Death of Bethany

Eugene handed his stones to the jewelers, who weighed them carefully. "One hundred kilograms," one of them said. Evangeline rested her chin on her hand, nodding thoughtfully.

"Not bad... I could use them for some jewelry I'd wear. How much for them?" she asked, her gaze sharp and businesslike.

Eugene flushed slightly, his face turning a soft shade of pink. "There's no need for that, Your Grace. Prince George already purchased them and asked me to deliver them to you," he replied, glancing away shyly, trying to hide the nerves behind his polite exterior.

"Oh..." Evangeline smiled faintly. "Send my thanks to him," she said, signaling to the jewelers to return Eugene's stones to the boxes. "Now, let's discuss business so you can make your purchases." She walked past Eugene without another glance, her commanding presence filling the room. Just as she reached the exit, she paused and turned to the jewelers.

"Pack my stones for Eugene and send them to my office. As for his stones, give them to Sarah—she'll craft me new pieces. And make sure they don't end up with Charisse's diamonds," she added firmly before exiting with Richard, leaving Eugene and his assistants following behind her.

Once the payments were made and the business concluded, they stood by the office door, where Eugene's assistants carefully took the boxes away. As Evangeline was about to leave, Eugene suddenly reached for her hand, his heart pounding.

"Lady Evangeline," he said softly, his voice filled with a mix of hope and hesitation. "When do you have some free time? Maybe we could talk more...?"

For a moment, their eyes met. Eugene's gaze was full of warmth and admiration, but Evangeline's expression remained unreadable. She gently pulled her hand from his grip, her movements deliberate.

"I'm a busy woman," she said, her voice calm but distant. "There's no time for anything else. It's impossible to meet for anything beyond business. We are partners, nothing more. A woman of my status cannot entertain anything else." She hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her words carefully. "Unless... George didn't tell you about me."

Without waiting for a reply, she waved her hand dismissively, signaling that the conversation was over.

Eugene's heart sank, but before he could say another word, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Richard, the man who had been silently accompanying Evangeline earlier. Richard's cold gaze bore into him, the warning clear.

"She said she's busy. Don't bother her anymore," Richard said, his voice like ice.

Eugene swallowed hard, fear tightening his throat. He nodded, and Richard released his shoulder, walking away with Evangeline.

Left standing alone, Eugene clenched his fists, his heart heavy with disappointment. He watched them leave, realizing the reality he didn't want to face.

"That's her lover... I guess there's nothing I can do," he muttered to himself, the weight of rejection pressing down on him. He sighed, bowing his head, the ache of heartbreak settling in his chest as he slowly turned away.

Evangeline walked through a door leading to the garden when she saw a maid approaching. The maid bowed her head respectfully.

"Lady Evangeline, Mr. Willows requests a meeting," the maid said, her voice low and formal.

Evangeline raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A meeting? Could it be…?" she thought, and then said aloud, "Take me to him."

The maid nodded and led her toward Charles, who was waiting nearby. As Eugene watched Evangeline leave, he sighed in disappointment and began heading toward the gate. Standing quietly in a corner, Magdalene shook her head with a slight smile, her arms folded. She had watched the exchange between Eugene and Evangeline with keen eyes, and as her gaze followed Evangeline walking away, she turned toward the kitchen, murmuring to herself.

"Dominic should have received the letter by now… I wonder when he's coming back."

Just then, a guard approached Magdalene, handing her an envelope. She recognized the handwriting immediately.

"Hong? Took this old man long enough to gather this research," she mused, thanking the guard before heading toward the kitchen with the envelope in hand.

Inside the house, Evangeline and Charles sat opposite each other in the living room, a tension in the air. Evangeline crossed her legs and tapped her heel against the tile, her gaze sharp.

"So, it's from the cleaning department?" she asked, her voice cool as her heel flicked impatiently.

Charles nodded. "Yes. We believe there's a spy within your household—someone who despises your family. We interrogated several people, but nothing came of it." He sighed heavily, staring at the small flower vase on the table as if it could provide the answers he needed.

"I've already written to your husband in Eardoznia through Magdalene. But we're still working on identifying the criminal," he added, frustration seeping into his tone.

Before Evangeline could respond, Magdalene entered the room, interrupting the conversation. She bowed slightly, an envelope clutched in her hand.

"My Lady, Mr. Charles, there's a problem," she said, her tone grave.

Evangeline and Charles exchanged worried glances before Evangeline took the letter from Magdalene. As her eyes scanned the contents, her expression darkened. In a sudden burst of anger, she slammed her hand down on the letter.

"The Khardes family?!" she spat, her fists clenched tightly as she bowed her head in frustration.

Magdalene, standing a few feet away, continued calmly, though her voice was laced with concern. "An old friend of mine did some digging. It seems they've been illegally importing peach tea. He witnessed it at dawn—around 5 a.m. this morning."

Charles blinked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "They must have a sponsor," he mused.

Evangeline raised her head, her eyes blazing. "The Bruswards. I'm sure of it. They have a history of importing illegal goods into Verdaselles," she replied through gritted teeth, her frustration growing. "Grandmother, you've really let me down," she thought silently, disappointment flickering across her face.

Charles leaned forward, tapping his foot on the floor as if the rhythm might help him think. "The Bruswards are infamous for that sort of thing. Even after they supposedly atoned for their crimes, their real interest lies in acquiring banks and mines now. But that's not the end of it. From the sample I retrieved from the cleaner's uniform, they've refined the tea and even changed its name."

He glanced at Evangeline. "As the head chef here—though it's only temporary—I ensure everything is safe before bringing anything new into the household. And besides, your family has its own signature tea. There's no reason to bring in anything else."

Magdalene looked thoughtfully at Charles. "It may not just be the Bruswards. Now that Edward, Dominic's brother, is the new master of the house, he could be partnering with others to get that tea imported. Dominic would be outraged if he knew. And things are growing worse by the day—Evangeline's life could be in danger." She sighed heavily. "We can only hope Dominic returns soon."

"The Khardes family is bold, no doubt," Evangeline said, standing up from the sofa, her face tense with exhaustion. "But I'm too tired to process this right now. I need rest."

She paused before walking to the door. "I'll speak to Grandmother about this… if she ever intends to visit," she muttered, then shut the door behind her with a definitive click.

Magdalene shook her head, turning back to Charles. "How did you figure out the tea was being transformed and mixed?"

Charles smirked, leaning back in his chair. "I'm an officer, remember? Also, a detective. Before I came to this house, Dominic and I were at a bar, disguised, when we overheard someone plotting against Evangeline's family… and Dominic."

Magdalene frowned, picking up the paper from the table. "Could it be Edward targeting Evangeline and Dominic? Especially Evangeline?"

Charles sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "The Bruswards have a long history of crime. But Dominic… he's different. He's not like the rest of his family. I don't understand why Evangeline despises him so much." His voice held a note of confusion and frustration.

Magdalene chuckled softly. "Well, he's still a Brusward, and Evangeline doesn't care for that. They'll be fine one day."

She glanced upward at the chandelier, then continued. "For now, Richard is more than capable of protecting her while Dominic is away. Edward might try to use Dominic's absence to his advantage, but Dominic was smart enough to assign guards to the house. And he left quietly with no public announcement—no one knows when he'll return."

Charles shook his head. "Dominic's doing everything he can to protect her, but they act like they can't stand each other. And then there's the affair… I don't understand either of them."

Magdalene laughed quietly. "It's complicated, Charles. Dominic and Evangeline's relationship isn't something either of us should try to figure out."

Charles shrugged, the confusion still lingering in his expression as Magdalene's laughter echoed softly through the room.

Evangeline sat at the study table in her room, slowly removing her gloves and placing them on the table. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

"The Khardes family... they were in financial ruin, and now they must have made a desperate deal with the Bruswards. There has to be a sponsor—a mastermind behind this," she thought, frowning as her frustration grew. Rising from her seat, she left her bedroom, her footsteps brisk.

As she turned the corner, she accidentally bumped into Bethany, who bowed her head respectfully.

"My Lady," Bethany murmured.

Evangeline gave a brief nod but said nothing, her thoughts still elsewhere. As Bethany walked away, Evangeline's sharp eyes caught sight of something out of place. A tea bag, discarded on the floor. She bent down to pick it up, examining it closely. Her heart tightened as she realized what it was—the same type of tea Charles had spoken of, the illegally imported kind.

Her grip tightened around the tea bag, her knuckles whitening. "What is Bethany doing with this?" she thought, suspicion creeping in. She replayed Charles' words in her mind, his warnings about the tea being smuggled in and rebranded.

She raised her hand, gesturing for a nearby guard. "Follow me," she ordered, her voice low but firm.

As the guard fell in step behind her, Richard was pacing the halls, searching for Evangeline. He had sensed something was off. When he finally spotted her, the sight of a guard trailing her made his heart race with unease. He didn't like seeing her on edge like this, and something deep within him stirred—a protective instinct, almost possessive in nature. He had seen that look on her face before, the one where she buried her emotions just beneath the surface.

Without hesitation, Richard decided to join them, falling into step beside her. His usually calm demeanor was marred by a faint crease in his brow, an unusual tension in his chest. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his words catching in his throat as he observed the determined set of her jaw.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though his gut told him something was amiss. He could feel it—something more dangerous than usual lingered in the air, and it made him restless.

Evangeline glanced at him briefly, her expression unreadable. "I'll explain later," she said curtly, her voice clipped and full of unspoken tension.

Richard's concern deepened, though he said nothing more. He clenched his fists, swallowing the impulse to push for answers. His mind churned with silent questions, and despite Evangeline's calm, he couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was threatening to slip through the cracks. A flicker of something darker moved through his thoughts.

His loyalty to Evangeline was unquestionable, but it was more than duty that compelled him to follow her. It was personal. He could not let anything harm her—not while he was around.

For now, he could only wait, his eyes never leaving her as they moved through the halls, the tension building with every step they took closer to Bethany.

Evangeline, fueled by suspicion, followed Bethany to her bedroom. She watched silently as Bethany opened a drawer under her bed, revealing multiple packs of tea bags—the same kind Evangeline had found earlier. Her heart pounded as she realized the gravity of what she was seeing.

"Bethany…" Evangeline's voice rang out, startling the maid.

Bethany froze, her eyes widening in alarm as she quickly turned to face Evangeline. "My Lady… what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice tight with forced politeness. As her gaze flickered nervously toward the drawer, she subtly pushed it shut with the heel of her shoe, already scheming for a way to escape.

Evangeline's eyes narrowed, her suspicion turning to certainty. "Stop right there! Today, you'll pay for your crimes!" she demanded, stepping forward to grab Bethany's hand.

But Bethany, unfazed, let out a cold, menacing laugh. "Really? This is where it ends for you, My Lady. Right here, right now," she said, smirking as she nodded to the guard behind Evangeline—the guard who was secretly her accomplice.

Before Evangeline could react, the guard drew a knife and lunged at her, aiming for her shoulder.

"Evangeline, watch out!" Richard's voice boomed through the room as he barreled in, shoving the guard away just in time. But not fast enough. The blade nicked Evangeline's arm, and she gasped in pain, clutching the bleeding wound.

Seeing Evangeline hurt made something snap in Richard. His eyes darkened with fury, and without a moment's hesitation, he struck. With the deadly precision of a trained assassin, Richard landed a solid punch to the guard's face, followed by a brutal kick to his stomach that sent him crashing to the ground, spitting blood. The guard scrambled to fight back, but Richard was relentless. He weaved through the guard's attacks effortlessly, each movement fluid and lethal. Within seconds, Richard disarmed him and delivered a devastating roundhouse kick to his jaw, sending him flying into the wall. The guard slumped to the ground, unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth.

Breathing heavily, Richard turned his attention back to Evangeline, just in time to see Bethany charging at her, a crazed look in her eyes. Without thinking, Richard unleashed a ruthless kick that sent Bethany crashing into the balcony doors, falling to her knees, groaning in pain. She spat blood and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, but despite her injury, a maniacal grin spread across her face.

"Who sent you to hurt Evangeline?" Richard demanded, his voice icy as he clenched his fists. In his other hand, he held the guard's knife, ready to use it if needed.

Bethany laughed, blood staining her teeth as she coughed. "Why don't we die together, my love? Then I'll tell you... in the underworld," she sneered, her voice dripping with malice as blood dripped from her mouth.

Richard blinked in confusion, his brow furrowing. "Your… what?" he asked, stunned for a moment by her twisted words.

"Go to hell!" Bethany screamed, her eyes gleaming with madness. Suddenly, a dove flew toward the balcony, carrying a small letter on its leg. Bethany's face lit up with sick excitement. "Master sent me a message," she thought. "I'll signal him about Dominic's absence and deal with this fool."

But before Bethany could make a move, Richard acted. With a swift, fluid motion, he hurled the knife, and it struck the bird mid-flight, killing it instantly. The dove fell to the ground, lifeless.

Bethany's face twisted in rage. "Nooo!!!" she shrieked, her voice raw with fury. "How dare you, you bastard!" She spat in Richard's face in a final act of defiance, her bloodshot eyes filled with venom.

Richard wiped the spit from his face calmly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Surrender now," he said, his voice steady, though his patience was wearing thin.

Bethany let out a bitter laugh, her body trembling with rage and desperation. "Go to hell!" she snarled. But as she took a step back, her foot slipped on the slick surface of the balcony. Her expression shifted from anger to terror as she lost her balance, plummeting over the edge.

The sickening thud of her body hitting the ground echoed through the air. Bethany lay motionless in a pool of her own blood, her head twisted at an unnatural angle. The servants gasped, whispering in horror as they stared at her lifeless form.

Richard approached the balcony, his expression cold and unreadable. He stared down at Bethany's body, the whispers of the servants reaching his ears. For a moment, his gaze shifted to the bird's body lying nearby, the knife still embedded in its chest.

He stood there in silence, his mind racing. The danger was far from over, and he knew that this was just the beginning. Whatever plan Bethany had been a part of—whatever message she had been about to send—it had died with her.

But the threat still lingered, and Richard would stop at nothing to protect Evangeline from whatever came next.

Richard rushed into Bethany's room and found Evangeline clutching her injured arm, her face pale with pain. Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms, his heart pounding with both concern and anger. As he carried her out, several servants who had heard the commotion rushed in, their eyes wide with shock at the sight of their injured lady. Richard passed the unconscious guard's body on the floor and barked orders to the servants.

"Get the physician immediately! And summon Magdalene to handle this traitor," he commanded, his voice sharp with urgency.

Within minutes, word of Bethany's death and her scheme with her accomplice spread like wildfire through the house. Magdalene, flanked by several guards, hurried into Bethany's room. The once lively maid now lay dead in the courtyard below, her lifeless body a gruesome reminder of the betrayal. The guard, who had regained consciousness, groaned as he was dragged to his feet by two burly men.

Magdalene looked down at him with cold eyes. "Take him to jail," she ordered, her voice steady. As the guards hauled him away, Charles examined the packs of tea bags still hidden in Bethany's drawer. His face hardened as he turned to Magdalene and gave a curt nod.

"I'll personally escort the prisoner to jail and inform my colleagues," Charles said. "According to Richard, Bethany never revealed the mastermind behind this. But at least we've solved part of this plot. We still have Edward Brusward and the Khardes Family to deal with. We'll search every room in the house for further evidence. Once in jail, we'll contact the Royal Family and Dominic before we proceed with the trial and execution of the guard."

Magdalene nodded in agreement, her face grim. "Yes. But first, let's dispose of these tea bags. Lady Evangeline is being treated as we speak," she sighed heavily, glancing at the tea bags with disdain.

Meanwhile, in the study, Evangeline winced as Leonard, the physician's son, carefully cleaned her wound with methylated spirit. The sting made her gasp and clench her fists in pain, holding back tears.

"You're lucky it wasn't a deep cut, Lady Evangeline," Leonard said gently, offering her a reassuring smile. "And it's a good thing your bodyguard was there in time to rescue you." He wrapped her arm in a bandage, his movements careful but efficient. Once finished, he left the sleeve of her gown folded, giving the wound room to breathe.

Richard stood nearby, watching with a tense expression. "Thank you," he said to Leonard, who nodded and smiled kindly.

"It's always a pleasure to care for Lady Evangeline," Leonard replied as he packed his medical kit. "She's like a little sister to me." With a respectful bow, he excused himself and left the room.

As soon as they were alone, Richard knelt in front of Evangeline, his eyes softening with concern. He gently stroked her hair and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "How's the pain?" he asked, his fingers brushing lightly over the bandage on her arm.

Evangeline sighed, her expression weary. "It's painful… but I'll be fine. I just can't believe Bethany would try to kill me," she said, her voice laced with disbelief. "Did she say who sent her?"

Richard shook his head, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "No. She refused to reveal anything and took her own life before we could get any answers," he said, his voice low. "As for her accomplice, his trial will be arranged soon. Magdalene is contacting the King today." He kissed her hand gently, his other hand resting on her thigh, offering her comfort.

Evangeline nodded, her lips forming a faint smile. "That's good… I want to be present at the trial. I need to know what connection this man has with the Khardes Family," she said, determination flickering in her eyes.

Richard tilted his head slightly, curiosity piqued. "Does your family have a history with the Khardes?" he asked.

Evangeline's gaze shifted, a distant look crossing her face. "That's a story for another day," she said with a sigh, clearly not ready to delve into it just yet. "Besides, I'm starving. I haven't had lunch."

Richard chuckled softly, glad to see a hint of her usual spirit returning. "What would you like to eat, my lady?" he asked, his fingers absentmindedly caressing her thigh again, his concern slowly giving way to affection.

"Hmm… just some soup, I think," Evangeline replied, glancing down at her bandaged arm. "Another injury. How many more of these before my flawless skin is ruined?" she muttered bitterly, her thoughts turning to the Bruswards. "All because of that Brusward bastard," she added, gritting her teeth, her hatred for Dominic's family simmering beneath the surface.

Richard, sensing her frustration, gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "We'll find who's responsible," he said softly. "I won't let anyone hurt you again, Evangeline."

Charles sat in his bedroom, staring at the telephone. With a deep breath, he dialed the number Dominic had provided in the letter, his fingers trembling slightly. The ring of the phone echoed through the room, and on the other side,in the Bruthswick lodge, Dominic sat reading political texts in the books he brought with him. His attention shifted when he heard the phone ring, the sound breaking the stillness of the room. Slowly, he stood from the sofa, setting the book aside. His movements were calm, deliberate, and he picked up the phone with his left hand.

"Hello, Sir Dominic. It's me, Charles," came the nervous voice on the other end.

Dominic's lips curved into a brief, almost imperceptible smile, though his expression remained distant and detached. "Ah, Charles. How are you?" he asked, his voice smooth but with an underlying coldness. "I've been waiting to hear from you about the investigation." His slender and beautiful fingers tapped rhythmically on the dark wood of the table where the telephone rested, his wedding ring catching the light as he did so.

Charles hesitated for a moment, overwhelmed by the calm yet chilling presence Dominic exuded even through the phone. He let out a shaky breath before continuing. "Yes… I wrote a letter, but things took an unexpected turn." He ran a hand over his face, trying to compose himself before speaking.

Dominic raised a brow, his smile fading as his gaze sharpened. He could sense the weight of bad news. His tapping fingers stilled, and his tone shifted, becoming colder, more intense. "Oh?....What happened?" His words, no ounce of softness in it, carried an unmistakable edge that made Charles' heart race.

Charles gulped, feeling the pressure of Dominic's icy tone even from a distance. "The culprit... was one of the maids. A woman named Bethany. She refused to reveal the mastermind behind the plot, but we discovered that the Bruswards and the Khardes Family have been smuggling peach tea—disguised as drugs—into Verdaselles. Bethany committed suicide by jumping from her balcony before we could interrogate her further. Lady Evangeline... she was injured. A knife wound. She's being treated now."

Dominic's jaw tightened, his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles whitened. His cold, unforgiving gaze fixed on the wall across the room, but his mind was far from the lodge. The mention of Evangeline's injury stirred something deep inside him, though he ruthlessly suppressed it. "Edward... that bastard." His thoughts churned darkly as he maintained his icy composure. His eyes gleamed with fury, but outwardly he remained collected.

"I see..." he said slowly, his voice now devoid of any warmth. "Is that all?" Dominic's question hung in the air, filled with an intimidating chill. His fingers resumed their tapping, but now the sound was slower, deliberate, each tap seeming to echo ominously through the receiver.

Charles swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Dominic's question. "We've arrested Bethany's accomplice, and we found several bags of the illegal tea in her room. We'll search the house for more evidence, and he'll face the court. If not for Richard, Lady Evangeline would have been killed," Charles added, his voice trembling slightly as he awaited Dominic's reaction.

"Good," Dominic said after a pause, his voice still laced with menace. "Ensure that Evangeline attends the trial. I want her to see this through. I'll be returning home soon, and when I do, I'll handle the execution myself." His tone was final, brooking no argument. "Contact her uncle, the King. I leave the rest to Magdalene and you. Do not fail me, Charles. Have a good day." Without waiting for a response, Dominic hung up the phone with a soft click, his fingers curling tightly around the receiver before releasing it.

For a moment, Dominic stood motionless, his gaze hardening as he stared at the telephone. The silence in the room felt heavier now, charged with the weight of his simmering anger. He clenched his fists again, his nails biting into his palms as his thoughts swirled darkly.

"This will only make Evangeline hate me more," Dominic thought bitterly, his lips curling into a grimace. "Edward has caused more damage between us. As long as I bear the Brusward name, nothing will change her mind. Richard may be useful to her, but that doesn't matter. As long as she's safe, that's all that counts."

He exhaled, the tension in his body refusing to leave. Just then, Caleb emerged from the bathroom, towel in hand. He glanced at Dominic, noticing the distant, stormy look in his brother's eyes as he stared at the phone, lost in thought. Caleb raised an eyebrow but said nothing, sensing the darkness in the room.

"Is something wrong, my lord?" Caleb asked, walking cautiously toward Dominic. He reached out to touch Dominic's shoulder, but the moment Dominic felt Caleb's presence behind him, his instincts flared. He spun around, cold eyes locking onto Caleb, his fingers already moving to strike him in the neck—a fatal move he had perfected over the years. But just before his fingers made contact, he stopped himself, realizing who it was. Dominic exhaled sharply, lowering his hand, leaving Caleb frozen in place, startled by the near-attack.

Dominic sighed, rubbing his temples. "I... I'm sorry, Caleb. I didn't realize it was you." His voice was tight, frustration barely contained. He moved away, grabbing a glass from the table and hurling it at the wall, the glass shattering on impact. He collapsed onto the sofa, head in his hands.

Caleb, still shaken, stood back, watching Dominic with concern. "Did something happen?" he asked cautiously, though his thoughts raced. *He almost killed me. Thank God he recognized me in time.*

Dominic raised his head slowly, his voice cold and clipped. "The culprit was caught... but she committed suicide before we could get any real information. And before that, she hurt Evangeline." His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles white as he tried to keep his anger in check.

Caleb's expression shifted, realizing the gravity of the situation with what he heard from the phone call. "Edward... and the illegal imports into Verdaselles," Caleb muttered, processing the layers of betrayal. "This is more than a scandal—it's a threat. With your mother's family already spying on you, and now Evangeline being harmed—"

Dominic cut him off, his voice sharper. "Exactly. I've stayed here too long. Edward's schemes, the Capulets, and now this... it's all converging at once." He leaned back on the sofa, his frustration simmering. His gaze fell on a letter sitting on the table, one written by Oliver. The sight of it only fueled his internal turmoil. "I have a meeting with Oliver tomorrow. After that, I'll deal with the Capulets. I've lingered on this business trip long enough."

Caleb nodded slowly, sensing the weight of Dominic's words. "And Evangeline? This will cause even more tension between you two."

Dominic closed his eyes for a moment, his jaw tightening. "I know. It always comes back to that. Every move Edward makes puts more distance between us." He opened his eyes, staring coldly at the floor. "But this time, I'll make sure he pays. First, I deal with the Capulets. Then, I return home and handle this mess myself."

For a brief moment, the room was silent, the tension thick in the air. Caleb didn't press further. He knew better than to push Dominic when he was like this,

Dominic's gaze flicked toward Caleb, his expression unreadable. "Nothing I can't handle," he replied coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion as he stood up , leaving Caleb standing in the quiet room.