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Sarah sat opposite Sera with calm poise, her posture straight and unhurried.
There was no unease in her expression, no need for restraint.
She hadn't stolen or deceived anyone. She had nothing to fear, even with the strange, inexplicable hostility radiating from the woman across from her.
"Yes. My name is Sarah. I am the housekeeper Master Ryden hired to take care of his daily needs," she said evenly. "You may ask whatever you wish."
Every refined movement she made spoke of good upbringing, leaving little room for criticism.
That only made things worse.
Sera couldn't shake the feeling that this woman was seducing her brother. Otherwise, her usually quiet and stoic brother would never have hired a live-in maid.
"When did you start working here?" Sera pressed. "Who's in your family? Your age. Tell me clearly, ma'am. I'm a police officer-don't even think about lying to me."
The air felt thick, as if gunpowder had been sprinkled between them.
One was an older sister with a serious case of a brother complex.
The other was a housekeeper who shared a private physical secret with him.
Neither knew the full truth about the other.
But a woman's intuition told them the same thing.
Something precious was at risk of being taken.
"My name is Sarah Rogers," Sarah replied without hesitation. "My husband was a soldier in the 107th Infantry Regiment. He died from mustard gas during the Great War. I have a son who currently works at a friend's shop. I am forty-five years old."
She paused briefly.
"Four days ago, I met Master Ryden at a department store. I started working here the following day. That is all. Everything I said is true."
She showed no fear of the police officer.
She had done nothing illegal.
Looking at the housekeeper's deep blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and elegant, mature aura, Sera had to admit one thing.
This woman was beautiful.
And that made her even more dangerous.
The more beautiful a woman was, the less trustworthy she became.
Sera slammed her hand on the table.
"Tell me, Ms. Sarah. What exactly has happened to my brother over the past month?"
"I don't know," Sarah said calmly. "I only heard that Master Ryden was in a coma for a while after the last explosion, and that he woke up afterward. I don't know the rest."
She met Sera's gaze steadily.
"But I can tell you this. Master Ryden is in excellent physical condition."
She spoke without panic.
After all, she knew that part personally.
Sera stared at her for a long time.
She couldn't find a single trace of deceit.
A bit of frustration crept in.
This woman might actually be telling the truth.
Sera leaned back, took a sip of her coffee, and asked in a casual tone, "And how much is my brother paying you each month?"
"Two hundred dollars," Sarah replied with a gentle smile, a hint of playfulness at the corners of her lips.
"What? Two hundred?!"
Sera nearly choked on her coffee.
She shot up from her seat like a cat with its tail stepped on.
"That's impossible! That's way too much! How could that be? My salary is only a hundred dollars a month!" she shouted. "No way. You must have swindled Ryden! You wicked woman! I knew something was wrong with you!"
While Sera flailed and yelled, Sarah remained perfectly composed.
She even took the time to sip her tea.
"I haven't swindled anyone," she said calmly. "You may doubt me, but you may not slander me. If you have questions, ask Master Ryden yourself. You'll have your answer."
That indifferent expression finally ignited Sera's temper.
In her mind, this woman had clearly bewitched her brother and was plotting something.
But she couldn't just throw her out.
Swallowing her frustration, Sera turned and headed off to find Ryden.
She needed answers.
Ryden was flipping through a mechanical physics book, some of the materials he had brought back from Stark Industries.
As for the "further studies" of their small shareholder, Howard had been more than willing to help. If Ryden could design more powerful weapons, all the better.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Sera had just finished showering and changed into casual clothes.
Seeing her brother quietly reading, she felt it again.
He was different.
It hadn't been convenient to ask earlier in the living room, but now that they were alone, there was no better chance.
Something had clearly shifted inside him.
"Ryden," she said slowly. "Do you still remember your sister? Why do you feel so different after the accident? You're nothing like your old self."
Ryden closed the book, smiling faintly as he took a sip of tea.
He had to admit it.
This kind of middle-class life wasn't bad. It eased the strain on his mind after endless research and calculations.
"Nothing's changed," he replied calmly. "I just figured out what I want. People grow up, don't they?"
He looked at her.
"Why did you suddenly come back? Weren't you doing fine at the precinct? Maybe you even found a new boyfriend."
Sera's expression faltered.
There was a trace of mockery in his voice.
"Ryden!" she said sharply. "I was wrong. I didn't come back because my mission ended. I know you blame me."
Her voice softened.
"I wanted to transfer back, but I couldn't move departments without enough merit. I did all of this for you. Mom and Dad told me to take care of you."
She shook her head.
"I'm not looking for a boyfriend."
Ryden went silent.
After a moment, he asked quietly, "Why?"
"Because you're my brother," Sera said, smiling brightly as she reached out and patted his head.
"And I'm your sister."
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