Chapter 34: Chapter 34
Normally, Flora enjoyed playing video games like a boy and often pestered Henry to play with her, earning her scoldings from Mrs. White. After each scolding, Henry would comfort her and try various ways to make her happy.
"Flora! You little brat!" Robin, frantic, jumped in place and cursed loudly.
Flora laughed triumphantly, "Robin, watch carefully, see how you end up lying down!"
As she was about to give him a big punishment, the room suddenly brightened, accompanied by the sound of the door being pushed open. Startled, Flora quickly jumped up from the floor and looked in surprise at the unexpected appearance of Maxwell! Wasn't he supposed to be in W City? Wasn't he not coming back?
"Aha! I won! Flora, you dummy! See that! I won!" Robin raised his hands, jubilantly boasting in the manner of a triumphant person, too excited to close his mouth. In his excitement, he completely ignored Maxwell's presence.
Flora stole a glance at the expressionless Maxwell, feeling a tingling sensation on her scalp. She thought it was a pity that he was so happy, not considering how he had won. Moreover, was he afraid that Maxwell didn't know she was hiding here playing video games?
"I... I'll go work outside." Flora raised her head, lowered it, and walked toward the door, intending to pass by Maxwell and escape directly.
However, when passing by Maxwell, her arm was suddenly caught by him. Flora was startled; she had only played a game, did he want to make an issue out of it?
"Yesterday, you cried as if it were the end of the world, and today you're laughing so innocently. Your emotional fluctuations are quite extreme, aren't they?"
A mocking voice echoed from above, and Flora's face darkened, instantly plunging into a melancholic mood.
Last night... yes, last night she cried so heartbrokenly because Henry was still suffering somewhere unknown.
Maxwell gazed at her with a somewhat probing look as she returned to her usual indifferent expression. It was the first time he had seen her smile since meeting her, and it was such a hearty laugh. Just like the lively and innocent girl depicted in the investigation files! This real side of her was much more attractive than when she wore a stern face!
"Let go of me," Flora struggled, twisting her arm and looking at Robin, who had quieted down and was frozen in place. The little guy who claimed to stand up for her was now utterly useless!
Sensing the plea in Flora's eyes, Robin awkwardly rubbed his head and chuckled, "Uh... Big Brother, forgive Flora. It was me who threatened her with not drinking milk to make her play." After saying this, he quickly rushed to the table, picked up the milk, and gulped down the entire cup. Turning the cup upside down, he said to Maxwell, "There... finished!"
"Is your homework done?" Maxwell asked sternly. When it came to life and studies, Maxwell always played the role of a serious figure.
"It's done!" Robin turned and rushed to the desk, handing over his workbook for Maxwell to review.
Maxwell released Flora, taking the workbook and flipping through it. He had never intended to get angry with Flora over such a trivial matter. Subconsciously, he found this side of Flora quite refreshing, so he couldn't get mad.
Flora, now free, thought he was genuinely focused on Robin's homework. She respectfully made an OK gesture towards Robin, then quietly moved her feet and slipped out. Maxwell just glanced at her retreating figure with an ambiguous smile and didn't make things difficult for her again.
Flora slipped out of Robin's room, preparing to go downstairs. At the spiral staircase, she saw Betty tiptoeing and anxiously looking in the direction of the third floor, wearing an expression of urgency.
"Betty, what's wrong?" Flora glanced at the third floor, which had been declared a 'forbidden zone,' and asked with confusion. Every time she saw that third floor, Flora had the idea of exploring it, but the warning from Oliver made her hesitate to act.
"I was just about to help Mrs. Smith's 'Mimi' take a bath, but it suddenly broke free and ran towards the third floor. It's a disaster, what should I do?" Betty was spinning in place, desperate. No one was allowed on the third floor except for Nancy. Still, Betty preferred facing Mrs. Smith's scolding over seeking help from Nancy.
Mimi was a small cat Mrs. Smith had kept by her side. It was all white, fluffy, and quite beautiful.
"I'll help you find it," Flora said without thinking. She was just worried about not finding an excuse to go upstairs, and now it presented itself. Although the excuse was not very convincing, it was better than nothing.
"Eh..." Betty grabbed Flora's arm, pulling her back, and said, "You can't go up there. If Big Young Master finds out, he might kill you. There was a girl who mistakenly went up before, and Big Young Master almost shot her! Remember that incident? Since then, everyone avoids the third floor like the plague without anyone warning them."
"He wants to kill me every day; it's okay. I'll go up and come back down in no time," Flora comforted Betty, patting her shoulder. Without waiting for Betty to speak again, she walked towards the third floor.
The third floor was also lavishly decorated but seemed a bit eerie and intimidating due to fewer people moving around. The corridor was lit by a few wall lamps emitting a soft glow, creating an atmosphere that gave even the usually bold Flora a creepy sensation.
The layout of the bedrooms on the third floor was the same as the second floor, and all the rooms were locked.
Flora tried twisting several door locks, all of which opened, but each room was pitch black. As she walked to the last room, the one in the same direction as hers, Flora faintly heard the mewing of a cat inside. Curiosity needed to be satisfied, but there was also business to attend to. Flora quietly used the key hanging on the door to unlock it.