Chapter 9: Jade was... exposed?

Devon arrived at the scene, not a trace of panic visible on his face.

He looked up calmly and spoke, “What do you want?”

The maid laughed harshly, her eyes wide in a crazed manner.

“Clear the path and make sure none of your guards follow me.”

One of the guards immediately stepped forward and pulled out his gun.

“We can deal with her, boss.”

The others followed suit, readying themselves, but Devon raised his hand and they slowly backed away.

Karina froze in place, too stunned to move. She tried to wriggle out of the maid’s hold but her grip only tightened.

“Stop struggling unless you want to die here,” the maid whispered against her ear, pulling her back harder. She laughed quietly. “Killing you would be a piece of cake… and we both know he doesn’t care that much.”

Karina slowly stopped resisting.

Her hands fell limply to her sides as she stared at Devon.

He wouldn’t let her die here…

Right?

Devon let out a low chuckle.

“Funny of you to think she’s important.”

His eyes locked with Karina’s and for a brief second, he saw it—that tiny flicker of expectation in her eyes.

His expression turned colder.

“Kill her.”

Karina felt something sink in her chest.

Of course.

She had forgotten.

No matter what happened between them… she was still expendable.

The maid burst into laughter and pressed the blade closer against her neck.

“Hear that?” She mocked. “He wants me to kill you.”

Tears streamed down Karina’s face as she slowly closed her eyes.

So this was it.

Devon stood there with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable. Only the slight tightening of his fist betrayed him as his heartbeat pounded harder against his chest.

All of a sudden, one of the guards appeared behind the maid and struck her wrist.

The knife clattered onto the floor.

Before she could react, the rest rushed forward and pinned her down.

He had planned this earlier before arriving at the scene.

Devon didn't waste any more time and moved immediately.

He took the stairs in quick strides and caught Karina just before she collapsed.

Her body fell against his chest and his arms wrapped around her instinctively.

Only then did he realize, he had been holding his breath.

His heartbeat gradually settled once she was safely in his arms.

Karina clutched his shirt tightly before breaking down completely, sobbing harder as she buried herself against him.

Devon’s expression darkened.

He took a gun from one of the guards and pointed it straight at the maid.

“Who sent you?”

The maid stared at him for a second.

Then she laughed.

Suddenly, she bit one of the guards’ hands.

The guard loosened his grip and before anyone could react, she snatched the gun from his waist—

Bang.

The sound echoed through the manor.

Karina screamed and buried her face deeper into Devon’s chest.

Devon blinked once before his expression returned to normal.

He tilted his head slightly.

The guards understood immediately and dragged the body away.

Soon after, servants arrived to clean the blood splattered across the floor.

Nobody looked surprised.

After rigorous training and interviews, everyone working in the manor had already been prepared for situations like this.

And everyone understood one thing,

what happened inside the Russell manor stayed inside.

Unless they wished to disappear with it.

Devon finally looked down at Karina and gently moved the strands of hair stuck to her face.

“Are you—”

Before he could finish, her eyes rolled back.

Devon caught her immediately and picked her up.

“Call the doctor,” he instructed.

Patricia had just returned from shopping and hurried over after hearing the commotion.

She looked at the blood… then at Karina in his arms.

Her brows twitched slightly before she nodded.

Karina slowly opened her eyes, slight sobbing sounding beside her.

“Argh…” she winced, holding her head.

Betty immediately gasped when she noticed she was awake and rushed out to call the doctor.

James stepped forward instead and carefully helped Karina sit up before adjusting the covers around her.

Karina looked around weakly.

“What are you doing here?”

James glanced at her and answered quietly.

“Mr. Russell told us to come see you. He also said we could resume work immediately.”

His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at her.

Maybe Mr. Russell wasn’t as bad as he thought.

But he definitely wasn’t good either.

Staying beside someone like him would only bring Karina trouble.

Karina seemed to notice his expression and smiled gently.

“I’m fine.”

She tried to brush it off but immediately started coughing.

“She’s awake!” Betty exclaimed as she barged back in. “Hurry up, she’s dying!”

Karina rolled her eyes weakly while James handed her a glass of water. After she finished drinking, he quietly took the glass and placed it on the table before stepping outside.

The doctor walked in and Karina froze.

“You…”

It was the same doctor who had treated her back home.

The doctor smiled faintly.

“I’m glad to see you still recognize me,” he said as he placed his hand against her forehead. “Although I hoped we wouldn’t meet again under these circumstances.”

He walked over to his briefcase and brought out a thermometer, placing it inside her mouth.

“How is she?” Betty asked immediately.

The doctor checked the reading before replying.

“Nothing too serious. Just a slight fever. She fainted due to exhaustion.”

Then his expression darkened.

“I told you not to stress yourself any further because of your wounds.”

Karina stiffened.

“I—”

“Are you taking your meals properly? What about your medication?” he continued immediately.

The questions came one after another.

Back then he had already suspected something wasn’t right.

And seeing her like this again only confirmed it.

Karina stared at him quietly, unsure of what to say.

“Wounds?”

The room suddenly became quiet.

Karina looked toward the door.

Devon stood there with James beside him, his arms crossed and brows furrowed.

Why wasn’t he informed?

Her fingers tightened around the blanket.

Did he… come to check on her?

And earlier—

A tiny smile appeared before she quickly hid it.

The doctor exhaled in frustration before turning to Devon, his voice laced with slight irritation.

“Mr. Russell, you need to keep a closer eye on your wife. She should be properly taken care of if you want those wounds to heal properly.”

The room went silent.

Even Karina looked stunned.

Her eyes widened slightly.

She opened her mouth to speak to defend the doctor.

Devon would definitely—

“Mmm.”

Devon leaned lightly against the doorframe.

That was all.

The doctor looked surprised for a second before huffing and packing his belongings.

James stepped aside and let him leave.

Karina stared at Devon in disbelief.

He agreed?

Just like that?

“You heard what he said, you better—”

James quickly cut Betty off and walked over, gently pushing her toward the door.

“Time for your meds.”

Betty frowned.

Why did everyone keep saying she was on medication?

She continued protesting while James pushed her outside.

Soon the room became quiet again.

Devon remained by the door, staring at her.

Karina slowly pulled the robe tighter around herself under the weight of his gaze.

“Let me see them,” Devon suddenly spoke up.

“W–What?” Karina blinked

“The wounds.”

Karina hesitated, her fingers tightening around the robe instinctively.

Devon took a step forward, his expression unreadable.

“You want to pretend you're shy?” he mocked. “You weren't this hesitant that night.”

His eyes stayed on her.

“I've already seen everything, so there's nothing left to hide.”

Karina's face burned instantly.

She lowered her head and avoided his eyes.

She stood up and with trembling fingers, she loosened the robe and let it slip just enough to expose the marks scattered across her back.

Devon stared.

Then swallowed.

His eyes lingered for a second longer than necessary before he forced himself to look elsewhere.

She shouldn't still be affecting him like this.

His gaze drifted back to the marks and immediately, his expression darkened.

His brows pulled together.

The wounds weren't fresh but they hadn't healed properly either.

Some looked like bruises and there were older marks too.

“What happened?” he asked.

This time his voice came out lower, unmistakable anger evident in his voice.

Karina flinched at his tone.

Why was he angry?

She stared down at the floor.

“It's nothing. I—”

“Is everyone o…kay…”

The door suddenly swung open.

Leon froze.

His eyes moved once.

Then he quietly shut the door, pacing around.

“…I'm screwed,” Leon muttered from outside. “He's definitely going to kill me.”

Karina immediately pulled the robe back up and held it tightly around herself.

Devon stayed silent for a moment before turning away.

“Stay here until you recover fully,” he instructed.

Then he left.

Karina stared after him before slowly sitting back down on the bed.

She sat up properly and looked around for the first time since waking up.

The room looked… simple.

Cream walls, dark brown furniture and almost nothing decorative except the few pieces of artwork hanging on the walls. It matched the rest of the manor but somehow felt quieter than the other spaces she had seen.

Her eyes landed on the small desk tucked into the corner. A chair was pulled out slightly and several books were scattered across the surface as though someone had been reading and left in a hurry.

Curious, she stood up and walked over.

She picked one up carefully and flipped through a few pages absentmindedly before placing it back where she found it.

Just then, the door opened and Patricia walked in carrying a tray.

“Your meal.”

She placed it beside the bed.

Karina walked over and sat down quietly.

“Thank you.”

She picked up the soup and took a careful sip.

Her eyes widened.

A bright smile slowly spread across her face.

“This is delicious.”

Patricia looked at her for a brief second.

Then a faint smile appeared on her own face before disappearing just as quickly.

“Your room should be ready soon.”

Her tone remained as flat as ever but this time… it didn't feel cold.

She turned and left before Karina could respond.

Karina remained seated, holding the bowl in both hands as she stared at the closed door.

Ever since the night she went out with Devon, Patricia had changed.

She personally supervised the cleaning of her room.

Even her meals were no longer left to the maids but they were handled by Patricia directly.

Karina lowered her eyes to the soup in her hands, wrapping her hand around it.

She wasn't sure if it was because of the food… or because someone finally noticed.

But for the first time since arriving at the manor…

she didn't feel completely unwanted.

A small smile appeared on her lips as she finished the rest of the soup before moving on to the other dishes.

Devon Russell

“You better have a good reason for barging in like that,” Devon seethed as they walked toward the study.

“I heard what happened and rushed over here immediately,” Leon tried to explain quickly. “I didn’t know you were—”

Devon stopped walking and shot him a glare that shut him up instantly.

“I also have something to tell you…” Leon trailed off when they reached the study door.

Jade was already inside.

Devon’s gaze landed on her.

For a brief moment, his expression shifted.

Then it softened into a gentle smile as he stepped in.

“Welcome,” he said calmly, gesturing toward the seat.

“Thank you,” Jade replied, sitting down and placing the contract in front of him.

“The contract, I presume?” Devon asked, loosening his coat and draping it over the back of the chair.

“Yes.”

Leon moved closer and stood beside Jade, his eyes narrowing slightly at her. She met his gaze with a faint smirk before quickly smoothing her expression.

Devon didn’t notice their interaction.

He picked up the pen, already preparing to sign but Leon held his arm, stopping him.

“Before you do anything,” Leon interrupted sharply, stepping forward, “take a look at this.”