Chapter 170. In the House
"I-I..." Margaret stammered as she faced her elder brother.
Noticing the unease on her visage, Jack shoved his younger sister aside and barged into the bathroom. The moment his eyes laid sight on the disheveled, bearded man in the bathtub, they went wide in disbelief.
He had thought of various situations, but this was not one of them.
"What is this?" Jack inquired as his brows furrowed together. He reached out a hand, wanting to brush aside Charles' unkempt hair.
Margaret immediately dashed over and slapped away her elder brother's hand. She extended her arms wide to stand between Jack and Charles.
"No!"
She didn't know what Jack would do if he discovered Charles' identity, but she knew it wouldn't be something good.
Jack stared momentarily at the visibly nervous Margaret before he shrugged. "In that case, I guess I've no choice but to let Father know of this. You know his temper as well. If he finds out that you—"
"Brother, I'm begging you. Please don't let him know," Margaret implored.
"Then you'd have to tell me who he is. I can't let some unknown stranger stay in our house." Emerging from n0v@lbin☆, this material harbors clandestine details.
"He's a good man, someone I've known for a long time. Help me just this once and keep his existence a secret, please? You promised you would be on my side," Margaret pleaded.
Meeting his sister's desperate gaze, Jack rubbed the scruff on his face before he let out a deep sigh. He then turned around and gestured with a flick of his hand. "Take him and come with me."
"Where are we going?" Margaret asked.
"You'll find out when we are there. Of course, you can choose not to follow, but I’m really looking forward to Father's reaction when he discovers him."
Margaret hurriedly supported Charles up and instructed her head attendant, "Gina, quick, fetch a bath towel over."
The siblings exited the Governor's Mansion. Chauffeured by Jack's driver, they navigated through twists and turns for several minutes before the car pulled up to a serene two-story house with its own garden.
Alighting from the passenger seat, Jack promptly shut the car door and entered the building.
"This is a pretty quiet place. Not many people come around this area as well. It's best suited for your needs."
"Brother, where is this?" Margaret asked as she supported a rather dazed Charles into the house.
The interior was designed in an elegant and minimalistic style and exuded a unique charm. Black marble tiles lined the floor, while the cream-colored leather sofa added a touch of sophistication.
The interior predominantly featured a monochrome palette of black and white, with occasional hints of blue to strike a balance. The overall design evoked a sense of sleek lines and crisp freshness.
Daniel eyed his daughter with skepticism as she left the compounds.
Something about Margaret today seemed... amiss.
After some time, Margaret arrived at the quaint two-story house. Pushing open the bedroom door, she was greeted by her head attendant, Gina, whose visage held a hint of fatigue.
"How was he doing last night? Did anything happen?" Margaret inquired.
Gina stifled a yawn and shook her head. "Nothing much happened. He was quiet throughout the night. But occasionally, he'd speak in some incomprehensible language."
"All right. You should head back to rest. I've already helped you apply for leave with the butler. "
"Miss, are you sure about being alone with him? Would it..." Gina hesitated about leaving her young mistress alone with some unknown man.
"I'll be fine. Hurry up, go back and rest." Margaret urged as she gently pushed Gina out of the door.
After watching Gina leave through the front gate, Margaret returned to the room and delicately propped Charles up on the bed.
She then took out the dishes that she had personally prepared from the basket and placed them before him.
A warm, contented smile bloomed on Margaret's visage as she watched Charles take one bite after another. As she continued to feed him, her soft voice rang out in the room.
"Mr. Charles, the doctor told me yesterday that your shoulder wound is healing well. Your brain injury is rather complex, but don't worry. There's still hope of recovering. And once you've fully recuperated, perhaps we can...." Margaret trailed off as her cheeks flushed red.
She continued feeding Charles without uttering another word. After Charles had finished his meal, she sat anxiously for a few minutes, her cheeks still burning with a deep rose color.
She then leaned in and draped herself across Charles. Lying against his chest and hearing the rhythmic thud of his heartbeat, the corners of her lips curved upward into a faint smile.
After a couple of seconds, she decisively took off her shoes and joined Charles in bed, nestling herself closer into his embrace.
Meanwhile, Jack was seated behind his desk in the office within the Governor's Mansion. His expression was solemn as he dealt with official paperwork.
Just then, a deep voice rang out beside his ear.
"I've found information regarding that one-armed man. He's the missing Governor of Hope Island, Charles."
Jack was momentarily stunned by the news.
However, a look of elation soon appeared on his face.
"Are you certain?" Jack wanted re-confirmation.
"The young mistress gave him a haircut and shaved his beard today. His clean-shaven face matched the portrait issued by Hope Island."
A maniacal laughter escaped Jack's lips as he muttered, "Oh, my dear sister. You've truly outdone yourself. To think that you would pick up such a prized catch and even bring him back."