淑女的欲望

"Sir, the DNA test results won't change anything," Scarlett says softly.

Caught off guard, Roland couldn't help but ask, "Why? Why Scarlett?"

"Let's consider our meeting today as the first and last. You don't need to worry about anything; nothing will change in your life," Scarlett explained further.

Roland was shocked to realize the true meaning behind her words. He quickly clarified, noticing the disappointment reflected in Scarlett's words.

"Scarlett, please don't say that. I sincerely apologize to you because I only discovered your existence now. I would have never ceased searching for you if I had known from the beginning!" Roland's voice deepened with sincerity.

A frown appeared on Scarlett's face, and she seemed lost in deep thought for a while. After a few seconds, she finally spoke.

"I know it's not your fault because you were unaware. However, I will still accept your apology for having a relationship with another woman. At the same time, you were legally married," she blamed him for cheating on his wife. As a wife herself, she understood how it would feel if Xander were to do the same to her.

Roland was utterly speechless.

"If you have no further questions, let's end this meeting." She stood up from her seat, bowed slightly, and left the room without giving him a chance to respond.

Scarlett's legs felt weak as she walked out of the room, but when she heard no words from him — like words to stop her — a bitter smile slowly formed on her lips, and her steps gradually quickened.

'Sir Roland, this will be our final meeting,' she whispered under her breath, feeling as though a thousand needles were piercing her heart. She had no choice but to endure it.

...

For a moment, Roland remained seated, watching Scarlett's figure drifting away from his sight. His mind felt empty as if an invisible black hole was consuming his thoughts, leaving him only with a fixed gaze unable to halt the girl vanishing behind the door.

Roland sat silently until his consciousness slowly returned, pulling him back to reality. He immediately pressed a button on the small table beside him to call his butler, Albert.

Since earlier, Albert and Roland's entire security team had been on edge. They were unable to hear or see what was happening inside the room. Yet a few minutes ago, despite their inquiries, they witnessed the young girl leaving without uttering a word.

To their surprise, the girl appeared different from what they had seen before, heightening their panic and concern that there may have been a third person in the room, engaging in vicious activities with their lord.

As Albert was about to break into the room, he received a signal from Roland summoning him. He barged in, and as soon as he entered the room, he was shocked by what he witnessed; his master was visibly shaken, and his face darkened as if an invisible dark cloud loomed above him.

"...Milord, how may I assist you?" Albert stood in front of Roland with concern that was clearly shown on his face.

"Milord? Are you alright?" he asked again after several minutes had passed without any response from Roland. Albert began to suspect that the girl had caused his master's current state.

'But where was the dark-brown-haired girl? And who was the red-haired girl from earlier?' Perplexed, Albert stared at Roland Gilwynn in worry, awaiting his master's words.

Roland slowly turned his gaze to his butler, wearing a bitter smile as he locked eyes with him. "Did you see her?" he inquired.

"S-Sir, you mean the girl with red hair? Yes, I saw her..." Albert's tone held confusion. "But where is the other girl, the one with dark brown hair?" he asked.

"They are the same person," Roland took a deep breath before continuing. "Did you notice anything?"

"Same person?" Albert was perplexed by Roland's question. He shook his head in response.

"She is Vanessa Moore's daughter," Roland sighed as he observed Albert's shocked reaction. His voice trembled as he continued, "Now you see, that young girl resembles me. She is my child with Vanessa." Sadness washed over him as he recalled the past. "...How could she leave me while she was carrying my daughter? How could she do such a thing?"

"S-Sir... The girl we just saw, the one with red hair, is Lady Vanessa's daughter?" Albert struggled to comprehend what he had heard.

"Yes, she is. Her name is Scarlett Piers," Roland cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. With a commanding tone, he instructed Albert, "Albert, I want all the information about that girl on my desk as soon as possible..." His voice trailed off when he noticed Robert entering the room, wearing a calm expression and a smile.

'That's right, Robert knows everything about Scarlett!' Roland mumbled to himself in curiosity. He needed to know details about Scarlett—where she lived? When her mother passed away, and more. He wanted to ask her earlier, but the girl seemed to harbor hatred toward him, making him hesitant to bring up the subject.

"No need to do that, Roland..." Robert said as he took a seat across from Roland. He signaled for Albert to leave them, wanting to speak to Roland privately.

After Albert exited the room, Robert fixed his gaze on Roland and asked, "What would you like to know?"

****

Scarlett dialed Theodor's number while walking briskly and left the house. But the connection was not connected yet. She heard Thedor's voice calling her from behind. She halted her steps and turned to look at him.

"Sister-in-law?" Theodor hurried to follow her.

Noticing the cigarette in Theodor's hand, Scarlett instinctively took a step back, distancing herself. She requested him to dispose of his cigarette as she despised smokers.

Theodor promptly threw away the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it with his foot before asking her, "Sis, where are you headed? Why do you seem in such a hurry?" He had been waiting for her, eager to know about her meeting with his uncle.

"I just want to go home now!" Scarlett replied curtly. It was evident that she was in a sour mood.

Although surprised and bewildered, Theodor immediately nodded and guided her toward his car. He refrained from asking further questions, understanding that her expression indicated she was in a bad mood.

The return trip was swift, taking only a few minutes. Scarlett expressed her gratitude to Theodor before hastily entering the house and making her way to her bedroom.

As she stepped into the room, her legs grew weak, and she struggled to reach the bed, collapsing onto it with a heavy thud.

Tears streamed down her face as she lay on the bed.

She couldn't understand why she was crying but felt an indescribable pain tormenting her heart.

Scarlett remained on the bed, sobbing inconsolably. When she eventually ceased crying, her eyes were swollen, and her nose was congested from the outpouring of emotions.

Suddenly, she heard a sound—a vibrating cell phone. It jolted her awake. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for the source of the sound. It was her phone, tucked inside her bag on the floor. Her heart tightened with anticipation.

Scarlett swiftly rose from the bed and was taken aback to see Seven's name displayed on the screen. Without hesitation, she answered the call. "Seven!"

"Three, there's something you need to know," Seven's voice was filled with tension, causing Scarlett's body to tense up in response.

She made her way to the couch in the corner, "Tell me," she uttered, taking a seat in an attempt to steady her racing heart.

"This is about your uncle, Noah Withers. I believe he has been detained by Jude Withers..." Seven's words were like thunder in her ears.

"I've been trying to locate his whereabouts, but I haven't had any luck," Seven continued.

Scarlett straightened her posture, feeling her blood surge to her face. Anger surged within her. "How certain are you of this information?" she asked icily.

"99%," Seven responded firmly. "I can't stay on the line for long. Time is running out. I need to return to my location..."

"Understood. Seven, I will fly there immediately. Once I arrive, you can withdraw. There's no need for you to stay undercover any longer," Scarlett instructed.

As the call ended, Scarlett took a deep breath and leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes to calm her restless mind.

"God! Why is my life never peaceful? Why do you constantly test me?" Scarlett muttered, venting her frustrations to no one in particular.

She felt weary. Just as she had unraveled the mystery surrounding her father, she now received news of her uncle Noah's life being in danger.

In some strange way, her life resembled the plot of an action-packed Hollywood blockbuster—a never-ending cycle of trials and tribulations. It was relentless!

"Damn it!"

After taking a few moments to quiet her racing thoughts, she opened her eyes once more. They glowed with intense flames, devoid of grief and shock, replaced by killing intent.

"Jude Withers, I'm coming for you!" she whispered, typing a few lines on her cellphone to make a crucial call.