淑女的欲望

"Have you ever known a woman named Rosalie Withers?" Scarlett asked, a sense of relief washing over her as she finally voiced a name that had been weighing on her mind all this time.

"Rosalie Withers?" Roland repeated the name, his mind searching for any memories of encountering such a woman. However, after pondering for a moment, he found no trace of Rosalie Withers in his memories. He had never crossed paths with that name.

'Who is she? Why is this girl asking me about her?' Roland's curiosity arose, eager to know who that woman was.

"No, Scarlett, I'm afraid I have no recollection of meeting with any woman by that name," Roland replied sincerely. "Could you show me a picture? Perhaps seeing it will jog my memory," he suggested, hoping to assist her.

A faint smile graced the corners of Scarlett's lips as she realized that her mother likely wouldn't have revealed her true name. Hopefully, she hadn't concealed her true appearance either.

Without hesitation, Scarlett retrieved a photo of her mother from her wallet and handed it to Roland.

"Perhaps you recognize her?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Roland's expression as he observed the old photograph of her mother—the only picture she possessed.

A shadow fell over Roland's previously calm face. A line of sorrow carved itself on his forehead, and his eyes held a sorrowful gaze fixed on Scarlett.

"How did you come across this photo?" His voice quivered, mirroring the trembling in his hand that clutched the picture. "Where is she now? How do you know her?" A torrent of questions flooded his mind, and he demanded answers from Scarlett.

Scarlett's heart sank as she witnessed Roland's stunned expression. Each question he posed carried a mix of sorrow and curiosity.

'Damn it! This man is really my father!' Scarlett inwardly cursed, her mind reeling. The sadness in Roland's eyes confirmed her suspicions. 'So, Mom, you escaped from him as well, huh?' She couldn't help but release a heavy sigh, burdened by the weight of it all.

Scarlett tries to conceal any visible emotions, her voice steady as she addresses Roland. "Sir... Before I provide an answer, I want you to share details about her," she stated firmly.

Rather than immediately responding, Roland rose from his seat and went to a study table at the end of the room. Scarlett's unwavering gaze remained fixed on him, eager to discover his intentions.

After a moment, it became apparent what he was doing, turning off the CCTV camera. A silent smile tugged at Scarlett's lips as she averted her eyes elsewhere.

Indeed, this room was equipped with CCTV cameras. Even though they were alone in this place, she was certain the people outside and in the monitoring room were observing their conversation.

"What is it that you wish to know?" Roland asked, settling back into his chair. Though his expression remained composed, a hint of impatience flickered in his eyes.

"Do you truly know the woman in that photograph?" Scarlett asked, gesturing towards the picture held in Roland's hand.

"Yes, I know her," Roland responded his hands tightly clenching as he recalled the past he had desperately tried to bury. However, seeing the image before him gradually thawed his frozen heart.

"What was her name?" Her curiosity now extends to her mother's alias. Throughout her life, Scarlett had been shielded from the truth of her mother's identity, her secrets kept well hidden.

"Vanessa Moore," Roland's voice trembled as he spoke the name. Memories surged within him, threatening to overcome his emotions. "Now, it is your turn to answer my question," he asserted, narrowing his eyes at Scarlett. However, before he could ask his question, he noticed her raised hand, silently signaling for him to pause.

His brows furrowed in response.

"No, I have not finished my question, sir," she hurriedly interjected, her voice filled with urgency.

Roland gritted his teeth, facing this bold young woman who showed no fear in his presence. How could she dare to interrupt him? Multiple times, he considered reminding her of his true identity. Yet, each time he heard her voice, something stirred within him, tugging at his heart and mind—a haunting resemblance to the girl from his past. It softened him, causing him to withhold his scolding.

"Very well, you may proceed with your inquiries. However, I will allow you only two questions. After that, it is your turn to answer mine," Roland declared in a commanding tone. The weight of his words caused Scarlett to flinch, swiftly nodding her agreement.

Scarlett pondered momentarily, realizing she only had two chances to ask her question.

After some time, she finally mustered up the courage to ask her question.

"Are you romantically involved with her? I mean, in an adult relationship... Well, you know what I mean, sir," somehow, her tongue felt stiff as she struggled to express her question. The weight of the unspoken words hung in the air—did they have a sexual relationship?

Roland's face immediately darkened. He remained silent, but a single nod was enough to cause Scarlett's shoulders to slump, burdened by the weight of the confirmation.

"Next!" Roland demanded impatiently, his tone conveying his growing frustration.

Scarlett's gaze remained sharply locked on him as she proceeded to her second question. "How did you come to know her?" she inquired, her eyes searching for any hint of truth in his response.

"She suddenly appeared before me, and I was drawn to her..." Roland responded tersely, his tone sharp.

Scarlett sensed that further questions would yield no fruitful information. She had confirmed that Roland was indeed her father, yet he remained unaware of her mother's name. The realization washed over her, accompanied by a profound sense of despair — this man is useless. He can't give her any hint about her mother's whereabouts.

Gosh!

Even this man never knew about her existence. It seemed her mother had vanished following their love affair.

...

A frown appeared on Roland's face, and for a while, he appeared to be thinking about something deeply; The two questions asked by Scarlett sparked a sudden clarity in his mind, giving him goosebumps.

"How old are you, Scarlett Piers?" he asked, his tone filled with curiosity and concern.

Bitterness colored Scarlett's smile as she averted her gaze, directing it towards the dark garden beyond the window, attempting to find solace and clarity.

'So, you've finally connected the dots, Sir Roland Gilwynn,' she muttered to herself, rubbing her temples as she struggled to contain her anger. She was furious—angry that her parents didn't care about her, forcing her to live in the dark all along.

"I'm almost 23 years old, sir," Scarlett responded, her voice appearing composed, although her heart ached as if someone had just rubbed salt into her wounds.

Despite knowing that this man was her father, she felt no emotional connection towards him. He was merely another stranger in her eyes, akin to a random uncle she might encounter on the street.

Scarlett silently took a deep sigh!

…

Silence enveloped the room as the only occupants seemed lost in their thoughts.

Roland Gilwynn attempted to piece together information in his mind, his gaze still fixed upon Scarlett's face, searching for any resemblances between them. However, he found none. This girl bore no resemblance to Vanessa whatsoever.

Doubt slightly appears in Roland's heart. 'Is this girl truly Vanessa's daughter? My daughter?' The thought threatened to overwhelm him, causing his head to throb.

He continued staring at Scarlett, his eyes reflecting confusion and curiosity. But he couldn't put it into words. He was confused and scared at the same time.

After a while, Scarlett was the first to break the silence. "Sir, if you have no further questions, I will take my leave," she said.

Roland panicked. "Scarlett, there is something else on my mind. I have another question for you," his voice conveyed a sense of urgency.

"Please, go ahead, sir!" Scarlett responded, a hint of amusement gleaming in her eyes as she observed Roland's flustered state.

Countless questions swirled in Roland's mind, seeking clarity. If Scarlett truly was Vanessa's daughter, what could be her intention in seeking him out? Did she simply desire to assert their blood relation?

"Why are you searching for her? What is your connection to Vanessa?" Roland finally voiced the questions haunting his thoughts. And now he would demand answers.

Before Scarlett opened her mouth, suddenly, a thought made Roland freeze. Another surge of pain washed over Roland, jolting him.

'Could it be that Vanessa had passed away, and this girl came to me after learning about my forbidden relationship with Vanessa?'

Frantically, Roland asks, "Scarlett, is Vanessa no longer in this world?" His voice trembled while his eyes shook as he gazed at the composed girl before him, her calm demeanor amplifying his growing impatience.

Scarlett chuckled inwardly.

It seemed she could no longer hide this. She needed to tell him about her identity. However, before

that, she needed to say one thing to him…

It seemed she could no longer hide this. She needed to tell him about her identity. However, before that, she needed to say one thing to him…