IBMILRFL – Chapter 7

Ch. 7 IBMINLRFL | Chapter 782ee8bb3c9cf5f59

Upon hearing that 3a7d8710bd Tristan had visited, 534e67e062 I contemplated with 2e9ecabfa9 a serious expression.1d88ed65acb56115

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‘Why on earth is he coming at this hour?’ec51dd5edca59e70

There were too 378556744d many possible reasons.2e655f9863468708

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‘It must be because of me…’b5eb8c790e7c0ff2

I recalled the day 36e8e5a515 I slapped Lilliana across 12b78cc4a2 the face with a a58cf2234a bundle of cash.4bec2c8b6625b874

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Was it because of the 8941005f33 money? Or maybe because 2e1e5b7036 I dared to a5d30a2738 hit her? Either way, it wasn’t strange d8a058aef5 that Tristan, who cherished his cb8e03e364 sister dearly, would come looking 0067e78251 for me.d54290ba660922b2

‘…Or maybe it’s because of those times.’09978adcd0be1e21

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For a moment, I recalled d6e29dc1ba the past, but quickly shook 35f168d156 my head.71321469058caf51

Even though Tristan and I 9a919a9322 had known each other back 882117f045 then, that was seven years dca227f33e ago.852a75eaebc133c4

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We had cut d857db76e9 off all contact ace3ccab89 during that long 9497c39353 time, so he b12a4c5e4f had probably forgotten 0352ba4739 all about me.7369be4667f1a8e2

‘Then it must be because of Lilliana. This is troublesome…’f0645f923581e88e

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To be honest, 22525ee00a I didn’t want cc0a767d6e to face him.7a8e91d76148dc75

If he hadn’t asked cf45a44bb7 to reschedule if we d0e523d009 couldn’t meet today, I 6886fba610 would have turned him fa18ff58c3 away at the door.16b7209dfaaa09bb

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‘After avoiding him for years, who would have thought he’d come to me like this.’0981d77c66bfa1bd

I let out a deep 154b8686fe sigh before opening the door b16e985a40 to the drawing room.c5ef8e2b1e48b5d1

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And there he was—Tristan Locke.2501cd2b17d9049b

The brother of the 6f68983521 heroine and the Duke afbb214cc1 of Locke, revered as 8ed6254a83 a war hero in 18b3cdd086 this empire.9bdcd24ea1e13266

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He must have 5b3a3af954 been waiting for fb97b33650 me, as the 266486bbae teacup in front 94cf6e7829 of him was 35c4bbbae7 filled with cold 435d99994a tea, untouched.3e5aa20baae905b7

Through the window bb187adc32 behind him, the 75704a8c2f crimson sunset caught 9160550ef0 my eye, blinding d0564728e7 me.10f422e4cf4db96c

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The backlight obscured a11ba4f7e4 his face, and 207e590dc4 all I could 623d64af1b see was the e18274bfcd outline of a 3c89092f6d much more mature a7165f9f57 face than in 6ae6fd0b35 the past. His expression, his gaze—none of 65a6271364 it was discernible.cf759a11a6852c3f

But that gave me a 400c95dcff strange sense of relief.3714703613d47c97

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It was fortunate for c4d50d3768 me because I didn’t ebb2e9e81c have the confidence to ffbe53fb81 face him directly.a0cec325ec39ec45

Then, he seemed to be 6c719e0fae about to say something.55b0b9707c5ab180

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Not wanting to lose control 5aa0f9d861 of the conversation, I quickly fede5eadd8 spoke first.251f43a9c6cc3f90

“How rude of you, Duke Locke, to visit someone’s home at such a late hour.”e1bfcc9c24448012

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Though I spoke sharply, I 1f4c40fb7b was a bit nervous. I had no c081d8392c idea how he 043f106a73 would respond.3da4298d5c2df052

Fortunately, his response 7e9f4dcc4f wasn’t too far f2d0ee4a42 from what I 2a27c86522 had expected.4897f2d8323df210

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“…I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Winder. I offer my sincere apologies.”d573468851c86ac7

A low, unfamiliar voice 33ef9759db rang out.866f306c0a0c7394

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It was completely different 6ec4a385c4 from the soft voice 231b9f62a0 I remembered.dafb37df967cf872

Though I had anticipated it, f4851cc43e the young boy in my 07b481b7ce memories had clearly grown into ad228bf95d a full adult over the 1e0bfadaad past decade.abbd4aef5ee20f42

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A strange mix of c0ce74d32e feelings, whether disappointment or 34b55b9f33 regret, welled up inside 192bf13468 me.37f528b96f81c0b9

I quickly put 233a76b459 on my usual c191828afc villainous mask to 0c218a23d0 hide my emotions.80d9e52f141536e6

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Once I adopted 9f8ee6d8d8 a vicious look, 0cfe6268fb I felt more 88cb45fe70 at ease. I snapped at him.260e40a7d598905b

“So, what brings you here today? If you came at such 44096f30ab an inconvenient hour, it must e2acc1579c be for something important.”c069a928c2c6057e

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I spoke firmly, 9b26afc0f9 as if to b8baf35b3a say I wouldn’t 03600544a4 forgive him if 7b28991379 it wasn’t for 0387242277 a good reason.6af446190a5b7204

Although my hostile tone 5bf9fe3842 could have upset him, cc85b1f59a Tristan didn’t show any c85d1af045 signs of irritation.ab081fbd302cc8f5

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“Please forgive my rudeness, Lady Winder. It’s just… my 90d336cbed sister received a a20521cb5c great favor in 2a20354609 my absence.”e496a66808557d34

“…”2a5ab3bf3225aa2e

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“I only found out recently, and I thought I should thank you immediately, even if it meant visiting at this late hour.”f95a57303ddd8c05

Hearing Tristan’s words, 28aa0e59e1 the question I 8ab54881cd had been pondering 83a3efb14a was finally answered.11002bf626b6cb67

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“So, it was because of the 10 billion I gave Liliana.”ff31c6a85ff03aac

Once I confirmed it wasn’t 3ee2fb23f8 about the past, I felt 688d605491 slightly relieved.4422fee8a451c9c0

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‘Yes… that was years ago. Tristan surely hasn’t held onto c7c2878299 it.’c5f37fa534093720

It was clear from the 6c78c54c5c way he only spoke about a3ba8ce296 his sister, completely ignoring me.c38deea715bb76da

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Even though I now c53664bb8e knew the reason for 3fd8feeb21 his visit, I still 45cac87b76 felt uncomfortable facing him.6736604a36544b27

Just as I 5ad00937e1 was deciding to 23cc8e1f13 end the conversation aff31d4730 before the sun b02f571401 fully set, Tristan 8a5dce1bd3 spoke again, waiting 06665a9a93 for my reply.ef904bf2d3fa2ccd

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“Thanks to your help, the Locke family has regained its stability. And Locke is 57d63e476f a family that 0adb4d6565 always repays its 3fe7386f31 debts. Therefore, I have prepared this—”be543b425230c0cb

“I don’t need that kind of thing.”baf5c58b0d8222f3

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Tristan pulled out a box, ff29758b12 which I assumed was a 2081b8cb41 gift, and I hurriedly interrupted 7efc99d578 him.cb65195551efdb57

‘Whatever it is, I’m sure I shouldn’t accept it.’1b0b9794093641ca

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I had a feeling that 0ee7f257ed if I took it, I’d 78bebb0c73 be entangled with him again 3dc3680ced in the future.857c37b5af0b4594

I firmly reiterated, “It seems 22ac401234 you’re mistaken, but giving that 74d7a418b7 money to Lady Locke was 3c03e8d89b nothing more than a whim. It wasn’t out of kindness.”f049a21b03e556cd

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“That amount seems a bit too much for just a whim.”7689dd1009d31ac1

“Well, to me, that kind of petty cash is insignificant.”15383bb5fc429481

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I skillfully unfolded my fan e976e8fa89 in one swift motion, covering 97d66f99af my mouth, then narrowed my a99dbd9885 eyes with a wicked smile.aaa51586ce691392

“I believe our business is concluded.”9f7b039972f3f201

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Without giving him a chance 2fbe395fb9 to respond, I quickly bid bccf9f5711 farewell.2e0fc69af24bef20

“The hour is late, and I find myself too tired to stay. I’ll take my leave now. I wish you a safe 5d1d17eeff return, Your Grace.”052e3a435b4b8ec3

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With those words, I baf3214fc2 turned away. Even a moment of b89cf9cf6b hesitation would give him f8c8019dfe a chance to stop 8eed770768 me, so I kept 6cba83c9a0 my eyes straight ahead 88afd30674 and returned to my 7489797fff chambers.f8643a4096ce0fee

***8137f74fd6f0f665

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***3c8b7a437fb986bc

“Brother? You’re back sooner than I 2e0152c5ae expected. Where did you go?”0cbbc090d2ce3415

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Lilliana tilted her head 2b7da7893f in confusion as she 782971d2d8 greeted Tristan, who had 0ee5f28800 just returned to the 47ec88bb16 mansion.976b45ba1f084a20

She thought he’d take longer, f38f196c73 especially after announcing his grand 2eaa3c5f54 mission to restore the family’s f3a9649529 honor. But his schedule had ended 1e306cc14b much quicker than she’d anticipated.f4af5bca5f8694d7

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‘Where did he go?’3fc0a6b66f4394a7

Curious, but Tristan remained silent, 779ce312f3 only fueling her frustration.189369c4beb5edd4

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‘Did something go wrong?’790c94fdbbcb5215

She wanted to 286f5fb810 comfort him, but a6aefb2881 it seemed he c7f4c44b92 had no intention 745b1b6076 of sharing, so cc5abf7f6f there was little 66e5f0e53e she could do.9efbf9b07166db3c

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She followed him 376b57c349 closely, waiting for bcbaf2711c him to speak. Then, Tristan held something out.d7f32a807809c025

It was Rubert di Amore, 7be37ad22d the most prized wine in 5669d4bf98 his collection.6f5bb0f04907adc6

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“Why…? Weren’t you going to gift a5186bf842 this to someone?”720ba25a67a68cb7

“Give it to Lady Winder. She’ll be pleased if 2943663c19 it’s from you.”3b2392d3ec1b41df

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Lilliana’s eyes widened. Surely, if she delivered 06a5f502a9 this wine, Vanessa would 36f4d63312 be delighted.daf034183f505d61

But…4de6c8b19f96af90

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“Are you sure? Weren’t you planning 6e144edefe to give it 1d976d57bf to someone else? What about them?”593b85e41c73d4b6

She asked, concerned, to which 5d51b5c57e Tristan replied in a calm, 3975e0ebe4 steady voice.3b08226493a9015c

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“No, I’ll approach in my own way.”f24386ef29f1d600

In that moment, Tristan’s b74e2aa2c0 blue eyes gleamed with fdf6d99c54 a sharp light, reminiscent 11594f2186 of a hunter refusing cadcdda83a to let its prey bbe01f5d2f escape.d38c1758ae16f61c

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‘Whoever that person is, they’re in for a rough time…’eefd741cf268daf4

Lilliana felt a pang of 96cc44794d sympathy for the poor soul 9ad7f5b984 who’d end up entangled with a687325bfb Tristan.8763a27b6ffba63d

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She couldn’t know then that 45d947c0c8 the target was none other 35266fff0d than the Vanessa Winder she 9214dbb120 so admired.1c07fca266f429bc

***dc9ce2654693703d

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***cfdfdfe15c00a62d

Back in my room, 0128f7d08b I took out the 739af731e4 wine again.339e94ec0c10beab

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Although I had b6ac25a590 boldly left Tristan 3fa76909e8 behind, my emotions 9a6158c439 were still a 9569ef1c87 mess.9e376094b8dea6e8

‘…Still, it’s a relief he came back safe and sound.’e08802a316e9517d

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I knew from the 51017f1821 original story that he c91e5b6337 would survive the battlefield, 336d0e050c but seeing it with 00e60a6961 my own eyes gave a65fd83d3b me much more peace a8e4af0b86 of mind.fdd49ad94b3bc8de

‘…I promised to forget him, yet here I am, thinking about Tristan again.’55bfd9220c28916e

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What kind of fc135d67ff expression did he 2bdb3dcd7b have earlier? What kind of cfd6489878 life had he 8fd4e45a24 been living? My mind swirled with 7dd36119f6 these questions, but I 835c3e71fc shook my head. Right now, he 8589d2f36c had nothing to ee3553a3c3 do with me.63614aaaab7f896c

Frustrated, I took 73dee42f00 several more sips fe8c2b1773 of wine. The once-full bottle 1f7483e99a was now more 82710dc614 than half empty.8350c43d490ab80f

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‘How long am I going to let the past hold me back?’4ae6c3bd6dee31e7

Upon reflection, this was no 18495971a2 time to be lost in b618152816 thought.b0d1a7d8bca747dd

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I didn’t live in a209dc4f7d the past. I lived in the present.f6b3c135df3d94a8

And right now, I 7bfd4c5323 had something I needed 7d0693fb26 to do.7d76c0cf4b88bd06

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I had to find 47a68639b7 the person who killed 06e80cc210 my husband.f34d864e6af9a749

‘Forget everything for now and focus on clearing my name. If I don’t, I’ll end e819669884 up dead at Jeremyon’s hands, 29d525c207 just like in the original f91ba00965 story.’80340c8114a78377

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I quickly made a simple 03525befe3 plan.1bdd07d4293bcac9

I would portray myself as a014fcc2aa someone who had become lazy 088aad0e89 and indulgent, consumed by luxury 9e5d67c236 and pleasure.416e45af266e00fa

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‘If I do that, the killer will surely reveal themselves to try and finish me off.’4a34fde10b74d82e

I was their 9172e94177 next target, and 6a56af1a26 considering the purpose 74cf19b223 behind the assassination, c6e1d5f620 it was a 2c602acba7 logical deduction.1bb8b4510c5b4a69

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If I suddenly 3a35665751 seemed careless and d5527e64ce distracted, unlike my 50c883b1c5 usual sharp self, 42f4c47b0b the culprit wouldn’t a4a8fbcb61 be able to 624f3a4473 resist the opportunity.167e94f53e7c0431

‘I have to wait for that moment.’a899b8e7892d1758

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Until then, my fc86a38d9a task was to 375b33b3fc spend lavishly and 25f6789453 draw the killer fcbd14b2eb out.b0f0ef8f47f1fe01

I had planned cec3fcb136 to start by 528b3e65e3 doing some light df1c075215 shopping in the 3138b84513 morning, but…bec9c7ec2ae7d661

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What I witnessed when I c4e4a6eff3 went to the boutique to b744844b91 buy a new dress was…e60323c4b22a69a2

“M-mother?”dc6f3491bb406acd

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Lilliana was being swindled ef60cc577a by the shop’s owner.26bf09594426c01c

• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •fd5f3622922e62c4

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