Chapter 382: Barton's Testimony
Chapter 382: Barton's Testimony
"Young Master Dennis shouted at the lord in a rage", Barton began his mimicry of the scene, "‘Anyone can see that woman married you just to steal our family fortune, and you’re the only one kept in the dark! You’re too old and senile to see she’s got you bewitched. I won’t let this happen—If you won’t remove her from your will, I’ll find another way!’" Barton paused, then continued, "Right after those words, the lord started roaring, and then... the gunshot rang out. I was so startled I nearly fell from the tree. Luckily, I was close to the trunk and managed to grab it in time before sliding down. After that... I ran into the house and met everyone in the Second Floor Corridor."
Barton appeared to be an honest man, not deeply complex, though slightly gossipy. It was natural for servants in a wealthy household to take an interest in their masters’ private affairs.
Feng Bu Jue suspected Barton’s account might have some embellishments, but the core details were probably accurate. Leaning forward slightly, he asked, "So you’re implying that ‘finding another way’ meant..." He mimed slashing his throat.
"Mm-hmm", Barton nodded vigorously, eyes wide.
"That seems a bit hasty", Feng Bu Jue countered. "Earlier in the foyer, I didn’t sense their conflict was that severe."
"Oh, you wouldn’t know, Mr. Feng", Barton leaned closer, his gossip-monger spirit ignited. "I’ve worked here eight years as a gardener, so I’ve picked up a few things", he said earnestly. "Madam Odette married Lord Kolston seven years ago. She was only eighteen at the time, while Lord Kolston was fifty-five. Outsiders naturally have opinions about such an age gap."
"Aye", Feng Bu Jue remarked, "a pear blossom weighed down by a crabapple branch. Poetic, isn’t it?" He sighed dreamily.
"Er... What did you say?" Barton blinked, clearly lost. The system’s built-in translation function wasn’t cutting it this time.
"Nothing, just a stray thought", Feng Bu Jue quickly shifted back to seriousness. "Still, even if they never spoke openly, most people would assume Madam Odette married Mr. Lovecraft for his wealth."
"Exactly", Barton agreed. "Which means you can imagine how Lord Kolston’s three children reacted when they heard the news."
"Three children?" Feng Bu Jue raised an eyebrow. "Besides Dennis and Jack, there’s another?"
"Yes", Barton confirmed. "The lord also has a daughter, Miss Nancy. Young Masters Dennis and Jack are from his first marriage, while Miss Nancy is from his second."
"Is Miss Nancy here at the villa now?"
"No, but she’s expected today", Barton replied. "Normally, only the lord and madam live here. The eldest young master and his wife reside in the city, Nancy works in Vienna, and Young Master Jack... Well, he seems to wander wherever takes his fancy. But they all return this time of year and stay until Thanksgiving."
Feng Bu Jue mentally pieced together the family dynamics before nodding. "Understood. Please continue."
"Certainly", Barton resumed. "When the lord announced his engagement to the young Madam Odette, the family naturally assumed she was after his fortune. At the time, Young Master Jack was busy being a rock star, and Miss Nancy was still studying. They disapproved, but not violently so."
"Dennis, however, was more extreme", Feng Bu Jue guessed.
"Spot on", Barton nodded. "I’m roughly the same age as Young Master Dennis—I understand him well. If my wealthy father wanted to marry someone five or six years younger than me, I’d protest too."
"In short, their conflict began back then?" Feng Bu Jue asked.
"Exactly. So over the years, Dennis and Madam Odette’s relationship grew tense, though they maintained polite facades", Barton explained.
"Hmm", Feng Bu Jue mused. "The crux of this matter seems to hinge on Lord Kolston’s will. What do you know about that?"
Barton recalled, "It was... three winters ago. One afternoon, the lord suffered a stroke in his study. He survived, but afterward, he relied on a cane. For a man always full of vigor, it was a heavy blow. His health declined steadily after. A few months later, he summoned a lawyer and drafted a will."
"Let me guess", Feng Bu Jue interjected. "Madam Odette pushed him to make it?"
"I can’t say for sure", Barton admitted. "But Young Master Dennis believed so. They argued bitterly over the will more than once. Once, they screamed so loudly the entire household heard him shouting, ‘That witch deserves to be burned at the stake!’"
Feng Bu Jue fell silent briefly before asking, "Then why share all this with me?"
"Because I don’t know who else to turn to, Mr. Feng", Barton sighed, his face lined with worry. "Today’s shooting frightened me. So did Young Master Dennis’s words. I fear something terrible will happen if things continue like this. The lord and madam have always treated me kindly—I can’t bear to see harm come to either of them." He paused. "Earlier in the corridor, I saw how calm you remained in the crisis. From your gaze alone, I could tell you’re extraordinary. So I came to you, hoping you might speak to the lord or young master and talk them down from doing something reckless."
Feng Bu Jue’s expression remained unreadable. After a long silence, he replied, "At the end of the day, I’m merely a passerby caught in a mountain accident. I’ve no right to interfere in the Lovecraft family’s private matters."
Barton’s head drooped in disappointment.
"You’re overthinking it, Mr. Barton", Feng Bu Jue continued. "Everyone speaks in anger sometimes—especially in moments of passion. Witchcraft, burning at the stake... those are clearly metaphors. That ‘other way’ probably meant legal action or something similar." He stood, patting Barton’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, Mr. Barton. Nothing drastic will..."
"Ah—!" A woman’s piercing scream cut him off.
The system voice followed instantly: [Current Task Completed. Main Quest Updated.]
On the menu, the task [Remain at the Villa, Await the Incident] was now checked. The new directive appeared: [Investigate the Crime Scene, Await Police Arrival.]
(End of Chapter)
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