Beneath Smiles, Hidden Blades
"Excellent."
Hearing that the thousand-year Frostheart Ginseng had been located so quickly, Julian D’Aurelius felt genuinely pleased.
That rare medicinal treasure had been one of the reasons he agreed to help the Ashbourne Household in the first place. Originally, his only intention had been to resolve the Ashbourne family’s crisis while advancing his own plans. Now that Felberta Ashbourne had proactively fulfilled her promise ahead of schedule, it saved him considerable time and effort.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
Julian had never disliked those.
With a relaxed smile, he followed Felberta through the grand entrance of the Ashbourne estate.
The sprawling manor carried an air of old nobility. Neatly trimmed gardens lined the stone pathway, while rows of bodyguards and household servants stood respectfully on either side. Despite the elegant surroundings, Julian could already sense an invisible tension lingering in the air.
Everyone knew the patriarch’s illness had reached a critical stage.
Today’s treatment would determine the future of the entire household.
Inside the main hall, the core members of the Ashbourne Household were already gathered.
Among them stood Zyan Ashbourne.
The atmosphere between the two men had been unpleasant during their previous meeting.
Yet today...
The moment Zyan saw Julian, a warm, welcoming smile spread naturally across his face, as though the previous conflict had never existed.
He strode forward with enthusiasm and extended his hand.
"Young Master Julian, thank you for coming all this way."
"Once my father’s illness is cured, we brothers must have a few drinks together."
His tone sounded sincere.
His smile appeared flawless.
Anyone unfamiliar with the situation would truly believe he was an affectionate son who deeply respected the physician invited to save his father’s life.
Julian smiled just as warmly.
"Sure, sure."
Without the slightest hesitation, he accepted the handshake.
Their hands met firmly.
Immediately afterward, Julian raised his free hand and gave Zyan a heavy, friendly pat on the shoulder.
The gesture looked completely natural.
Like two old friends greeting each other.
Only Julian himself knew the thoughts quietly passing through his mind.
[You bastard... who wants to be brothers with you?]
[A scoundrel who can even kill his own father.]
His smile never changed.
[Speaking of which... that beast Steffan should have already slipped into the estate.]
Julian’s golden eyes casually swept across the surroundings.
[Who knows which corner he’s hiding in right now?]
His expression remained calm.
[Doesn’t matter.]
[I’ll settle every account today.]
[None of you are getting away.]
Standing beside them, Felberta Ashbourne’s heartbeat skipped.
Her crimson eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Kill...
His own father?
Her elegant posture remained unchanged, but inwardly she was shaken.
What does Julian mean?
Is Zyan planning to murder Father?
Her breathing remained steady as another thought surfaced.
And Steffan...
He’s back?
The moment Julian mentioned Steffan, countless memories resurfaced.
That dangerous man had disappeared after his previous failure.
She had assumed he wouldn’t dare return to the Ashbourne estate so soon.
Yet according to Julian’s inner thoughts...
He was already here.
Hidden somewhere inside the residence.
A faint chill crept across Felberta’s back.
Fortunately, years of business negotiations had taught her perfect emotional control.
Not a trace of her inner turmoil appeared on her beautiful face.
Instead, she silently made a decision.
Once an opportunity arose...
She would secretly alert every bodyguard in the estate.
If Steffan truly dared to show himself today...
She would ensure he never escaped again.
As for Zyan...
Julian’s thoughts alone weren’t enough to serve as proof.
But...
She would keep an eye on him.
Every movement.
Every expression.
Every word.
If her brother truly intended to harm their father...
She would never forgive him.
"Let’s go inside."
Zyan smiled as though nothing unusual had happened.
"My father couldn’t come out to greet you because of his condition, so please don’t mind, Young Master Julian."
His attitude remained impeccably polite.
Anyone watching would see only a devoted son worried about his father’s illness.
Julian answered with an easy laugh.
"Young Master Zyan, you’re too kind."
Even as he spoke...
His thoughts quietly continued.
[Feeling guilty, aren’t you?]
[Working hard to act like the perfect son.]
Julian glanced sideways at him.
[So when you poison your father later... you’ll feel just a little less guilty.]
Felberta’s fingers tightened ever so slightly beneath her sleeve.
A flash of icy disappointment passed through her crimson eyes.
She slowly turned toward her brother.
Her gaze became colder than winter frost.
The relationship between the siblings had never been particularly close.
Part of it stemmed from her long-standing discomfort around men.
Another part came from her disappointment in Zyan.
He had inherited far too much of their father’s reckless personality.
Impulsive.
Short-sighted.
Too easily manipulated.
Still...
She had never imagined he might one day contemplate patricide.
Then...
Everything suddenly made sense.
Father had casually mentioned that whoever cured his illness might eventually inherit leadership of the Ashbourne Household.
A careless sentence...
But enough to plant ambition in someone’s heart.
Zyan noticed his sister staring at him.
He merely smiled.
To him, Felberta had behaved this way toward nearly every man ever since developing her aversion.
He thought nothing of it.
"What’s wrong, Felberta?"
"Is something bothering you?"
His smile remained perfectly natural.
Felberta calmly withdrew her gaze.
"Nothing."
Her answer was brief.
Cold.
Expressionless.
For now...
She would wait.
If Julian truly intended to expose everyone today...
She would cooperate.
Should Zyan reveal even the slightest sign of betrayal...
She personally would ensure he paid the price.
After passing through several hallways, Julian finally entered Dario Ashbourne’s bedroom.
The atmosphere immediately became heavy.
The room was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Curtains blocked most of the daylight, leaving only soft rays filtering inside.
Several expensive medical devices sat unused nearby.
On the large bed...
Dario Ashbourne lay weakly against the pillows.
His once-commanding appearance had almost vanished.
His face was unnaturally pale.
His complexion had turned yellowish.
Sweat dampened his forehead despite the cool room.
Every few moments...