淑女的欲望

"Hey, don't sell yourself short, Zara..." Rex said with a grin. "I'm pretty sure you make more than the Microsoft CEO." He took a sip of his red wine, laughing.

Zara, "..."

Scarlett observed Rex and Zara's banter with amusement. She had always admired their witty remarks and playful personalities.

'Should I join in the fun?'  Scarlett silently talks to herself.

"Brother, I'm sorry, but I really didn't get you anything this year," Scarlett said apologetically. "I just bought a fancy restaurant in Astington, and my wallet is empty now."

Scarlett didn't want to give Rex a gift, not only because she was following Zara's idea but also because she was worried about Xander's jealousy. And most of the gifts she had given Rex in the past had gone to his storage cabinet. Stored and never seen again. She better keeps her money for something important.

"What!?" Rex was surprised. "Don't lie to me!! I know you emptied your bank account but gained a money tree in return! Ahem, sister... Maybe you weren't aware, but your husband is the richest among us!" He said while glancing at Xander. 

Scarlett, "..."

Xander narrowed his eyes at Rex before turning to Scarlett with his loving gaze. He said, "Babe, just buy him a new car! You can use the black card that I gave you..." He gently rubbed her back.

Scarlett, "..."

'Is he trying to show off?' Scarlett thought to herself while looking at Xander's eyes. She was speechless looking at how serious he is. Before Scarlett could say anything, she heard Tyler say something. 

"Rex! Why are you still acting like a child?" Tyler, the wisest of the group, finally spoke up. "...You're already this old but still expect gifts from others?"

Rex, "..." 

"Hahaha, Tyler is right!" Zara couldn't hold back her laughter and gave Tyler a thumbs-up. After her laughter subsided, she continued, " Okay... forget it! Earlier, I was kidding. Sorry, Rex!"

"I know," Rex replied with a soft chuckle.

"Rex, shouldn't you say hello to the other guests?" Zara asked, trying to divert the conversation.

"No. I already greeted them and opened the party before you guys came," Rex said. Then he turned to Xander with a thoughtful expression. "Xander, I need to talk to Scarlett. Alone! It's important!" He said.

Scarlett could sense that Rex was hiding something. She turned his gaze to Xander,  "Please wait here, Xander. We won't be long."

Xander nods.

Not long after, Scarlett and Rex settled into the VIP room where Rex had met Seven before. As soon as they were seated, Scarlett asked Rex, "What is it?"

"That crazy man, Theodor, arrived in this city a few hours ago," Rex replied, and his words hit Scarlett like a bomb.

"W-What?! Why did he come here?" Scarlett couldn't believe that Theodor had followed her to this city. 

Scarlett knew that Theodor was capable of tracking her. He must have known that she was in the country, that's why he appears in this city. She was sure that it wasn't a coincidence.

"I don't even know why he came here when you are also in this city. However, I have asked Seven to investigate, and I also asked Ten to leave your trace in Country X, to give them false signals!" Rex explained to Scarlett, who looked worried.

Scarlett remained silent for a moment, contemplating Rex's words. Her mind was consumed with various thoughts, and she was determined to keep Theodor from interfering with her plans for the time being. Her priority right now is finding where her mother is.

Tired of having to live undercover every time she wanted to leave her house, she decided that she had to deal with Theodor as soon as possible.

After a few minutes pass by, Scarlett's gaze falls on Rex, "Brother," her voice was intense, and her eyes were sharp. "Let's face him! I'm healthy enough to face that crazy Theodor. Moreover, he came to our city, it's easy for us to ambush him, right?"

Rex was shocked to hear Scarlett's words. He knew how much she wanted to be free from Theodor's grasp, but he also knew the danger of facing Theodor.

"Sister, are you absolutely certain about this? We do not know the extent of his power, and you're aware that he always travels with his special forces, right? And let's not forget his royal lineage," Rex expressed his concern, hoping to make Scarlett reconsider her decision.

"Hmm, I am aware," Scarlett acknowledged.

"In that case, we mustn't act impulsively!" Rex insisted, attempting to sway Scarlett's determination.

"I am well aware of that too," Scarlett replied.

"And yet, you remain resolute in facing him now?" he questioned.

"I am certain," Scarlett affirmed with unwavering resolve. "I am no longer afraid of him. It's time to bring this to a definitive end."

"But Scarlett..." Rex paused when he saw her gesture for him to stop speaking.

"Brother, let me tell you something important..." Scarlett took a deep breath before continuing, "My mother, she might still be alive. And, she is similar to my identity as Three... My mother was a killer, groomed to become the queen of the underground business for the Withers family!"

Rex was shocked to hear that. "S-Scarlett, are you not joking, right?" he asked in disbelief.

"I'm not joking!" she said firmly.

Scarlett then told Rex everything she had heard from Uncle Noah about the possibility of her mother still being alive and hiding.

Rex fell silent after hearing Scarlett tell him everything. As he pieced together everything he knew about Scarlett's mother, he became more convinced that what she said was true and that her mother might still be alive.

"You know what, brother?" Scarlett continued after seeing Rex lost in thought. "I feel like I'm living like my mother. Hiding, never daring to appear as I am. I must wear this wig and contact lenses even though now I hate it..." Her voice trembled with sadness.

"I understand," Rex said after a moment of silence. "That's why you want to face Theodor."

"Yes! I don't want to live like this forever! I want to be free like I was before I met Theodor. That crazy bastard!!" Scarlett exclaimed, taking a deep sigh to ease her chest.

Rex thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright then, let's get that evil man. But we need to be careful. He's a dangerous man."

Scarlett nodded. "I know. But we're not weak either. We should be able to get that guy to give up and stop chasing me!"