When fate plays its hand

Hearing the commotion, Julie slammed the door shut. From the sound of her footsteps, she must have run off to check what had happened.

Madison couldn’t help but click her tongue. “That kid is pretty cautious.”

However, Sebastian felt things weren’t that simple. A few people were standing outside their houses and watching them when they entered the village earlier. As soon as they saw the group heading toward the entrance of the Clifford residence, their gazes instantly became peculiar.

Some even gathered in twos or threes, whispering to each other. NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Although Sebastian couldn’t hear what they were saying from a distance, he could discern expressions of doubt,

first thought was “Prise, judgment, and scrutiny from their faces as they talked.

Soon, the door opened once more. This time, it was Joli who opened the door. He heard his sister shouting about his classmates who had come to visit while he was in the kitchen. His first thought was that it must be Miranda and the others.

dropped and shattered a bowl. Sure enough, he wasn’t mistaken

In his shock, Joli when he opened the door.

“How did you guys get here?” His eyes lit up with delight, but they were quickly filled with astonishment, surprise, worry, and a hint of disapproval.

He knew how much effort it took and how bumpy the journey was to travel from Jandersville to the village. That was why he disapproved. Joli didn’t think he was worth the trouble.

“Are you alright?” Miranda sized him up quickly. Fortunately, his arms and legs were all intact, and he seemed to be mentally sound. However…

He was only wearing a thin cotton jacket in the freezing weather. His hands that should be used for experiments, handling equipment, and typing on the keyboard were red from the biting cold. He didn’t even have a scarf on his bare neck!

Madison’s eyes widened as she blurted out, “Aren’t you cold?”

Joli scratched his head. “I’m used to it, so I don’t feel cold.” After speaking, he suddenly snapped to his senses and quickly invited them inside.

The three of them stepped in, and Joli turned on the lights.

No wonder it had been pitch dark earlier. They hadn’t turned on the lights.

Miranda looked around at her surroundings. They were in an old cottage with a living room, three bedrooms, and a backyard connected to the kitchen.

Wooden planks were used to separate an area upstairs, which was used for storing straw, cured meat, potatoes, and other long–lasting supplies.

“It has been two weeks since the semester started. Why haven’t you returned to campus? We tried to call you, but your phone has been turned off. We thought something bad had happened.”

Miranda withdrew her gaze and stared directly at Joli, her tone suddenly becoming stern. Do you know that if you’re absent for too long, the college will suspend you for truancy? The college administration has the right to dismiss or expel you if it gets serious enough! Are you going to risk your future like this?”

No matter what the reason was, Joli should have at least made a phone call to the college administration and informed them of his situation if he couldn’t return to campus. Miranda continued, “And Theodore… He’s the same as you. He hasn’t returned to campus, and no one can reach him. What’s going on with you two?”

Joli laughed bitterly. As he was about to explain, Julie, who had opened the door earlier, suddenly dashed out from a corner. She opened her arms wide and stood protectively in front of Joli. “Don’t blame my brother! He didn’t want this either, but he had no choice.”

Julie looked to be around ten years old. Although she was young, she spoke clearly and sensibly.

“It’s alright, Julie. They are my friends. They’re only saying this because they care about me.”

Julie glanced back at him. After receiving a reassuring nod from Joli, she reluctantly stepped aside and began fiddling with her nails.

“I’m sorry for worrying you,” Joli said with a smile. However, his smile carried a hint of bitterness. “My family… I really couldn’t leave. My phone broke, so I couldn’t contact you guys.”

“Don’t your parents have phones? Would borrowing theirs to make a call be too hard for you?” Madison couldn’t understand.