As Maggie pulled Nesser downstairs, they saw Bella standing in the middle of the hall, looking at Maggie with a gaze that sent chills down her spine. It was hard to describe the feeling, but if you had to describe it, it was as if Bella was looking at a desirable object.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed as if everything before was an illusion. Bella was smiling and nodding politely at her.

Good morning, Miss Linda.

Bella looked like an elegant lady, her gown making her even more refined, though the dress had a slightly retro feel and wasn't in the current trend.

Good morning, Mrs. Bella.

Maggie nodded in agreement.

"I don't know how long you'll be staying here. It would be even better if you could stay with me a little longer."

A look of worry appeared on Bella's face, as if she was concerned that after they left, she would be alone again.

"Madam, you need not worry about that. Dorn and I are thinking of spending more time together before the wedding, and we don't want to go back yet."

Maggie shook her head, her voice tinged with the shyness typical of a young girl.

Her current body is around sixteen years old, which is the age when she should be getting married in the Middle Ages, so there seems to be no flaw in her appearance.

That's wonderful.

Bella seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her smile deepening. That eerie feeling enveloped Maggie once again, making the hairs on her body stand on end.

If the real intention was simply to obtain fertilizer, they wouldn't be willing to feign compliance after revealing obvious flaws.

Bella definitely had other motives.

Maggie remained outwardly calm, her gaze sweeping over the portrait of Erwin that she had seen upon entering. As always, the portrait depicted two bloody holes in the eyes, and a bluish-purple bloodstain on the neck.

A thought struck her: anyone who wasn't blind could see something was off about the portrait. Since Bella had tolerated her to this extent for the time being, why not test her further?

Fortune favors the bold.

"But I've always had a question I'd like to know, Mrs. Bella, could you give me an answer?"

Maggie looked slightly hesitant, her speech was halting, and there was a hint of fear in her voice.

"Oh? Miss Linda, may I ask?"

Bella smiled at Maggie, her body flawless, her eyes clean and sincere, her skin normal. No one else would mistake her for a ghost.

"This portrait..."

Maggie was also testing the waters, knowing that if Bella got angry, she would have to prepare for the worst.

"Oh, Miss Linda's question has been asked by many people."

Bella's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression a half-smile, her tone enigmatic, the underlying meaning of which sent chills down one's spine.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to tell me."

Maggie's brow twitched, and she couldn't help but begin to doubt whether this move was the right one.

"I don't mind, but if Miss Linda isn't afraid, it's okay to tell you."

Bella chuckled and shook her head, her attitude towards Maggie gentle and showing no signs of anger. However, Maggie wasn't sure if this was an act or if she was genuinely not angry.

"I would like to hear the details."

Maggie gritted her teeth and took a step closer to Bella, revealing the gossipy expression typical of a noble lady. She thought her reaction was perfectly normal.

Most of the noble ladies who lived in the depths of their courtyards and mansions led very boring lives.

They need to learn various etiquettes, ballroom dance steps, and even bridal classes, leaving them with very little time to relax and a general curiosity about the outside world.

“Miss Linda, you’re so lovely. Perhaps we should have some snacks while we chat.”

Bella seemed to be in a good mood, her eyes crinkling with laughter. The two looked like kindred spirits as they led Maggie to the room for afternoon tea.

Maggie, of course, had no reason to refuse and followed in Bella's footsteps.

If you ignore the fact that she's a necromancer who hates all living beings, Maggie believes Bella must have been a very easy-going lady in life, it's just a pity...

As for Harlan? He didn't show up at all. Putting aside the fact that the dark circles under his eyes were inexplicable, he also had other tasks to complete.

Every second Maggie held Bella back was a second he could use to search for the location of the Abyss Soul Stone.

Nesser and Perkin were not idle either; they also tried their best to search the building quickly without making a fuss.

Little Ghost and Roy are the two freest guys, able to freely access any area of ​​the building. Except for not being able to take the Abyss Soul Stone directly, they are simply the best scouts.

Meanwhile, Maggie sat opposite Bella on the sofa. The black tea on the table looked clear and had a rich flavor, and the cake looked exquisite and tempting. Bella's slender fingers held the teapot and gently poured a cup for Maggie.

Maggie looked down at the teacup, wondering if it was poisoned.

Even if it really was poisonous, she had no choice but to endure it; she dared not refuse to drink it.

She could only gamble that Bella didn't want to kill her yet.

"Speaking of which, Miss Linda may not know, but an uninvited guest broke into my house yesterday, which scared me so much that I didn't sleep well all night. Fortunately, I caught her today."

Bella covered her face, a sad expression on her face, and her words put Maggie on high alert.

No wonder Madam looks a little haggard today.

Maggie didn't know what she was talking about, but agreeing was always the right thing to do.

"Oh dear, is it really that obvious? Looks like I need to get rid of this problem quickly."

Bella's face was full of trouble, as if she disliked the 'uninvited guest' she was talking about.

"Thieves just love to covet other people's things. Even if they die, no one will sympathize with them, right?"

Bella continued.

“What you say is true, madam.”

Maggie's heart sank. Was Bella giving her a warning?

"Miss Linda, remember to drink tea; Earl Grey tea is truly delightful."

Bella gently tapped the rim of the teacup with her fingertips, reminding Maggie.

At this point, Maggie could only pick up her teacup and pretend to calmly take a couple of sips.

Then.....

Maggie felt an indescribable sensation spreading from her stomach, and a smell of death seemed to linger around her nose, decaying and withered, yet strangely tranquil and peaceful.

Maggie suddenly felt a suicidal urge, her eyelids began to droop, and her consciousness became blurred.

"So, Miss Linda, do you like it?"

Maggie forced herself to lift her head, and felt that Bella's smile had become unusually gentle, like... the kind of warmth one feels when seeing a classmate or a relative.

"like."

Maggie knew something was wrong with her, but she still forced a smile and answered Bella's question.

"To be honest, Miss Linda has been troubled by the question of whether betrayal or deception is more unforgivable for many, many years."

Bella clearly realized that Maggie had fallen for it; her tone was no longer so gentle, it became emotionless, and even sounded somewhat indifferent.