Chapter 34: The Light Fades from Ella’s Eyes
Although he hadn’t turned around, Kailun could sense the hateful gaze emanating from a window in the back room.
However, since Paul hadn’t emerged yet, it was unlikely he would.
As his former enemy, Kailun understood Paul’s reluctance. He was still hoping to exploit Kailun, even now.
Typical Paul. After all, this was the same guy who could heartlessly use his childhood friend as a shield.
“Tch!”
Kailun twisted the stick deeper into the skinny man’s shoulder, savoring his screams. “Tell me, did you have anything to do with Valerie’s death?”
The skinny man’s eyes widened in terror. He shook his head frantically. “No… I didn’t do anything… Please believe me! I swear I didn’t do anything!”
He recognized the girl holding Kailun’s hand. She was the one who had collected Valerie’s body after her death.
To think that her status had changed so drastically in just a few days. If she learned the truth, he wouldn’t even be granted a quick death.
He resolved to keep his mouth shut, clinging to the hope of survival.
“It seems you don’t know. Then I’ll have to ask someone else.” Kailun sighed and pulled the bloodstained stick out of his shoulder.
The skinny man, drenched in sweat, offered a weak smile, relieved to have escaped.
“Do any of you know what happened?”
His relief was short-lived. Kailun pointed the dripping stick at the huddled women, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
He looked like a madman, unbound by reason.
The women averted their gazes, terrified of being singled out.
“You, yes, you. Step forward. Don’t make me drag you out with this stick.” He pointed at the woman who was trying her hardest to hide.
“No! I don’t know anything! I didn’t do anything to Valerie! I swear!”
She panicked, scrambling deeper into the crowd, creating chaos.
“Grab her,” Kailun instructed one of his assistants.
Within seconds, the woman was dragged out.
Satisfied with the assembled cast, Kailun turned to Ella. “Shopkeeper Ella, I’ve gathered all the suspects for you. Shouldn’t you be thanking me?”
Ella: “…”
She wiped her eyes, her gaze filled with resentment. If looks could kill, Kailun would be dead a thousand times over.
As expected of a woman with Natural Charm, even her resentful gaze seemed like a flirtatious pout. The more he looked, the more he enjoyed it.
He mischievously placed the bloodstained stick in her hand and then proceeded to interrogate the suspects.
Ten minutes later, the truth was revealed.
Carol’s mother’s death wasn’t solely due to overwork. She had been beaten by the skinny man for failing to hand over a single copper coin.
The middle-aged woman had been his accomplice. She had bullied Carol’s mother relentlessly, even forcing her to do her own work, contributing to her exhaustion.
After the interrogation, Carol dutifully fetched a basin of water and gently cleaned the blood from Kailun’s hands, the blood he had stained when he first pierced the skinny man’s shoulder.
While Carol tended to him, Kailun turned to Philip. “Send these two to the mines. Make them work for at least eighteen hours a day. Keep them alive, but don’t be too gentle. I want them to mine until they drop.”
He completely ignored Captain Loston, issuing his judgment without hesitation.
Faced with such blatant disregard for the law, Loston didn’t dare to object. He even bowed slightly, hoping to avoid Kailun’s attention.
Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. Kailun called out his name.
“Loston, I have a question. What is the usual punishment for someone like Shopkeeper Ella, who has committed such a grave violation of the kingdom’s laws?”
Loston’s heart sank.
His pursuit of Ella was over. He was now her judge, jury, and executioner.
He stepped forward, forcing a smile. “In response to Young Master Kailun, for someone like Shopkeeper Ella, whose negligence resulted in the death of another, the usual punishment is a fine of one thousand gold coins and the closure of her business.”
“Thud!”
Ella, who had just managed to stand up, collapsed onto the ground again.
One thousand gold coins was an astronomical sum for her. Coupled with the closure of her shop, it was a devastating blow.
‘I’m tired. Let it all end…’
The light faded from her eyes. She looked like a broken doll.
“Loston, that’s outrageous! How could you suggest such a lenient punishment for Shopkeeper Ella?!”
Suddenly, Kailun’s furious voice filled the air.
A ray of hope pierced through Ella’s despair. Had the devil finally found his conscience?
[Ella’s favorability towards you has increased by 20.]
She scrambled to her feet, her eyes filled with hope.
Kailun pointed at Loston accusingly. “You’re insulting Shopkeeper Ella! Do you even know what she’s done?!”
“What?” Loston asked instinctively.
“She exploited workers by paying them wages far below the minimum, disrupting the market! That’s one crime! She allowed her subordinates to abuse and exploit the workers! That’s two crimes! She covered up the murder of a worker and protected the accomplice! That’s three crimes! For such heinous offenses, she deserves to be publicly executed! Don’t you agree, Captain Loston?” Kailun’s gaze was menacing.
Roden and Philip, anticipating his move, flanked Loston, trapping him.
Loston’s heart pounded in his chest. He was on the verge of death.
Ella, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded. What kind of person could escalate a fine and business closure to a public execution?
[Ella’s favorability towards you has decreased by 30.]
“You’re right! Shopkeeper Ella’s crimes are unforgivable! She must be made an example of! Otherwise, the kingdom’s laws will hold no meaning!” Loston declared, his survival instincts overriding any sense of justice.
Kailun nodded approvingly. “That’s the spirit! Men, drag Ella out…”
“Wait! I have something to discuss with you. In private.”
Before he could finish, Ella grabbed his wrist and pulled him towards a secluded corner of the courtyard.
Under the curious gazes of the others, she led him behind a large tree and, without hesitation, pulled open her collar, revealing her ample bosom.
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