Female Novel
Chapter 538 A Visit To Solace (Part One)
"Well, so when your teacher's son was down and in trouble, you didn't hesitate to hit him," Matthewsaid in a flat tone, but Hollis trembled with fear at his words.
"Your Highness, you are scaring me. I didn't hit him when he was down, nor do I have the nerve to dosuch a thing. As for this case, after the post-mortem examination of the corpse, Marquis Pearcepressurized me to bring justice to his son. I did everything according to what the law prescribes."
"Really?" Matthew sneered. "Are you trying to fool me thinking that I know nothing about the law?"
"Please forgive me, Your Highness! I never meant to offend you. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!" Holliscould not help but curse his assistant in his heart, because it was the latter who had advised him to visitMatthew and get some information about the murderer. But now, it turned out that he came to dig hisown grave.
"All right, I don't intend to call you to account for this. I will be going back to the imperial capital in acouple of days. You may leave now." After taking a cold glance at Hollis, Matthew stood up and walkedupstairs as he saw Harper coming out of the room fresh after her bath.
"Your Highness, the murderer…?" Hollis tried to ask once again.
"It's the government's duty to arrest the murderer. What is it that you want? Do you want me to arrestthe murderer for you?" Matthew asked, as he paused and turned around to cast a sinister look atHollis.
Hollis felt so terrorized that his heart almost stopped pounding. He bid goodbye and left as soon aspossible, fearing that he would be killed by Matthew then and there.
Harper saw Hollis moving out in a hurry. She asked Matthew silently with her eyes what was going on.
"It's nothing serious. He came in an attempt to sound out my opinion and get some information fromme," Matthew explained with a smile. The fact that Hollis made his visit as soon as they arrived at theofficial inn was an indication that they were always under constant surveillance. However, someone likeHollis was incapable of doing such a thing. Chances were that, someone working for the murderer wasin the government office, or the murderer himself was in the government office.
A flicker of light flashed across Harper's eyes. "It seems that many people are uneasy due toAlexander's release from prison," she said.
"If they know that I'm going back to the imperial capital, their uneasiness would only increase. I'm surethey will react," Matthew said, playing with his wife's long hair. "Darling, do you think I have stirred thegrass well enough to alert the snake?"
"Not bad. But, I'm not sure if the people hiding behind would take the bait." Harper feared that the aimof their opponent would have been to make them leave the imperial capital. If so, now that they were inthe River City, the opponent was successful in achieving their aim. So she was afraid that they wouldn'tbe hooked easily.
"Even if they want to keep me out of the imperial capital, I still don't think it would be easy for them todo what they want. They will have to keep me in the River City by all means, at least till they achievetheir target," Matthew analyzed. He had his doubts that there was another hidden force in the imperialcapital. But it was only that the force had hidden itself too well, making it difficult for him to find a trace.
"Are you suspecting anyone?"
Matthew shook his head and said, "It's difficult for me to make a wild guess, especially with minimalevidence. Otherwise, I will be misled by my impression, which will only satisfy our enemy."
Harper nodded in agreement. At that time, she saw Alexander coming out after freshening up. Shewent to check on him, and tried to find out if he was injured. Fortunately for him, Hollis hadn't tortured
him. Moreover, since Alexander believed that it was he who killed Alban, he signed his confessionwithout offering any resistance. In this way, he had also avoided suffering inquisition by torture.However, as the food in prison was gross, he hadn't eaten well and thus suffered from malnutrition.
Although hungry, Alexander was careful to keep his manners. Harper picked up food for him andserved with her own hands.
"Harper, can I go back to the school tomorrow?" Alexander asked curiously. "I don't want to miss anymore courses."
"No way," Matthew answered firmly, even before Harper could say something. "You can't go back to theschool until the murderer is apprehended."novelbin
Alexander was also aware of the fact that the people hiding behind were targeting him. If he were to goback to the school, he might be in danger once again. So, he didn't resist Matthew's decision. "Then, atleast can you have someone bring my books here? I would be able to read and write in the official inn."
"No problem. That I can arrange," Matthew said without hesitation. Immediately, he then looked in acertain direction. Although Harper couldn't see anyone there, she knew that there would be secretguards hiding there. Matthew always had a unique way to communicate with his secret guards.
"Harper, can I go to visit Marquis Pearce and his wife tomorrow?" Alexander asked with caution, afterfinishing his lunch. Though he was innocent, Alban's death was related to him anyway. He wanted toconsole Pearce and his wife Allie.
"What are you saying? We can't tell how they would react upon seeing you. They might even vent theiranger on you physically. Aren't you afraid?" Harper stared at Alexander for a moment and asked back,without answering yes or no.
"Yes, I am," Alexander answered frankly. "But I am more afraid about my conscience. I know I didn't killAlban, but if I would have put up with him without much arguments, maybe he wouldn't have died. Ithink I am obliged to apologize to his parents."
Harper stretched her hand to touch Alexander's head with affection. "Alexander, you've grown up. Youknow how to consider others."
"Marquis Pearce and his wife are good people," Alexander said with embarrassment. "Although Albanwas a bully, he never did anything evil. He just liked to make fun of us occasionally. He shouldn't havedied. Marquis Pearce and his wife would have been heartbroken as he was their only son. My apologyis insignificant and can't change what happened, but I hope they would see my sincerity."
"Good! Don't be afraid. I will take you tomorrow to Marquis Pearce's mansion," Matthew praised him forhis attitude and volunteered to go along with him.