Chapter 280: Answer Me

Ella's POV

He didn't hesitate anymore.

No knocking, no announcement.

He raised his hand and shoved open the heavy door.

A piercing screech shattered the manor's tranquility. The conversation inside abruptly stopped.

In the study, the warm flames of the fireplace danced, casting a cozy orange glow over the room. Behind a massive mahogany desk, Owen was turned slightly, talking to Leo, who stood beside him with a faint smile on his face.

Our sudden entrance wiped that smile right off. Both Owen and Leo turned their heads, their faces filled with shock and surprise.

I followed Mason into the room, a space that had always piqued my curiosity but I had never dared to enter—Owen's private sanctuary.

My eyes scanned the room, taking in the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the enormous family crest on the wall, and finally, Owen's face.

His surprise lasted only a moment before it was replaced by his usual composed and elegant smile.

“Ella, Mason, what's going on? Is something wrong?” His tone remained gentle, like we were just two kids who had barged in unannounced.

Leo, on the other hand, looked uneasy. He glanced at us, then at Owen, clearly unsure of how to react.

Mason ignored his question. He held my hand, leading me step by step to the large desk, each step carrying a silent pressure. The air in the study seemed to grow heavier with his presence.

I could feel Owen's gaze on me, probing. I forced myself to meet his eyes, trying hard not to let any fear show.

Then, under Owen and Leo's bewildered stares, Mason let go of my hand, took the letter I had been clutching, and decisively tossed it onto the polished mahogany desk.

The envelope slid a short distance across the smooth surface, finally stopping in front of Owen. The crisp, slightly muffled thud echoed like a thunderclap in the eerily silent room.

My heart leapt into my throat, and I stopped breathing.

I watched as Owen's gaze shifted from our faces to the envelope, to the unique family seal that symbolized his supreme authority.

“I need an explanation.”

Mason's cold voice cut through the room, devoid of any warmth, shattering the fragile calm.

My eyes were fixed on Owen's face, as if nailed there.

I had anticipated all his possible reactions—shock, anger, panic, outright denial, even a flash of murderous intent.

I had rehearsed every possible scenario in my mind, prepared for every reaction. But I hadn't expected this.

No shock, no anger. The smile that had frozen on his face when we burst in melted away as he recognized the seal on the envelope.

It wasn't a forced, stiff smile, but one that held a hint of amusement, understanding, even approval—a genuine smile.

That smile terrified me more than any menacing expression could. It felt like an invisible hand squeezing my throat, making it hard to breathe.

It completely upended my understanding of the situation, shattering the fragile courage I had just mustered.

“Leo.”

Owen spoke, his voice still as warm and pleasant as ever, as if discussing the weather rather than facing a potentially devastating accusation. “You should leave. I need to talk to my sister and Alpha Mason about some family matters.”

Leo, already pale from the unexpected turn of events, looked at us, then at Owen, his lips moving as if to say something. But under Owen's gentle yet unyielding gaze, he swallowed his words.

He gave me a long, complex look—one I couldn't decipher, filled with worry, confusion, and a hint of pity I didn't dare to explore. Then, he bowed slightly to Owen and left the study without a word.

The heavy door closed behind him with a soft click, the sound of the lock falling into place magnified in the deathly quiet room.

It wasn't just the sound of a door locking; it was the sound of a trap closing. I felt like Mason and I were moths that had flown willingly into a spider's web, and the seemingly harmless, elegant spider was finally ready to feast.

My body began to tremble slightly, a chill running from my feet to the top of my head.

Instinctively, I moved closer to Mason. His arm immediately wrapped around my waist, the steady warmth of his hand anchoring my fraying nerves.

The study was now just the three of us.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, the flickering light casting shifting shadows on Owen's face, making his once familiar and trusted features look strangely eerie and unfamiliar.

He didn't immediately pick up the letter.

His gaze moved past the large mahogany desk to Mason's face.

“Faster than I expected.”

He spoke, his tone as relaxed as if praising a student for finishing their homework early. “It seems I didn't misjudge you, Alpha Mason.”

My heart sank, almost leaping out of my throat.

What?

What did he say?

Faster than he expected? What had he expected? That we would find the letter? That we would confront him with what we thought was undeniable evidence?

This wasn't an ambush we had launched; it was a hunt he had set up, waiting for us to walk into his trap!

This realization cut through my chaotic thoughts, bringing a moment of clarity, followed by an even deeper, more overwhelming fear.