Elias was just about to step out of the hospital room when Marcellus's deep voice sounded from behind him.
"Don't go."
Elias paused slightly and turned back. Marcellus's expression had grown even more solemn, his gaze deep and intense, as if it could pull someone in. He glanced at Livia, then subtly gestured toward the door. Elias understood and casually locked it, ensuring that only the three of them remained inside.
"This incident… there's something off about it," Marcellus said, his voice low, carrying a suppressed chill.
Elias frowned, immediately catching the underlying meaning in his words. "You're saying… this wasn't an accident?"
Livia's heart clenched, and she unconsciously tightened her fists, her eyes filled with shock. "What? Not an accident?"
She had assumed it was just a construction mishap. Given the scale of the expansion project, even a slight oversight could lead to danger. But if it wasn't an accident… that meant someone had deliberately caused the explosion.
Marcellus's face darkened as he recalled the moments before the blast. "I've always kept strict control over the materials and equipment for the expansion. Even if an accident did happen, it shouldn't have been this severe. But that entire area… is now practically in ruins."
A chill ran down Livia's spine, and her back tensed. "Then do you have any idea who did this? What was their goal? Were they trying to cover something up, or—were they targeting you?"
Her voice carried unmistakable worry.
Marcellus shook his head slowly, his gaze deep and unreadable. "I don't know. As far as I'm aware, there was nothing in that area worth covering up… unless I overlooked something. But now, it's impossible to verify."
The room grew heavier with an invisible pressure, the atmosphere thick with unease.
Elias narrowed his eyes and, after a moment of contemplation, asked, "You don't usually visit the construction site yourself. Why were you there this time?"
Marcellus's eyes flickered with a hint of approval. "True. I wouldn't have gone there under normal circumstances." He paused, his expression turning even more unreadable. "This time, it was because… someone informed me that they had discovered something unusual there and wanted me to check it out."
Livia's eyes widened. "Something unusual?"
"What was it?" Elias pressed.
Marcellus closed his eyes briefly as if trying to recall, then shook his head. "They didn't specify. They just said it had nothing to do with the expansion project but was worth noting. Since I had time, I went to take a look."
His eyes turned colder. "Now, here's the real question—if there really was something there, and this explosion was meant to cover it up, then what exactly was it? But if there was nothing special to begin with, then this explosion… was solely meant to lure me there."
"Or…" Elias narrowed his eyes, his tone chilling, "Both."
A heavy silence fell over the room, the air thick and suffocating.
Livia's heartbeat quickened, an inexplicable sense of unease creeping over her. She looked at Marcellus lying in bed and only now realized just how close he had come to death. Her voice trembled slightly. "At least… you're safe."
If Marcellus had perished in the explosion, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Marcellus noticed the panic in her eyes. He raised his injured hand and gently placed it over hers, the warmth of his palm carrying a faint sense of reassurance. His voice softened, losing its earlier edge. "I'm not that easy to kill."
Livia lowered her gaze, her expression complicated as she looked at their intertwined hands. She tried to pull away, but Marcellus held on firmly, refusing to let her retreat.
Elias stood to the side, watching them with an unreadable expression. In the end, he only let out a quiet sigh, his eyes darkening.
"If this wasn't an accident, then we need to find out the truth," Elias said, pushing aside his emotions and returning to a calm, analytical state. "Regardless of their goal, I'll have my people investigate the explosion site—and the person who notified you about it."
Marcellus nodded slightly, his gaze cold. "Keep this quiet."
Elias raised a brow, clearly catching on. "You're worried about alerting the enemy?"
Marcellus let out a faint smile, laced with a chilling undertone. "We're in the open. They're in the shadows. We can't afford to be careless."
Elias fell silent for a moment before asking, "An enemy… or someone familiar?"
Marcellus said nothing, but the look in his eyes answered the question.
Livia's heart sank. She looked at Marcellus and, unable to suppress her concern, tightened her grip on his hand. "Then what will you do now?"
Marcellus slowly ran his fingers over hers, his voice low. "Recover… and wait for the answers you bring me."
Livia stared at him, her lips trembling slightly, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.
Elias let out a small scoff, his tone carrying a hint of disdain. "Fine. Since you're in no condition to do anything, I'll handle the intel."
Marcellus gave a faint smile, finally releasing Livia's hand as he leaned back against the bed, his voice lazy yet deep. "Then I'll leave it to you… little brother."
Elias shot him a glare but couldn't be bothered to argue.
The room fell into a hushed stillness. Livia sat by the bed, her gaze lingering on Marcellus, emotions swirling within her.
"Livia." Marcellus suddenly called her name.
She looked up and met his gaze.
He studied her for a moment, then smiled gently, his voice soft. "Don't worry. I'm fine."
Livia's heart clenched at his words. Her fingers twitched slightly before she finally nodded in silence.
Outside, the night deepened, concealing mysteries yet to be unraveled… and emotions yet to be spoken.