"I'm not!"
"I didn't!"
"Don't make things up!"
Arthur fired off three denials and quickly shut the door.
"Hahaha!"
"Harris already told me everything-he fell for Isidore's scheme and focused all his attention on you, letting Isidore's 'scent' vanish completely."
Malinda rocked back and forth with laughter, without a shred of decorum.
"Tsk."
The sound escaped Arthur's lips.
"So you're admitting it?"
Malinda pressed him eagerly.
Arthur said nothing and headed straight for the kitchen. Though the downpour outside had eased, the autumn rain had already brought a chill to all of South Los.
On a night like this, hot pot was naturally the best way to warm up.
But he lacked the ingredients, so Arthur had to settle for the next best thing.
He chose hot cocoa with milk and sugar.
Of course, he only made some for himself.
"Stingy man."
Malinda curled her lips at the lone cup of hot cocoa, then went into the kitchen to make her own. Behind her, surprise flickered in Arthur's eyes.
He wasn't surprised that Malinda would enter the kitchen.
He was surprised by how excited she had been.
Me relieving myself out in the open actually made the famous Lady of the Long Night practically jump for joy?
Was something seriously wrong with her?
Arthur wondered.
But when Malinda turned around, Arthur raised his cup to hide his face.
Malinda seemed not to notice any of this. She sipped her hot cocoa and said,
"Harris came to me hoping to mend his relationship with you. Of course, from my perspective, I'd rather you two didn't get along."
As she spoke, Malinda pressed her lips together, the corners dipping slightly.
Then, without waiting for Arthur to ask, she volunteered,
"Harris will continue running Mouse Tail Alley."
Mouse Tail Alley was the heart