My older sister is a villainous rich girl

"Today is a day off, and that gentleman happened to be taking his wife and two children to the circus..."

He swallowed hard at this point: "...They all died on the spot."

Ge Li paused for a moment, then remained silent.

"The specific culprit has not yet been caught. The only trace left at the scene is the Commander's magical self-destruction."

"This circus was renting a venue from the Edgeworth family for its performances, and it was because our family provided a guarantee that it passed the qualification review."

Such a horrific tragedy has suddenly occurred, with even the commander-in-chief of the city guards, who is usually responsible for the safety of the entire royal city, tragically losing his life on the spot. Someone has to pay the price for this.

The Edgeworth family, who are deeply involved in this matter, will not be completely unable to cover it up in the end, but they are likely to suffer serious damage.

No one expected this to happen. This Cirque du Soleil troupe is renowned, having toured at least seven or eight countries over the past decade. Just a week ago, they had returned from a visit to the capital of a neighboring country, receiving unanimous praise.

If it weren't for the fact that it could bring in significant business profits, the Edgeworth family wouldn't have been so proactive in providing them with these services.

However, a very serious mistake occurred at this very point.

Now that it has already happened, all they can do is take some remedial measures.

After his trusted subordinates had received their instructions and left, Minister Franz turned around.

“Ge Li…” He gazed at his daughter, a daughter he could be proud of. “Sometimes, a lot has to be sacrificed for the family business.”

"The higher one's position, the more perilous the challenges one will face..."

He paused for a moment, then emphasized it again:

Don't let me down.

Chapter 120 Unrequited Love

Wayne held Chris's hand tightly as they walked down Central Street.

"Wayne, you're hitting too hard!"

Chris frowned and grabbed him as he kept walking forward with his head down.

"Oh...sorry." He stopped walking, loosened his grip slightly, but still didn't let go completely.

"Wayne, what's wrong with you today? You're acting strange..."

Influenced by his emotions, Chris also seemed somewhat worried.

At this point, Molly and Eve had been instructed by him to rent a carriage and go home, and not to go out again for the rest of the day.

Wayne opened her mouth, but then ignored her question and confusion.

“We have to get to the city guard first,” he said. “I have a feeling something terrible is going to happen…”

The moment he finished speaking, a huge explosion rang out from behind him.

"boom--"

After the deafening roar, the world seemed to fall silent for a moment, followed by faint screams and wails coming from the direction of the circus.

Chris paused for a second, then her expression changed, and she pulled Wayne to walk back.

However, it couldn't be pulled.

"...Don't go."

Wayne's eyes were filled with an unfathomable look.

"We... can't help. Go find the city guards to handle it."

“But—” Chris wanted to say something more.

Wayne immediately interrupted her: "No buts!"

“If it were there—” he said in a low voice, as if pleading with sorrow.

"I won't be able to protect Chris..."

The unrest at the circus began to escalate.

Chris pursed her lips and said to him very seriously, "Wayne, you may not understand, but... I definitely won't let anything happen to me in a place like this."

She raised her other hand, as if making a vow.

"I promise I'll stay right next to you! And if I see any danger, I'll turn and run away immediately!"

The cries for help grew louder and louder. Chris said anxiously, "...There were many children watching the performance. Perhaps if someone could offer a little more help, the greater loss could have been avoided."

—After all, she and Wayne are both mages with power.

Moreover, he also has the protagonist's halo.

That's what Chris thought.

However, this reasoning failed to convince Wayne.

"Those people are not as important as Chris."

Chris's pupils dilated as she stared blankly at him.

It was as if he couldn't believe that such words would come out of Wayne's mouth.

Wayne simply stared silently into her eyes.

Then, in a tone that felt very unfamiliar to her, he said things that were completely contrary to what she had expected.

"...To me, Chris's safety is more important than anything else in this world."

“I will not allow Chris to potentially... be in danger, for whatever reason.”

……

In the end, Chris couldn't resist Wayne, whose brute strength far surpassed hers, and was pulled away by him.

It was only when they went to the city guard to report the incident that the two learned the specific details of the riot.

24 people died.

Eight people were seriously injured.

62 people sustained minor injuries.

Some of them even died or were injured in the stampede during the chaos.

The perpetrator, motive, method of the crime... are all unknown.

Wayne informed the city guard of the person he suspected, but the city guard was in chaos due to the death of its highest commander.

The officials there simply recorded the clues he provided and ordered them to return home immediately, with martial law being tightened.

Even after they left the city guard, the atmosphere between the two remained silent.

Knowing the dire consequences, Wayne felt terrible.

Perhaps, the person who was just watching the performance with you, excited and cheering, will soon be sleeping forever underground.

But if he had to choose again, he still wouldn't turn back.

Because of him—

Back home, the two once again received care and concern from their mother.

Seeing that they both looked exhausted, Ashville didn't say anything more, just told them to go to sleep early.

Duke Elliott was urgently summoned to the palace for a meeting, and he had many things to attend to at home, so he had no time to take care of them.

After fidgeting in his room for a while, Wayne left his bedroom, went to the other side of the hallway, and gently knocked on Chris's door.

There was no response.

He tried turning the doorknob, but it wasn't locked.

“Chris, it’s me.” He raised his voice slightly. “I have something to tell you. May I come in?”

There was still no response from inside.

After a moment's hesitation, Wayne pushed open the door.

I saw her; she was sitting on the edge of the bed with her head down, holding a pillow in her arms.

She didn't look towards the door; instead, she buried her head on the pillow and stared blankly at the carpet.

He closed the door and walked over gently.

Then, he knelt down beside her bed so that he could see her face clearly.

“Chris, will you blame me?” Wayne asked softly.

Chris paused slightly, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

Then she shook her head and said softly, "No, because Wayne is only doing this out of concern for me."

Her voice was somewhat somber.

"I'm just... in a bad mood... I shouldn't have encountered something like this..."

Wayne suddenly grabbed her hand and made her look at him.

"Chris."

He felt that he was about to lose control of his emotions.

At least--

He wanted her to understand her own feelings.

"I...I've always wanted you to know that you're more important to me than anyone else..."

He raised her hand slightly and placed it against his lips.

"Although you may have thought I was joking before, I... really, really like Chris." The tone of her confession was more like a murmur.

Every minute and every second I spend with you is filled with happiness.

"Just the thought of seeing you again when I open my eyes fills me with anticipation for the next day."

“Seeing that Chris needs me... that’s when I feel that my existence here has meaning.”

"I can't imagine... what it would be like if you weren't by my side."

That's enough.

After kissing the back of her hand deeply for two seconds, Wayne looked up and gazed into her eyes, which were as clear as glass.

"I……"

—Don't tell anyone.

"Love you."

Wayne gazed at Chris with longing and admiration.

Every day I spend with her, I feel like I like her a little more.

He could no longer imagine that another person might appear in the future, and like him, hold her hand every day, tidy her slightly messy hair, accept her natural coquettishness, and lean on her while she sleeps.

I find it unbearable even to have the slightest thought about it.

He wanted to have her.

Chris stared intently at him, her eyes seemingly glistening with tears, appearing deeply moved by this display of genuine emotion.

It must have reached you; it conveyed my sincere feelings.

Wayne gave her a gentle and affectionate smile.

however--

The beautiful girl in front of him smiled bitterly, her lips slightly downturned.

"……sorry."

He received a heartbreaking rejection.

"I cannot accept your feelings."

Chapter 121 Terrible