Chapter 943

As Jane descended to the second basement level, she was greeted by an almost absolute darkness—broken only by the dim, yellowish glow of an old incandescent bulb hanging in the far corner of a tiny room. Back in Loudes Village, such bulbs were a common sight, found in every home except the few that could afford energy-saving lights. But in the grandeur of the Fuller estate, these lights were practically extinct—kept only in storage rooms or retro-themed corners. Yet this space… clearly wasn’t styled with aesthetics in mind. Jane didn’t tiptoe or sneak. The moment her feet touched the basement floor, her voice rang out bright and clear. "Brother Frederick..." Seated alone on the narrow bed, Frederick blinked as if waking from a trance. The moment he saw her, he quickly flicked on the main lights, illuminating the entire basement with a bright, sterile glow. He strode toward her in long, purposeful steps, crouched down, and scooped her into his arms. "What are you doing here?" he asked s