My Bratty Wife
Chapter 165 - Hundred And Sixty Five

Chapter 165: Chapter Hundred And Sixty Five

Knock...

Knock..

Knock.

A series of sharp knocks echoed through the study, breaking the quiet concentration and silence that had settled over the room. Suzy looked up from her desk, her gaze briefly leaving the papers spread before her and was focused on the closed door.

"Who’s there?" she called out, her voice clear and steady.

"It’s me, Noah, Your Grace," came the reply from the other side.

"Enter," Suzy said, her attention already returning to the papers spread across her desk.

Noah entered the study, bowing respectfully as he approached. Just then, a maid entered behind him, carrying a small tray. On it sat a delicate porcelain teacup and saucer, along with a steaming teapot.

"Bring it over here," Suzy said, gesturing towards her desk.

The maid curtsied and placed the tray on the designated spot. "You may leave," Suzy said, her eyes still on her work.

The maid curtsied again and quietly withdrew from the room. Noah remained standing before Suzy, waiting for her attention.

"Your Grace," he began, his voice low and serious, "the spy we implanted in Lord Evan’s manor... he was killed yesterday."

Suzy, without looking up from her work, reached for a small, ornate box tucked away in her desk drawer. She opened it and carefully extracted a silver needle, its surface gleaming in the light. As she swirled the needle through her tea, a seemingly casual gesture, she asked without looking up, her voice calm and even, "How do you know he’s dead?"

Noah hesitated, momentarily distracted by the sight of the needle. He cleared his throat again, regaining his composure. "He... he hasn’t sent any message since yesterday," he stammered, his eyes flickering towards the teacup.

Suzy let out a soft "Mmmmh," her attention still focused on the swirling needle. She withdrew the needle from the tea, examining it closely. She was searching for poison, a precaution she took with every drink. When she was satisfied that it was clean, she carefully placed it back in its box and returned the box to the drawer. Only then did she pick up the teacup and take a slow, deliberate sip. She looked at Noah over the rim of the cup, her expression unreadable. "You were saying?" she prompted, her voice gentle but firm.

Noah, sensing the unspoken question in her eyes, cleared his throat once more and continued his report. "He hasn’t sent any message since yesterday," he repeated, his voice slightly stronger this time.

The silence in the room was palpable, broken only by the gentle clinking of the cup against the saucer. Suzy placed the teacup back on the desk, the delicate china making a soft clinking sound. She looked at Noah, her gaze direct and penetrating. "Evan knows someone is onto him," she said, her voice calm but firm. "And I wouldn’t be surprised if he suspects it’s me."

Noah’s eyes widened slightly. "What should I do, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Suzy leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Nothing," she replied after a moment of silence. "In fact, I have another assignment for you."

Noah’s attention was immediately focused. "What is it, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice eager.

Suzy’s gaze met his. "Find out how many of the male relatives in the Blackmore family have the family ring," she instructed.

Noah bowed. "Of course, Your Grace." He turned to leave, ready to carry out her orders.

"And," Suzy added, stopping him once more, "help me. Go to the orphanage and tell the keeper to give you all the documents related to the jubilee."

Noah bowed again. "Certainly, Your Grace." He turned and left the study, closing the door quietly behind him.

Suzy was left alone once more, the silence returning to the room broken only by the soft rustle of papers on her desk. She picked up her quill, her mind already working on the next steps in her plan.

————————-

As dusk began to settle over the castle, casting long shadows across the land, Noah returned to Suzy’s study, carrying a stack of documents. He laid them carefully on her desk, bowing respectfully. "Your Grace," he announced, "I have brought everything you requested."

Suzy looked up from her work, a grateful smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Noah," she said. "You’ve been a great help."

Noah bowed again. "It’s my pleasure, Your Grace." He then withdrew, leaving Suzy alone with her work.

After a light dinner, Suzy returned to her study, the mountain of documents looming before her. She sighed, knowing she had a long night ahead of her. She decided to divide her work, separating the jubilee reports from her personal investigation. "I’ll deal with the jubilee preparations tomorrow," she murmured to herself. "Tonight, I need to focus on this."

She pushed the jubilee reports aside and pulled the investigation documents closer. She began to carefully review the information, her brow furrowing in concentration. "Ten members of the Blackmore family possess the ring," she muttered, her fingers tracing the names on the list. "Ryan... he has one. I know that for sure. And Evan, of course. I’ve seen it on his hand. And... who else?" She scanned the list again. "Oh Byron... I remember seeing him wearing it once. But the rest... they’re mostly distant relatives. Some of them don’t even live in the kingdom."

She leaned back in her chair, her thoughts swirling. "Ten people," she repeated. "It’s a start, but it’s not enough. I need to narrow it down. I need to find a connection." Her gaze fell on Evan’s name, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. "My bet goes to Evan," she said quietly. "He’s been acting... strangely. He’s been too interested in my affairs. And then there’s the spy in his manor... the one who was killed. It all seems to point to him. But... I need proof," she whispered. "I can’t accuse him without solid evidence.""

She continued to pore over the documents, searching for any clue, any detail that could shed light on the mystery.

Hours passed, the only sound in the study the soft scratching of her quill against the parchment. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn’t notice when weariness began to creep in. Her eyelids grew heavy, her head nodding slightly. Finally, unable to fight the sleep any longer, she slumped forward, her head resting on the papers, her breathing becoming slow and even.

Some minutes later, the silence of the study was broken by the creak of the door opening. A shadowy figure slipped into the room, moving quietly, almost stealthily. The figure approached Suzy’s desk, their gaze falling upon her sleeping form. They paused, their breath catching in their throat. They reached out a hand, their fingers gently brushing against her cheek. Then, they leaned down, their face close to hers, and inhaled deeply, as if trying to capture her scent. A soft, almost inaudible sigh escaped their lips.