The Heiress's Return: From Zen to Zenith

Chapter 832: 414 Shut Up_2

Having served Madam for so long without reaping much benefits, Bartlett Parker now found himself in a predicament and was worried that he would get into even more trouble.

Bartlett regretted getting himself involved in this mess.

The study room was swallowed by an uncomfortably thick silence as no one dared to utter a word.

The incessant ticking of the wall clock echoed in the room, mirroring the fluctuations of Bartlett’s anxious heartbeats.

“Mom.” A hoarse voice from the young man broke the silence in the room.

Belen Philbert and Bartlett both turned their heads in response.

The young man stood frail and pale, shrouded in an oversized garment that hung loosely around his emaciated frame.

He seemed feeble and could barely walk but for the wall he leaned on. Seeing this, Belen quickly rushed to support him.

“Young Master, why are you up?” she asked.

He waved her off with a firm hand and continued looking sternly at the elegant figure standing with her back towards him.

“Everyone out.”

Belen looked at Virginia Frost, signaled Bartlett with a nod of the head, and both left the room.

As Belen gently closed the door of the study, she turned around and came face-to-face with Bartlett’s greasy, chubby face.

“Ms. Philbert, what do we do now? Can Madam handle it?”

Belen replied with an unmoved demeanor, “It’s not our place to question Madam’s decisions.”

Bartlett grew anxious, “Ms. Philbert, it’s not just about Madam, this concerns us too!”

Belen couldn’t bother with him anymore and left him alone. She walked off to check an anonymous message on her phone that had just popped up in her email.

——

“Mom, please stop this. Don’t harm any more innocents,” the young man’s voice was hoarse and heavy, bringing a weight to the otherwise silent room.

“Edward, are you feeling better? Are you still uncomfortable?” Virginia Frost asked kindly, walking over to him and feeling his forehead.

She exhaled, “The fever’s gone.”

Nicholas Drake held her hand tightly. His dark eyes bore into hers with depth and intensity.

“Please, put a stop to this. Don’t stain your hands with the blood of innocents anymore.”

Virginia Frost laughed and shook her head, “Edward, Mom…”.

“Isn’t Aubree Groove’s death enough to wake you up? How many more people must suffer before you stop seeking revenge?”

The young man’s chest rose and fell erratically as his emotions flared up.

No sooner had he finished speaking, a violent fit of coughing seized him, flushing his pale cheeks with color.

“Edward…” A worried Virginia Frost patted him gently on his back.

“Mom… I beg you, please stop…” Tears welled up in the young man’s eyes. His pure gaze was filled with desperation.

Stunned, Virginia Frost mumbled,” Was I really wrong?”

——

The study room door opened and out walked Virginia Frost, supporting Nicholas Drake.

“Help the young master back to his room to rest.”

Flora came over and helped Nicholas Drake away.

He glanced back at Virginia Frost, who gave him an assuring nod.

When Nicholas had disappeared from her sight, Virginia Frost’s smile gradually faded into a solemn expression.

“Let’s go.” Virginia Frost began to walk off, and Belen Philbert and Bartlett Parker quickly followed.

Once back in his room, Nicholas Drake told Flora, “Flora, I’m tired and want to rest early. Do not disturb me unless it is important, okay?”

Flora didn’t think much of it and left, closing the bedroom door behind her.

Nicholas Drake picked up a coat and briskly left the room.

The only car left in the garage was a black Santana used for groceries. Nicholas got in and drove it out of the garage.

That night, The Frosts’ Villa was bustling with activity. With people frequently coming and going, no one noticed a car leaving the garage.

——

At nine o’clock in the evening, the area outside the Police Department was in an uproar. On hearing the news, more and more angry citizens gathered, some even bringing handwritten banners bearing phrases like “Release Agave Rinto, Give Aubree Groove Justice”. The bold words were enough to awaken anyone’s mind and some were even more explicit, stopping just short of vandalizing the front gate of the Police Department.

The fury of the people should never be underestimated. In less than half an hour, they managed to block the entrance to the Police Department completely.

“These people, jumping to conclusions without knowing the facts. I’d arrest them all if it were up to me,” Ahmed Hayley muttered angrily.

He hadn’t been here long and was taken aback by the chaos.

Seeing people challenge the police’s authority angered him. “What an unruly mob!” He thought.

An old police officer glanced at him and shook his head. @@novelbin@@

People tend to rebel against what they are told. Right now, pacifying the crowd was the best solution. If they acted against the people’s will, they would just be digging their own graves.

“Since when did our police investigations become subject to everyone’s opinions? Everyone thinks they’re an expert based on some rumors they read online. Do they take us for fools?”