Chapter 76

Jan walked with Christine into the parlor adjoining his bedchamber.

On the table sat a half-drunk bottle of liquor and a scatter of smoked cigars.

He sank into the plush sofa and lit a fresh cigar.

"As for why the search of the Oswald estate was called off — it was my judgment that it simply wasn't necessary, that's all."

Jan said languidly, blowing out a long stream of cigar smoke.

For a moment, the corner of Christine's mouth curled up in a twist.

"Ha. Your judgment? Or are you scheming with Stone again?"

Jan's eyebrows twitched upward.

"You bastard——!"

Christine snatched the cigar from his hand and ground it out on the table.

Hiss——.

The cigar's glowing red ember, still smoking, died out against the marble tabletop.

"The sound of your rotten little schemes carries all the way over here."

"You— you beast, how dare you!"

Unable to contain…