Wait, Ever stares up at him with wide blue eyes, what did he say? The camera at the facility malfunctioned? There were cameras!? Her eyes scrunch closed and she breathes out through her nose. Fuck, if it had been working she would've been totally screwed. Does that mean the other thief disabled them?
Before anything else can happen the door opens and Miguel comes back in and whispers once more. Whisper, whisper, whisper.
"Lots of secrets around here, huh?" Ever mumbles half heartedly. She just lays there, on the floor, her arms aching from being tied to the arms of her chair. So uncomfortable.
"And Daddy is here to the rescue." Mr. Guan mutters. He glares down at her, his upper lip curling in distaste. "Let's see how easy you'll get off because the High Lord is also here." He walks around her and pushes her back so she's sitting upright.
Her face pales. The High Lord himself, is here? Damn, she groans and drops her head, wincing when it hits the floor. How is she going to explain this? Did the guy have a skill that forces her to be silent about him? Is there even such a skill? Or maybe it's an item?
Gah! Maybe she can plead her way out of this?
"I'll talk to her alone, thank you." There's a familiar voice out in the hall and she shrinks into her chair, her shoulders hiding beneath her hair. There are two figures in the hallway, yet she already knows who they are.
However, when Mr. Guan steps out only one of them steps inside. An older man with white hair styled back takes the seat opposite her. He's dressed casual, with a Logo T-shirt and jeans. He must have been at home. He places his hands palm down on the table and narrows his ice blue eyes at her.
Ever awkwardly clears her throat and gives her father the sweetest smile she can muster. She's always been a daddy's girl.
"Everscent, why am I here?" He asks, his mouth pressing firmly together. She can see that familiar vein in his forehead that only pops out when he's stressed or pissed off.
She clenches her jaw and forces her nonchalant smile to stay in place. "Hi, daddy." She can see his eyebrows twitch but doesn't stop trying the innocent act. "That Mr. Guan man hit me." She tilts her head to show the red and slightly swollen cheek. The corner of her lip leaks red and one of her eyes is puffy.
Versance pinches his brow, "Drop the puppy eyes, Everscent. Answer my question."
The younger girl huffs out in annoyance as she presses her head to the table between them. Damn it. She lifts her head up and the sweetness that once oozed from her every pore is replaced with regret and annoyance. Annoyance because she failed to get the item and for getting caught. If she had just left when she had them none of this would have happened. And regret, because now she had to answer to her father, and the High Lord. Ugh.
"I notice mother isn't here." She says instead. "How expected of her." The words sting even coming from herself. She shouldn't be disappointed, it's not like she'll ever be more concerned for her daughter rather than her work.
Versance doesn't say anything at first. He links his hands together over the table and sighs, his shoulders dropping. "You know your mother is busy." He says with a sound of frustration. He leans back and runs a hand through his hair. "School is about to start. It's your first year too, you should be more understanding." He cocks an eyebrow at her.
"Yet she'll still scold me the moment she next sees me." Which could be in the morning, or in two days. She pushes all thoughts of her mother away and leans in with a smile, "But since you've said that, you should too. Be more understanding, I mean." She smirks and wiggles her fingers against the arms of her chair.
Versance mumbles under his breath and shakes his head. Then he points two fingers at her, "Now that I've answered you, how about you answer me?"
She sighs, "Because I tried to steal an S ranked item."
He nods his head, he already knew, but hearing it from her makes his jaw clench. "Is it because it's a Chaos blessed item?" He asks, his words are careful.
She sighs and nods her head. They sit in silence for a moment, his hands now clenched against the table, his eyes staring holes into the metal surface.
"Where is it?" He asks.
"I don't have it." She answers, giving away no reason for him not to believe her. Will he? He studies her, taking in her bound wrists, and her items on the floor behind her. Lastly, he glances at the draeven who still lazes on the floor.
"You don't know where it is?" He turns back to her and narrows his eyes, "Are you sure?"
"You don't believe me?" While the urge to bring up the thief comes to mind, dread settles into her gut once more. That guy definitely did something to make her keep silent. So annoying!! If she ever catches him again, she'll make him pay!!
"No. I do." Her father nods. "How did you even know about it being here?"
She bites her lip and looks away, "I eavesdropped on your phone call with the High Lord." She murmurs guiltily.
"One day I won't be here to save you, Everscent." Versance chuckles, "When will you learn?" Versance stands back up and paces, after a minute he turns to her. "I'm going to bring our High Lord in."
She groans, brows furrowing as guilt eats away at her. Now she feels like trash. She sits up straight and glances at the door when it opens.