Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 774

Zane's room was located at the farthest corner of the top floor. It was a suite with a small study that hosted a vintage bookshelf and a long desk.

A small stand holding transparent bottles filled with various natural pigments was found on the desk. Some of them were still in their original mineral form.

Shannon didn't know much about pigments. As her gaze swept across the bottles, she could only recognize some of the common materials like ocher, hematite, and lazurite.

The sun was shining brightly and cast light over half the room with the drapes partially drawn.

Shannon entered to see Zane standing on the sharp line between the light and shadow, painting. His painting was in the bright part of the room, while he remained in the shadows.

He seemed to be in a better mood after Elliot had eased his physical discomfort. His eyes were focused intently on the canvas as he sketched fishes with a few swift strokes and casual movements of his hand.

Shannon stood aside and watched him slowly draw more fish with no sign to stop. She decided to ask directly. "Who helped you with the substitute childling?"

Zane's hands paused for a second before he continued painting and added colors to his fish as if he hadn't heard her.

Shannon continued, "I knew you didn't tell the truth earlier. You didn't want to talk about it in front of the family, so I'm asking you now alone."

Alex had been too much of a nuisance, so she hadn't asked earlier. If she had, he would've interrupted and tried to lecture Zane before she could get a clear answer. That would've been a complete waste of time.

Shannon thought Zane might open up a little if she asked privately, but the latter glanced at her before setting his fish painting aside. He walked up to his pigments and began tinkering with them.

The advantage of being mute was clear in moments like these. He wouldn't have to talk when he simply didn't want to.

Shannon didn't quite understand, but she could tell from his gaze that there was no malice or the hostility and impatience she'd sensed from Hank and Caleb when they'd first met.

After thinking about it, Shannon decided to provoke him a little. "Whoever helped you with that substitute childling clearly wasn't being responsible. You'd better keep an eye out if you keep interacting with this person."