suddenly heard footsteps approaching him, and his heart raced. 

He hastily ducked into a nearby wall, he didn't want to get caught so fast. He wanted to ruin this meeting for his mother. If his absence was discovered, his mother would be questioned, potentially ruining the important deal. The possibility gave him a strange feeling of satisfaction. 

As the guards walked by, he peeked and let out the breath. 

He gingerly emerged from his hiding place, he noticed as the guards seemed in a hurry. Are they looking for me? 

His thoughts changed when he heard the same blood-curdling scream. He jumped and stiffened in fright because of how close it was this time. 

His curiosity won him over, and he stupidly followed the guards without thinking anything. 

He continued to walk the murky halls, his eyes darting around for any signs of danger or unwanted attention.

The atmosphere became denser, and Lia couldn't help but feel disoriented and confused. He wasn't afraid, but rather immersed in this intriguing place he'd unintentionally come to.

He watched as the guards opened a door and then closed behind them after entering inside. 

After a moment, the screams were like a waterfall. They didn't stop. It was clear what was happening behind that door but the question was who was there and why they were treating the person like that. 

The question irked Lia. 

He flinched at every scream and cry but not once did he think about running away. 

The door burst open again, and the four guards came out with blood on their hands and sticks. 

From his hidden corner behind the wall, Lia watched them go away. And then he did something he shouldn't have done for his own sake. 

Without a second thought, he slowly approached the door cautiously looking around, and with trembling hands, he opened it. 

"Well, fuck! What the hell is this?" He sucked in a terrified breath at the sight. 

___________________ 

Thoughts on the chapter? 

What do you think he saw inside? 

Don't get confused. Lia and Eve are brothers. They're two different people. You'll meet Eve in the next chapter. 

And someone else as well!!! 

See you soon. 

~Rain