"This." Scarlett squeezed his hand gently. "Just being together without somebody needing something from you."Ethan looked down at their joined hands. "I've missed it too."Scarlett stared at him mischievously. "Then stop making me kidnap you every time.""I'll consider it," Ethan replied, his expression remaining calm.Scarlett gave him a knowing look. "That's not a promise.""I don't make promises lightly.""I know," she replied softly, and they continued driving until the last traces of the city disappeared behind them.Scarlett eventually turned onto a quieter road that ran along the outskirts of the city.The road stretched ahead beneath tall trees, with scattered lights appearing in the distance.She finally slowed the car near a small roadside viewpoint overlooking the valley below.There was hardly anyone around.Scarlett parked the car and switched off the engine.Eth

"The design."Ethan pointed toward the center of the carving displayed on the screen. "This isn't a family crest. It's a marker."Scarlett frowned as she studied the symbol more carefully. "A marker for what?""A passage."She looked back at the blueprint, then at the photograph of the stone doorway. "So someone knew about this hidden entrance very well.” "Yes." Ethan nodded his head, Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "And they used it to enter the mansion? That's why without disturbing the entire mansion, they went straight to the basement, then before anyone could even realise they sneaked into your mother's room…” "Possibly."Scarlett folded her arms, still trying to make sense of the situation. "Whatever, since they've a way to get inside mansion this easily, why did they create a disturbance in the basement? Only to divert your mom?” Ethan's eyes sharpened as the pieces began to fall into place. "That can't be the sole reason right now, maybe they're trying to make us believe that t

"You're free to go, but don't mistake that for being free from the charges against you," the guard warned. "You're being released on bail, and you're required to appear at your next hearing without fail. If you fail to show up, you'll be taken back into custody. Keep that in mind.”Charlie nodded silently and walked straight ahead, maintaining a calm expression as he stopped near the prison gate. His fingers tightened around the small paper bag containing the few belongings that had been returned to him.He had imagined hearing those words countless times during the days he had spent behind those walls, but now that the moment of him walking out had finally arrived, it felt strange.He stepped outside and stopped once again.The morning air felt different against his face. The traffic beyond the prison entrance continued as though nothing had happened, cars passing along the road while people walked by without giving him a second glance.Charlie stood there for several seconds, waitin

"You're unusually quiet this morning."Scarlett placed a cup of coffee beside Ethan before taking the seat across from him. He glanced at her briefly, then returned his attention to the tablet in front of him."I'm just thinking.""You've been thinking since we woke up." She smiled playfully at him, Ethan just chuckled at her words. "That's because there is a lot to think about and maybe you should stop complaining about me thinking all the time.”Scarlett picked up her cup and took a small sip. "Is it about Richard Wilson?"Ethan nodded."Richard Wilson, the hidden passages beneath the mansion, the stolen letter, the monastery, and the man standing beside him in that photograph... I have too many pieces and not enough answers."Scarlett leaned back in her chair. "At least you have pieces.""That's not always an advantage." Ethan sighed looking at the coffee cup in his hands, Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Why?""Because sometimes having incomplete information is more dangerous than hav

"Huh?”"It's not possible to recover.” Ethan repeated his earlier words once again.Scarlett frowned at Ethan's answer, but he remained focused on the photocopy of the monastery register spread across the table. The name beneath the thick black ink was impossible to read, and even the most careful examination had revealed nothing useful.She rested her hands on the edge of the table. "Then what are we going to do now?"Ethan picked up the photograph of Richard Wilson and studied it again before placing it beside the register. "It's okay. I'll handle this. Right now, you need to concentrate on the meeting you're going to handle today."She sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "You're sending me away?""I'm reminding you that you have an important meeting.” "I know, but this concerns you too." She mumbled, Ethan smiled at her. "It does, but you don't have to carry every problem with me, there are times I can handle them alone by myself.” Scarlett remained silent for a moment before