"Catherine?" A devious smile graced Abbot’s lips as he found pleasure in watching her drain of colors, and he said. "To be honest, I wish I was even more surprised to hear that you were the mastermind behind all of this, but then, you were always a pretty devil in disguise and I expected to see this happening sooner."
"A...Abbot?!"
Closing the door behind him, Abbot took unhurried steps to where they stood, and a tsk of disappointment left his lips as he shook his head in pity. "How sad, if Orson gets to hear a word about what you’ve done to Madeline, he would be devastatingly crushed that his own loving sister would take such a huge step to kill someone."
Catherine immediately shook her head as she understood the dangerous threat that was laced to his every word. "I didn’t do it to kill her, I would never think of taking the life of someone....it wasn’t supposed to kill her." She explained to Abbot who’s impassive gaze was fixed on her, oblivious to the fact that he was actually enjoying her quiver in front of him.
"My little brother here is so naive." Abbot’s no sorry gaze shifted to Jeremy before looking at his bandaged palm. "He could have killed someone because of his carelessness, and my brother would have faced a death sentence because of your inability to think before acting out a plan."
"Abbot-"
"Shut up, I’m not done." Abbot silenced him up, rendering Jeremy mute, and his darkened expression lit up with a smile as he looked at Catherine, sensing her fear and how much his presence intimidated her to her bones.
"Do not worry, I shall not tell a soul." Abbot made a zip motion. "I cover up my brother’s sins pretty well, you’d be surprised to hear of how many skeletons he has occupying his cupboard." He chuckled mirthlessly, giving off a vibe that still screamed danger to Catherine who was starting to sweat.
Hearing this, both Catherine and Jeremy exchanged glances, unsure of if they should feel relieved or frightened by his assurance to keep their secret amongst them alone.
Abbot sighed as he walked closer to Jeremy, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I spoke with mother and father." He said. "I’ve tried everything I could to get you out, so did mother, but you of all people should know how father is, he is not happy with what you’ve done, and it is possible that he would make you go to court, and spend all your lives in prison if we don’t act soon."
Jeremy’s face paled upon hearing this feedback. "I’m his son! He can’t really allow me to perish here, can he??"
"I thought about it too." Abbot tsked. "But I was able to come up with one solution that could get you out of here for good, and also save face." He said, and Jeremy anxiously waited to hear what new idea his brother had come up with this time to get him out of prison.
~~~
Sitting by the window side and staring at the lovely garden outside, Madeline subconsciously smiled after recalling the words Cassian said to her when he had her trapped against the chair. She had been trying her best to focus on something else entirely, but her mind only revolved around him and the things he said to her regarding what he felt.
’wait for me tonight.’ Madeline couldn’t explain why, but her heart would always triple beat whenever she reminded herself of these words. Her cheeks would burn out of control that it made her come to the conclusion that Cassian had definitely done something to her.
"Maybe I should take a walk." Madeline nodded to her own suggestion, finding it as the best distraction she needed to keep her mind and heart clear from the scheming being and whatever plans he has for her.
Stepping out of her room, Madeline closed the door as she once again made her way through the beautiful corridor bare foot. Reaching the stairs, Madeline could see Inna welcoming her mother into the house with a hug, and Madeline’s face instantly beamed at the sight of her mother-in-law showing up to her surprise.
"Mother!"
Hearing her name being mentioned, Elaine looked up the stairs to find her daughter-in-law making her way down the stairs in quick steps. At first, Elaine’s eyes widened slightly at her display of unladylike manners, but she ignored it after Madeline reached out to hug her.
"Mother, you’re here." Madeline pulled back, still surprised to see her, and Elaine smiled before cupping her cheeks and glancing at Inna who smiled in return.
"After hearing what Jeremy did to you, I had to come and see you to make sure you were alright. How are you feeling my dear?" Elaine asked, and Madeline nodded her head with a smile, feeling touched by Elaine’s concern. "I’m better."
"But mother, how did you know we were here?" Inna asked as she moved forward, and Elaine smiled at her two daughters before answering. "Cas told me, he sent me a letter, requesting I meet him somewhere private. Of course, I was ready to strangle him for leaving the house without any warnings and not informing me about it, but he was ready to receive any punishment I give to him as long as I come to visit."
"Cas told you?" Madeline asked, looking surprised, and Elaine nodded. "He said his wife kept asking for me. He’s my son, if Cassian had his way he wouldn’t let me know about his whereabouts cause I would kill him for it, but shockingly, he was ready to die in my hands as long as I come here to see you. I had to agree because I was worried myself."
Hearing this, Madeline barely knew what to say. She remembered asking about her mother-in-law, but never knew Cassian would agree to reveal the location of their house to her, and for her sake too?
"Anyways, I’m happy to see both my children doing fine and well." Elaine lovingly placed a hand to their cheeks, and Inna grinned. "Mother, can you imagine Cassian owned a house this beautiful and he never told us about it?"
"I always knew that boy had plans of eloping if he hadn’t married." Commented Elaine, and both three bursted into laughter until she suddenly quieted down. "I’m not joking, I’ve caught him several times trying to flee from the mansion during his younger age. Pray never to give birth to a baby who has Cas’s stubbornness."
"I will personally do that." Inna volunteered for Madeline, and another round of laughter echoed lively in the room.
"How is Frederick and rest?" Madeline asked, and at the mention of Frederick, she spotted the familiar Butler make his way into the house while holding two presents beautifully wrapped in his grasp.
"It has been decided that only Lady Madeline knows my worth to be considerate enough to ask about me." Uttered Frederick as a warm smile graced his lips.
"Lady Madeline, Lady Inna." He bowed politely before handing the gift he had bought for Madeline to her. "I bought you a get-well present but couldn’t deliver it sooner since I didn’t know where you stayed. I’m so happy to see you looking well and fine, Lord Cassian must be taking good care of you for us."
"Thank you so much Frederick, you really didn’t have to." Not willing to hurt Frederick by rejecting his gift, Madeline wholeheartedly received it before bowing her head in appreciation.
"I brought Frederick because he insisted on coming." Elaine explained, and Madeline felt really touched knowing there were people out there who cared this much to visit her.
"Adeline wanted to come as well, but I had to make her stay to avoid raising suspicion." Elaine added. Madeline finally ushered them to the living room where they could have their seat.
"You’re a guest here, please have your seat." Madeline said to Frederick who shook his head. "Since I’m here, I must prepare something for the lady, I am sure you missed my cooking."
"I’m pretty sure I cook better." Inna challenged, and Frederick looked in her direction while adjusting his bow-tie. "And who taught you?"
"Don’t flatter yourself." Inna made her way to the kitchen. "I’m already used to the kitchen here, you should have your seat and let me wow you."
"Inna’s cooking is really good too." Madeline praised, boosting Inna’s confidence. Both Mother and daughter-in-law shook their heads as they watched Inna argue with Frederick over who was better in cooking.