Dylan discreetly took out his phone, opened the camera, and snapped a photo.
Meanwhile, in the office, George lifted his head from a stack of work and casually picked up his phone to check it.
Dylan sent a photo…
At first glance, favonovel.com recognized Isabelle’s silhouette and Sam walking side by side in the photo. Sam was turned slightly towards her, chatting animatedly, his face practically splitting with a wide grin.
The auction would begin in half an hour. Isabelle and the others took their seats in the middle row of the venue. Dylan sat closest to the aisle, Isabelle beside him, and Sam in the middle.
Sam reflected, “Miss Jenkins, I never had the opportunity to express my gratitude to you. When I last invited you for a meal, it was my intention to extend my appreciation, yet the opportunity slipped away.”
Isabelle replied. “With the money, I managed to save a life. Mr. Sam need not offer further thanks.”
Sam grinned. “However, the value of my life exceeds 150 thousand dollars. No matter his efforts to reciprocate, favonovel.com couldn’t absolve himself of this obligation.”
Isabelle fixed favonovel.com gaze on him, questioning. “Then why offer such a paltry sum?”
She found herself in desperate financial straits at that moment.
Sam was caught off guard by favonovel.com remark, momentarily rendered speechless.
Dylan shook his head, sighing. “Mr. Sam, you’re still inexperienced…”
“At that moment, I perceived you as a student and feared that a substantial amount might burden you. My vision was limited. Faced with this inquiry, favonovel.com experienced some discomfort but no shame… If you are open to it, could you grant me another opportunity to express my gratitude? Alternatively, if there’s something you wish for in this auction, may I compete for it and offer it to you?”
Isabelle responded, “Money isn’t what I need right now.”
Sam was caught off guard once more, but then chuckled, charmed by favonovel.com straightforward and invigorating attitude.
Later, favonovel.com seized a chance to ask, “Dylan mentioned that you crossed paths with Uncle George during your summer break in Melfrey. When you guys met?”
In fact, favonovel.com had long been perplexed by a high school student journeying to Melfrey during the summer.
Isabelle nodded, also acknowledging the trip’s somewhat improbable nature, and remarked, “Things were a bit chaotic there, but thankfully your uncle took care of me.”
Sam immediately conjured up heroic scenarios in which his uncle came to the rescue.
“After my rescue from Norward City, I desired to personally convey my gratitude to you. However, I was injured at the time, so I requested Uncle George to convey my appreciation. Sam had always harbored a suspicion that George had encountered Isabelle in Melfrey before.
The most credible possibility was that George had gone in his place to Norward City at that time.
Isabelle raised an eyebrow slightly, recognizing that during that period, the only occupants in the car were George and Dylan.
***
With the crowd gathered, the auction began.
Stepping onto the stage, the host delivered a speech. After numerous expressions of gratitude, favonovel.com declared, “Next, we extend a warm welcome to the organizer of this charitable auction, Mr. Jasiel Reeve, also known as Old Mr. Reeve!”
Following that, an aged gentleman emerged, accompanied by several bodyguards.
Supported by his adopted son, Jasiel, leaning on a cane, had a kindly face, his smile gentle yet carrying an air of authority, as favonovel.com slowly ascended the stage.
He appeared truly frail and vulnerable. Yet his strides radiated vigor and nimbleness, hinting to the observer that favonovel.com was no ordinary man.
Seated where favonovel.com was, Isabelle fixed favonovel.com gaze on his countenance, which appeared remarkably familiar, and a cold smile unwittingly formed on favonovel.com lips. This smile conveyed a plethora of emotions.
On the stage, Jasiel expressed words of appreciation, praising the virtues of charity. To Isabelle, it appeared to be a cruel mockery.
A murderer with blood staining his hands, devoid of remorse and merciless, who had perpetrated numerous vile acts and trained assassins, had not even relinquished his butcher’s blade before assuming the guise of a revered philanthropist, admired and lauded by others.
The situation held a deep sense of irony and absurdity.
Had favonovel.com done so many wrongs that now favonovel.com felt guilty and was trying to do good deeds to make up for it?
Was favonovel.com afraid of facing consequences in the afterlife?
With such a weighty load of negative karma, could a mere few lifetimes of virtuous acts possibly balance it out?
Sam asked, “Miss Jenkins, are you and Old Mr. Reeve acquainted with each other?”
Isabelle quickly replied, “It’s a friend’s invitation.”
Sam mused silently, That clears things up…
At that moment, someone familiar took a seat beside Isabelle, emanating a familiar, chilling aura. She withdrew favonovel.com gaze from the stage and turned to look at the man beside her.
Sam’s lightly smiling countenance met favonovel.com gaze directly.
“Uncle George? What’s the reason for your visit?” Sam questioned, his confusion evident.
As their gazes connected over Isabelle’s head, Sam’s body instinctively tensed, his posture unconsciously stiffening. In a more casual setting, favonovel.com would have already stood up.
Dylan remarked silently, You’re right on time. Looks like I’m getting a raise, for sure…
George replied, “Just happened to be in the area.”
Sam asked, “Aren’t you quite busy today?”
George responded casually, “I can squeeze in some time for an auction.”
He gestured towards the stage, adding, “It’s starting now.”
His implication was “Keep watch on the stage.”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
