Chapter 62
1359 Words
CHAPTER 62
“So, what do you think we should do, Anastasia?” Noah asked again.
Tatiana stopped herself from glaring at him when he used that name again. He’s obviously teasing her yet again.
“Fine.” She sighed.
Whatever he’s doing, I won’t care anymore. Besides, it’s a good thing he’s not looking for Investor J anyways.
Tatiana took another sip from her tea and thought about the issue deeply.
Baron Miller was already arrested. He’s already sure to be sentenced to death even though he hasn’t done his trial yet. At this point, where all the pieces of evidence directly point at Baron Miller, the court trial will be just a mere formality. Everyone was already certain he’s the culprit.
Also, during Tatiana’s investigation, there’s really nothing that could say Baron Miller was truly innocent. For all she knows, he might be an accomplice as well.
Tatiana’s goal was to look for the true villain. That’s why she said those hinting words to Noah. She wanted him to look into it further and maybe discover the big people behind the crime.
However, things turned out this way. It’s unfortunate, but they can’t really do anything anymore. The court trial is tomorrow, and everything will be already too late then.
“Let me ask you first, your highness. Do you think Baron Miller should be arrested?” Tatiana asked while looking at Noah with seriousness.
Noah’s teasing face was also gone as he became serious again.
He pondered over Tatiana’s question.
In truth, he’s not totally against it. He’s just disappointed that they got discovered before he could even confirm Baron Miller's involvement in the bombing incident.
“I don’t care if he’s arrested,” Noah answered simply.
“Then, we don’t have a problem,” Tatiana responded. “The evidence was already there, and Baron Miller was already arrested. We can’t really do anything more at this point. That is my opinion.”
Noah frowned.
He was expecting to hear a deeper insight from Tatiana. No—he was expecting she’ll say something similar to how he expected Investor J would say.
Was I wrong?
Noah had suspicions that Tatiana might be Investor J. He started having this thought the night he met Investor J.
They were just so similar that he can’t help but compare the two.
However, seeing how Tatiana was acting right now—giving up and concluding so easily—Noah doubted his suspicions.
“I see…” he uttered. “So, you think we should just stop the investigation right here?”
Tatiana paused before answering,
“Hmm… no.”
Noah’s brows furrowed once again.
No? She doesn’t have a problem with Baron Miller being arrested, but she also doesn’t think we should stop the investigation? I don’t understand.
“What do you mean?” Noah asked, looking puzzled.
Noah rarely feels puzzled. He’s known for being quick-witted that there’s even a rumor that he can read minds.
He can easily see through a person that gives him the advantage of being able to plan ahead. Like how he did during the war. With his quick wits, he was able to figure out what the opponent was planning. As a result, they were able to prepare a counterattack in advance and therefore won without many causalities.
However, after meeting Tatiana after he came back from war, Noah felt all sorts of confusion. He couldn’t read what Tatiana was thinking and he always found himself surprised by her. From when she proposed to annul their engagement and even when she turned out to be Julio, Noah just couldn’t figure out Tatiana.
Maybe that was also why he started feeling this interest in her.
“Even if Baron Miller was arrested, you shouldn’t stop your investigation. I mean what if Baron Miller was merely an accomplice? He could only be following orders from someone, and it would be to our great advantage if we know who that someone is.” Tatiana explained. “Anyways, with all the pieces of evidence that were found, I do believe that Baron Miller was still involved in it regardless if it’s his idea or not. In short, he’s still a criminal who deserves to be punished by law.”
Noah processed her words and eventually nodded his head.
That insight was unexpected. Maybe I wasn’t wrong after all.
There was a moment of silence between them before Noah leaned back against his chair. He brought his finger to his mouth, tilted his head, and smirked at Tatiana. His red eyes were staring at her deeply that Tatiana felt she was being sucked into them.
“Anastasia, you amazed me yet again.” He said in a baritone voice.
Tatiana gulped. She tried to avert her gaze, but in the end, failed.
“W-what?” she managed to mumble.
Noah grinned widely and leaned forward towards her.
“Tell me…Anastasia.” He said, his voice sounding strangely seductive. “Are you Investor J?”
Tatiana wasn’t able to react quickly. It was as though his eyes were trying to hypnotize her, and she couldn’t do anything but stare back at them.
What is this? Why am I feeling like this? No—get a hold of yourself, Tati!
With all her effort, she pinched her arm so hard that it would surely leave a mark later on. Fortunately, she was able to break away from Noah’s spell or whatever that was.
Tatiana cleared her throat to redeem herself before turning back to Noah. Her face was now expressionless and her eyes became cold.
“What are you saying, your highness?” she asked back.
It was no surprise that Noah had that suspicion. Tatiana already expected it, but she, of course, won’t admit to it.
Noah already knew she was a good fighter and that she was the real Julio. However, it wouldn’t do her good if he also found out she’s Investor J. Maybe in the future, he can know, but not now.
The true villain is still unknown and there are still a lot of things they have to go through. Investor J is Tatiana’s trump card. She should not reveal it this early.
“I’m asking if you are Investor J,” Noah repeated.
Tatiana scoffed a little.
“Of course not. Don’t you know me, your highness? How could I, the spoiled brat daughter of Duke Cromello, become as talented as Investor J?” she said, sarcastically which made Noah smirk.
“I also thought I know you. You see, the Tatiana I knew would never involve herself with anything that doesn’t go along the lines of colorful dresses, drinking teas, and joining parties. And yet, here you are, training with your brother every day—sweating and building muscles—something the Tatiana I once knew would never do. You became her complete opposite that you even saved a boy from three bulky men, defeated ten professional assassins by yourself, and even trained the now most sought-after young knight.” Noah replied.
Tatiana was at loss for words after that.
He knew all that, so of course, he’ll be suspicious.
“At this point, even if you turned out to be Investor J, I wouldn’t be surprised anymore. So just tell me honestly, Tatiana. Are you Investor J?” He added.
Tatiana sighed.
“Hearing you say it like that, I guess it was strange. But unfortunately for you, your highness, I am not Investor J. He’s only an acquaintance I came to know when I was in the South.” She said, sounding confident.
I will never admit it to you, your highness.
Noah didn’t say anything after that and only stared at Tatiana. He was trying to read her mind, but in the end, got nothing.
He didn’t buy what Tatiana had said, but he also didn’t want to push it further. His instinct tells him that Tatiana is Investor J, and he’s not planning on disregarding that feeling anytime soon.
I’ll figure it out, Tatiana. Whether you're telling the truth or not, I'll confirm it on my own.
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reyankleyr
- Writer
