Mable considered briefly before bringing up nonchalantly, “Does he have a habit of researching psychology during his free time?” “Psychology?” “Yeah. I would see books on psychology and hypnosis inside his study and office back then. So I was wondering if that’s the kind of thing he’s interested in during his free time.” Kevin’s reaction was very mild. “Oh, I don't know about that.” This was enough for Mable to tell that Kevin must not know anything about Jeremiah’s practices in hypnotism. Kevin noticed the heavy bags under Mable’s eyes and suggested kindly, “Miss, you don’t look like you managed to get much sleep last night. It’ll be another two hours before we arrive at our destination. Feel free to take a nap if you’re tired. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.” “Alright,” Mable obliged with a nod. She reached for her headphones and put them on to get ready to get some shuteye. She had stayed up last night reading everything she could find about hypnosis. It was nea
As Mable was unsure how to respond, Connor took her hand and sighed softly."Never mind, you're not a child anymore. Dad won't pry into these matters. I trust you know the boundaries and have the ability to handle them. Let's go inside and have lunch."Mable breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up to usher him inside.Connor preferred peace, especially with his mobility issues, so he had handed over the company to his only son, Jeremiah. Since then, he had been quietly recuperating in Oliville.With a small population and a simple lifestyle, the environment was serene, nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was surrounded by mountains and water, making it a tranquil retreat in nature.After having lunch with her father, Mable pushed him for a stroll around the small town.Looking at Mable, Connor said, "You seem to have something on your mind."Mable shook her head. "Nothing, just thinking about Little Lemon. I've been away for a few days and don't know if
The acupuncturist for Connor was an old doctor, carrying a traditional medicine kit, already waiting in the living room.Mable escorted her father upstairs and then waited in the living room. She casually strolled through the backyard because she was bored."Why are you always staring at me?" Mable chuckled when she saw Kevin in the garden, who seemed fixated on her."Nothing." Kevin's gaze seemed evasive. "Miss, when are we heading back?""After dinner, around seven or eight," Mable replied.Kevin nodded silently.Behind the villa was a peach orchard, but there were no peach blossoms this season, only plenty of peaches. However, these peach trees were ornamental, bearing small fruits with a sour taste, usually left for the birds to eat.Mable plucked a relatively giant peach, twirling it in her hand. The peach orchard was quite vast, and as she strolled around, she unexpectedly spotted a white cottage at the end.It was not precisely a cottage but rather a tiny courtyard.
Mable returned to the Muller Manor after eleven in the evening. She thought Jeremiah would have been resting by then, but to her surprise, she found him sitting in the living room, still busy with work on his tablet."Hey, brother," Mable greeted.Jeremiah put down his tablet and pushed up the thin-framed glasses on his nose. "Astrid, you're back."Walking over to him, Mable asked, "Are you still working this late?""No, I was waiting for you," Jeremiah replied, looking at Mable."I was waiting for you." He repeated and patted the couch beside him, signaling Mable to sit.Mable thought he wanted to talk about their dad, so she did not give it much thought and sat beside him."How's Dad's health?" Jeremiah asked calmly."He's doing fine. The acupuncturist said his leg doesn't hurt as much on rainy days anymore," Mable replied.Jeremiah picked up his cup and sipped tea. "That's good. Did Dad say anything to you?""Not much, just asked me to bring Little Lemon next time I visit.
As Mable heard these words, her brows furrowed even tighter. She stared at Jeremiah with a bitter smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "For my good, or is it just your idea of what's good for me? Will your actions truly make me better?"Jeremiah replied firmly, "How could they not be? Before reuniting with Blair, weren't you living well? Have you not been happy these past two years?"Blair causes all your misfortunes. I'm just helping you forget the source of that misery. I want you to live happily forever."At this point, Mable dropped the pretense. She stood up; her gaze was icy as she stared at Jeremiah. "So, you admit you hypnotized me, don't you!"I've lost my memory, only remembering those painful memories, all because you hypnotized me. You even imposed an absolute prohibition on me, forbidding me from falling in love with Blair even if I were to be with him!"You even colluded with Rory, making me believe that Little Lemon inherited the Necro Poison, forcing me to ch
Jeremiah's words hit Mable like a sudden thunderbolt, catching her off guard. She turned sharply to look at Jeremiah, her eyes filled with shock. "What did you just say?"Jeremiah's gaze bore into Mable, with cold glints flashing as he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Astrid, some things aren't as simple as you think."Mable's breath caught in her throat as if she had plunged into an abyss, where everything was pitch black and eerily silent. Time seemed to stand still.Jeremiah watched Mable and reached out. "Astrid, come here."Mable's eyes flickered, seemingly pondering his words. After a few seconds, she stiffly moved toward him.Jeremiah looked at Mable as she approached, gently ruffling her hair and softly saying, "Don't be afraid, Astrid. Your brother will protect you."‘Even if you hate me, it's okay.’Meanwhile, at the airport.Due to weather conditions, the international flight from Richworth to Italee was delayed by over three hours. By the time the flight arrive
Blair glanced sideways, anticipating seeing Mable soon. In a good mood, he shrugged off any tension between them. After breakfast, noticing Mable had not replied to his messages, Blair decided to call her.The phone rang for a while, and just as Blair thought no one would answer, it finally connected."Hello."Blair held the phone. "Mabes, busy?""Yeah, a bit."Blair furrowed his brows slightly, detecting a hint of coldness in Mable's tone."Weren't you supposed to catch the eleven o'clock flight? Are you getting ready to head to the airport?"There was a two-second silence from Mable's end before she spoke, "I canceled the flight. I have some unfinished business. Won't be back to Richworth for now."Blair sat up straight, his tone turning serious. "Mabes, what's wrong?""Nothing, I—"Blair cut Mable off. "If there's nothing wrong, why the sudden change of plans? Mabes, are you keeping something from me?""No!"Blair narrowed his eyes dangerously, his features shrouded in
Muller Manor.Mable hung up Blair's call and turned to face Jeremiah, sitting beside her, her expression somewhat hollow."Blair's call?" Jeremiah asked.Mable nodded."What did he say?"Mable's gaze flickered as she gently replied to his question, "Blair said he's in Italee and he's coming over."Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, a hint of a cold smile on his lips.‘Blair is in Italee? When did he arrive?’Jeremiah looked at Mable and reached out to tousle her hair. "Astrid, do you remember what I told you?"Mable stared at him, silent.Jeremiah softened his tone as if soothing a child and repeated the words he had said to Mable earlier that morning."Blair has done many things to hurt you. He's a bad person, and you can't have anything to do with him anymore. He will hurt you, understand?"Mable nodded obediently. "Yes, I understand."Jeremiah gently ruffled Mable's hair. "I called Rory, and he'll be here soon to pick you up. You'll go with him. I'll get you once I've dealt wi