Meanwhile, the Ashford estate was quiet that evening, the kind of quiet that felt heavy rather than peaceful. Most of the staff had finished their duties, and the large house settled into stillness under the moonlight. The grounds outside were dark, the iron gates closed, the marble balconies empty except for one.
On the third floor, Bennett stood leaning against the railing of his private balcony. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of the gardens below. He held his camera up, looking through the lens at the developed photographs he had pinned to a small board nearby... street scenes, people running, fights captured in sharp detail.
Click. He took one more shot of the board itself, to test the light.
He lowered the camera and flipped through the prints in his hand, one by one. A grin spread across his face, green eyes bright with satisfaction.
"Perfect," he said quietly. "Every single one."
He was dressed casually as he was in his comfort zone. He wore an ivory shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, top buttons open, dark trousers fitted but comfortable. His honey-brown hair was messy from running around the city all day, strands falling over his forehead.
Behind him, the balcony doors were open to his study. His personal butler came out quietly, carrying a silver tray with a glass of chilled water, fresh fruit, and a plate of small sugared pastries.
"Young Master Bennett," the butler said, setting the tray on a side table. "You haven't eaten much today. At least have something proper."
Bennett didn't turn around. He reached back without looking, picked up a grape from the tray, and ate it.
"Good," he said. "Sweet enough."
The butler waited. "You should sit down, sir. You've been on your feet since you returned."
Bennett finally put the camera down and dropped into one of the chairs, stretching his long legs out.
"Tomorrow's edition is going to sell out," he said, picking up another grape.
The butler raised an eyebrow. "Because of what?"
Bennett's smile sharpened. "You'll read it and find out. Trust me, it's going to be fun!"
He was about to take another bite when a voice came from inside the study.
"Have you checked on Eve today?"
Bennett stopped. He put the grape back on the plate.
Cedric stood in the doorway, dressed neatly as always—white shirt buttoned all the way up, dark vest fitting close to his body, white gloves already on his hands. His black hair was straight and perfect, his brown eyes calm but serious.
"I asked the maids earlier," Bennett said, standing up slowly. "She ate a little. Not much."
Cedric rubbed his temple with one gloved hand. "We should go see her ourselves. If Arthur finds out we haven't checked—"
"He'll lecture us for an hour," Bennett finished, rolling his eyes. "Fine. Let's go."
They walked down the hallway together. Bennett tried to start a conversation.
"I saw something today," he said. "Really interesting—"
"What is it?" Cedric asked in his most tired voice.
"It's about Noel Hartwell and..."
"I'm not in the mood to hear about that man," Cedric cut in, not looking at him.
Bennett tried again. "But it's about—"
"No."
Cedric's voice was flat and final.
They stopped outside Evelina's door.
It was locked, as usual.
Cedric pulled a spare key from his pocket and opened it.
The room smelled strongly of lavender, but underneath was the dry scent of paper and ink.
Cedric frowned immediately. The walls were covered.
Every available space had something pinned or taped up... magazine clippings, printed photographs, hand-drawn sketches. All of them were of Noel Hartwell. His face in different expressions... smiling at events, looking serious, candid shots from public appearances. Some were large posters. Others were small cuttings arranged in patterns.
Evelina sat by the window in a chair, staring outside. Her long golden hair hung loose down her back. She didn't turn when they came in.
Bennett walked over and knelt in front of her, keeping his voice soft.
"Eve," he said. "You need to stop this. New invitations are coming every day... parties, teas, and suitors even better than Noel asking about you. You're ignoring everything."
She didn't answer. Her hands stayed folded in her lap.
Cedric stepped forward and reached for one of the posters on the wall... the largest one, a clear photograph of Noel at a recent event.
He pulled it down slowly.
The sound of the paper tearing from the pin was loud in the quiet room.
Evelina reacted instantly.
She turned her neck and saw the ripped poster in her brother's hand. She screamed and jumped up from the chair, pushing Cedric hard in the chest.
He stumbled back a step, surprised.
She grabbed the poster from his hand and held it against her body, eyes wide and angry.
"Don't touch it!" she yelled. "Don't touch anything of his! I won't let you!"
Cedric regained his balance, looking shocked.
"You won't take him from me!" she said, voice shaking. "I won't let you! Never!"
Bennett stood up slowly and looked at Cedric.
"Eve," Bennett said carefully. "No one's taking him. But he ended the engagement. He's not coming back. Since he has left you, you should give up."
She laughed as she shook her head.
"That's not true," she said, quieter now. "He can't leave me. Even if he tried to leave me, I'll make sure no one else has him.
Cedric's face tightened. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'll fix this somehow. If you could hand over the poster to me."
She didn't respond. She just sat back down, holding the poster close.
"Leave," she said. "Both of you. Now. Get out!"
They wasted no time and left.
Bennett locked the door again from the outside.
Cedric shook his head as they walked away.
"It's worse than I thought," he said. "She's completely obsessed with that thing. I have no idea what she sees in someone like that."
"'Someone like that?' Don't be mean, brother. Don't think I didn't see you twirling your tongue inside his mouth. Anyway... Arthur approved the separation," Bennett replied. "There's no going back."
Cedric stopped walking, ignoring what his brother said about the kiss.
"We should have done more for Noel... Something strong enough to traumatise him. The game wasn't enough."
Bennett opened his mouth to speak, but Cedric held up a hand.
"I don't want to hear any more about him tonight," Cedric said. "He's caused enough damage."
He turned and walked off toward his own room..Bennett watched him go, scratching the back of his head.
"Fine," he said to himself. "Ignore it now. Tomorrow you'll want every detail and you will be begging for it."
He went back to the balcony, sat down again, and finished the fruit on the tray.
.
.
Arthur didn't get home until very late, well past midnight due to his job.
His butler met him at the door and helped him take off the long black tailcoat. Arthur looked tired as his shoulders felt heavy and his eyes red from long hours.
"How are the others?" Arthur asked as he handed over his gloves.
The butler reported everything and who had dinner, who was still up and Evelina's condition.
Arthur frowned. "Noel again. Even when he's not connected to this family anymore, he still causes problems."
"Would you like to visit Lady Evelina?" the butler asked.
Arthur shook his head. "She won't talk to me right now. Not while she's angry about the broken engagement. She'll realise one day that we did the right thing for her."
He walked toward his bedroom. "I just want her to forget him. He's not right for her. Not good enough."
"I understand, Young Master Ashford."
In his room, he didn't bother changing fully. He lay down on the bed in his shirt and trousers and fell asleep immediately.
.
Morning came with bright sunlight through the dining room windows.
Arthur bathed and dressed up in a black suit as always, hair combed back neatly. He sat at the long table for breakfast.
Servants brought coffee, eggs, toast, and fruit. He picked up the fresh magazine from the stack on the side table without thinking.
"Is this today's?" he asked the butler.
"Yes, sir. Just delivered."
Arthur usually skipped Bennett's publications. It has too much gossip, too many dramatic headlines that don't gain his interest.
Today however, he opened it anyway.
He adjusted the page and stopped. The main headline was large and bold.
NOBLE YOUTH SINGLE-HANDEDLY DEFEATS KIDNAPPERS, SAVES VICTIMS
Under it was a full-page photograph of Noel Hartwell looking sweaty with his torn shirt, standing in the middle of a wrecked room with fallen men around him.
More photos followed... action shots, clear and sharp.
Arthur sat up straighter, reading the article quickly. Noel had fought off a group of criminals. He took down most of them himself. Saved others.
Arthur closed the magazine slowly.
"That deliciously weak-looking boy did this?" he said quietly.
His mouth curved into a small, interested smile.
"This changes things."
He set the magazine down.
"I need to talk to Bennett," he said. "Since he took these pictures, he might have the full story and I want it."