Chapter 7 The Exposed Deceit
1046 Words
The day before, Andrei had sent someone to investigate the instigator behind the incident involving those two individuals. It didn't take long to discover that Lennie, who instructed Morley, was behind it all.
Andrei had never been fond of his half-sister, who was as foolish and superficial as her mother, the third wife of George, showing that the apple did not fall far from the tree.
But what could possibly be Lennie's motive for antagonizing Isabel?
Andrei had assumed it was out of jealousy for Isabel's striking beauty, but the truth emerged unexpectedly from the lips of a maid close to Lennie.
Isabel had once been blessed with a beautiful singing voice, which was the real source of Lennie's envy.
That woman had actually deceived him!
He resolved then that Isabel must learn one crucial lesson: never to lie to him.
Not ever.
"I was lying? What are you talking about?" Isabel said, staring straight into Andrei's eyes.
The urge to look away was almost impossible to resist, but she knew that the closer Andrei was to discovering her lie, the less afraid she must appear, or she would be forced into a corner with nowhere to retreat.
However, his close presence and piercing gaze instinctively filled her with dread.
Isabel stepped back. "You must be busy. I shall leave you be."
"Did I say you were free to leave?"
Andrei caught Isabel as she tried to escape, clutching her slender wrist. A slight rub was enough to leave a pink mark on her pale skin.
"Let go!"
Isabel struggled, but her strength was no match for Andrei, whose calloused fingertips grazed her delicate skin, sending shivers through her.
"I mentioned I would teach you the rules in this estate."
With a gentle pull, Andrei confined her within the bay window, trapping her effortlessly.
He savored the anger she tried to hide and the unmistakable embarrassment on her face, his pleasure growing. "The first rule is absolute obedience to my commands."
Facing such an overpowering force, Isabel knew better than to continue provoking Andrei.
Though clueless about his reasons for finding amusement in her torment, she realized that agreeing with him was the quickest way to end that unsettling confrontation.
She adopted the demeanor of the well-trained maids in the estate, lowering her eyes and forcing a polite yet insincere smile.
"Naturally. You are the esteemed young master, and all should bow before you."
Andrei's eyebrow quirked as he was taken aback by Isabel's sudden shift in tone. "The second rule, never deceive me."
"Oh, I swear I will never deceive you," Isabel stated unflinchingly, her voice dripping with a false sincerity.
Andrei let out a cold laugh, appreciating her adeptness at falsehoods.
Her eyes, filled with feigned honesty, contrasted sharply with the words that emerged in her raspy, pretentious voice. Andrei slowly extended his hand, caressing her cheek and staring intently into her eyes as if seeking to unearth some hidden truth.
If she were anyone else, Andrei might have demanded her tongue be cut out, making her truly voiceless.
But the woman before him was likely the same blonde who had enchanted the night with her song.
Her voice held a mysterious power that promised to resolve an affliction that had long troubled him.
Though still unsure of that magic's exact nature, he resolved to protect her until he could decipher its secrets. Meanwhile, Lennie's brief retreat did not suggest she would back down easily.
He anticipated the moment Isabel would be driven to despair once more, hoping she would seek him out, pleading for his help.
Isabel felt a sudden chill and an ominous presence emanate from Andrei as his icy fingers grazed her skin, sending shivers through her. Panic seized her heart. Had she misspoken?
The usually oppressive Andrei suddenly laughed, a sound that stirred unease within Isabel, reminiscent of a hunter zeroing in on his prey.
"Very well," he said, his lips curling into a sinister smile while his deep brown eyes were alight with the thrill of the hunt and a relentless determination to capture his quarry.
"Remember what you said today. If I find out you've lied to me..."
Andrei lifted his hand to Isabel's nape, pulling her closer, and his smile becoming more enchanting and dangerous.
"I will ensure that every day of your future is filled with regret."
*****
Half an hour after Andrei left the study, Isabel still couldn't shake off the gloom and fear his presence had instilled. Her emotions were in turmoil, continuously replaying his words, which seemed ominously prescient.
"Could he know?"
Isabel's heart tightened, and then she quickly dismissed the thought.
The Howards were known for their vindictiveness.
If Andrei truly knew she had deceived him, he would have bound her and thrown her into a dungeon for torture, not simply let her off easily.
Isabel found Andrei's motives unfathomable.
But whatever the reason, he was undeniably a more disconcerting presence than Lennie!
Keeping her distance was the only way to ensure her safety.
With no desire to continue reading, Isabel swiftly returned to her room and powered up her computer.
The response to her dormitory application, which she had submitted, was due within 48 hours. Taking a deep breath, she nervously opened her email.
There it was, a message from the student affairs office confirming her accommodation request had been approved!
"Thank goodness!"
Isabel was too anxious to wait. She quickly printed out the approval form.
All she needed was Bernard's signature on it, and she could move into the dormitory next semester.
Isabel, holding the application, found the male butler, Brown, only to receive disheartening news. Bernard had gone on a long trip, and it was unclear when he would return.
However, the approved application needed to be signed and returned to the student affairs office within three business days.
Isabel clasped her hands together, looking earnestly at Mr. Brown. "Mr. Brown, could you please sign the application for me?"
"I'm sorry, Lady Isabel. Your guardian is Mr. Bernard Howard, and I cannot sign this application," Brown explained and then made a suggestion that sent a shiver down Isabel's spine. "You might consider asking Chile Andrei. When Mr. George Howard is away, Chile Andrei manages all affairs at Howard Estate."
- Writer
