Transmigrated Into The True Heiress-Chapter 75: Bond

"Do you have anything else to say? Anything I should know about?" Eira asked, looking down at the woman with a raised eyebrow.

The woman instantly shook her head but suddenly paused, as if remembering something.

Eira continued to stare at her, waiting.

"Well... that, there—"

"What is it?"

The old woman hesitated, her lips trembling as she avoided Eira’s piercing gaze. Finally, she stammered, "Marianna came back once and asked if the orphanage could take away her stepdaughter. She said she would pay, but unfortunately for her, only kids from the orphanage are taken."

"Thank you for telling me that. I’ll keep it in mind." With that, Eira walked out of the room, stopping in front of Jania, who handed her a tablet.

"These are all the kids that have disappeared from the orphanage and those who were sent to both Mexico and Italy. The information matches what the old woman said," Jania reported, her tone professional but with a hint of disdain. "But I also found discrepancies in the records. Some children were listed as ’runaways’ or ’adopted,’ but they’re not in any legitimate databases. Those are likely false entries to cover up the trafficking."

Eira scanned the tablet, her jaw tightening as she scrolled through the names and photos. Her fingers hovered over a familiar name. "Marianna’s name isn’t here, yet she was in the orphanage."

"She was likely erased from the records," Jania replied. "Especially if she played a role in luring others. They wouldn’t want to leave any trace."

Eira handed the tablet back with a curt nod. "You weren’t able to find where the children were taken, right?"

Jania sighed. "Yes, but now that we have a lead, we’ll use it." She turned to glance into the room. "What are you going to do with them?"

Eira shrugged. "Release Miranda and the other two... I don’t know yet, but don’t kill them."

Jania nodded. "Of course." She left to instruct Han on what to do with the captives while Eira thought about everything she had learned today.

Marianna was more callous and goal-driven than Eira had imagined. The depth of her ruthlessness was a welcome surprise, far beyond the petty schemes and jealous tantrums Eira had initially attributed to her. This wasn’t just about selfishness or ambition—it was about erasing obstacles completely, and Ephyra had been the biggest one.

Eira clenched her fists, the realization making her chuckle. Marianna hadn’t simply wanted to ruin Ephyra’s life. She wanted her gone—forever. Paying the orphanage to take her stepdaughter wasn’t a fleeting thought or a rash decision. It was a calculated plan to rid herself of Ephyra by handing her over to a fate worse than death.

The thought made Eira’s blood boil. She had heard about wicked stepmothers in stories, but Marianna had taken the archetype to a level of depravity she hadn’t believed possible. And the fact that she could calmly return to the orphanage and propose such a thing, all while maintaining her façade as a good stepmother, spoke volumes about her manipulative nature.

Eira smirked bitterly, her nails digging into her palms. Marianna—a venomous snake with no limits.

Well, at least now she wouldn’t have to feel bad for torturing and killing her in one of the worst ways possible—exactly the way she deserved.

The thought sent a shiver of dark satisfaction through Eira. If Marianna had been so determined to obliterate Ephyra’s existence, it only meant Eira’s revenge would be all the sweeter.

Eira felt someone standing in front of her, so she turned to see Juan smiling at her.

"You were really cool in there."

Juan’s grin widened, mischief dancing in his emerald eyes as he leaned casually against the stone wall. "I have to admit, you’re a force to be reckoned with. Seeing you in action was... inspiring."

Eira gave him a flat look, folding her arms across her chest. "If you’re looking for a compliment in return, you’re wasting your time."

Juan let out a low chuckle, undeterred. "Not at all. I just enjoy watching someone who knows how to take control. You don’t see that often—at least not done so elegantly, except for my darling Jania, of course." He straightened, stepping closer as his voice dropped. "But don’t let me distract you. I’m sure you’ve got other things to do besides humoring me," he said before leaving, just as Jania came over.

Frowning, she asked, "What was that fucker saying?"

Despite her bad mood, Eira couldn’t help but smile as she shook her head. "Nothing. He was complimenting me."

Jania raised a brow, surprised. "And he wasn’t being sarcastic or narcissistic about it?"

Eira laughed. "No, I don’t think so."

Jania sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. "That’s a first. Juan actually giving a genuine compliment without some ulterior motive? I’ll need to mark this day on a calendar."

Eira smirked, shaking her head. "He’s probably trying to get under your skin by going through me."

"Wouldn’t surprise me." Jania rolled her eyes.

Eira’s smile faded as she glanced toward the iron door leading back to the interrogation room. "We keep following the trail. Marianna has ties everywhere—gangs, orphanages, and whoever she’s been working with to cover up her mess. I want to know how deep this rabbit hole goes."

Jania nodded. "We’ll need more than just the captives’ testimonies. I’ll dig into the orphanage records further to find all the hidden records of the children. And I’ll also try to find out more about this person named ’the Architect.’"

"Good," Eira replied. She paused, her mind racing with possibilities. "We should also look into the children who disappeared. If any of them survived or escaped, they might have answers."

Jania hesitated. "You know that won’t be easy. Most of these kids were shipped off to places where people vanish without a trace."

Eira’s gaze hardened. "Then we make a trace. Someone knows something. We just have to find the right person to make talk."

"Sure." Jania nodded. Then she glanced around. "Do you want to stay for lunch or see Master Lyle before leaving?"

"What?" Eira asked, surprise lacing her voice.

"I’m just saying, maybe... you might want to talk to him. Since..." Jania looked away, clearing her throat. "You kind of have some sort of bond now."

"Bond?" Eira paused, remembering the phone call almost a week ago and how Lyle had known how she was feeling and how to calm her down. "Are you talking about how he knows what emotions I feel? Seriously?! Did he tell you?"

Jania sighed. "Yes... I’m sure you know by now that Master Lyle doesn’t keep most things concerning you from me."

Eira hesitated. "I know. It’s just unbelievable. I mean, we haven’t settled nor have I understood how my scent cures or calms him down, and now this?!"

"I guess I understand how you feel. Even I was more than surprised."

"And you weren’t curious?" Eira asked, tilting her head. "Because I sure as hell am curious about how he does it."

Jania raised a brow. "Maybe you can ask him?"

"Really? You just want me to see him so that my scent can calm him down, right? Whatever. I’ll go. I might as well ask him."

Jania smirked knowingly. "See? I knew you’d come around. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the lunch is ready when you’re done."

Eira shot her a look, shaking her head. "Don’t think this means I’m doing you any favors."

Jania chuckled. "Fair enough. I’ll let Han know you’re headed his way." She turned to leave, but not before adding, "And, Eira? Try not to fight him or anything. He might be calm around you, but the rest of us still have to deal with him."

Eira smirked faintly. "No promises."

The walk to Lyle’s study was quiet. The mansion was a labyrinth of cold elegance, its corridors wide and brightly lit.

She stopped at the door and brought her hand forward to knock but Lyle’s voice came from behind the door.

"Come in."

Eira’s hand froze mid-knock, her fingers hovering above the polished wood of the door. She took a moment to steady her thoughts before pushing it open and stepping inside without hesitation.

Lyle was sitting behind his desk, his attractive features which were his eyes, accentuated by the afternoon light streaming in from the tall windows. He didn’t look up immediately, his gaze focused on something in front of him, perhaps paperwork or a message he’d been reading. The moment she entered, though, he shifted, the slightest change in his posture that suggested he had been waiting for her.

"Sit," he said, his voice calm and measured, but there was an undeniable warmth to it that didn’t quite match the icy distance he usually kept. It was unsettling in a way, but not unpleasant. Eira obeyed, crossing the room to take a seat in the chair opposite him, her eyes never leaving his face.

"What is it, Ephyra?" he asked, using the name that tied her to the past, yet now felt strangely distant. "I assume you’re here to ask about the other night."

Eira paused, taken aback by his directness. She hadn’t intended to bring it up just yet. Instead, she had planned to confront him with more questions about his condition, the antidote, and whether they were making progress, but here it was, laid out in front of her. The truth was undeniable now. Something beyond the physical connected them both, something neither of them fully understood yet.