Chapter 125 Surprise
Tate could hear Sandra’s head spinning, as if she was planning something. But Tate didn’t ask any questions. He didn’t want to get involved in her business.
“So,” Tate said, changing the subject under Sandra’s watchful eye, ‘is this the reason for your visit? In fact, that was the purpose of today’s visit.’
“Have you heard anything about my brother’s donation to Club Ares?”
“Club Ares? That place where middle-aged ladies do volunteer work and have bazaars? Is that the organization Jonathan is donating to?”
At Tate’s question, Sandra shook her head and repeated the question. Tate was a little disappointed that she didn’t seem to know.
“I see you didn’t know either.”
“I didn’t know the exact name of the organization, but I knew they donate a lot of money, so I’ve always wondered about it.”
“… So you did.”
“But why?”
“Because it seems like they’re doing some weird research at the orphanage that my brother donated so much money to.”
“What do you mean, weird research?”
Sandra leaned forward with interest. Her eyes shone even brighter than they had earlier, and Tate, basking in her interested gaze, rattled off the information he’d paid Ashmore to give him.
“It seems to be a study involving demons as subjects, but I don’t know much else.”
“You’re telling me a guy who’s the Emperor of an Empire studies demons and uses them for what?”
Sandra shuddered, rolling her shoulders as if she had goosebumps. Tate, quite pleased with her reaction, grinned broadly.
“That’s beside the point, how could I know your noble intentions?”
“Noble intentions… hoo.”
Sandra smirked, one corner of her mouth curling up nicely. She lifted her teacup with dainty fingers and took a sip of black tea, her brow furrowed.
“One man’s noble intentions are another man’s vile ones. Besides, being associated with a demon, no matter how noble the intentions, is a bit…”
Sandra clicked her tongue and shook her head in disbelief. Her heart fluttered with excitement at the thought of visiting Jonathan.
“I can’t help but be very curious about his research.”
***
When Tate left, Sandra headed straight for the Imperial Palace. She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask Jonathan.
‘If I ask him about the demon research… I’m sure I’ll get a surprised look on his face.’
Humming a tune, Sandra’s steps were light and bouncy. They were almost to the Emperor’s office. The door opened and a large man walked out, looking very familiar.
‘No… is that him?’
Almost reflexively, Sandra ducked behind a pillar and peered into the man’s face. Despite the distance, she recognized him instantly. It was the captain of the mercenary company that had arranged Caspian’s escape.
‘But why is he coming out of Jonathan’s office?’
Sandra’s face twisted into a grim line.
Her light-hearted mood had vanished, and in its place, a terrifying image had taken over her mind. Thump, thump, thump, her heart raced. The seeds of a terrible doubt began to sprout.
‘Could it be… that Jonathan was involved in the killing of my Caspian? Did Jonathan and that man work hand in hand to betray me behind my back?’
Sandra concentrated on her thoughts, oblivious to the fact that she was biting down hard on the tender flesh in her mouth.
She tasted blood, but she couldn’t let go. If she relaxed, she felt as if she would run at once, screaming like a whale, and punch Jonathan in the face.
To get the answers she wanted, she had to keep her wits about her, to observe his facial expressions and behavior without missing a beat. No matter how much her heart was racing, she had to keep her head cool and calm.
Taking a deep breath, Sandra stiffened her back and walked with her head held high.
Facing Jonathan, she couldn’t bring herself to say hello or offer a polite smile. Jonathan, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear.
“You’re just in time, mother. I was just about to pay you a visit.”
Sandra’s eyes narrowed further at him. The exaggerated smile and tone of his voice only reinforced her suspicions. Jonathan’s jovial voice continued, despite the chilly vibe Sandra was giving off.
“I’ve been hunting down Caspian’s killer to settle a grudge for you.”
“What?!”
Sandra’s eyes went wide. She was dumbfounded by this completely unexpected topic.
“Is that why you were meeting with him?”
“Him? Oh… that. I see you’ve already met the captain of the mercenary. It was a surprise, but this… it’s only half a surprise.”
Hehehe, Jonathan smirked, stroking his chin. Sandra, however, was still wary, and asked probingly.
“What do you mean, it was a surprise?”
Sandra didn’t know what to make of this. Should she be angry at Jonathan for holding hands with the mercenary behind her back and whispering schemes?
or should she weep tears of gratitude that this was all for the sake of catching Caspian’s killer?
She didn’t know, but she was sure of this one thing. Jonathan’s eyes, smiling back at him, were like venomous snakes.
The smiling stranger walked over and sat down next to Sandra.
He lowered his voice to a whisper and began to whisper in her ear, his breath sending goosebumps up and down Sandra’s spine.
“I know that your mother sent mercenaries to retrieve Caspian, an unfortunate incident that resulted in the deaths of an entire Imperial Knight’s Order on a mission.”
“Ugh…”
Jonathan knew, he knew everything, the whole story! A groan-like sigh escaped Sandra’s mouth. Her head pinged and she felt dizzy.
“But to have Caspian, whom I had so hard won, snatched away again by another… how it must have broken my mother’s heart-I dare not even imagine it.”
Jonathan looked downcast, and then his eyes became moist. It was as if he was genuinely trying to comfort Sandra, but she still didn’t know where to start and where to stop believing him.
“I heard that your mother has commissioned the mercenaries to find the murderer. I paid them extra and asked them to find him quickly.”
“So… they found the murderer?”
She asked, half sincerely, half suspiciously.
No matter what answer came out of Jonathan’s mouth, Sandra knew she couldn’t take his word for it. But it was a question she had to ask, and she had to hear the answer, one way or another.
“Yes.”
“Is that true?”
Sandra’s eyes widened to the size of glasses at the simple answer. Jonathan’s face broke into a relaxed smile at the assurance.
“They say they’ve got a definite lead, and all we have to do is wait another day or two and you’ll hear the good news, mother.”
“I see, then… will wait gratefully for that surprise.”
Sandra only half believed Jonathan’s words. He’d said a day or two, so a little more time and the answer would come either way.
But right now, she couldn’t stand the sight of Jonathan’s face or the sound of his voice. She hadn’t eaten, but her stomach was churning and she felt nauseous.
Sandra started to rise from her seat. Jonathan yanked her hand away and pushed her back down on the couch. Surprised by the suddenness of his behavior, though not harsh, Sandra looked at him with an unflattering gaze.
“I hear you’ve been hanging out with Tate quite a bit lately.”
“Tate and I have been seeing each other quite a bit. He’s only in the palace, so he visits often and tells me stories. He’s a very affectionate child.”
“Oh, stories!”
Jonathan whispered, his eyes twinkling, one corner of his mouth curling up oddly, much to Sandra’s annoyance.
“Did he talk about donations, by any chance?”
“That, that’s…”
How did he know that? Sandra’s face tightened at Jonathan’s question. She swallowed dryly and studied Jonathan’s expression.
“There’s been a problem at the orphanage that Tate has been donating to for a long time, and I think that’s why he’s in such a tight spot at the moment.”
“Oh… I see.”
Sandra nodded, looking at Jonathan, who was telling the exact opposite story from Tate. Jonathan’s intentions seemed so transparent.
‘Is he asking me to choose between him and Tate? To frame Tate for the crime?’
Sandra closed her mouth and rolled her eyes, but Jonathan opened it again, leaning in closer to her, and the way he did it was not a good sign.
“I wasn’t going to tell you this. I have one more surprise for you.”
“… What’s that?”
“We’re also looking for information about your other son.”
“What?!!!”
Sandra was so surprised that she let out an involuntary scream. Jonathan chuckled, amused by her panic.
“I knew you’d be pleased!”
