Chapter 99

The assertive words from Liv caused the Marquis to remain silent for a moment. When she noticed that the smoke from the cigars wafting around him had thickened a bit, he murmured with a faint smile.

“That’s nice to hear.”

Liv’s pupils shook. Regardless of whether he was aware of her agitation or not, Demus returned to his impassive face and flicked the charred ends of his cigar into the ashtray.

“The painter’s conduct seems to be unbecoming. I think it would be good for your safety to keep a good distance from him.”

Perhaps the Marquis was aware that Brad had been hanging out with a suspicious person lately. His rather kind advice made Liv’s complexion darken a little.

“As I said, he is someone—”

“If you get into trouble from trying to help him, what will happen to your poor little sister?”

In that moment, Liv forgot that she was talking to the Marquis and immediately retorted curtly.

“Why would Coryda be in this problem?”

“My, I see you don’t know who that painter is getting involved with.”

The sight of the Marquis looking at her with such pity in his eyes made Liv’s heart sink.

She thought it was a little suspicious, but that was all. She did not bother to look into it and did not have the capacity to do so. But if the Marquis would say something like that, Brad must have gotten involved with some shady people.

If that was the case, she should have warned him right away, not just watched from the sidelines.

… However, what if she got into a rough situation…

“Is there somewhere else you can leave your little sister if you get into an unavoidable emergency?”

“… Not exactly.”

When the Marquis brought up Coryda again, her desire to immediately warn Brad of the danger faded away.

The Marquis was right. What to do if she got herself entangled in the mess from trying to meddle in? She didn’t know who or what Brad had gotten himself into, but debt was usually a messy business.

Besides, despite her advice, Brad refused to listen to her. He wouldn’t likely change his attitude just because she said something more.

She couldn’t afford to risk herself over a casual acquaintance. If something happened to Liv, there was no way for Coryda, who wasn’t healthy, to survive. She was just now getting some hope that she could get healthy again…

“In that case, you may want to think about it. You could end up putting yourself in danger just because you’re that painter’s model.”

The Marquis said nonchalantly and put his cigar down in the ashtray. This time for sure, he seemed to leave the room.

Maybe. That was if he didn’t hear Liv’s question.

“If I get in trouble, will you just stand by and watch?”

Stopping in front of the doorway, the Marquis looked back at Liv slowly. He seemed to not have expected it.

Facing the Marquis, who didn’t answer, Liv spoke again.

“You wouldn’t do that.”

“Are you sure?”

“You already haven’t.”

Instead of answering, the Marquis turned around completely toward her. Instead of leaving the room, he walked over to Liv. Then he kissed her softly and deeply, as if to praise her.

Gradually, her breathing became shallow, her body tumbled backwards, and the little energy she’d managed to gather vanished without a trace. The reason was the Marquis once again—

Knock! Knock!

The soft knocking on the door snapped her out of her reverie. Liv quickly turned off the water that was dripping over her head and grabbed a towel.

She had taken her time, and this was the Marquis’ mansion. She, who was lost in thought as she stood in the luxurious bathroom she had never used before, quickly regained her senses.

She had dried herself and dressed, but her hair was still wet. There was no time to dry it, so she went to the room first.

The Marquis had already left. There was no trace left on the bed, perhaps the maids had come and gone while she was washing. Even the windows were slightly open for ventilation. If it weren’t for the red marks all over her body and the pain she felt, she could have sworn it was all a dream.

Knock! Knock!

The knocking sound rang once again. Taking a deep breath of the chill air in the room, Liv approached the door.

Click!

Liv opened the door carefully, and her eyes widened.

“Mr. Adolf?”

“Oh, Miss Rhodes. I know this is rude, but I have something urgent I need to give you.”

Adolf apologized as he noticed Liv’s damp hair. Liv quickly shook her head.

“It’s fine. So, what’s the urgent business?”

“Take this.”

After checking the empty hallway, Adolf took out a pouch and handed it to Liv.

“Water must have been prepared in the room. Take one now, and it will take effect.”

“What is this?”

“Birth control pills.”