"Murry." Felix contemplated the question long and carefully, and decided to visit Matthew after he returned. He didn't send any of his henchmen to frame Alexander, so he thought that Matthew couldn't find out that he also framed Alexander. To be safe, Felix felt it necessary to confirm his thought by himself.

Murry pushed the door in. "Your Highness, it's very late already. Why don't you turn back and get some rest?"

"Murry, Uncle Matthew will return tomorrow. You should go to the storehouse..." Felix paused. He thought he should give Harper a gift, but he felt so grumpy that the gambling house he had given Harper was snatching half of his business. Harper apparently cared only for money. He couldn't stand the idea of giving her another gambling house. The very thought of it made him feel ill.

"What gift do you think Aunt Harper would enjoy?" Felix wondered.

Murry scratched his head. He was a married man, but his wife was so gracious that any gift he gave her would delight her for a few days. Harper was another story. How could he know what Harper would like?

"Women like perfumes, cosmetics, silks, satins and velvets, don't they?" Murry suggested tentatively, "Your Highness, you acquired a pearl as big as man's fist a few days ago, right? All women like pearls."

Felix's eyes lit up and he said, "Go and bring me that pearl. I will send it to Aunt Harper tomorrow as my gift."

"Yes, Your Highness." Murry turned to walk

ses and changed the topic. "I should go back to my mansion now. You should rest well."

"Let me walk you out."

"No, thanks. I came in through the back door. I don't need all that attention. You have already refused to see those officials. If they see you go out with me, you will surely be bothered by them. Anyway, you need to have a good rest, as I said. When you are fully recovered, you can come and go just as you please."

Francis didn't insist, so he told Owen to walk Harper out. He gazed after her silhouette as she disappeared.

"Wake up! She is gone." A mocking voice rang out abruptly.

Without turning his head, Francis asked, "Why did you come back now?"

"The power of the River City was crushed by Matthew. They found out that it was the Scarlet Devils who framed Alexander. Matthew slaughtered almost all the members of Scarlet Devils and we suffered great losses." Wearing an exquisite ferocious mask, Marquis Scarlet asked, "Is Harper the one who healed you from poison?"

"Yes."

"You like her?" he asked tentatively after a moment's hesitation.

Francis turned around, walked to a chair and sat down. "She's Matthew's wife, and they love each other very much."

"You didn't answer my question. Do you like her?" Marquis Scarlet asked stubbornly. He didn't know much about Harper, but Matthew's love for her was indeed out of the ordinary. If Francis liked Harper, he wouldn't just sit back.

"What if I like her?"