CWMBR 100

Chapter 100

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The officer, who had no idea what Ain was thinking, left with a satisfied smile, as if he had done Ain Wise a tremendous favor.

"Ain, how long do you plan to stay here? The river breeze is cold."

Declan, who had been leisurely admiring the scenery, grumbled as he spoke up. Ain, who had been lost in thought, pondering the officer's words, turned to look at Declan.

"There were two photos. Both had Donna Green in them, so that woman was blackmailed with two photos."

"Yeah, probably."

"So, who do you think she went to see when she was first blackmailed?"

Declan blinked. The two photos featured Ain and Finn respectively. If Donna hadn't come straight to Ain, only one person remained.

"Finn Emerson?"

"I was married to Bridget, not in Glynford, and unreachable. Emerson, on the other hand, was rolling around with her."

Above all, if Donna had any sense, she would have known it was easier to approach Finn than Ain.

"If that woman intended to ask for help, she would naturally have gone there first."

Declan nodded in agreement at Ain's words. Yet, he subtly tilted his head, clearly not fully understanding.

"Hmm, but isn't Finn Emerson's behavior already notorious? Would one more leaked photo really threaten him that much? Honestly, if an article linked Donna Green to Finn Emerson came out, she could make a name for herself overnight. It wouldn't be an entirely bad situation for her. She said she hired the photographer intending exactly that, didn't she?"

Declan, who had heard Sanne’s words, pointed out with a puzzled voice. Certainly, Donna Green probably thought it would be fine to release the photos.

And as for Finn Emerson... Well, it's not like it wouldn't have any impact at all, but Donna Green was an unmarried woman, and Finn was officially an unmarried man too. Even if the photos were a bit scandalous, if they claimed they met with good intentions, who could really say anything? Legally and morally, there was nothing wrong with their meeting. Even if a scandal broke, it would just cause a bit of a ruckus, and it would likely end with a few sponsors and followers drifting away.

"Even so, if blackmail was possible, then the dead photographer might have seen something he shouldn't have seen when the two were together. Or heard something he shouldn't have heard."

And if he could prove it with the photos he took.

"Oh……………. So your theory is………………."

"A murder committed by a fanatic? The world doesn't run that innocently."

Ain sneered.

"Especially if he was killed right before the royal investigator's visit."

There were only two people a photographer could blackmail using their own photos as leverage.

"If it wasn't Donna Green, then it must have been Finn Emerson. One of the two people in the photo."

According to the officer, it didn't seem to be Donna Green, so that left Finn Emerson.

Declan, sensing the conclusion Ain had reached internally, let out a low gasp.

"So now you've taken up detective novels too? You're getting into trouble picking up all these new hobbies, my friend."

"That's right."

A fierce wind blew from the river. The clouds, quite thick in the sky, were being swept along by the wind, their movement visible to the naked eye. Ain took in that serene scene one last time before turning away. He didn't forget to respond to Declan's remark.

"People should stick to what they know best. I agree with you."

Ain strode off briskly. Seeing him regain his energy while discussing the murder case, Declan wore a troubled expression.

"I think I might have said something wrong just now. Was it my mistake, Iliont?"

"It seems you did say something wrong."

"Ha..."

***

Finn asked Bridget out again.

Perhaps remembering the last time he visited her home, where they'd eaten cramped together before leaving, this time he invited Bridget out. More precisely, since she had treated him to a meal, he wanted to return the favor. The restaurant he mentioned had a rather upscale atmosphere and was a good place for private conversation, so after some hesitation, Bridget agreed.

She couldn't possibly spend even mealtime with Gilum. It also felt unsettling to completely separate Gilum, who was acting as her escort. As if sensing Bridget's feelings, Gilum said he would wait at a coffeehouse near the restaurant. Thankfully, indeed.

Thanks to this, Bridget found herself in Glynford town center for the first time in ages.

"Ah, Mr. Emerson is here. This way, please."

The table Finn had reserved was clearly an extremely expensive one at a glance. It seemed excessive as a repayment for pancakes—especially since they weren't even cooked by a chef, but rather prepared by the housekeeper. Bridget sat down, unable to hide her discomfort.

"You look much worse."

He spoke in a friendly tone.

"It hasn't even been a few days."

Bridget replied stiffly, getting straight to the point as soon as she sat down.

"What did you want to talk about regarding Donna?"

"Oh dear, talking about that before eating might give me indigestion. Must we discuss it now?"

While his point was valid—it wasn't exactly dining conversation material—Bridget had come here for this conversation, not the meal. She had no choice. Seeing Bridget completely unfazed by his complaint, Finn clicked his tongue in apparent disappointment.

"Before that, have you considered my proposal?"

Bridget couldn't immediately recall what he was referring to. After a moment, she remembered his suggestion that she try writing.

"I'm sorry. I haven't had time to think about Mr. Emerson's proposal."

"Oh dear. It seems the recent events surrounding Miss Pennington have been weighing heavily on you. "

"I suppose so."

"Understandable. I also had a visit from the Royal Investigators. I thought the evidence was fabricated, but it turns out it was a photo Miss Donna deliberately took."

Bridget narrowed her eyes at the way he spoke, as if recounting someone else's story.

"You speak as if you didn't spend the night with Donna that day."

"I was too embarrassed to mention it, but honestly, I barely remember that night either. When I get completely drunk, I tend to forget things."

Was claiming not to remember the next day after sleeping together some new trend among men these days? Bridget's expression turned icy at Finn's utterly ridiculous excuse.

Frankly, her feelings toward Finn weren't entirely positive. How much of this fuss could have been avoided if he’d just said the woman in the photo was Donna Green? Even if Donna lied with malice, Finn had no reason to do so.

“To be honest, I must confess, I wasn’t entirely displeased to be linked to Miss Pennington, so I did make a defensive statement without thinking.”

Having said that much, he sighed exaggeratedly and muttered in a voice full of regret.

"I even wished it were true."

He drank a glass of water with a gloomy expression and continued in a serious tone.

"Everyone was so drunk that day. If we had shared any pleasure under the influence of alcohol, I was prepared to take responsibility."

His voice seemed, at first glance, full of trustworthiness.

"But when I heard the details that came out, it was Miss Donna, and apparently, she even bribed someone to spread deliberate rumors about me. From my perspective, isn't that utterly shocking?"

"Yes. I suppose so."

Bridget responded dryly, taking a sip of water. She found it utterly difficult to predict where this conversation was headed.

"Fortunately, nothing like that happened, but honestly, having been through it once, I never know when I might find myself in that situation again."

"And so?"

"I'm telling you that being in the same industry as Miss Donna makes me uneasy."

Finn gave Bridget a faint smile.

"And it seems Miss Pennington is also experiencing considerable difficulty with Miss Donna."

That was true, but it wasn't enough reason for her to join forces with Finn. Above all, Bridget hadn't clearly understood what Finn intended to do about Donna.

If being in the same industry made him uneasy, did he want to prevent Donna from performing altogether? But how?

She had already built considerable recognition within Glynford and had amassed a large following. The press was still on her side, and her father, Ronan, would mobilize every connection he had within Glynford to help Donna.

Sensing Bridget's confusion, Finn smiled faintly and said.

"For example, if she got a really hideous burn mark or scar on her face, wouldn't she have no choice but to retire?"

Bridget's mouth fell open involuntarily at the utter calmness of his words.

"That's horrible."

"It's just an example."