My Bratty Wife
Chapter 129 - Hundred And Twenty Nine

Chapter 129: Chapter Hundred And Twenty Nine

Ryan sat at his desk, surrounded by a jumble of papers and notes. He had been poring over the clues for days, trying to piece together the puzzle of the mysterious murder that has been keeping them on their toes.

The alphabetical pattern, the use of poisons, the victims’ staffs turned against them, the planting of spies in the victims’ homes – each clue pointed to a different direction. The murderer was clearly wealthy, likely a noble, with a vendetta against the aristocracy. And they were killing the suspects one by one, leaving no trace behind.

Ryan rubbed his temples, his eyes tired and strained. He tried to link the clues together, but nothing seemed to fit. He was at a loss, his mind a tangled mess of theories and possibilities.

"I hope Thorne has better findings than me," he muttered to himself.

Just then, a knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called.

Suzy entered the room, her face pale and drawn. Ryan studied her for a moment, his concern growing.

"Are you okay, Duchess?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Suzy forced a smile. "Yes, I’m fine," she replied.

Ryan didn’t look convinced. "Are you sure?" he pressed.

Suzy nodded, her eyes avoiding his gaze. "Yes," she repeated.

Ryan offered her a seat, his concern evident. He began to talk about the upcoming orphanage jubilee and the auction that would take place before it.

"The orphanage jubilee is a tradition that my mother started when she founded the orphanage," he explained. "It’s an annual event that helps generate income for the orphanage, which can last for a year."

He continued, "The jubilee will be a grand affair, with a variety of activities and entertainment. We’ll have a charity auction, where we’ll auction off valuable items donated by generous individuals and businesses. We’ll also have live music, dancing, and delicious food."

Suzy nodded, her mind still preoccupied with her own troubles. She tried to focus on Ryan’s words, but her thoughts kept wandering.

There’s either a spy in the castle or someone in the castle wants to cause harm but who? How will she find that person before it’s too late?

"The jubilee is a fantastic way to generate income for the orphanage," Ryan said. "The funds raised will help to support the children for an entire year."

"We’ve already started sending out invitations to the nobility and other prominent figures in the city," he added. "I hope that you’ll assist and help us make this year’s jubilee a success."

Suzy nodded. "I would be honored," she replied.

"If you have any questions about the jubilee or the auction, please don’t hesitate to ask Mr. Bradford or Mrs Madelyn," Ryan said. "They are both very knowledgeable about the orphanage and its traditions. They are here to help in any way they can."

As Suzy was about to leave, she noticed a ring on Ryan’s pinky finger. It was a familiar design, the duchy’s insignia. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the ring.

"That’s a beautiful ring," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Ryan smiled. "It’s the Blackmore family sense of identity," he replied while rubbing the band with his thumb. "My mother gave it to me when I was a child. She gave the rings out to all the males related to the Blackmore family.

Suzy’s eyes were drawn to the ring, her mind racing. She remembered the ring she had found in her room, the one that had been covered in blood. Could it be the same ring?

"Duchess?" Ryan’s voice snapped her back from her thoughts.

"Yes?" Suzy replied, her voice a little dazed.

"Would you like one?" Ryan asked, holding out the ring.

Suzy shook her head. "No, I’m not a ring person," she replied.

She stood up, smiling. "I should get going so that I can start preparing early," she said.

As she reached the door, Ryan stopped her. "Duchess, I want to ask you something," he said.

"Yes?" Suzy replied, turning to face him.

"Would you like to move into my room?" Ryan asked, his eyes fixed on hers.

Suzy’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never expected Ryan to ask her such a thing. But as she thought about it, she realized that it would be a practical solution after all they have gotten intimate so there’s no reason to stay in different rooms.

"You didn’t need to ask," she replied, her voice filled with happiness. "I’ll tell Doris to move my things to your room."

Ryan’s face lit up like a child’s. He couldn’t believe that Suzy had agreed so easily. He was overjoyed. He started smiling like a happy child and Suzy couldn’t help but smile back.

She opened the door, her mind thinking of the first place to look for clues. She was about to step out when she collided head-on with Lord Evan, who was just about to knock.

Suzy stepped back, her hand on her head as she tried to gain her balance. Evan was trying to prevent her from falling when her eyes scanned Evan’s hands. There was no sign of the ring she had seen on Ryan’s finger earlier. Her suspicions were immediately aroused. Something was definitely going on.

"Sorry for bumping into you, your Grace," Evan said, his voice dripping with sincerity. "I need an audience with my cousin."

Suzy forced a smile, her mind racing. "Of course, Lord Evan," she replied. "I’ll leave you two to your discussions."

With that, Suzy turned and left the room, her heart filled with unease. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Lord Evan’s behavior was suspicious, and she was determined to find out why.

As she walked down the hallway, she replayed the encounter in her mind. Why wasn’t Evan wearing his own ring? Isn’t he related to the Blackmore’s family? What was he hiding? And what was he really discussing with Ryan?

Suzy knew that she had to be careful. Something is really amiss here, and she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.