He fixed his gaze on Estelle, his expression inscrutable and frosty.

“You really have no clue how we got out of that mess, do you?” Estelle’s voice was icy as she spoke. “Our lives now were bought with the blood of the Wolves, and you want to go back? Fine, it’s your choice!”

With that, Estelle turned on her heel and strode away.

Xavier’s face twisted with fury, and he lashed out at the table before him with a powerful kick.

The heavy piece of furniture toppled over, sending glasses and dishes crashing to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Zachary, hearing the commotion, came running in to find Xavier leaning back in his chair, his face a ghastly shade of pale, his hand trembling slightly on the armrest, a cigarette between his fingers sending up a thin stream of smoke.

Estelle drove back to Villa del Sol at breakneck speed, parking her car beside the sycamore-lined drive. She sat on a nearby wooden bench for a long while, trying to calm the storm within her.

It was early winter, yet the view from Villa del Sol was anything but desolate. Instead, the landscape was a riot of color, breathtaking in its beauty.

The verdant pines and cypresses were punctuated by the reds of the maples, the forest ablaze with autumn hues, undulating across the hills.

Only the Sycamore Avenue felt the biting chill of the wind, with leaves swirling in colorful eddies, the cold gusts sweeping them into piles along the edges of the path.

pulling her from her reverie. It was a video call from her grandfather; she swiped to answer, a smile already

Jarvis was sitting in his rocking chair, looking chipper. He paused at the sight of Estelle’s backdrop. “Where are you,

to give him a panoramic view. “I’m up on the mountain roads

out of there. What

face softened. “Jonathan asked me to come. I’m waiting for

Mr. Jarvis nodded. “That boy sent over a set of antique vellum scrolls a while back. Make sure you thank

“He never

he

a warm surge to Estelle’s heart. “I

more serious. “Have you heard

“Brother’s mission is confidential. It might

waiting for Jonathan. I’ll let you go. Take care of yourself, and don’t be too hard on

laughed. “I

sat a bit

floor and watched a movie by herself. Max and Milo, her two loyal pets, sat in their usual spots, engrossed in the film, while Estelle ended

movie ended, Jonathan called. “Where are

walked

voice was a soothing baritone. “I’ve finished up here. I’ll be

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