Chapter 131 Paige's Inability, Xanthe's Capability
In spite of the tumult that raged within her, Paige persevered. She guided Raymond into the diminutive structure, her emotions a whirlwind beneath her calm exterior.The woman, an embodiment of elegance, moved ahead with a graceful sway. She led Paige and Raymond directly to the forefront of a roaring fireplace, its flames dancing in the otherwise dim room.Paige cast a sidelong glance at Raymond. It was evident that he had not anticipated their unusual reception. They had expected imprisonment, perhaps even physical restraint. Instead, they found themselves beside the comforting warmth of a fireplace.Immediately, the heat enveloped them, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. The woman's words rang true; the interior was indeed significantly warmer. The exterior was a harsh, frozen landscape, blanketed in snow, a sight that could send shivers down anyone's spine.Despite the inviting warmth, Paige's instincts prompted her to survey her surroundings. The small building was tastefully adorned, exuding an aura of classical elegance. It was a shame, she thought, that such a beautiful abode was erected in such a desolate location.The woman uncorked a bottle of XO brandy, pouring the amber liquid into several glasses. She then sauntered over, offering a glass each to Paige and Raymond."Cold, isn't it? Drink up; it'll warm your bones," she suggested, promptly pouring another glass for herself. She tossed it back in one swift motion, the alcohol burning a trail down her throat.Cursing under her breath, the woman lamented, "I've had enough of this damned place. At last, I have a chance to escape."Turning her attention to Paige and Raymond, she proposed, "Help me. You've seen the state of this place. It's isolated, inaccessible, and unbearably cold. I can't bear it any longer. If you two are willing to assist, I can finally leave. What do you say?"Paige, cradling her glass of brandy, brought it to her nose, ensuring no foreign substance had been added. She then tilted her head back, downing the contents in one gulp."Help you? With what, exactly? We came here to negotiate a deal, didn't we? Help?" She let out a cold, mirthless laugh.Was the woman still refusing to provide the antidote?The woman cast a glance towards the upper level of the house, calling out, "Hey, someone's asking if you're going through with the deal or not."A commotion ensued upstairs, and soon, a one-eyed man appeared, a bottle of liquor clutched in his hand.Paige observed the pair, noting their shared penchant for alcohol. The liquor, she had to admit, was indeed of high quality.Raymond, not much of a drinker, merely held his wine glass, setting it back down after a brief moment."A deal? Of course, we should strike one. The antidote is of no use to us. The crux of the matter is whether you two are sincere about the trade," he stated.Paige's brow furrowed slightly, "To this day, we still don't know what you truly desire.""You'll find what you're looking for with me. Release my wife, send her out, take her back to the base of Echo Peak, and I can give you what you want," Raymond offered.At his words, the man and woman instantly advanced towards Raymond.The one-eyed man queried, "Do you know what we want?""I have an inkling," Raymond replied cautiously.A flicker of understanding crossed Paige's mind. She thought she might have deciphered their intentions, but she dared not confirm her suspicions.If these people were indeed after what she suspected, she was utterly unwilling to let Raymond surrender it to them.Upon hearing this, the woman broke into a smile, "Oh, right, we haven't properly introduced ourselves, have we? My name is Marigold Brooks; this is my brother, Finnegan. As you can see, we're in rather dire straits living here.We rely solely on external supplies for our necessities, and without them, we indeed risk starving to death.So, our proposal for a trade isn't unreasonable, is it?"Marigold's words irked Paige, who retorted curtly, "I don't care who you are, where's the antidote?"Finnegan interjected, "Ms. Sackler, you're rather impatient. We're fully aware that you want the antidote, but do you truly know what we desire?"Raymond was quick to cut Paige off before she could respond, "As I said, you'll find what you want with me."Marigold, still smiling, poured another drink, "Raymond really does dote on his wife, doesn't he? But as we said before, wouldn't it be better for you both to stay here with us?"Finnegan's patience wore thin, "Why bother talking so much to them? They've fallen into our hands. Why bother with courtesies?
"Either we engage in a fair exchange, or, well, don't fault us for our lack of hospitality. You may be oblivious to this, but in this realm, I possess countless means to make your existence unbearable." Paige was not daunted by the overt menace looming before her. The only thing holding her back was the local topography. She couldn't simply snatch Raymond and escape."Enough with the games. What is it that you desire?" Paige had an inkling, but she found it hard to accept that these individuals were after that specific thing.Marigold's grin slowly vanished. "Raymond, I understand you're harboring a clandestine fund that the entire world is keeping an eye on."A sinking feeling overwhelmed Paige – her suspicion had been confirmed. These people shared her objective. She had visited Raymond's concealed chamber.But how had they discovered the connection between the secret fund and Raymond?Paige had never discussed the subject with Raymond, and now she chose to remain silent.Raymond glanced at Paige, observed her altered demeanor, and suddenly burst into laughter. "A secret fund? I'm oblivious to such a thing. My family does possess a collection of documents on the matter, though. If you're intrigued, they're all yours."Paige wanted to scream out in protest, but ultimately, she maintained her silence.Marigold and Finnegan were oblivious to her other persona. As Paige, she couldn't possibly be aware of the secret fund. Therefore, she couldn't risk revealing herself at this juncture.Marigold appeared ecstatic. "You truly possess leads about the secret fund?"Raymond responded, "I'm uncertain, I have documents, but I'm ignorant about the secret fund. If it's the documents you wish to barter, they are yours. But you'll have to verify the rest."Finnegan stepped up, protecting Marigold. "Don't trust his words so readily. Without inspecting the documents, we won't relinquish the antidote. Oh, and you might not comprehend how unique our antidote is. Let me assure you, it's the sole one of its kind in the world. If something befalls the antidote, Mrs. Sackler will indeed be beyond redemption."Paige gritted her teeth. Initially, she merely wanted to finalize the deal with these individuals and procure the antidote as swiftly as possible. But now, her intentions had shifted.Coveting the secret fund?That was not going to be tolerated.A fierce resolve ignited in Paige's eyes."You’re the ones who inflicted harm on Mrs. Sackler," she declared. "She's been bedridden for five years. Gradually, her body's functions began to deteriorate, and you're the ones who inflicted this irreversible damage."Paige had long yearned to settle accounts with this faction.As Paige voiced her accusations, Raymond realized she was seriously contemplating making a direct move to seize the antidote.Although the pair facing them might not perceive it, Raymond knew Paige all too well. She had served as a maid in the old Carnegie family mansion, searching tirelessly before unearthing the crucial information, and now these two desired it as well. Moreover, they were utilizing the antidote as both a threat and a bargaining chip.Raymond comprehended that Paige was pursuing the secret funds, and now, a conflict had arisen between them. The more individuals who knew about the secret funds, the less secure they became.Marigold shrugged and said, “We're merely executing a client's request to earn a living. We're ignorant of the buyer's identity or their intentions towards you, Ms. Sackler. Moreover, we only concocted the drug. Is the drug culpable? No, it’s not. The individual who administers the drug is at fault, madam, you're directing your anger at the wrong party.”“Criminal!” Paige exclaimed.Raymond saw Paige about to react and swiftly restrained her. Addressing Marigold and Finnegan, he said, “If you genuinely desire the information I possess, I have a single condition.” When Paige attempted to withdraw her hand from his, Raymond felt the intensity of her grip and hastily added to his previous statement, "My information is located in Quorinthus. No one can locate it there, but if you release Mrs. Sackler, I can inform her of its whereabouts and allow her to retrieve it. Also, I wish to converse privately with my wife at this moment.”“No problem,” Marigold consented.Marigold shot Finnegan a glance, and the siblings exited the room in unison.Paige refrained from initiating the conversation, continuing to feign ignorance of the secret concealed in Raymond’s chamber.
Raymond gently clasped Paige's hands in his own, his gaze steady and sincere. "Leave now, and I promise to secure the antidote for you," he implored. "Don't overanalyze, don't weigh the consequences. We're currently puppets in their hands, and as you've observed our surroundings, it's clear they can't locate this place without our guidance. If you manage to escape, we both stand a chance at survival."Paige's eyes met Raymond's, a myriad of emotions swirling within their depths. "When the stakes are this high, humanity can become a casualty," she confessed. "Raymond, I'm the reason we're in this mess, and if I abandon you now, your peril will only increase."Raymond's voice was firm, his conviction unwavering. "As long as they remain in the dark about the information, I'm safe. I trust that once you're free, you'll find a way to rescue me."Paige's voice wavered, her confidence faltering. "I... I can't trust my understanding of this place's layout; it's too labyrinthine." Raymond was acutely aware of the gravity of their predicament, the stakes higher than they'd ever been.With Paige's hand still nestled in his, Raymond looked deeply into her eyes, a profound affection radiating from his gaze. "At least one of us has a chance to survive," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.A wave of shock washed over Paige. Abandoned as a child, the only kindness she had ever known was from her grandpa. Even Louis, who had been raised alongside her, had ultimately betrayed her. Now, Raymond was offering her a lifeline in this dire situation, a chance at survival?She was moved by his selflessness, yet her rationality held her back. "I'm ignorant of your secret information; you should be the one to retrieve it. I'm responsible for this chaos; I'm prepared to remain here as a hostage."Raymond chuckled, pulling Paige onto his lap. She squirmed slightly, her voice filled with confusion. "Raymond, what are you doing at a time like this?"His smile never faltered as he teased, "So, Mrs. Carnegie, you wouldn't abandon me in a critical moment. It seems you do harbor feelings for me."Paige was taken aback. Was this really the appropriate time for declarations of love? As she frowned, Raymond tenderly smoothed the creases on her forehead, his whisper a soft murmur in her ear. "Xanthe, they're not fools. If you manage to escape, we all stand a chance at survival. Paige might not be able to do it, but Xanthe can, right?"
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