Robert didn''t dodge, but the bullet didn''t hit him.


    It grazed past his ear, drawing blood.


    But through that action, Robert figured out something. "You didn''t tell her, did you? You''re such a coward. If Debra found out that your love for her isn''t what she imagines, would she still love you?"


    With every word Robert uttered, Marion''s gaze grew colder.


    Unfazed, Robert pressed on, "I heard Mrs. Houston is picky when ites to rtionships. If she knew that the love between you two over the past year was nothing but a joke, do you think she''d kick you out of her world and hate you for the rest of her life?"


    "You really have a death wish." Marion''s face lost every trace of humor.


    One of the men nearby quickly stepped forward, grabbing Marion''s arm. "Sir, don''t fall for it. He''s trying to provoke you. If he dies, we''ll never find out who''s behind all this."


    Marion''s face was icy. Robert knew that was his true nature. He was born without emotions, sympathy, and empathy.


    Medically speaking, people like him suffered from emotional detachment


    syndrome, a condition where theycked feelings and couldn''t form emotional connections. They didn''t have the capacity for love.


    ...


    At the Potter Mansion, Debra woke up and looked around the room. Marion was nowhere to be seen.


    "Marion?" she called out.


    There was no response.


    She got out of bed and turned on themp, identally knocking over a ss on the table.


    The ss tipped over, shattering on the floor. Bending down to pick up the pieces, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her finger. Looking down, she saw blood.


    When she went to find a first-aid kit, she noticed themp in the living room was


    on.


    Descending the steps, she found the living room bathed in a dim, warm light, but no one was there.


    She wondered if she hadn''t turned it off earlier, but she decided not to dwell on it.


    She remembered Barton mentioning that the first-aid kit was kept in the living


    room.


    "What are you looking for?" A voice suddenly sounded behind her.


    Debra spun around and saw Andrew


    und and saw Andrew


    kitchen door.


    was standing, not sitting thes, he


    "What''s wrong?" Andrew asked, amused by her astonishment.


    He was dressed in his usual white shirt, looking like he hadn''t gone to bed yet.


    "It''s just rare to see you walking around," she replied.


    Andrew picked up the cane resting by the sofa and said, "It''s not that


    can''t walk. I just don''t want to mate


    myself out."


    fire


    Debra nced at the coffee cup in his hand and asked, "You''re still up at this hour?"


    Andrew didn''t answer, his keen eyes catching something. Her hand got The cut wasn''t deep,↓


    I was trickling from itent


    He opened a drawer of the cab and took out a bandage and some medicine.


    "There''s a first-aid kit in every room. Didn''t Barton tell you?"


    "I don''t really remember things like that."


    Usually, Marion took care of such details for her.