My older sister is a villainous rich girl

Alec cautiously looked around and began to carefully examine every corner of the room.

It's unclear what clues he discovered, but his expression clearly became much more wary.

Just as they were about to check the curtains, the magic lamp suddenly went out, plunging the study into darkness.

"Who is it!"

Alek suddenly turned around.

He saw an ugly doll with a strange expression clinging to the door frame and beckoning to him from the doorway that had never been closed.

The silvery moonlight from the hallway outside the door shone onto the carpet inside the room, casting a long shadow at the feet of the ugly doll.

It's extremely strange.

Alek looked startled.

But after realizing what was happening, he immediately shouted, "Help! There's an assassin!"

As if startled by his voice, the ugly doll suddenly disappeared behind the door.

After a moment's hesitation, Alek gave chase.

After a while, the curtains swayed slightly, and Tasia's figure was finally revealed.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew, that was close."

However, she also had strong doubts and questions in her heart.

"What...what was that just now?"

……

The city lord's mansion has been attacked by assassins!

This news caused a huge uproar.

Fortunately, Tasia had already returned before the matter reached Wayne and his group.

Chris, who was awakened by the noise outside, was completely unaware that Tasia had returned.

As expected, they were questioned as temporary guests.

However, even the city lord himself probably felt that it had little to do with them. The guards simply made a rough confirmation that no one was missing from their group, explained the situation briefly, and then hurriedly left.

"A doll assassinated the city lord?" Chris asked suspiciously. "Could it be that he's trying to fool us and staged this whole thing?"

No... there's someone else who really wants to fool you.

Tasia nodded as if she agreed.

"This sounds unbelievable."

She said, "But... precisely because it's so outrageous, it's very likely to be true."

Wayne, who claimed he had entered the room because of the commotion outside and was worried about Chris, calmly poured himself a glass of water.

He took a small sip. "Chris, since an assassin has infiltrated the city lord's mansion..."

"I think we should sleep in the same room; it's safer that way!"

He slammed the cup down, trying to put on a righteous and awe-inspiring expression.

Chris was taken aback, then said irritably, "Who are you trying to fool? Do you think I'm that easy to fool?"

Hello, yes, we do.

Wayne conceded, "Then I can sleep on the floor with my blanket."

"Chris!"

He rushed forward, his gaze fixed intently into her eyes. "Let me protect you, okay?"

Chris turned her face away, seemingly too ashamed of his words and actions, her ears turning red.

Damn it! If it weren't for Tasia being such a third wheel, I probably would have bullied her terribly.

Tasia, resting her chin on her hand, said, "Actually... if Chris wants to sleep with Wayne, I'm fine with that, okay?"

Well done, Tasia!

Wayne was overjoyed and unconsciously tightened his grip on Chris's hand.

Chris blushed deeply and protested, "I...I don't want to sleep with him!"

And, as if afraid that her refusal was not firm enough, she tried hard to break free from Wayne's hand.

“Chris…”

Wayne's eyes were hurt, and he looked dejected.

Under his gaze, so full of genuine affection, Chris was caught in a dilemma.

She felt it wasn't right for her to keep rejecting Wayne like this, but she also felt... she really didn't want to be intimate with him in someone else's house.

Why does he always make those requests that make him feel guilty?

But she couldn't bring herself to simply agree to his suggestion.

"We'll...we'll...we'll..."

She stammered for most of the day but couldn't finish the sentence, and instead felt increasingly ashamed.

My head... feels like it's smoking.

As if her reason had reached a certain threshold, Chris suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

She strode aggressively up to Wayne and looked down at him.

Then, she reached out and pinched his chin, kissing him without saying a word.

Wayne was stunned.

What's happening here?

Before he could fully savor the experience, Chris released him.

"Are you satisfied now?"

She patted his head helplessly, like soothing a big dog. "Be good~ Go to sleep quietly and stop bothering me."

Chapter 281 Horace's Fate

As a result, Wayne still fell asleep alone with Chris's unexpected kiss.

He felt that he was easily satisfied.

Since Chris said "next time," he took it as her true.

—Well, even if she tries to stand me up, I'll do everything I can to remind her.

The night passed, and nothing happened.

Wayne had no idea what clues Tasia had discovered last night, and she seemed unwilling to tell him and Chris for the time being.

If it weren't for the significantly increased security in the city lord's mansion, with guards searching everywhere, even Wayne would almost have thought that last night's events were just a dream.

"Wayne, how did you sleep last night?" Tasia asked.

Wayne feigned anger, "Didn't I tell you to just call me Wayne? Tasia, do you not consider me a friend at all?"

After a slight pause, Tasia chuckled and said, "Sorry, Wayne, I'm used to it..."

To avoid being disliked in daily interactions, one must be impeccable in etiquette.

That's what she always thought.

Even if you eventually realize that it was just wishful thinking on your part, people who hate you will hate you no matter what, and it's hard to change the habits you've formed at the beginning.

However, in order to make the friends I've finally made happy, I have to change, even if it's difficult.

Thinking this, she silently repeated Wayne's name several times in her mind.

The three of them had already eaten breakfast and were heading to another reception room to meet Horace, as arranged by the city lord yesterday.

Of course, Horace was escorted here by guards, and after seeing him, he was escorted back.

Chris yawned and asked the maid who was entertaining her and her party, "Has the assassin who tried to kill the city lord yesterday been found?"

Seemingly surprised that Chris would speak to her, the maid paused for a second before quickly replying, "Not yet."

"Oh, I see." Chris only mentioned it casually and quickly fell silent.

Wien thought for a moment and asked, "What is your city lord's personality like? Does he often beat or scold you servants?"

The maid was startled and lowered her head in fear, saying, "No such thing, please... please don't make things difficult for us, sir."

"Tsk, I was just asking casually, why are you so scared?" Wayne said speechlessly.

Seeing the maid walking on thin ice, he could understand the difficulties these people faced.

According to the rules, these servants were not qualified to speak ill of their master's household.

If she encounters a strict owner, no matter how she is evaluated, she will not have a good outcome.

Having lost interest in conversation, Wayne could only wave his hand outside, indicating that she didn't need to stay by his side and could go do whatever she wanted.

The three of them sat down in the reception room.

Chris sat in the middle, with Wayne and Tasia on either side, giving the impression of a "tribunal meeting".

A short while later, Horace was brought in.

The reason it is described as "lifting" is not because he was thin or for any similar reason.

But -

His legs were broken, hanging limply and powerlessly behind him.

Even though he had clearly taken care of himself, his unkempt stubble and listless demeanor were impossible to conceal.

"Horace?" Wayne called out in confusion.

In the information they had gathered before, no one had mentioned that Horace had a physical disability.

The man, whose head was drooping, whose hair and beard were disheveled, and whose face was pale, seemed to sense something and groggily raised his head.

His gaze was so unfocused that one couldn't help but wonder if he still possessed even the most basic capacity for thought.

Yes, this is a "living person".

But he was just a "living" person.

Looking at his expression, Wayne was so angry he almost laughed.

Okay, very good!

Despite his repeated warnings, Alek still dared to play this trick on him. It seems he's been living too comfortably all his life.

"You may leave," Wayne ordered the guards.

The two guards carrying Horace exchanged a glance and remained motionless for a moment.

"What? You think you're so great, trying to provoke the Wincher family's methods?" Wayne's voice sharpened.

Seeing that Wayne was about to get angry, they quickly bowed and said, "We will obey your command."

Horace was thrown onto the floor of the reception room like a lump of mud, groaning unconsciously.

Seeing this scene, Wayne and the other two remained silent.

However, even at this point, there is still a way to remedy the situation.

Wayne raised his hand and summoned the Hijikata Barrier, isolating the reception room from the outside world.

“Tasia,” he called out.

Tasia understood his meaning almost immediately, stood up, and knelt down next to Horace.

She raised her palm, stopping it about two fist-widths away from Horace, and closed her eyes to concentrate.

A pure white, flawless glow slowly gathered in her palm.

—Tasia, who possesses light magic and also has powerful healing abilities, might be able to help.