If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 153
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“When did Agatha ask about John Calvino, Ethan?”
“It was the late evening of her birthday.”
“Her birthday…”
That meant this jewelry box had most likely been mixed in with the many gifts she received for her birthday. If she had discovered the card and deduced that ‘C’ referred to Calvino…
[Let’s talk, sir. I have something to say.]
The image of Agatha’s face, calling him urgently as if there was something important to discuss, flashed in his mind. Could it be that she wanted to talk about this jewelry box?
Amidst the chaos in his head, he began to feel like some pieces were falling into place.
When he found the jewelry box in Agatha’s vanished bedroom, what had he thought? Had he not secretly criticized her for perhaps secretly associating with some unknown man?
His chest tightened. He couldn’t even begin to fathom the immense fear she must have been carrying alone, receiving threats disguised as gifts from the man who had tried to kill her.
After much deliberation, Cain ordered the gates of Gulem to be locked. Not only the merchants’ carts but even ordinary citizens’ horses attempting to travel were barred from leaving Gulem. Cain then sent Ethan to thoroughly investigate every corner of the town and headed for the capital himself.
He decided not to send Ethan back and to go himself because he suspected that John Calvino might be hiding somewhere in the capital. It was also to ensure that the Knights could operate freely without being under Christian’s watch.
[May I ask you something, Sir Christian?]
[Go ahead, ask anything.]
[When is the funeral?]
[Funeral?]
[Yes. Your younger brother. I’ve only just heard of his passing. Though there have been a series of events, I don’t have any personal feelings toward your family, but I feel I should offer my condolences.]
[Younger Brother? John… you mean?]
When Cain brought up John Calvino’s death with Christian, he genuinely seemed surprised. He even seemed to explode with confusion when he mentioned the funeral.
Cain was certain at that moment. John Calvino had bribed an overseer, faked his death, and escaped the south.
How could he have escaped from a labor camp with nothing but the barest essentials? Who would have given him the money to bribe the overseer?
When the incident happened, Count Calvino had already severed ties with his son, so it wasn’t money from that side.
Christian Calvino, John’s older brother, had long since become independent and acquired his own wealth. He was someone who could be seen as the most ‘normal’ person in the house.
Although John Calvino was his blood relatives, he was a disgrace to the family, and given Christian’s nature, it was clear that Christian wouldn’t have supported him in any way.
That left only one possible person.
Stella Calvino.
She had been absent for years, but recently, she appeared at the memorial for the late Duke and angrily lashed out at Agatha, before being dragged out.
Cain had not attended the memorial himself, unable to feign composure while facing his family’s enemy. He felt guilty for not accompanying Agatha, knowing she must have faced curious glances for being alone. But at the time, he hadn’t had the emotional space to consider her feelings.
He was afraid that if he saw Agatha, he would unleash all the rage he hadn’t been able to express toward the Duke, and that fear would easily turn into anger directed at her.
[So, you’re not planning to tell me what happened to him?]
Christian’s disapproving voice stopped him. Convinced that Christian knew nothing about John Calvino’s death, Cain immediately brought him back to the capital after traveling for a full day and a half.
Not only had Christian been disturbed during his rest, but after staying up for nearly two nights straight, he was now on edge.
“Please, just tell me already.”
“I received a list from the overseer in charge of managing the laborers in the south.”
“A list?”
“Yes, a list of criminals who died while serving their sentence. John Calvino’s name was on it.”
“So, he died during labor? I never heard of such a thing. How could—”
“That’s why I brought you back to the capital, to look into it. It’s strange that even his brother hasn’t heard of his death. Something’s off here.”
“Ha. I see.”
“I hope you’re not lying to me. If you’re hiding a criminal who was ordered to work by His Majesty, that would be a grave offense.”
“Hiding him? What do you take me for? He’s a criminal, and a disgrace to the family. If John sneaked back into the house, I’d drag him out myself and deal with him.”
“Yes. I hope that’s true.”
Christian didn’t respond. His furrowed brow indicated that he too was struggling to make sense of the situation.
