Since Edward Kirstenâs people had passed through the West Hillside, Kevin Clarkâs initial route must have been correct.
So, Kevin Clark searched for their final resting place along that route once again.
As for Charlotte Laneâ¦
She had been in this new place for five days and was not too sure about her exact location.
No one would tell her, and she didnât bother to find out.
Since she promised Edward Kirsten not to lose her temper anymore, she spent these five days eating, sleeping, and wandering around the courtyard.
Edward Kirsten had left that night.
Based on her guess, his laboratory shouldnât be too far from where they were living now.
Another day, in the afternoon, Charlotte Lane was swaying slowly on the swing. Just as she was about to fall asleep on the swing, she heard Edward Kirstenâs footsteps behind her.
She immediately woke up and looked back.
Edward Kirsten was holding a trench coat in his hand. Seeing her looking over, he stopped a few meters away, a little surprised by her alertness.
Charlotte Lane only looked at him for a moment before turning her gaze away, not saying a word to him.
Edward Kirsten then stepped behind her and gently draped the trench coat over her: âArenât you cold?â
Charlotte Lane clenched her fingers without any expression and remained silent.
Edward Kirsten sat down on a stone bench beside her, watching the silent Charlotte Lane. After a while, he asked: âAunt Dawson said you havenât eaten much these past few days. Whatâs wrong? Is the food not to your taste, or are you feeling unwell?â
Charlotte Lane still said nothing.
âEnigma.â
Charlotte Lane ignored him.
Edward Kirsten sighed softly in his heart: âIâve sent all those girls back safely.â
Charlotte Lane finally made a sound, but only a soft hum.
The two were silent for a while.
The climate here was similar to that in their home country. The leaves that had been swept away in the morning were blown away by the wind, and a few more fell down.
Charlotte Lane looked at the fallen leaves that floated to her feet, swayed gently on the swing, and slowly crushed the leaves with her feet.
As half a leaf was crushed, Edward Kirsten spoke: âEnigma, youâre very unhappy.â
Charlotte Lane looked at the leaves and whispered softly: âWhat is there to be happy about.â
âAm I the one making you so unhappy?â Edward Kirsten asked.
âWhat do you think?â Charlotte Lane looked up at him, her eyes full of hatred, anger, and sadness. âWhat do I have to be happy about? I have a home I canât go back toâ¦â
Before she could finish her sentence, Edward Kirsten interrupted her: âThis is your home.â
âWhy should this place be my home?â Charlotte Lane retorted immediately. âI have parents, brothers and sisters, and a lover. How can this place be my home?â
âEnigma! How much longer are you going to make a fuss!â Edward Kirstenâs face turned cold, his pale blue eyes filled with rage. âDo you want me to kill all of them!â
Charlotte Lane hesitated for a moment, her eyes reddening: âWhat else do you know besides killing?â
Edward Kirsten looked at her reddened eyes but didnât say anything more.
âYou killed Jack Amos, Victoria Zane, Daisy Zaneâ¦â When she mentioned Daisy Zane, her throat hurt, and her voice became hoarse. She paused, and tears fell from her eyes. âAnd you killed Dean Yue.â
Her voice shook slightly: âIs it not enough for you to kill everyone around me? I watch the people around me leave one by one; what reason do I have to be happy, what right do I have to be happy!â
Edward Kirsten closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming his tone: âEnigma, if you hadnât run away back then, what could the life or death of these people have to do with you? You wouldnât even have known them.â
âWhat about Jack Amos?â
âHe is also a result of your escape. And, Enigma Starry,â Edward Kirsten looked into her eyes, âIs he really dead?â
Charlotte Lane didnât say anything.
âI heard that a sunflower occasionally appears on A Continent Harris Kirstenâs grave,â Edward Kirsten said. âI canât think of anyone else besides him who would visit her.â
âIt still doesnât change the fact that you killed him,â Charlotte Lane said.
âYes,â Edward Kirsten was calm, but his eyes hid endless murderous intent. âSo, Enigma, you better behave. Or Iâll kill others too.â
âDead people are usually behaved,â Charlotte Lane said. âWhy donât you kill me?â
Edward Kirsten was silent for a moment, then suddenly got up and took two steps towards Charlotte, grabbing her by the throat.
Charlotte clenched the ropes of the swing and did not resist.
Edward didnât put any force into the hand holding her slender neck, and he leaned down to look at her. âLittle Enigma, Iâve thought about turning you into a corpse. Iâve even researched how to preserve a body completely. Iâve even picked out a beautiful resting place for you. That way⦠I can dress you in beautiful skirts and do your hair every day. You would be obedient.â
Charlotte looked at him calmly, unsurprised by his craziness.
âBecause youâre really disobedient, running everywhere, opposing me, and upsetting me,â Edward said as he suddenly tightened his grip on her throats.
Charlotte involuntarily tilted her head back, her neck forming a beautiful curve under Edwardâs hand.
She couldnât breathe in an instant, and the suffocating feeling made her body tremble slightly, her eyes filled with tears.
But her hands only tightened around the swing ropes, not resisting.
Edwardâs grip didnât loosen, as he leaned in closer, whispering in her ear, âLittle Enigma, are you betting that I wonât bear to kill you?â
Charlotte looked up, tears streaming down her face.
Edward used his other hand to wipe away her tears and softly said, âRight now⦠big brother really canât bear to see you dead. Although a corpse is obedient, I still like Little Enigma when she smiles, talks, dances, paints, and plays the pipa.â
Charlotteâs vision blurred, and she closed her eyes, her hands falling from the swing ropes.
âRemember this feeling. If you tell me you want to die again, Iâll make those you care about suffer even more than this,â Edward said. âSo donât try to be clever with your big brother. Itâll be easier for everyone, and theyâll be safe.â
With that, he let go of Charlotte.
Charlotte lowered her head and touched her throat, coughing violently.
Edward gently patted her back and soothingly stroked her head a couple of times.
After a while, Charlotte had somewhat recovered. She wiped her tear-stained face with the sleeve of her trenchcoat.
Then she looked up with a glare at Edward.
Edward looked at her fierce, cold expression and smiled, âWhy cry? Feeling wronged? Youâre so strong, why donât you fight me?â
Charlotte didnât say anything.
âEnigma⦠you donât have to pretend to be dependent on me and unable to fight me,â Edward said. âNo matter how you planned it in the Imperial Capital and whether you can clear your name for killing Ezekiel Santiago, I wonât give you any chance to go back.â
Edward Kirsten looked into her eyes: âI raised you for so long, I can guess your thoughts in an instant, so donât pretend in front of me.â
As soon as he finished speaking, Charlotte slapped him hard across the face.
This slap was much heavier than the last one, and blood quickly seeped from the corner of Edwardâs mouth.
He wiped the blood from his mouth with his finger and touched the spot where he had been slapped.
Then Charlotte pushed him with a stagger.
Charlotte stood up from the swing, her eyes red and her neck turning redder from the choke marks.
She took off her trenchcoat and threw it on the ground, then turned and walked towards the villaâ¦