Chapter 11: Parrot

"Hush!" Stacey made a shushing gesture. "Elodie said we have to keep this a secret." Conor was taken aback. He didn't expect her to say such things. "The next time you see me, and I feel like biting you, run away," Conor warned, his voice icy. This time, for some reason, he found it easy to hold back with Stacey, merely biting her neck lightly. Next time, he feared he might lose control, as he had done before, and lash out, break things, and accidentally harm her. Stacey blinked, "Where?" "Anywhere," Conor replied, his tone indifferent. "Wow!" Stacey pretended to sob. "You're leaving me." Conor was taken aback, "No, I'm not leaving you." With her dirt-streaked hands, Stacey clung to Conor's obsidian-cuffed sleeve, "I don't want to be hurt." Looking at her plain face, Conor surprisingly felt no repulsion. He even wiped her tears away. Stacey was utterly dumbfounded. This could have been better! The freckles on her face, though they can be washed off, should not be rubbed with hands. She covered her face and said, "I don't want to talk to you now." With that, she sprinted toward the villa. It was about time. Conor showed a faint hint of helplessness. He hadn't said he didn't want her. Gracefully standing up, he looked at his dirtied sleeve, his expression softening into a tender smile. Examining his fingers, he noticed a strange black stain, unlike ordinary dirt. He remembered touching Stacey's face. Could this be residue from her skin? Stacey hadn't been wearing any makeup, so he was sure it wasn't cosmetic residue. What could it be? Lost in thought, he strolled into the villa. His first task was to change his clothes. Upon reaching his room, Conor heard noises from the wardrobe. Thinking it was Stacey, he called out, "Stacey?" Why was there no answer? Had she gone to wash her hands? Was his entire wardrobe now a mess? He walked toward the wardrobe. Inside, he saw a woman dressed in bright, parrot-like colors, frozen in shock. "Who are you?" Conor's expression hardened. Luna had just woken up. Hearing Conor's voice, she was overjoyed. She had been contemplating what to say when she met him. But he had entered the room unexpectedly. Seeing Conor, Luna almost swooned. Could a man be so striking and noble? His presence was like the arrival of a deity, making everything else pale in comparison. "Brother-in-law," Luna said sweetly, "I'm Luna, Stacey's sister." "Stacey is a human. How could she have a sister who looks like a parrot? Get out," Conor's tone was cold and forbidding. A parrot? The unexpected insult took Luna aback. "Brother-in-law, you must be mistaken. I'm way prettier than Stacey," Luna declared, confidence radiating from her. Conor turned to leave, pausing at the door to call out, "Elodie!" Hearing Conor's voice, Elodie hurriedly climbed the stairs. "Elodie, how did you let this weird bird into our house?" Conor asked, his face stormy. Weird bird? Elodie peeked into the room and was taken aback by Luna's appearance. "She's still here?" "Make sure she leaves right away. And never come back," Conor ordered, his dark eyes moody. "Yes, sir," Elodie replied, thinking Luna had already left after she saw Stacey alone in the yard. She was surprised to find Luna still here, dressed so bizarrely. Feeling insulted by Conor's harsh words, Luna protested, "Brother-in-law, how can you insult me like this?" Conor remained silent, his face stern. Elodie grabbed Luna and led her downstairs, "The Hampton family sent one silly girl, and now they've sent you. Do they think the Burton family is a supermarket where they can come and go as they wish?" Elodie dragged Luna downstairs, saw Stacey, and exploded, "Stacey!" Stacey giggled at Luna's appearance, teasing, "Redhead, green tail, you're a hen. A hen can lay eggs. Wanna give us an egg?" Every time Stacey sang this song, Luna was enraged. She wriggled free from Elodie and rushed at Stacey, her hand raised to smack her. Conor, who had come downstairs, caught Luna's wrist and shoved her away. Stacey hid behind him, shooting Luna a secretive glance. Luna stumbled and fell, a red object falling from her head. She picked it up, realizing it was the red wig she had brought. Why was it on her head? She had gotten it for Stacey to make her look ugly and scare Conor, hoping he'd kick Stacey out. She dashed to the mirror hanging near the entrance, and upon seeing her reflection, she let out a horrified scream. "Stacey!" Luna was furious. Stacey had drawn on Luna's face with colored markers and also messed up her clothes. Everything was meant for Stacey, yet Luna was the one wearing them. "Stacey knows nothing," Stacey claimed innocently. "Sister wanted to try the clothes, so Stacey played outside. Stacey knows nothing." Conor's eyes darkened. "Elodie, call the police. We've got a thief." "I didn't," Luna panicked. "Don't believe her lies. She did all of this!" "Stacey didn't," Stacey mumbled. "What could a kid with a mental age of five possibly do?" Conor retorted, "Aren't these clothes and wigs the ones you brought?" Elodie wouldn't dare mess with Stacey's things any longer. Luna was speechless; she did bring these items. "Even if I brought these things, I wouldn't wear them. They're hideous!" Luna complained. "What exactly were you planning with these things?" Conor demanded, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Did you want Stacey to wear them?" Luna stuttered, unable to find words. "You knew these things are ugly. Why would you want Stacey to wear them?" Conor's voice was icy cold. "Do you think you can bully her because she's foolish?" "She's the ugly one!" Luna panicked, "She doesn't deserve nice clothes, or you, a man as unique as you are! " Conor's face broke into a chilling smile, his dark eyes like a merciless abyss, "I was going to go easy on the Hamptons, but you've been acting so damn shameless. Well, now I don't see any reason to be nice for Stacey's sake." Luna was stunned. What was he talking about? "Elodie, call the police," Conor ordered, anger flickering in his eyes. "We have an intruder who tried to steal. Also, tell them that bail is not an option." "Understood, young master," Elodie nodded. Luna felt so scared she could faint. If she couldn't be bailed out and word got out, her reputation would be ruined. She clenched her teeth, glaring at Stacey. She was determined to make Brysen seek revenge for her.