The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 126: Skeletons In The Cupboard

Chapter 126: Skeletons In The Cupboard

Stopping in front of the tall building with the name CIB, also known as the criminal investigation bureau emblazoned in bold letters above the entrance, Catherine got down from her carriage wearing a matching black hat and a black net that partially shielded her pretty face, but only revealed her blue eyes that took a quick scan of the area to make sure her brother was nowhere in sight.

The CIB is the headquarters of the criminal investigation bureau, a department dedicated to solving crimes and bringing offenders to justice. The building held an imposing structure that exuded an air of authority and professionalism, and Catherine was pretty much aware of the risk she took by agreeing to come here per Jeremy’s request.

She could feel her heart pounding in her chest just by staring at the building. She knew coming here would impose some kind of suspicion on her, but there was a big chance that if she didn’t, Jeremy would expose her name to the officers in charge, most especially to her brother and Cas, and she certainly doesn’t want to end up in jail like him.

Just how did it all go wrong??

From the corner of her eyes, she spotted Orson stepping out from the main door with Mr Maverick by his side as they indulged in small talks, barely looking in her direction to notice her presence. Without waiting to be spotted, Catherine quickly hid behind the side of the cobbled building, silently waiting for her brother to leave before stepping out and going to see Jeremy.

She chose this particular time because she was sure Orson wouldn’t be around to instigate her. But to her surprise, he was still here.

Peeping from the corner where she hid, her eyes were fixed on the two men who separated as they got into different carriages that were parked at the front. Watching it ride out of her sight, Catherine cautiously stepped out of the corner where she hid herself and entered the building before anyone else could see her.

Since Jeremy was the Duke’s son, she highly doubted that there would be any serious damages that would occur to him. It was her first time stepping into this building where her brother usually works, and she was surprised to find it more impressive than she had imagined it to be.

The expensive lobby was modified with sleek furniture as she quietly made her way through. Her eyes caught sight of the numerous awards and commendations that adorned the walls, a testament to the hardwork and dedication of the CIB’s agents and employees.

Making it to the center of the room, Catherine tried to maintain a calm exterior as she made her way to the front desk. There was an officer sitting there, going through a file, and when she approached him with the hopes that he could tell her which area Jeremy was held in, the officer shook his head, firmly refusing to give her any information regarding Jeremy.

"It’s confidential, Miss, and the family requests that he shouldn’t gain any visitors without their permission. You must be aware of the Duke and how his temper can be, I’m sorry but I cannot help you out in this situation" Was the officer’s reply before he buried his gaze back to his file, and Catherine knew she had to try something else if she wanted to see Jeremy.

Suddenly, a man standing at the other side of the room caught her eyes. He was tall and lean, dressed in plain clothes, and from his appearance, Catherine knew that he belonged here, just that she wasn’t aware of what position he might hold in an environment as strict as this. Taking a deep breath and slowing the rate of her heart beat, Catherine approached the man with the hopes that he would help her out.

The man in turn acknowledged her presence with a nod, giving Catherine the confidence boost she needed to move closer to him.

"Please, I need to speak with Jeremy." She said quietly, almost in a whisper while glancing around from time to time. She kept her head lowered to avoid being looked in the eyes, and she wished she had worn a scarf instead of using a face net.

The man looked at her skeptically, "and what relation do you share with the Duke’s son?"

Catherine hesitated for only a moment at his question before deciding to take a chance. "I... I’m Jeremy’s fiance," she could feel her stomach churn upon referring to herself to his fiance. "I just got back from a trip to the countryside when I heard he was being held here. I rushed down to see him, but I am not allowed to... please, if you can help me."

The man considered her situation and her pleading blue eyes for a second before nodding slowly. "I can make that happen, but it won’t come cheap." His voice was barely above a whisper, and despite making sure that she wouldn’t get recognized as Orson’s sister, her appearance still made her stand out as someone from an influential background.

"Fine." She nodded in agreement since money isn’t the problem, and the man smiled.

"Follow me." He said, leading her down a hallway and into a private room that had only a desk and a chair waiting. A white lamp hung in the ceiling, aiding her to see properly.

"Wait here."

Catherine tried to calm her nerves as the man left the room after telling her to wait. She took off her hat and placed it on the desk with her brows creasing into worry, anxiously wondering what situation Jeremy might be in and why he suddenly called her over to see him when it was clearly restricted.

"Does he want to get me in trouble?" She thought out loud while pacing back and forth, praying and hoping that no one from his family eventually shows up to find her here.

Worriedly pacing around, minutes passed, and Catherine began to wonder if she made a terrible mistake by coming here, and when she was starting to think about the odds and how it would be best to just leave and come another day, the door opened, and Jeremy was led in, shackled at his wrist.

Catherine’s eyes widened in obvious shock at the sight of his two bandaged palms that were coated with blood on some areas, and when the man who had brought Jeremy in finally left, Catherine hurried to Jeremy who was presently glaring daggers at her.

"How did...how did this..."

"Dressed in black." Jeremy commented as he took notice of her black dress. "Did you come to mourn my death, or are you dressed like this to wish me a death day?"

"Pardon?" Catherine looked lost, and the look in his eyes turned frosty with slight hatred.

"Quit your silly act, you dare take me for a practical joke and think I’ll let you get away with it?" The anger in his voice startled Catherine who looked vacuous on what he was talking about.

"What joke? What are you trying to say to me?"

"Let me get something straight, was your plan literally to hurt me or Madeline? Come to think of it, you probably tried killing two birds with one stone, am I right?"

"Shhhh." Catherine tried to plead with him when he raised his voice at her. "lower your tone, what if someone hears us?"

"Do you think I fucking care?! My father and mother have no intention of bailing me out sooner, and what do you think? Cassian sent some lunatic in a mask to do this to my hands." He raised both his bandaged palms up, showing what he had to go through all because of that middle class woman.

"Cassian did this to you?" Catherine’s face paled at the sight of his two awfully bandaged palms, already thinking of the worst that could happen to her if Cassian ever figured out all this was her plan and not Jeremy’s.

"If I end up leaving this place, I will murder that woman for real." Jeremy made the promise before turning away from Catherine who was still confused on how their plan didn’t work like the way it should.

"But... what exactly happened?"

"Your little bottle happened." His tone was venomous as he turned to look at Catherine with fury in his eyes. "Your precious little content would have had me sentenced to death you two faced bitch!"

"Watch your language!" Catherine pointed a finger at him as a warning, not liking how he called her name’s when their plan to get back at Madeline failed because of his stupidity. "We wouldn’t be in this mess if you did everything the exact way I asked you to, and what do you mean by the bottle?"

"Don’t pretend to be dumb! Madeline could have died from that thing she inhaled. You knew it was going to kill her but you still made me go ahead with it, didn’t you? To free yourself?"

"What do you mean she could have died? It was harmless."

"Stop lying to me!" Jeremy kicked at the chair, sending it falling to the ground. "It was confirmed that what she inhaled would have sent her dying, and then I would be given the death sentence so you can be free from the suspicion you have of me revealing the truth, am I right?"

"No." Catherine shook her head. "It wasn’t supposed to kill her, believe me when I say the content was harmless. The highest it could go is to make her gain temporary paralysis, and that’s the height of its effect."

"You’re...."

Before Jeremy could throw another random accusation at her, the door suddenly opened with a cackling sound, making the two of them pause in their argument, and when they turned to see who had walked in, Catherine’s face paled at the sight of the person standing at the entrance of the door.

"Didn’t things just get interesting!" The intruder cocked his head. "What other skeletons are you hiding in your cupboard?"