CHAPTER 261: CHANGE OF HEART (1)

"Kate, this is a treat for my eyes. I thought it would take more convincing to get you out of your home," said Mark.

Mark was curious what caused Kate to come to the court instead of sending for him to return to her home.

Did Kate have any clues to pass on, or did she just want to make a big step out of her home?

"I thought the same as well. Opening that door and letting my husband push me out of it wasn’t easy. I swore never to step foot in a place like this," Kate said, looking around the court.

It was here that the order was given for her mother to be killed, and the butler James, who was not only the butler, but her mother’s lover.

"I feel like I was pushed into the past, waiting for news about my mother and then hearing about Simon. I don’t think I can be of much help when it comes to the new deaths, but I will try. In exchange, I need something from you," Kate said, striking a deal.

"It is only fair that I help you in some way. How can I help you?" Mark asked.

"My son found himself in trouble with a man named Victor, who has a brothel. He borrowed money from this man, and I haven’t seen my son for a few days now. My husband has searched for my son and could not find him," Kate shared.

"The man Victor came to our home with a few men to search for what he could get to pay off the debt. I fear he might have done something to my son. My husband suspects that Warren might have troubled the Collinses," Kate said, passing on all she knew so far.

Kate was desperate to know what happened to her son.

Kate knew that she had failed Warren in many ways. She was still struggling with her past and harboured ill feelings toward the Collinses, so there wasn’t much time she spent caring for Warren, but she did love her son.

"I know the man you speak of, and your son shouldn’t have gone to him. Victor won’t like it if the debt isn’t repaid, and he will try to take all that you have. He has plenty of power in the red light district," Mark said, afraid Kate’s son was already in Victor’s hands.

Victor was a man Mark watched over the years.

Mark didn’t like the red light district, and most certainly, he didn’t like the extreme practices he heard of from Victor’s brothel.

"There’s not much the court can do to intervene if your son signed a contract with Victor, but I can help to find him for you," Mark offered.

"Thank you. I have already gathered what I own to pay off Warren’s debt. Victor said he would come to our home again, but he hasn’t shown up," Kate said, puzzled by this.

Mark looked at Noah. "You need to take what money you have and go pay off Victor. The more days to pass, the more you will owe Victor. He lends money, intending to own you in the end. Have it settled by the end of the day."

Kate was worried that Noah would go and then not return. What was she to do if she were left all alone?

"Can you have a town guard or anyone from the court to accompany my husband? I suspect Victor works with some of the town guards. It is not safe for Noah to go alone," said Kate.

"I know someone who can go with your husband today and get it all over with. If the money is paid and your son doesn’t show, then I can go after Victor for you. As for the Collinses, I will visit them," Mark said, knowing he was best to speak with Edgar.

Mark wouldn’t put it past Edgar to get rid of Kate’s son if Warren troubled the family. The one problem was finding evidence that Edgar had committed a crime.

"Will you truly help me, or will you let Edgar get away? I don’t mean to insult your work, but I have not heard of Edgar facing the consequences of his actions. If my son is in his hands, I will not get him back," Kate said, preparing herself for the worst.

Kate had been in this position once before. Going up against Edgar wasn’t a fight Kate could win in the past, and she couldn’t win it now.

"There is something else that I must share about what my son did, but not here. I don’t want anyone to overhear it. I have already done too many bad things in my time, I don’t want the town to hear of what my son did," Kate said, trying to protect Warren.

Kate knew it was only fair that she shared the entire story. She couldn’t let Victor be the one to tell Mark that Warren offered him Penelope. Mark would judge her then.

"There is a room I can take you both to. It isn’t far," Mark said, stepping to the right.

Noah stood up from his chair and stood behind the contraption he had built for Kate to push her around.

"In time, I will try to get around by myself. There are moments when there seems to be some feeling in my legs, but it is all in my head. I should have listened to the doctors and not lain around like my life was over," Kate said, her voice tainted with regret.

"It is not too late to start trying. I’ve heard of doctors performing miracles over the kingdom. You might surprise yourself," Mark said.

"I know I will never walk again, but it is time that I learn how to take care of myself instead of troubling my husband. I know that I am also not well in my head," Kate confessed.

"It is expected. No one goes through what you did and goes back to their normal life, Kate. I have spoken to Bella over the years, and she has confessed to feeling like she is losing her mind. She fears closing her eyes and waking up back there," Mark shared.

Mark still believed that Bella and Kate could benefit from meeting with each other. No one other than those two would understand what the other felt.

"I heard voices long before Simon. There might not be a way for me to be treated. All I can do is start living with the problems I have and try to move on. I would like to be sane enough to watch a ball from afar," Kate shared her dream.

Kate didn’t want to go to the ball for her old friends to see her. She just wanted a glimpse of her old life.

"I am sure it will happen for you," Mark replied.