Chapter 376: Chapter 375- Date invitation
[A day ago]
Reid and Fiona sat together in the main hall, quietly sipping tea.
Fiona leaned against her husband’s shoulder, seeking comfort. It had been an exhausting day—one that had left them both shaken.
They had seen their child nearly die before their eyes.
For Fiona, that image would not fade anytime soon.
"I’m sorry, dear," Reid said softly, breaking the silence. "I always boast about protecting my family, yet I failed to do so."
Fiona shook her head. "That’s not true, darling. If not for you, many others would have died. And as for what Damien did... he has your blood. What else could we expect from him?"
Reid looked at her warmly. "It’s comforting that my wife isn’t disappointed in me," he murmured. "But still, I feel guilty for what happened."
His gaze hardened. "I let danger creep up on us—to the point where we felt cornered. That has never happened before, and I’ll make sure it never happens again."
Fiona lowered her gaze, then sighed and snuggled closer to him.
Just then—
*CLINK*
The doors to the hall opened, making Reid frown. He had ordered that no one disturb them. But when he saw who had entered, surprise flickered across his face.
"Ruby?" he asked, standing as his daughter stepped inside—carrying someone in her arms.
As she drew closer, Reid’s eyes widened. The person she was carrying... was his younger sister.
Ruby stopped in front of him—and then, without hesitation, dropped Mary to the floor.
*Thud*
Fiona flinched and raised her voice. "What are you doing, Ruby?!"
Reid narrowed his eyes, studying his daughter. Her gaze... it told a story he didn’t want to hear.
But he wasn’t a man who turned away from the truth.
*Clutch*
He caught Fiona’s wrist before she could lift Mary from the ground.
"Dear?" Fiona looked at him, confused.
The Vermillion Patriarch spoke firmly. "Let’s hear her out first."
At those words, Fiona finally noticed the look in Ruby’s eyes—cold, distant, and brimming with raw fury.
Reid took a deep breath. "Tell us what happened," he said.
Ruby’s voice was sharp. "Such precise information about our house—knowing the exact moment the entire family would be here—do you think even the Twilight Vault could have such details?"
"...!!"
Reid’s frown deepened while Fiona’s eyes widened.
"This can’t be," Fiona said shakily. "It must be some misunderstanding, Ruby."
Ruby’s tone grew heavier. "I found her in Skulth’s base last night. Do you know what she was about to do?" Her anger flared visibly now as she added, "She was about to tell the public about Adrian’s secret—and blame everything that happened on him."
Reid clenched his fist. He had suspected someone in the family was feeding information to the cult—but he never imagined it would be someone so close.
Silence dropped over the room for a moment.
Ruby broke it. "Father—if you forgive her now, more heads will rise. There are people in our house who never accepted you or me leading the family. If they see mercy, they’ll take bolder steps to harm us."
Fiona gasped as the weight of Ruby’s words sank in. She glanced at her husband. "Mary has two children, dear. She’s always been a good sister to you."
Ruby’s frown deepened. Her mother’s soft heart was predictable—she’d always leaned that way, even toward criminals. Ruby said nothing more, waiting for her father to speak.
Reid drew a slow breath. "What do you propose?" he asked.
Without hesitation, Ruby replied, "A public execution so that—"
"Ruby!" Fiona cried, alarmed, eyes wide.
Ruby could no longer hold back. "She’s the reason your son nearly died!" Her voice rose, sharp and fierce—perhaps the first time she’d shouted at her mother. "She’s the reason the entire Vermillion family almost perished yesterday! And when she failed, she tried to pin it on the man who saved us!"
Fiona went pale, stunned by Ruby’s accusation.
Reid allowed his daughter to speak—she needed to grasp the gravity of what Mary’s actions might have caused. After a moment’s silence, he spoke. "I understand the need to show people the consequences of betrayal... but a public execution will only make more enemies for us."
Ruby fell silent, eyes fixed on her father.
Reid looked down at the woman he had once called his sister and felt his jaw tighten. "That doesn’t mean I can forgive her," he muttered. Clenching his fist, he continued, "She will pay for what she’s done."
°°°°°°°
[Present day]
Ruby woke up from her slumber, feeling slightly sore.
Stretching her arms, she walked toward the window.
She took a few moments to bathe in the sunlight, letting the warmth kiss her cheeks.
Then, her eyes landed on the letter resting on the table.
Her gaze lit up the moment she saw the name of the sender.
Without a moment’s delay, she picked up the letter and sat down on the bed.
Unfolding the parchment, she began to read:
[I hope you are doing well. Although I know it must be difficult for you at the moment, please try to eat and sleep well.]
Ruby chuckled softly—she had, in fact, eaten well and slept like a log last night.
She continued reading:
[I don’t know how to say it...and conveying it through a letter feels cowardly of me. How about we go out sometime?]
Her eyes sparkled as she read on,
[We didn’t have much time to talk last time...so, if it’s alright with you, let’s meet after the final exams. Just the two of us.]
Ruby’s heart fluttered at those words as she pressed the letter against her chest.
With a wide smile, she read the letter again.
He wanted to spend time with her.
Although she knew the reason behind this sudden invitation, that didn’t lessen her excitement in the slightest.
’Though there’s still quite some time left before the exams end,’ she sighed.
But still—he asked her out. That alone was a good development.
*Knock.*
Hearing the knock, she turned toward the door and found her mother standing there with a blank expression.
"Breakfast is ready," Fiona said flatly before walking away.
Ruby hurriedly followed her and asked, "Are you still upset, Mother?"
Fiona turned her face away before responding in a sullen voice, "Why would I be? Someone as unworthy as me shouldn’t have spoken between the two leading members of the family."
Ruby wryly smiled as she wrapped her arm around her angry mother and said, "You know what I said was true..."
"But what about your tone? I really didn’t like it when you shouted at me." She pouted.
Ruby grinned, swaying slightly as she whined, "It happens, Mom...I was quite emotional, you know."
Fiona huffed before slapping Ruby’s hand and telling her, "Go freshen up first before coming down."
Ruby kissed her mother’s cheek before dashing away.
Fiona shook her head, a smile curving her lips.
....
"What? A date?" Ariana asked, her brows arched in surprise.
Adrian nodded. "Yeah. If we get some time during the examination, we should go out sometime."
Ariana hummed, leaning back in her seat.
Crossing her arms, she closely studied the man before her and asked, "Is it because you want to apologize for what you did back then?"
Adrian let out a wry smile. "Couldn’t you have not said that? There are things better left unsaid."
Ariana chuckled, her lips curving with amusement. "So that’s it, huh? You’re taking me out because you feel guilty."
Adrian groaned. "That’s not the only reason. I’m asking you out because I actually want to go on a date."
Ariana grinned at that. "Is that so? Then I suppose you have somewhere good in mind—because I won’t be impressed unless the place is absolutely special this time."
Adrian raised a brow. "Why the sudden requirement?"
Ariana shrugged, a faint teasing smile on her face. "I mean, I’m also a woman who needs to feel special... or am I asking for too much?"
Adrian smiled, "That’s the grief, Ariana... you never ask much from me. I want you to be more demanding."
Ariana blushed at those words but kept up her tough front. "I just don’t want to annoy you."
Adrian chuckled softly, "Trust me, you won’t. I’d love to know what you want from me—and naturally, I’ll try my best to fulfill them."
Ariana huffed, crossing her arms to mask her fluster. "Aren’t you being a little too romantic all of a sudden? What’s this about, huh? You looking for a salary raise or something?"
Adrian could only smile helplessly. Whenever she got embarrassed, she tried to act nonchalant... but those faintly red ears gave her away every single time.
Not so long after, Adrian decided to return and rest.
Ariana had some work so she was going to stay in the office.
However, his feet came to a pause when he heard chimes from his pocket.
*TNG* *TNG* *TNG*
His gaze sharpened as he hurriedly turned on his heel.
Someone has infiltrated his office.
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.