I've Been There Before

“Come with me, Mr. Venus.” As Sam was about to close the gate of the mansion, a voice rumbled behind him and his hand which was holding the doorframe gave an indiscernible tremble. The black shadow behind him passed by him and strode to the outside before he could turn. Sam immediately followed the shadow quietly with his head slightly lowered while keeping a distance of less than one meter from the slender figure before him.

Both the master and the butler strolled around the mansion and headed to the mansion’s backyard.

Their path grew darker when they went deeper into the forest, and the towering trees at both sides of the path made the night seemed creepier. Not to mention it was already winter. A profound silence prevailed over the dried woods and the sound of bird flapping its wings and occasionally jumping between the twigs of the withered trees was heard, followed by the snapping sound of twigs.

Anxiety clasped Sam and sweat was flowing down his calm wrinkled face at a winter night like this. He could no longer maintain his composure and asked, “Mister, where are we going? We’re going to reach the brook if we go deeper inside.” There was a moderate-sized brook situated behind the garden of the Shaw Manor and the brook was viridescent with splendid views during the day. Yet during the night, it was eerie on sight. Sam shuddered and his face went slightly pale, not dare to take one more step further.

The person in front of him turned. His leg coincidentally stepped on a twig and snapped it when he turned. “Uncle Venus.” Caden spoke yet he did not address him as ‘Mr. Venus’ like he used to but ‘Uncle Venus’ which he had not addressed him that way for a long time.

Sam was startled. After three seconds, he quickly waved his hands and replied courteously. “Oh no, you shouldn’t address me like that!”

long eyelashes lowered. He hid his thoughts behind that pair of black eyes of his and spoke rather gently. “There must be already ten years when Uncle Venus officially became my butler, right?” His voice was soft. Sam nodded humbly. “There’s been quite a long

grandpa and I are asking you to do one thing each, and the things we ask you are completely opposite to each other, how would you choose? Uncle Venus.” Caden’s

had grown gloomier. Caden took a deep breath and made a decision. “Uncle Venus, according to the house rule of the Shaw family, there’s still more than half year left before you officially retire. Starting from tomorrow, there would be someone continuing your job. For the sake of our relationships in the past, you can enjoy your retirement in this manor for the rest of the half year time, and everything would be done by someone else.” Color drained from the old butler’s face and he asked anxiously, “Mister! What have I done wrong?

and grudge in his eyes. A mouthful of smoke was contained in his oral cavity and

I hate her! Yet the words were stuck in his throat and he could

regarding what happened that night. If I

can’t be! She’ll definitely not be innocent! If

watched his furious wrinkled face and could not dismiss even a transient trace of fury. “Look at how much you hate Grace, how could I be assured enough to let you manage this mansion? She’s still staying here.” Although Sam loathed Grace, he felt relieved when he saw his reaction. At least, from the current situation, Sam only informed grandpa secretly that he was investigating that case from three or four years ago, and he knew

the cigarette between his fingertips fell onto the ground. Before he left, he glimpsed at the small brook not far away. If Sam had slightly revealed any sign that he knew the fact his grandpa had framed Grace three or four years ago, his corpse would be sunk to the bottom