Chapter 401 - 401: The Man In The Mask

Jessica touched the silver fox mask. But the man had no response. If it were in the past, he would probably put his hands around her neck and choked her until she lost breath.

Jessica put her finger underneath his nose to see if he was still breathing.

The hot breath was all over her fingers. She suddenly withdrew them.

"Is he dead?"

"No. He's alive."

"Let's go. Please, I'm really scared."

Jessica was tempted. But compared with fear, she wanted more to know his true identity. She was afraid she would never have a second chance if she let go of this one.

Jessica took the mask off. She felt her blood running backward the second she saw his face. There was a storm in her mind.

"James Moore!" It was him!

Was it funny to put her on sale at the black market and buy her back with a ridiculously high price? Why would he play her like a fiddle with his silver fox mask?

Why?

Jessica touched James's face. She thought of this name desperately when she was r.a.p.ed by the man with the silver mask. She thought of every bit of their life while she was in the castle.

"Master is so beautiful. But why is he wearing a mask?" Matilda thought he would be disfigured or something. But his true look astonished her. He was so royal and dignified.

"But look at his face…" Matilda shouted out. She pointed at James's temple.

The blue veins grew around the temple like vines. They looked like bursting out from the skin.

"I think he's been poisoned. It's a rare poison in our Cambola City. It will make a man mad and behave unlike himself. In the modern term, it's close to schizophrenia."

That was why he hid underneath the mask? Or why the colors of his eyes were changed?

"It is horrible when the effect starts. It is as painful as a thousand arrows pierced through your hearts. You'd pray for your life to end because it's so hurtful. It might kill you if not cured on time. I think he's in a coma because of the pain. He'll come around soon. Let's get out of here."

Jessica saw the bruises on his wrists. He chained himself. He lost control when the effect kicked in.

"No. I can't leave him like this."

"You want to save him?"

"Em. Do you know how?"

"I don't know. But there's someone in Cambola City who knows."

Jessica looked at James and started unbuttoning his suit.

"Jessica, what are you doing?"

"I'm taking his waist tag, or how else could we get out with all the bodyguards?"

"We?"

"I need you to take me back to Cambola City."

In the morning...

The gate of the altar was forced open. A line of people came in.

"Lord of Cambola City, Mr. Rooney Jones, Miss Peters, what are you doing here?" Tinder asked.

"Mr. Tinder, the altar is an important place in Cambola City. Why can't I come here? And Sir, how do you get here?" Jones asked harshly.

Avery came with Jones after breakfast when he told him he would come here.

Tinder knew he couldn't stop them. "Sir," he said.

Geroge cast his eyes on the descending crystal casket. His look turned sharp and ran forward.

His look turned again, seeing Logan Arlington.

"Sir, I know you're a distinguished guest in Cambola City. But it is our holy v.i.r.g.i.n lying in the casket. How dare you defile her?"

Logan had no sign of panic or embarrassment on his handsome and chiseled face. He got up slowly.

"Mr. Kintley, she's as much your holy v.i.r.g.i.n as my woman. Why can't I lie with her in the casket?"

Avery walked forward too. Looking down, she saw Olivia Peters lying inside. She wasn't moved. Logan only lied with her.

But it surprised her to think the president of a country would reduce himself to lie in the casket.

What kind of unforgettable romance must he have with her mother?

But why did he marry Molly?

Avery stared at Olivia's face. She looked different than she remembered. If she really woke up, her memory might still stay dozens of years back.

"Sir, you're out of the line. This is the blasphemy and provocation of our Cambola race. I've been treating you as our most distinguished guest. But how dare you do such a thing? You let me down!" Jones was furious.

"What do you want?" Logan asked for every reason. He wasn't guilty at all.

The housekeeper next to Jones whispered.

"Sir, what Mr. Arlington did violates Cambola people's interests. I believed they would not let this go if they found out even if he is the president of the B County. How about we ask them to leave Cambola City. This answers to our people too."

Logan came this time only to bring Olivia with him. If he was thrown out in this way, he might resort to violence the next time he came.

Avery said after moments of silence.

"Sir, Mr. Arlington used to be a couple with my mother. I believe he did so because he missed her so much. He would never offend you considering his position."

Jones hummed. He was still mad.

"I have something to offer. I hope you could hear me out," Avery continued since Jones didn't stop her, "Mr. Arlington is my mother's lover, and I'm her daughter. Both of us have the right to take her away with us."

"I heard you intended to wake my mother up. If so, why don't we work together to wake her up? I think she's the one with the choice after she wakes up."

"What if she doesn't choose to leave with you?"

"We won't force her if she doesn't want to go with us."

"If so, I want you to stay away from Cambola City forever. Can you promise me?"

Jones was really mad. He was disrespectful even if Logan was the president.

Logan said with contempt.

"I hope you don't regret it."

Then he looked back at Olivia and left unwillingly.

Avery left too. But she didn't walk far before she vaguely heard what the housekeeper said to Jones.

"Lord, do we have to send more men to watch them?"

"There is no need. The holy v.i.r.g.i.n is here. No one can take her. I asked them to put special devices under the casket. If someone tried to take her, the device would kick in, and the whole altar would collapse."

Avery's look turned. It was fortunate that no one tried to move her mother. Or the altar would collapse, and rocks would fall upon on everyone. A bloodbath was inevitable.

Avery and Logan get back to Cambola City. Tinder brought in some guy who just came from B Country. He didn't have a second to breathe before he started reporting.

"Mr. President, the economic summit was a great success. I also received a call from H Country's secretary. They asked you to visit H Country."

"Mrs. President asked me to find out when you would be back. Mr. Howel has asked the princess to marry him. She hoped you could get back soon."

Avery suddenly looked up. Mr. Howel? Did Evan ask Rebecca to marry him?