The Seven Sisters and Their Hidden King-Chapter 315: Keep Your Head Down to Live
Chapter 315 - 315: Keep Your Head Down to Live
In the eyes of the people in New York, the fire that year was a major piece of news.
The primary reason it drew so much attention was the relatively small scale of New York itself. The city was not vast, and any big event—especially something as alarming as a large fire—tended to make waves. The fire had originated in a welfare home, which only made it more tragic and curious. People were shocked, and the story spread like wildfire.
But that fire, important as it was to the people of New York, barely caused a ripple outside the city. The entire state of New York had its moment of shock, but the story didn't even make much of a dent in Houston.
For someone like Alexandra Flaherty, a rich and beautiful girl who had grown up in Houston, it was odd to hear her mention the fire so casually.
"Miss Flaherty, you know about the fire at Sunshine Welfare Center?" Bertha asked, a little surprised.
Alexandra, who had known that Bertha was from a welfare house in New York, realized she had never mentioned the fire to her. It left her puzzled for a moment, as Bertha hadn't disclosed any specifics.
John, however, was more direct. His sharp tone cut through the air as he asked, "What do you know?"
Bertha shot him a disapproving look, irritated by his tone. "How could you speak to my teacher like that, John?" she scolded, her brow furrowing. "Even if you are the King of Horizon and hold a noble status, Miss Flaherty is my teacher! Can't you show her some respect?"
John ignored her rebuke and kept his intense gaze fixed on Alexandra.
Alexandra, seeing the growing tension between the two, calmly restrained the emotion flickering in her eyes. She knew what John was getting at. With a casual shrug, she answered, "At the time, I heard about the scenery in the State of New York. I happened to be visiting and overheard some talk about it."
"I see," Bertha said, nodding thoughtfully, but she didn't look entirely convinced.
John, however, wasn't so easily fooled. He recalled the details from when he had first arrived at the Russell Family in New York. He remembered how Ned had said it was a martial artist from Houston who had given the orders to set the fire in the welfare house.
It was clear now that Alexandra had some kind of knowledge about the fire—knowledge she wasn't revealing.
"You really just went to New York for fun?" John asked, his tone laden with suspicion. "Or do you have other reasons?"
"John!" Bertha snapped again, her temper flaring as she shot him another glare.
John, still undeterred, locked eyes with Alexandra, trying to push further. But before he could say more, Alexandra took a step closer to him, her expression hardening. "I know what you want to ask," she said quietly, her voice cold and direct.
The two were now very close, and John could feel the sharpness in her presence. The scent of her perfume, mature and captivating, filled the air, but he was too focused on the conversation to care. He wanted answers—answers to the fire that had started everything.
"I don't have the answer you're looking for," Alexandra continued, "but I'll offer you one piece of advice for free: You should leave Houston and keep your head down."
John paused at her words, feeling a mixture of frustration and confusion. His jaw tightened as he took a deep breath. "Miss Flaherty, thank you for your reminder. I'll make sure to keep my head down and live on," he said, his voice tight.
Alexandra's expression softened for a brief moment, but she didn't say anything else. Instead, she turned back to her desk, signaling the end of the conversation.
The tension between the two had escalated, and the silence that followed seemed to weigh heavily in the room. Hugo, who had been observing the exchange, felt a surge of amusement. He was certain something was going on between them—something beyond just a casual meeting.
As the awkward silence lingered, Bertha couldn't help but notice the unusual behavior of both Alexandra and John. Her teacher, who had always been approachable, seemed distant and cold today. Alexandra's usual warmth had been replaced by something harder, more guarded.
At the same time, John—normally so laid-back—had a sharp edge to him today. Something was off, and Bertha felt it.
She turned to Alexandra and asked tentatively, "Miss Flaherty, John, did you... know each other before?"
She had meant to ask whether there was a grudge between them, but quickly changed her phrasing, trying to keep the situation light.
The room fell quiet. Both John and Alexandra answered at the same time, almost in perfect unison: "No."
Bertha was taken aback by the synchronized response, feeling even more confused. "Then why were you acting so strange just now?"
"Well," Alexandra said with a faint smile, "maybe it's just our personalities. This is how we greet each other, Bertha."
John, still rubbing Bertha's head affectionately, added, "Don't worry, Bertha. Your teacher and I were just testing each other. You know, when masters meet, they like to test each other's strength and skills. It's just a little exchange of sorts."
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Bertha blinked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "So, what's the result of the test?" she asked eagerly.
John looked at Alexandra, then quickly turned his gaze away. "We're both satisfied with the results," he said, with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "We can be friends."
Bertha looked at Alexandra, who nodded gently in agreement.
Relieved, Bertha let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Oh, I see. I thought there was some sort of grudge when you two were acting all... tense just now."
She was clearly a bit naïve, not seeing the deeper layers of the situation. But hearing the explanation from both of them, she quickly relaxed. Her attention shifted elsewhere for a moment until she suddenly had an epiphany.
"Miss Flaherty, since you and John have tested each other, did you find out that John is King... Hmm!" she started, her curiosity getting the best of her.
Before she could finish, however, John quickly covered her mouth with one hand and gently lifted her off the ground.
Alexandra, looking puzzled, asked, "What King?"
John swiftly carried Bertha out of the office, silencing her before she could say more.
It was clear that, for now, some secrets would remain untouched.
