Chapter 416
“Get out!” Dexter roared. Under the threat of his intimidating sword swings, the trespassers fled. He sighed in relief, setting aside his sword and slumping to the floor.
Myra remained in shock, muttering, “How could it be a fake? I put that map in the box myself and locked it!”
“If I’d known this would happen,” she continued, “I wouldn’t have resorted to such an underhanded tactic. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. It would have been better to return it to Mr. Russell. It’s all my fault… I was too arrogant.” She covered her mouth, the earlier chaos visibly shaking her.
Despite the blood running down his head, Dexter tried to comfort her. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. My greed brought this upon us. I dragged you and…”
At the mention of their daughter, Myra jolted. “Where’s Kayla?”
“Wasn’t Kayla with you?” Dexter replied, then paused. The commotion had likely prevented Kayla from hearing them. Why hadn’t she investigated? Could something have happened to her?
They rushed upstairs to Kayla’s room, finding it empty. The bodyguards and maids explained Kayla had snuck out after dinner and hadn’t returned.
Dexter breathed a sigh of relief. “She’s probably out with friends. No need to worry.”
“No! That’s not it!” A chill ran down Myra’s spine. She turned to Dexter. “That day, when I placed the map in the box, Kayla was there with us.”
“What about it?” Dexter asked, confused.
“Could Kayla have… swapped the map?”
“Don’t overthink it! That’s impossible. We know our daughter. She wouldn’t pull a prank like that,” Dexter said with a forced laugh, but he stopped. Kayla had overheard their conversation that night. Learning about the map, she’d seemed ambitious, repeatedly urging them not to give it away. If the map wasn't swapped after reaching the auction house, it was possible it had been replaced earlier.
“I’ll call her and ask her to come back now!” Myra immediately began dialing.
The call was answered quickly. Without preamble, she asked Kayla directly if she had swapped the map.
Kayla responded with a confused “Huh?” before launching into an indignant tantrum. “Mom! How could you suspect me? Someone’s trying to frame us!” Her voice, though still quivering, grew clearer. “I told you both, but you wouldn’t listen! We don’t even know who’s behind this!”
“Alright, that’s enough. Your father and I will handle this. Come home soon. Be careful,” Myra said, ending the call.
Looking at the mess—the broken door, the chaos—Myra felt a deep sense of helplessness, tears welling up. How had things come to this?
As Dexter tried to comfort her, Myra wept, despairing. “What sin have I committed? Could those people be right? Did I bring a curse upon us by bringing that wretched girl back?”