Tangled By Fate

Chapter 448: NEED HELP

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way. I know you aren’t older. I’m just saying that you are beautiful and the most extraordinary woman I’ve met in my life...”

“Veronica, stop. If you were a guy, I would have thought that you were confessing your love to me.”

Zinnia stopped her just like that.

Veronica felt awkward. She stayed quiet.

The atmosphere around them was stuffy. The silence grew longer.

Zinnia realized that this would continue. So, she changed the subject.

“You were talking about Dave Marton. Are you two close?”

.....

Veronica heard her and shook her head in denial.

“No, we’re just acquaintances. Whenever we meet coincidentally, we exchange greetings. He’s a friendly guy.”

Zinnia listened to her carefully and then let out a deep breath.

Afterward, she said, “Veronica, do you know that I went to Utahill to look for Max?”

Veronica nodded. “Yes, I know.”

Zinnia licked her lips. She was nervous about what she was going to say.

She started, “There I found out that someone from the tower was selling news of you and Arthur to the information guild. That’s how Max found out that you were married to Arthur.”

Veronica stared at her with a dump truck expression. “What are you saying?”

Zinnia said, “Your separation with Arthur was nothing but a conspiracy. Since Arthur was keeping everything secret from you, the enemy’s plan was a success.

“From what I think, they didn’t know that Arthur was truly in love with you or not. However, they took the chance. The moment Arthur went crazy and tried to use dark magic to bring you back, their plan succeeded.

“And I’m pretty sure that we just had something to do with it. They’re the very good reason why fake Arthurs were created.”

Veronica had yet to process everything she just heard.

Witches? Max? Spies? Information guild?

She asked, “What are you saying? Why are you telling me about this now? Does Arthur know it?”

Zinnia shook her head. “No, I couldn’t tell him.”

Veronica inquired, “Why didn’t you tell him? He was the first person who should have known this.”

Zinnia didn’t hide it any longer. She knew that she had to tell the truth.

“Yes, but I was afraid that he would try to lock you up before they found the culprit. That’s why I was secretly looking for the information seller. I wanted to find the spy before I could tell him.”

Veronica stared at her. Her heart filled with gratitude.

She couldn’t blame her at all. She had a feeling that this was exactly what Arthur would do once he found out.

Then, they would have gone through another separation.

“Zinnia, I don’t know what to say. Thank you for thinking about me. It means a lot. But why are you telling me this now?”

Zinnia answered, “That’s because I think Dave Morton has something to do with it. And I want your help to catch him.”

“I’m listening.”

————

The next day, Veronica woke up at 7 in the morning.

She barely slept at night. She was only able to close her eyes at dawn.

After two hours’ sleep, she woke up with dark circles under her eyes.

She went to the washroom to freshen up when she heard water splashing.

Last night, she heard too much information. She jumped in fear when she heard some movements.

“Easy, I didn’t want to scare you. You don’t easily get scared in the morning. What happened yesterday?”

The familiar voice was filled with concern.

Veronica looked at the bathtub and found Arthur soaking in the warm water.

She replied, “Nothing happened last night. It was a fun experience. When did you come back? Wait, where did you even go yesterday?”

Arthur answered, “I came back just now. I saw you sleeping so I didn’t wake you up. I got emergency news from Kerbell. I had to go there as soon as possible. I didn’t want you to worry so I didn’t tell you anything.”

Veronica crossed her arms. “Well, are you ready to tell me now?”

Arthur observed her while replying, “Yes, I am. But are you not mad at me anymore? Just yesterday you weren’t talking to me even though I tried to have a conversation with you.”

Veronica remembered that Betty was from Kerbell. She met her and her whole family there.

She said, “Yes, we will talk about it later. But first, tell me what was your emergency that you had to go to Kerbell without ruining my mood.”

“Fine, then.” Arthur came out of the bathtub and wrapped a white towel around his waist. Afterward, he strode toward her and then grabbed her shoulders.

“Do you remember Betty’s brother-in-law?” he asked.

“Trevor, yes I remember. Did something happen to him?”

Arthur disclosed with a grave expression, “He died the day before yesterday. He was burned to death in his workshop at midnight.”

Veronica gasped. “What? That was awful. Is his family okay?”

She could still remember the bright girl named Angela. The sweet, angelic girl used to laugh and talk a lot.

She felt pain deep inside her chest.

“They are not doing okay,” Arthur didn’t lie to her. “Bridget fainted after hearing the news. After she woke up, she didn’t say a single word. She couldn’t eat. She didn’t blink.

“Her daughter couldn’t understand what was happening. She was scared of the way her mother was behaving. She cried a lot.

“I left her under the neighbors’ care. They will take care of her until the investigation is over. She should be fine there for now.”

Veronica covered her mouth. “I can’t believe this is happening. What about Betty? Did you contact her? She is the immediate family. She should take care of her sister and niece.”

Arthur nodded. “Yes, I went to her. Her in-laws don’t know that she has a sister. They think she is an orphan with no family members. That’s why Betty decided not to be with her sister and niece.”

“What? This is unbelievable! How could she do that? This is her only sister and niece we are talking about. They always took care of her. And now she cannot be there for them?”

Veronica felt rage engulfing her. She had never been this angry before in her life.

Arthur patted her back to show condolences.

“I know. Not everyone is born with love and sympathy and compassion. Not everyone is as kind as you.”

Veronica looked at him with a pained expression. “Do you think we can keep the mother and child here?”

Arthur replied, “I did offer that suggestion to Bridget. However, she didn’t reply. I’m not sure how long this will continue. I have to stay there until the investigation is over.”

Veronica agreed. “Alright, I don’t mind if you stay there for a while. Just make sure they’re okay. If you need my help, I will gladly assist you. I will try to talk to Bridget if you want.”

Arthur brushed her tangled hair with his fingers. “I will definitely call for you if I need your help. Until then stay here.”

Veronica asked him, “Do you think that Trevor’s death is not an accident? Do you think he was murdered?”

Arthur replied, “The local guards told me that they think this is an accident. While he was experimenting on some magical items they exploded and caused his death. But I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Why do you think so?” Veronica frowned.

Arthur confidently told her, “That’s because he was one of the most talented magicians who worked under me and he wouldn’t just simply use a wrong magical artifact to blast himself.”

He added, “So, so stay here until I tell you anything further.”

“Do you think Betty is involved somehow?”

“I don’t know. I did investigate her. She hasn’t stepped in Kerbell for the past few months.”

“Then, it means after she left Kerbell and came to get revenge on me, she didn’t go back there at all. That keeps her out of the list of suspects.”

“Yes,” Arthur agreed. “Now tell me what happened yesterday. Did you have fun?”

“Let’s talk about it while we have breakfast.”

“Sure.”

———-

“Did you find that woman terrifying?”

.....

After hearing everything, Arthur asked her while slicing the poached egg.

Today, they didn’t go to the dining hall to have breakfast. He made breakfast for both of them in their private kitchen.

Veronica replied, “Not at all. But I have to admit that she is a sly woman. I think she conspired with Lady De la Pole to get me.”

“I guess she underestimated my gorgeous wife.”

“She totally did and I have no idea how to deal with Duke De la Pole.”

“Do you want me to take care of it?” Arthur asked.

After a pause, Veronica replied, “Actually, I asked Ovior for help but now I think I should handle it myself.”

“You can always take care of it on your own. But if you need suggestions, I have a list.”

“Care to share?”