Portrait of An Arrogant Master - Chapter 20
“What’s going on? Do you need help?”
“No, no! Everything’s fine!”
Finally, a thin voice came through. It was filled with a panic that didn’t quite match her assurance that ‘everything’s fine’. She seemed slightly out of breath, as if she had been exerting herself.
“Your voice doesn’t sound like everything’s fine. Just open the door. If you’re lifting something heavy, I can help.”
“It’s okay! It’s nothing serious.”
“Nothing serious? I’m offering to help.”
Yannick thought Catherine’s suspicion was baseless, but it was becoming clear that Macy was trying to hide something.
If she’s really trying to escape from him….
“What in the world are you doing in there?!”
The thought alone was chilling.
‘Can’t lose this source of income.’
No matter what, he couldn’t let her go.
“Macy! Open this door! If you don’t open it, I’ll break it down!”
“No, wait. Just a moment, please!”
“You won’t open it right now? Are you defying your brother?”
Yannick started jiggling the doorknob aggressively, as if he might break it. The old doorknob seemed like it would give way easily, but the door wouldn’t budge.
From the other side, there was a sound like something heavy being dragged.
‘Think I can’t open it if you don’t?’
Finally, Yannick went downstairs to retrieve the key to the second-floor studio. The key slid into the lock like a piece in a puzzle.
As he turned it to the right, a loud thud resonated, as if a rock had dropped.
“Macy!”
The door swung open, revealing the studio’s interior at a glance. Macy was sprawled on the floor, and a chair was tipped over next to her. Brown papers were messily strewn about.
“What were you doing?”
“I was trying to reach for some paint over there and just…”
Had she lost her balance and fallen on her own?
Macy’s explanation was suspicious.
The dragging noise had not been once and didn’t sound like something falling, but rather something being dragged across the floor.
Furthermore, the typically musty studio was now filled with the scent of spring flowers. Turning his head, Yannick saw that the studio window was wide open.
To leave the house, she’ll have to go through the first floor. Seeing the window open reminded him of Catherine’s suspicion that she might be trying to escape.
Did she tie a rope or something for an escape at night…?
Yannick couldn’t control his anxiety and stormed over to the window. He was menacing, as if he was about to lash out.
“Just a moment…!”
Macy’s voice trembled as she followed him in panic.
‘Seems like there’s something after all.’
Yannick’s eyes gleamed with a I-knew-it look as he craned his neck to look outside.
However, the only thing greeting him was the gentle sunlight. There was no rope or even a piece of cloth hanging.
The lush elm tree proudly displayed its green leaves, and the white magnolias were blooming modestly.
“…Even if the sunlight is nice, isn’t it bad for the paintings if you leave the window wide open like this?”
Direct sunlight could cause the paintings to fade. Yannick used a plausible excuse to firmly close the window. As his voice softened again, Macy just blinked her eyes.
“But what about these papers? Why have you cut them up?”
“Just like you said, brother. The paintings might get damaged if they’re exposed to sunlight for too long… I wrapped them in paper.”
It turned out that several canvases were covered with paper.
Macy’s studio had large windows that let in a lot of sunlight, and the cramped studio was so filled with art supplies that she couldn’t place canvases only in the shaded areas.
“Next time, let me help with wrapping the paintings. Or, this might be a good opportunity to expand the studio more.”
“No, it’s enough as it is.”
“Is it? Maybe it’s best not to lock the door, just in case.”
“Yes. If that worries you, I’ll do that.”
Macy hunched her shoulders and looked down. Her fingertips, neatly placed on her skirt, trembled slightly. Her usual timid and subdued manner made Yannick’s anxiety gradually subside.
“Alright, then… take care.”
Yannick took one last look around the studio and left.
Only when she heard the door close completely did Macy let out a sigh of relief.
* * *
‘Phew, that was close.’
With her heart still pounding, Macy cautiously opened the window to make sure it didn’t creak.
“Hils, are you okay…?”
