The Fox and Rat

The Verdaselles Palace — Dominic's Office

Later, Richard stepped into the dimly lit home office, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the space. Shadows cast by the late afternoon light stretched across the intricate woodwork, lending a sense of mystery to the room's opulent decor.

"It's really… exquisite," he murmured to himself, a hint of admiration slipping into his voice. "First time I've been in here." He closed the door behind him softly, taking care to lock it.

Richard's gaze landed on the polished mahogany desk. I need to find clues about the necklace… and that document. He rifled through a stack of papers, opening drawers and leafing through their contents. He moved with purpose, not hesitating as he checked every drawer. "I've searched nearly everywhere else—except Dominic's bedroom and this office… and the Eastward."

With measured steps, he crossed to a small library nestled in the corner, running his fingers along the spines of the books. Just as he selected a leather-bound volume, a familiar, chilling voice sliced through the silence.

"And what do you think you're doing, sneaky rat?"

Richard flinched, the book slipping from his grasp and hitting the floor with a dull thud. He turned slowly, a mask of composure settling over his face as he bent to pick it up. Dominic stepped out of the shadows, folding his arms with a glint of mockery in his cold, calculating gaze.

Dominic's lips twisted into a smirk. "It's been a year or two since you last graced this palace, hasn't it? You must be running out of time, Henry Berbill. Becoming reckless, even. From what I know, Evangeline hired you to remain by her side at all times—yet here you are, acting alone." His eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned against a nearby pillar, lazily crossing one leg over the other.

Richard placed the book back on the shelf, his posture tense but unwavering. "Dominic Brusward… We've only met a handful of times. Don't pretend you know me." His tone was ice-cold, but Dominic's only response was a scoff.

"Oh, I know more than you think," Dominic continued, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. "I warned you last time—don't even think of getting Evangeline pregnant. But I suppose you've forgotten that along with your purpose in this house." He smirked, unfolding his arms just enough to gesture dismissively. "To think this shallow… How predictable of you."

Dominic's eyes sharpened, taking on a mocking glint as he moved closer, each step deliberate. "So, the notorious Henry Berbill decides to slip in as 'Richard,' using a different name and purpose. Quite ambitious. You forget, I'm the one who helped Bruno pick you up from the gutter. You worked for my father, alongside my elder brother Edward. I know every sordid detail of your life."

Dominic's tone grew colder, cutting like a blade. "Instead of managing the Berbill house, here you are, playing at something you're not. Tell me, how's Bruno? Or did you kill him, too, to make way for your next scheme? Just as you're trying to worm your way into Evangeline's life… only for your own gain?"

Richard clenched his fists, jaw tightening as Dominic chuckled, his voice filled with a sinister amusement. "Evangeline only hired you because she wanted protection—from me, and anyone else who might harm her. Little did she know, someone saw that as an opportunity to send you here." His words dripped with venom, each one a calculated barb, but Richard forced himself to remain impassive, refusing to meet Dominic's gaze.

"This sly fox," Richard thought, his mind racing as he kept his composure. Dominic, unfazed, let out a lazy yawn, covering his mouth with one hand, before opening his eyes and fixing Richard with an unblinking stare.

"Oh, don't mind me," Dominic said, his voice softening with mock indifference. "I'm only curious to see how long you'll last before you're… exposed."

The tension in the room crackled, neither man breaking their stance, each locked in the silent battle of a fox and a rat

The room seemed to pulse with tension as Richard, standing firm, faced Dominic's cold, mocking stare. Dominic leaned casually against the edge of his desk, arms folded, his devilish aura casting a dark shadow over the conversation. A sinister smirk played at his lips, his eyes glinting with that unsettling, snake-like gaze.

"I'm not interested in you or Evangeline," Dominic continued, his voice steady, though the words felt poisonous, each one biting into the tense air. "I just want to know who's really pulling the strings behind all this."

Dominic's smirk only deepened, and he tilted his head, watching Richard with the detached amusement of a predator toying with his prey. Richard's fists clenched tightly, and though he kept his expression stoic, his mind churned. "He knows about us. He knows I'm more than just her bodyguard. But I shouldn't be surprised—Dominic Brusward and his family act like snakes, always slithering, always aware. They should change their family emblem to a serpent that's what fits them better"

Dominic's piercing gaze seemed to reach right into Richard's thoughts, twisting the truth into his own twisted amusement. "He wants to use his authority, his position as the Viceroy and future Duke, against me," Richard thought bitterly. "As Evangeline's husband, he wields that power like a sword, and though he's no threat to her now, he could be at any moment. He doesn't need to kill her outright; he's far more dangerous than that, he's more terrifying than Victor and Edward. He could break her without lifting a finger."

Richard's fists tightened even further, his knuckles whitening, but he forced himself to breathe, to contain the anger seething beneath his calm facade. He stepped forward, brushing past Dominic, refusing to let his words sink in deeper than they already had.

As Richard made to leave, Dominic let out a low, sinister chuckle. "Tell your boss I wish them the best of luck in finding whatever they're looking for… once they're done with their little puppet." His voice was a deadly whisper, chilling the air with a hint of sadistic pleasure. He smirked, watching as Richard stopped, his posture stiffening at the venom in Dominic's words.

"Or," Dominic continued with cold malice, "perhaps I'll find them first." His tone dropped, becoming almost lethal. It was as if he were contemplating murder right there, his eyes glinting with the dark pleasure of it.

Richard clenched his fists even tighter, forcing himself to breathe steadily, resisting the urge to respond. He knew it was all part of Dominic's game, and he wouldn't give him the satisfaction. As he continued to walk away, leaving Dominic behind him, he could still feel the weight of those mocking words, each one like a dagger pressed into his back.

Dominic's quiet, mocking laughter echoed softly through the halls as Richard continued walking away, his steps controlled and unwavering. But inside, each word Dominic had said still lingered, like a poison coursing through his veins.

Richard stiffened, every word cutting into him like shards of glass, but he held his ground, his jaw clenched and fists tight at his sides.

Dominic took a slow step forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned Richard with that mocking, indifferent gaze. "You could have tried to steal something," he continued in a taunting voice, leaning in as if to share a secret. "Or perhaps you just couldn't bring yourself to do it… not while the master of this house is watching your every move." His smirk widened, the taunt biting. "But you wouldn't dare, would you? Not under my roof."

The room was silent, but the tension was thick as Dominic circled around Richard, savoring every moment of his apparent discomfort. He tilted his head, feigning contemplation as he added, "And of course, you'll continue letting dear Evangeline believe that our arrangement—this twisted little game—is something romantic. That I am the husband, and you… the secret lover, instead of a home owner and a thief here to protect her for the sake of our fragile princess."

Richard's fists tightened, the words digging deep, but he remained composed, refusing to meet Dominic's eyes. His silence only seemed to amuse Dominic further.

"Be sure to pass along my message," he murmured, the sinister smile never faltering, his voice dripping with mockery and threat. "And remember—this house watches, even if you think no one else does."

Richard held his gaze for a beat, unflinching, though the weight of Dominic's words lingered, heavy and sharp. Then, without a word, he turned, his steps measured and firm, leaving Dominic behind him, that cackling, sinister laughter echoing in his mind as he walked away.

Without warning, the doors slammed shut behind them, the sound reverberating through the room. Dominic's chuckle grew, the mocking laughter transforming into something darker, unhinged. He walked to a nearby sofa, collapsing into it, his head tilted back as his laughter spiraled into a full, maniacal cackle. His eyes shone with a twisted delight as he stared up at the ceiling, his shoulders shaking with each laugh, as if he were savoring some dark, personal victory.

Finally, he lowered his head, meeting Richard's eyes once more, a glint of madness still lingering. His lips twisted into a devilish grin, and he chuckled softly, his gaze as cold as ever.