Chapter 27: Reversals and Unexpected Intrusions!

The killing intent was surging.

In this moment, Esther’s gaze turned terrifying, filled with a murderous, crazed quality. Had any ordinary child been in her place, they would have been paralyzed with fear, left entirely at her mercy.

Unfortunately, Emma was not among them.

With a nimble movement, Emma stepped back and yanked the black ribbon from Esther’s wrist, revealing the thick, ugly, yet healed scars beneath.

Esther began to tremble violently. She shoved Emma back fiercely, snatched the ribbon, and frantically wound it around her wrist—one loop, two loops…

Yet, even pinned against the wall, Emma continued to smile brightly.

"Sister, don't even think about killing me to silence me. I’ve already written this secret down. If I don't erase it in time, do you want to guess if Father will see it?"

Esther, who had been using her display of madness to discreetly reach into her dress for a small knife, froze instantly. Her palm clamped tightly around Emma’s throat. "What do you think you’re doing?!"

"What do I think I’m doing? I just think you’re too dangerous, and you deserve a warning."

"Of course, perhaps we can talk about this," Emma suddenly changed her tone.

Talk?

Emma must have an ulterior motive. But the fact that she could mention the Saarne Institute meant she truly understood her secret. What to do?

Kill her? She had to be killed, but she first needed to confirm if what the girl said was true…

Though twisted and pathological, Esther’s relatively mature mind allowed her to make a swift decision. "Fine, of course we can."

Esther released her grip on Emma’s throat.

"Let’s go."

"Where?"

"You don’t want to talk here, do you? Though, it’s not my secret, so I don’t mind." Emma spread her hands, smiling nonchalantly.

Esther paused for a moment, a flicker of joy rising in her heart. A child is only a child after all; they don't think things through. To think she actually wanted to talk outside—heh.

A brilliant idea occurred to her.

"Going outside is fine. I know a place that’s quite secluded. Let’s go there."

"Alright." Emma acted just like an ordinary child, completely unconcerned.

"Wait a moment, I need to tell my friend."

With that, Esther hurried off in the direction Yulenka had gone.

Watching Esther’s retreating back, Emma frowned. A friend?

This was not part of her and Louis’s plan.

But matters had reached this point; the arrow was on the string and had to be fired. She would have to take it one step at a time.

She cast a glance behind her.

***

Elsewhere, Esther happened to run into Yulenka, who was returning with some items. "Esther? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, it’s just that one of my younger sisters wants to come play too. I thought it would be better to bring her along, but she walks a bit slowly. I wanted you to go ahead and perhaps pull a little prank to scare her."

A younger sister?

She had a sister?

Yulenka’s eyes shifted slightly, but she smiled. "Sure, no problem. I’ll go ahead then."

"That’s great, Yulenka. You’re my best friend." Esther gave Yulenka a hug.

They parted ways, and Esther returned to find Emma.

Meanwhile, Yulenka, heading toward the abandoned classroom alone, wore an indifferent expression.

***

The abandoned classroom building.

Due to rumors of students jumping from the windows, these classrooms had been shut down, though occasionally, students still came here to play.

On the walls, one could see graffiti and piles of discarded desks and chairs in the corners.

And today, it welcomed new visitors.

Emma and Esther arrived together.

Esther’s eyes darted around, and soon, she spotted Yulenka walking toward them.

Good. Now then…

Yulenka approached with a smile, greeting Emma. "Hello, I’m your sister’s friend. My name is Yulenka."

Emma didn’t speak, looking Yulenka up and down, feeling a bit at a loss.

In this situation, should she still call for Louis?

Moreover, why was Esther doing this? Was she not afraid of her secret being exposed?

At this moment, Esther pushed both of them with her hands, urging them toward the classroom. "Alright, let’s go. We can talk in here…"

Yulenka, who was in the lead, was just about to open the door when she suddenly darted aside, dodging Esther’s force and instead pushing Esther into the room.

The half-open door swung wide, and a metal bucket plummeted from above, smashing directly onto Esther’s head and knocking her to the ground!

*Clang!!*

The sound of metal striking stone startled Emma, and she quickly retreated a few steps.

She saw Yulenka standing at the only exit, smiling at her.

"I don’t understand."

"Esther, why did you want to harm me? Oh, and by the way, what about this… your sister?"

Yulenka asked in a youthful, sweet voice while stepping forward. She pulled out a can of spray paint and a lighter she had set aside earlier, pointing them at Emma.

She pursed her lips, signaling her to move into the classroom.

***

Soon, in the corner of the classroom, Emma and Esther sat together.

Drops of blood trickled from Esther’s chin. Her makeup was ruined by the blood, smearing her face in a mix of black and red that looked strange and grotesque.

She leaned against the wall, glaring fiercely at Yulenka.

Yulenka shook her head. "Esther, why?"

"You’re new to this school, so you couldn't possibly know about me. Did I offend you somewhere? And your sister—you deliberately had me come here, then had your sister come over. Were you planning to dispose of us both here?"

Yulenka glanced at the blood-stained bucket by the door, then at the rope and axe she had found tucked away in the corner earlier. Her eyes gradually filled with malice.

Esther had left behind too many clues. Previously, Yulenka had assumed they would be sisters in the future and hadn't paid much mind, but it was different just now—Esther’s act was too fake!

Did she think she was fooling a child?

Once the illusion was shattered, the suspicious points naturally surfaced. So, she had decided to use Esther’s own trick against her. Sure enough, after arriving here and carefully checking, she had found the trap in the leftmost classroom.

Then, she had simply pushed Esther into it.

One could say she had played the arrogant Esther for a fool, but she truly couldn't fathom the reason for this.

Could it be that Esther didn't want her to join the new family?

That seemed a bit extreme…

Faced with Yulenka’s questions, Esther forced a smile. She thought, perhaps, maybe, possibly, she could try to bluff her way out of it again?

"Actually, this is mostly because of my sister, Emma, she—"

Before she could finish, a faint sound drifted in from outside, growing closer and more distinct.

"..."

"Madison, are we really going to play here? It feels so gloomy and cold."

"Oh, stop it, Maria. Don’t be such a coward. If you keep acting like this, people at school will look down on you. Look, this classroom looks… not… bad?!"

Madison pulled Maria along, both of them staring in shock at the scene before them.

Blood! Rope! An axe!

And three girls with gloomy expressions—some fierce, some sneering?

What was going on here?!