The Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 234: [ Volume 1] Chaper 234- Someone dangerous.

Chapter 234: [ Volume 1] Chaper 234- Someone dangerous.

Hearing laughter and lively chatter spill down the hallway, Kai, Ryan, and Jay stepped out of their room, each pulled by curiosity toward the scene unfolding in the common area. Jay blinked sleepily, still wrapped up in his panda pajamas, rubbing his eyes as he tried to focus. Beside him, Ryan was also dressed in an identical panda set, looking just as adorably groggy and endearing. Together, the two of them looked like a pair of sleepy, plush pandas, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement.

Esme took one look at the matching pair and had to cover her mouth to hold back a fresh wave of laughter. The sight was too much—Jay and Ryan, dressed as if they were ready for a cozy, cartoon-inspired winter hibernation, standing in the doorway looking baffled yet oddly proud.

Kai, already dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans, noticed Esme’s barely contained laughter and couldn’t help but smirk himself. He turned to Esme with an arched eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "What’s going on here? It’s not even nine, and it already sounds like a party."

Esme grinned, holding up her cup, her eyes gleaming with a playful spark. "Want a cup of coffee, Kai? You look like you could use a little kickstart."

Kai shook his head, a grin of his own playing at his lips. "Nah, coffee’s not my thing in the mornings. I like to keep it light."

"Oh, then you have to at least try this tea." Esme’s grin grew wider, the glint in her eyes growing even more mischievous. "It’s... absolutely delicious. One sip, and you’ll see what you’ve been missing out on." She extended the cup toward him, her tone entirely too innocent to be believable.

Beside her, both Helga and Aron were already stifling their own smiles, clearly catching onto Esme’s scheme. They exchanged a quick look, their faces taking on an almost comically serious expression. Aron, barely containing his grin, leaned in, nodding with exaggerated solemnity. "She’s not exaggerating, Kai. This tea is something special. You really should try it," he added, nudging the cup a little closer to him.

Kai’s brow furrowed, suspicion creeping into his gaze. The tone was just a little too sweet, the insistence just a tad too persuasive. Jay, now a bit more alert, gave Esme a suspicious look as he rubbed his eyes, glancing from her to Helga and Aron. "Why do I feel like there’s some hidden agenda going on here?"

Esme shrugged, maintaining her air of innocence with an ease that could only come from practice. "Hidden agenda? Us?" She gestured to herself, then Helga and Aron, feigning innocence with a glint of mischief in her eye. "No agenda here, Jay. Just... sharing the love, you know?"

Helga tried to stifle a laugh, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her. She nudged Aron, both of them barely holding it together. "It’s true. If something’s this good, it’d be selfish of us to keep it to ourselves."

Ryan fixed his gaze on Esme with a soft smile. "Sorry, Esme," he said with a slight shrug, humor twinkling in his eyes. "I’m not buying it." With that, he shook his head, gracefully declining the tea.

Kai, standing nearby, had already caught onto Esme’s unusually sweet demeanor. Suspicion pricked at him, and as he realized the tea had been brewed by Ray—well, that sealed it. The brothers exchanged quick glances, their verdict unified and immediate.

"No, no, really. We’re good, thanks," Kai stammered, backing away with a chuckle. Jay and Ryan followed suit, nodding emphatically.

Ray watched them, caught between amusement and exasperation. He crossed his arms, feigning a scowl. "Unbelievable! You’d think I’m trying to poison you." Yet he couldn’t help but smile, a spark of pride lingering despite their teasing refusals. The morning buzzed with lighthearted laughter, leaving the air warm and bright.

---

Half an hour later, Esme sat alone in her study, dressed in a loose, comfortable top and matching pants, her fingers flying over the laptop keys as she scrolled through files and documents. Her brow furrowed, deep in concentration, she barely registered the quiet knock at her door.

"Come in," she called, her gaze still on her screen.

The door opened, and Aron stepped inside, his face serious. He approached her desk with a deliberate pace, hands clasped tightly. "Esme," he began, his tone measured. "Why did you want me to question those people? If the second aunt was behind all this, why waste time? We already suspect her."

Esme paused, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her expression turned thoughtful, her voice calm but firm. "Aron, you just said it yourself—’suspect.’ That’s not a confirmation," she replied. "I’m not convinced it’s the second aunt."

Aron’s brow creased in confusion. "Why not? She’s been calculating, sneaky. It’s her style. Who else could it be?"

Leaning back, Esme looked at Aron, her eyes intense. "Aron, I’ve been doing some thinking," she started, choosing her words carefully. "Madam Aron—my mother-in-law—has cut all ties with her. She’s made sure that the second aunt has no access to information from this household. Every servant, every bodyguard, handpicked. The second aunt doesn’t have eyes in this house anymore."

Aron’s frown deepened, though he listened intently. "But what if she’s still managed to bribe someone?"

Esme shook her head. "Think about it. It’s not just one guard; it’s layers of security, people working around the clock. If the second aunt really wanted information, she would have to manipulate a whole network of people—and she’s not the mastermind we’re giving her credit for." Esme’s voice softened, almost contemplative. "She’s been weakened by the poison. She’s not in her right mind, let alone capable of orchestrating something this intricate."

Aron’s expression wavered, doubt creeping into his eyes. "But... what if she’s getting help?"

"That’s exactly what I’m getting at," Esme replied, leaning forward. "If she were the queen, she would need someone pulling the strings behind her—a queen regent, someone powerful enough to control her moves without exposing themselves. And that’s what worries me."