In the middle of laughter and clinking of glasses, Mr. Philips spoke that earned Reed's attention. "That servant lass is really familiar but I can't remember where I saw her."
Reed traced the lid of his glass with his finger. He did promise Melrose he would keep her secret but he didn't say anything that he would help her clean her mess. But despite knowing it was none of his concerns, he couldn't help but eye Mr. Philips darkly.
"How can you be so sure, Mr. Philips? You have seen a lot of ladies so you must be confused," said Reed in a controlled tone.
"Lord Knight is right, Philips. Don't bother yourself about some servant girl," said Mr. Linton along with a chuckle.
Reed sipped on his glass. His expression remained cold as his eyes were fixated at the three men in front of him. All of them had women by their sides like they didn't have rings on their fingers. What a bunch of hypocrites. He would love to drain them until they become cold corpses but he knew he would not like the taste of the bastards' blood.
"I heard you lost a number of servants in your mansion, Mr. Philips. Rumors had it that they were missing," asked Reed.
The smile in Mr. Philips vanished for a moment like he didn't expect to be asked that question. The other two men also shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Mr. Philips chuckled nervously. "My lord, those are only rumors. Those servants left in their own will to go back to their respective villages. I guess they have grown tired of servant life."
"But…" Reed put his glass down. "That is not what I heard from Miss Ophelia. I'm sure you know her?"
Mr. Philips couldn't feign a smile now. Even the two men looked like they were about to be put on a scaffold. Of course, Reed would not waste his time with a bunch of idiots if he would gain nothing.
"Can you leave the gentlemen, ladies?" Mr. Philips said in a hard tone that made the girls leave the room right away.
"I appreciate your interest in my matters, Lord Knight. But Ophelia is just merely a servant. Sometimes people from the lower-class blabber about nonsense because they want to be favored. Ophelia did a mistake in my household that's why I fired her. She must have held a grudge on me."
"But that wasn't the story I heard. She said that the three of you…" Reed eyed each one of them so darkly that they felt the air in the room getting thicker by the minute. "Held some women captive, servants mostly, in a private place and treating them like toys. She also told me of how she barely escaped. Now, gentlemen, what can you say?"
The lord spoke so calm that his words sounded more threatening.
"Lord Knight, I have no idea about this," came Mr. Colton's abrupt answer as if he was in the middle of panic.
"Indeed, Mr. Colton?" Reed smirked. "Then why can I hear how fast your heart is beating all of a sudden? A person will only have that physical reaction if first, he is in love. Second, he did something exhilarating, and third… if he has something to hide. The first two don't seem to fit, so I suppose it is the latter?"
"L-Lord Knight…" Mr. Colton was rendered speechless.
"Lord Knight, I thought you were planning to do business with us. What on earth is this provocation for?" spoke Mr. Philips. He was intimidated by the lord's status but he also had power and wealth. He was a friend of some ministers and other law regulators. He was as influential.
"Besides, you are only here for a vacation, aren't you? Better stick your nose in your own business, my lord. You may have the title of the King's cousin but you are nothing but a newcomer."
"But I love meddling with others' affairs, especially if one is doing evil," Reed returned, leaning back on his seat.
Mr. Linton stood. "Enough of this nonsense. I will forget how you disrespected us with your accusation, Lord Knight, but I hope this won't happen again. I shall excuse myself." But when he opened the door, it suddenly closed and locked itself along with a cold blow of the wind that almost blew out the candles.
Mr. Colton turned frigid.
"I am not yet done talking. No one is to leave the room unless I say so," Reed said, and for a moment, his eyes turned to blazing red.
The three men held the same shocked and horrified expression in their faces.
"You…" Mr. Philips stammered as he stood. "You are a m-monster!"
In fright, the three stepped back and tried to open the door but they couldn't. Mr. Linton banged it with his shoulders but still, it wasn't enough.
Mr. Philips' eyes widened when Reed took a step closer. He then remembered the pistol in his waist. He pulled it and aimed at Reed.
Reed stopped and stared at the bastard coldly, not the least bit threatened at the sight of the gun pointed at him.
"Open the door, you fools!" Mr. Philips shouted but neither Mr. Linton nor Mr. Colton could break the door. They tried shouting help but no one came to their aid, leaving them at the mercy of the devil in front of them.
"You know why I never tolerate shits like yourselves?" spoke Reed. "Because you are the kind who have no hope."
"If you take one more step, I will shoot!"
"Shoot me then," Reed challenged.
Mr. Philips shot the vase at the corner, creating a loud cracking noise.
"People must have heard the gunshot. They will come here and see what kind of a monster you are. People will condemn you!"
"Yes, they are here." Reed went back to his seat the same time a loud knock in the door came.
Not wanting to be in the same room as Reed any longer, the three hurried to open the door. But to their surprise, they were greeted by the royal guards.
"Help us! Lord Knight is a monster!" exclaimed Mr. Philips. "He locked us and his eyes turned to—"
"We have an arrest warrant for you, Mr. Linton, Mr. Philips and Mr. Colton. Your crimes are proven and the King has issued a decree. You shall be executed without a trial."
"Enjoy hell, gentlemen," Reed muttered under his breath before the three men were dragged by the royal guards.