S2- Murderer

S2- Murderer
When Astrid's face twisted into a look of utter shock-like she had just swallowed dung-Zara, or rather, Senna, casually swept back a few loose strands of hair and smiled.

"Astrid, my dear sister, surprised to see me back? I wonder, have you had nightmares these past three years? Because I often dream of my son coming to play with me. The little boy you killed-he was a boy, you know. He looked just like Magnus. He told me he wants you to join him down there."

Surprise, my ass. There was no joy in this-only pure, unfiltered horror. Astrid felt a chill rush down her spine, her heart hammering in panic. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, shaking her head violently as she shrieked, "You lying bitch! Don't you dare slander me! I didn't kill your child! I didn't-"

"You didn't?" Senna sneered. "Shall I remind you how you personally forced that abortion drug down my throat?" The agony she had suffered was still burned into her memory. The wounds in her heart never truly healed; they were a constant reminder that she had a debt to settle. None of them would escape.

At that moment, a thunderous voice rang out from the entrance.

"Is what she's saying true?"

All eyes turned toward the doorway.

Edric slowly wheeled himself inside. The man in the chair had a face as cold as ice, his sharp features dark with an impending storm. His deep, unfathomable eyes burned with violent rage.

Senna averted her gaze, clenching her fists, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

The person who had hurt her the most back then was none other than Magnus.

And now, he dared to act furious?

What was this-atonement?

No.

He didn't deserve it. And she didn't care.

Astrid's legs gave out beneath her. With a loud thud, she collapsed back into her chair, her voice trembling. "It wasn't my idea, I-"

Before she could finish, the butler stepped forward, blocking her path. With a subtle flick of his fingers, he lifted the hem of his jacket-just enough to reveal the gun strapped to his waist. His eyes gleamed with an icy warning.

"Miss Thorne, you dared to kill the Voss family's eldest grandson? Do you have a death wish?"

Astrid's face drained of all color, her body trembling like a leaf caught in a storm.

She knew-without a doubt-that the moment she admitted to the crime, she would be silenced for good.

"Throw this vicious woman out," the butler commanded coldly. "She is never to step foot in Voss Manor again."

The bodyguards immediately stepped forward, grabbing Astrid by the arms and dragging her away.

"No! Grandpa, I was wrong! I swear I'll listen to you from now on! No matter what you ask of me, I'll do it-"

Her screams faded into the distance.

"What a ridiculous farce," Senna scoffed. "Someone had to take the fall in the end. Now that it's over, I assume I'm free to leave?"

Now that her true identity had been exposed, there was no need to continue pretending.

Everyone in this room was her enemy.

Even uttering a single kind word to them made her sick.

Suddenly, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against her forehead.

The butler had drawn his weapon.

His eyes were filled with grief and fury.

"Senna, you damned woman... You think you can just leave? You burned our Second Young Master to death. You owe him your life."

The old master remained silent.

But Magnus-

His grip on the wheelchair's armrests tightened so fiercely that the wood nearly splintered beneath his fingers.

His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, locked onto the butler, each word laced with deadly menace.

"If you so much as touch a single hair on her head-"

"I'll bury your entire family with her."

With a gun pressed against her forehead, Senna showed not a hint of panic or fear. She lifted her chin, her cold, watery eyes filled with defiance. "Go ahead and shoot me if you dare. I already died once three years ago. Killing without reason, trampling on lives-isn't that what you people do best?"

The butler's face turned pale, then darkened. He looked at the old master, grief weighing heavily in his eyes. "Master, I have served you for many years, and I have lived long enough. If you give the word, I'll lay down my life today to avenge Second Young Master."

The old man slowly turned the thumb ring on his finger, his sharp gaze flickering, as if weighing his decision.

Magnus gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly, his deep black eyes flashing with unyielding determination. "Three years ago, I lost her once. Today, I have decided to tie my life to hers. If you don't mind the Voss family being left without an heir, then go ahead and give the order."

"You-" The old man was so enraged he nearly spat blood.

For the first time, Senna looked directly at Magnus, but her face was filled with mockery and contempt. "Magnus, spare me your pretense. I owe you nothing."

He was the one who sent her to prison, the one who hid the donor so her brother couldn't receive life-saving treatment. No matter what he did in this lifetime, even if he died right in front of her, she would never forgive him.

"Sir, this woman set fire to kill Second Young Master! He was your own brother! Can you really bear to let him die in vain, unable to rest in peace?" The butler sobbed bitterly, his voice trembling. "I watched you both grow up. I treated you like my own nephews. Losing either of you pains me deeply."

Magnus maneuvered his wheelchair forward with one hand and firmly grasped Senna's wrist. His cold, pale hand was unyielding, like a steel shackle that bound her inescapably. He held her tightly, his presence calm yet domineering, exuding an aura that allowed no one to take her away. Without hesitation, he led her away, right under the butler's gun.

"Young Master Matthias, I have failed you," the butler wailed from behind, pounding his chest in grief. "The murderer walks free, and I could do nothing to avenge you. If you can hear me from the afterlife, find her yourself and make her pay with her life!"

As soon as they stepped outside, Senna wrenched her hand free, dropping all pretense. Her face was filled with undisguised hatred. "I will never be grateful to you."

"I know." Magnus gazed at her, his deep, ink-black eyes barely concealing his excitement. "The Rosewood Manor is the safest place for you."

"You really think I'd live with you? Murderer." Senna pursed her lips, turned around, and was about to leave.

"Senna." Seeing her leave, Magnus's heart trembled. He swiftly reached out, grabbing her arm in desperation. "You can't go..."

"Let go." Senna turned back in fury, struggling hard to break free. When she failed, her anger erupted. She raised her other hand and struck his face with a resounding slap.

"How dare you hit our Young Master!" The bodyguards, fiercely protective of Magnus, were stunned. Without hesitation, one of them grabbed her wrist and seized her waist, ready to throw her aside.