IBMILRFL – Chapter 7

Ch. 7 IBMINLRFL | Chapter 7d55113447443e2ab

Upon hearing that 961094b725 Tristan had visited, 492657a3b6 I contemplated with 55875a49c4 a serious expression.8f6fb3a7ce1b2a47

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Why on earth is he coming at this hour?’b8281e85af36fe90

There were too 57a2230e26 many possible reasons.adf612139d698027

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘It must be because of me…’47e44795f5961c11

I recalled the day I 79e19ba5db slapped Lilliana across the face c2ef4e93f5 with a bundle of cash.1ad551cc6527f5f3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Was it because 458e0a90a7 of the money? Or maybe because I dared d5c282cfbc to hit her? Either way, it wasn’t strange d24a7b922c that Tristan, who cherished his c1ecbf6fd6 sister dearly, would come looking 6fb54d0b8e for me.df9bb21446134971

‘…Or maybe it’s because of those times.’b1a961d766b539c8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For a moment, I recalled 6579c7bcbf the past, but quickly shook 0317ea9a48 my head.15a91086985f639f

Even though Tristan and 25d9a86578 I had known each d8a7de51d9 other back then, that 35d2ee62b2 was seven years ago.0c32f49fb48ab32f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

We had cut off b31238c812 all contact during that df12b813e0 long time, so he 803d8989ab had probably forgotten all 3e8c25fc07 about me.7361924365c8d7d1

‘Then it must be because of Lilliana. This is troublesome…’c6ac56b2738e03ec

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

To be honest, 1c0d2b35b6 I didn’t want cf05745fae to face him.5fcf68d3df9a1baf

If he hadn’t 4c0aa629c8 asked to reschedule 5912fd7d14 if we couldn’t 792c33f3c3 meet today, I 525b466c67 would have turned f98a55d9a3 him away at fed950d405 the door.a5e012f8101c2fe0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘After avoiding him for years, who would have thought he’d come to me like this.’577f0ee061ed3583

I let out a 59eed5bfd0 deep sigh before opening 98d9dd2dca the door to the b5912731cb drawing room.1828b4862c7aad51

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

And there he was—Tristan Locke.6a60b1dddd3eab81

The brother of the fadac0141b heroine and the Duke 67a1fc4a0c of Locke, revered as dbd15ae9a6 a war hero in 13f1051a33 this empire.d777625a1f08df28

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He must have c4b6193978 been waiting for 3b7d71d232 me, as the 69e57f369d teacup in front 3d034a6a75 of him was f3bca4448d filled with cold 3932dd9060 tea, untouched.eec1144d91cc83bd

Through the window behind him, 2033793a5f the crimson sunset caught my 28a5751e91 eye, blinding me.217b5286318d9926

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The backlight obscured his 44f56b0468 face, and all I 9318ecb77b could see was the e3cfe115d8 outline of a much de79fcf616 more mature face than 2e40c424f2 in the past. His expression, his gaze—none of e0f3e46fb9 it was discernible.57fcc3120b0e03dd

But that gave me 8561847917 a strange sense of ddd0719ef1 relief.0277e1b3b569e150

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was fortunate for cd351bcad9 me because I didn’t 0d43696986 have the confidence to cfe51e1ead face him directly.e94d602d194a7afb

Then, he seemed to 164e2b9280 be about to say 59f41df908 something.316b6f7b07e2f92c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Not wanting to 516310b196 lose control of 766cfb2ca5 the conversation, I 9afde0ced6 quickly spoke first.e36e82d8bfd0c687

“How rude of you, Duke Locke, to visit someone’s home at such a late hour.”4ef19a2b56939b2d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though I spoke 17698f8a5a sharply, I was 5763f2cd50 a bit nervous. I had no idea 0860f14827 how he would respond.b8627743abc57636

Fortunately, his response wasn’t f6944f3a1e too far from what d31de3ea6c I had expected.b8fa71db6dda91ba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Winder. I offer my sincere apologies.”ef84f10d030930aa

A low, unfamiliar voice rang fff752d9d0 out.ee606402c41e2d74

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was completely d476d43525 different from the 65056c7c9f soft voice I aa20dca4b4 remembered.e29f00d0c2ae3b67

Though I had 7f084287df anticipated it, the 9ea9b540fa young boy in 32522a4754 my memories had 131a424a96 clearly grown into ab308d23af a full adult 9737384517 over the past b1314b6c39 decade.a123d00d127e0e25

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A strange mix 129fd0e278 of feelings, whether a3de088fae disappointment or regret, d116cc7d68 welled up inside ea7a6a1cba me.069adfaa2346fab5

I quickly put on 6eaa616b37 my usual villainous mask eb456b625e to hide my emotions.465ae91e841c05ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Once I adopted a vicious 60f2cb27f0 look, I felt more at 04e5af1341 ease. I snapped at him.3caa2aa1b3e2ee80

“So, what brings you here today? If you came at such b4144762ce an inconvenient hour, it must e2ecb76363 be for something important.”a1623883c8fbc079

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I spoke firmly, as if 908ec689e1 to say I wouldn’t forgive 6fb29738b5 him if it wasn’t for 3c2aa8ed0f a good reason.220a689113b6d944

Although my hostile tone b1ccac2c4c could have upset him, 93d8efecb9 Tristan didn’t show any 7ff0dd1e77 signs of irritation.b2fa4494dee0f393

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Please forgive my rudeness, Lady Winder. It’s just… my cdfa13290a sister received a 3c9c36b4ea great favor in 72029234b5 my absence.”9026743adeebbdf6

“…”2c38985643f74887

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I only found out recently, and I thought I should thank you immediately, even if it meant visiting at this late hour.”891e403859e63923

Hearing Tristan’s words, ab1f26228c the question I 0b19aa64be had been pondering a179aab0f5 was finally answered.54dac74232daaabf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So, it was because of the 10 billion I gave Liliana.”dc628a4e5b0305ad

Once I confirmed it fd544f1069 wasn’t about the past, 5b84e04484 I felt slightly relieved.9cd17923a10e80e9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Yes… that was years ago. Tristan surely hasn’t d74a112971 held onto it.’e74327a6af5ae6a2

It was clear c031d23b8a from the way 249716731d he only spoke 40e06f7c08 about his sister, e6713858dd completely ignoring me.4ae561b825a47ea7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even though I 5917e9d7bc now knew the 56fadf0885 reason for his 59dfef8df2 visit, I still b545bd0d74 felt uncomfortable facing c5662bbca3 him.620b1e1782bcf1c8

Just as I was 20f2c1ea69 deciding to end the e97b983746 conversation before the sun 8cb308e68c fully set, Tristan spoke 42340f498b again, waiting for my 088ebefd96 reply.e8974d0c4acade44

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thanks to your help, the Locke family has regained its stability. And Locke is a d8fd21c989 family that always repays 75b40c5533 its debts. Therefore, I have prepared this—”b6a5344676f96ce4

“I don’t need that kind of thing.”f1532d70ac378851

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Tristan pulled out a box, c8ac1ce45e which I assumed was a 397bd7c66a gift, and I hurriedly interrupted 9ef4b61845 him.5426ef934e76ef40

‘Whatever it is, I’m sure I shouldn’t accept it.’5255f718d8a816e8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I had a feeling d9a1e90f82 that if I took e526a02455 it, I’d be entangled 79a3f5430f with him again in fd14f76fb6 the future.a135de5a5f93fdd4

I firmly reiterated, “It seems 2a5c01ee0e you’re mistaken, but giving that af45234150 money to Lady Locke was f44de0d55c nothing more than a whim. It wasn’t out of kindness.”4849db1cdf6f2a7f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“That amount seems a bit too much for just a whim.”ad13c00e63759714

“Well, to me, that kind of petty cash is insignificant.”1ba9efb65fe7cf74

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I skillfully unfolded 4043ab1bdf my fan in 2d54288a94 one swift motion, fea2f6cb3c covering my mouth, e35c190563 then narrowed my fa6d88f017 eyes with a 2e4ef7207c wicked smile.d4814ded798e1be5

“I believe our business is concluded.”ce3e066a77c80823

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Without giving him a e1149a77e3 chance to respond, I 591fa82db2 quickly bid farewell.52b7ca41afc9edf0

“The hour is late, and I find myself too tired to stay. I’ll take my leave now. I wish you a 50e472feb1 safe return, Your Grace.”d4859d8108ff3217

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

With those words, 521da00dda I turned away. Even a moment of ea4835ec63 hesitation would give him 851f35f7b9 a chance to stop e098f6f6f1 me, so I kept 3409f6e72d my eyes straight ahead 15cc8634b3 and returned to my 0c387ee4db chambers.88a91873bcc934f8

***0561bb513c8550cf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

***9db38241d607101e

“Brother? You’re back sooner than I 037f3259b9 expected. Where did you go?”33639013457353f6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lilliana tilted her 6b26824877 head in confusion 04d86955e1 as she greeted 6e6c842c7c Tristan, who had ae9443be0b just returned to be5eb5baca the mansion.acc4c8c158a59d31

She thought he’d 7e6036b308 take longer, especially b941feb492 after announcing his cf1d90695f grand mission to 0380d1fc8b restore the family’s 24196dd210 honor. But his schedule had ended cd9e33d773 much quicker than she’d anticipated.428cd86e0b13e275

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Where did he go?’3a2477f2ae133181

Curious, but Tristan remained silent, 48a475e18a only fueling her frustration.9c52b5f58ba58525

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Did something go wrong?’dda2ce34bb1dd826

She wanted to comfort him, 831f1eee04 but it seemed he had 94e674ea06 no intention of sharing, so 19a8476c71 there was little she could 2403de0454 do.8dc6b9bf5d9a2092

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

She followed him 32c0770e5d closely, waiting for 336c25d53a him to speak. Then, Tristan held something out.060efcc772fe97dc

It was Rubert di 323d554778 Amore, the most prized 993657b9de wine in his collection.0518ad37b0428a6d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Why…? Weren’t you going 264870c9ce to gift this 285ff3e0ae to someone?”7628dac1a69e4b95

“Give it to Lady Winder. She’ll be pleased if d6e2e5b817 it’s from you.”b5c2b9096cc4e9e4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Lilliana’s eyes widened. Surely, if she delivered 5a43f1aa13 this wine, Vanessa would 18a77408d7 be delighted.ee29715c4ad2c187

But…93ec1ed787b5e98a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Are you sure? Weren’t you planning to 4ec243586e give it to someone ef9e39c186 else? What about them?”543c17d08e8b149f

She asked, concerned, to which 5df55cb931 Tristan replied in a calm, 5f62f33b5b steady voice.d2064cb70bf99787

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I’ll approach in my own way.”d8c769b912e0a186

In that moment, Tristan’s 04fee73ac5 blue eyes gleamed with bfa195a6d4 a sharp light, reminiscent 6889eab149 of a hunter refusing e25ac68dc6 to let its prey 1b8de3123d escape.ed55f9de96123999

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Whoever that person is, they’re in for a rough time…’9d07ac454d89d09f

Lilliana felt a pang ef0cc6c0e7 of sympathy for the 1244a3abcc poor soul who’d end e3e362d84f up entangled with Tristan.84f2b0b509090adf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She couldn’t know 01507c8fed then that the 89e9a004bd target was none 1484e67565 other than the d53bee83e9 Vanessa Winder she e0cc4c63cb so admired.0be4a189000df8c1

***c9d4b1a430cf7c36

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

***4e2a152cacda3ba2

Back in my room, adbc04c18e I took out the c371104643 wine again.2cf7f2f0e6aad0f4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Although I had ae02e672f1 boldly left Tristan 6f9a989dec behind, my emotions f3e756f35f were still a a52ecc185c mess.fc2fa38155038e24

‘…Still, it’s a relief he came back safe and sound.’5794c66d9b49019b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I knew from the original af3143e049 story that he would survive c169ca3131 the battlefield, but seeing it 9741100af1 with my own eyes gave 37f8a57e23 me much more peace of 39550dbdfa mind.eab17cd733d5e940

‘…I promised to forget him, yet here I am, thinking about Tristan again.’1592b78d8da8431d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

What kind of b126941954 expression did he 77de990887 have earlier? What kind of cb315eaaed life had he 3ef59440c9 been living? My mind swirled with b569b86d29 these questions, but I fa05454739 shook my head. Right now, he had c6e6653a07 nothing to do with 0b9ed6b9ed me.3dcc0b89b32cd2dc

Frustrated, I took several 504111a297 more sips of wine. The once-full bottle was fbe9f9fdc6 now more than half ea8cc9748e empty.501c3995b5b05857

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘How long am I going to let the past hold me back?’2c1f1a12687f964d

Upon reflection, this was no e6d52ff2b4 time to be lost in 4e397283bb thought.00d43dbc674c0f6d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I didn’t live 2dd4331118 in the past. I lived in the present.e5c98ba56e552f1d

And right now, I 0022275252 had something I needed 4c5904d647 to do.4c7c192cd0c03877

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I had to find ff8202e80d the person who killed 390317053f my husband.7b4508fd4341c7f5

‘Forget everything for now and focus on clearing my name. If I don’t, d329fb4fb1 I’ll end up ef143d32ca dead at Jeremyon’s 933e95f4b8 hands, just like 4a71af51ec in the original eca160353d story.’5cc244ba8a0f3aa8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I quickly made 7b20c094cc a simple plan.3aa2372a65d044e4

I would portray myself 4e9b814ef3 as someone who had ddbeaddaff become lazy and indulgent, 6edd754428 consumed by luxury and 36aa5fce25 pleasure.0d00b6089e3a2026

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘If I do that, the killer will surely reveal themselves to try and finish me off.’8fe9bba9de72ac14

I was their next target, 0766343e85 and considering the purpose behind 8dcaa634e2 the assassination, it was a 1b9ddbf7c3 logical deduction.dfd596f1bccd5b1b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

If I suddenly 0f7d9c34bd seemed careless and 3b596ed40f distracted, unlike my efec29c7b8 usual sharp self, b652a65b45 the culprit wouldn’t 92b4c109be be able to 1ef9a613e4 resist the opportunity.3717328fe941f7e6

‘I have to wait for that moment.’c1004a37a4d298e0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Until then, my 136cdb16a5 task was to 067d7b2c98 spend lavishly and f6b5fea9e8 draw the killer c722810e04 out.8598ce32b9942f33

I had planned 53ae87d7e4 to start by 6000721986 doing some light ce8668eda4 shopping in the d1656fd92e morning, but…d462f7ad2b0df1e1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

What I witnessed when b38ec0b8aa I went to the d88aab26fc boutique to buy a 1a2d191abd new dress was…81118a9681075745

“M-mother?”be9a13c11029d05d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lilliana was being swindled by 49b35926eb the shop’s owner.29d95241350f9497

• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •88e71cd14d64d8c8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley