Chapter 1439


    Maja and Ian had spent a night at the Sanders'' family estate.


    The next morning, the nanny came knocking.


    "Ms. Pennyfeather, Mrs. Sanders requests your presence in the study."


    A jolt of apprehension shot through her.


    Ian, already dressed, wanted to apany her but was stopped by the nanny.


    "Sir, Mrs. Sanders only summoned Ms. Pennyfeather."


    He halted, ncing at Maja.


    Maja squeezed his hand, "I''ll be back soon, don''t worry."


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    "I''ll wait outside the study. If anything happens, knock over a ss, and I''lle in."


    "Alright."


    He turned a cold gaze to the nanny.


    "Mrs. Sanders didn''t specify that I couldn''t wait outside, right?"


    The nanny hesitated, indeed there was no such rule.


    Maja approached the study door and knocked. Mrs. Sanders voice called from within.


    "Come in."


    She pushed the door open and entered.


    Only Mrs. Sanders was inside; the old man was nowhere to be seen.


    She greeted her with due respect.


    "Grandma."


    As Mrs. Sanders''s gaze fell on her, particrly when she saw her eyes, her expression softened.


    "Your eyes, they''re so much like Cynthia''s."


    It was the first time Maja had heard anyone from the Sanders family speak of Cynthia. She remained


    silent.


    Mrs. Sanders continued.


    "The fortune teller had warned us, Cynthia was bound to bring trouble. Augus could only survive by


    staying away from her, so we never approved of their union."


    Not sure what Mrs. Sanders''s aim was by bringing this up, Maja wisely kept quiet.


    Mrs. Sanders set down her teacup.


    "The results will be out soon. The rest of the Sanders family will be present this morning. I suppose


    you''re curious why I''ve called you here alone."


    Maja nodded.


    "Maja, you''ve been wandering alone for years, you''ve suffered."


    But Maja wasn''t moved. Mrs. Sanders''s kindness seemedced with a cold detachment.


    As a general rule, the older folks get, the closer they want their kin. Yet this old couple withdrew to a


    secluded ind early, disengaging from worldly affairs – a temperament ny-eight percent of people


    couldn''t match. And they were just as decisive when it came to dealing with Dn.


    "Grandma, I never felt it was suffering."


    As she spoke, Maja noticed the elderlydy''s teacup tilting dangerously. She rushed forward, lending a


    hand.


    Her hand identally sped Mrs. Sanders''s, and the hot tea scalded them both.


    Mrs. Sanders quickly withdrew her hand, allowing the cup to fall and shatter on the floor.


    "Maja, I''ll have the nanny clean this up. You should go now; your grandfather must have returned."


    Maja''s face remainedposed as she nodded and left the room.


    Upon opening the door, she saw Ian waiting outside.


    He was surprised; she had been inside for less than five minutes.


    He wrapped his arms around her.


    "What did Mrs. Sanders say to you?"


    Maja shook her head. Mrs. Sanders was about to speak, but the idental spill of tea interrupted, and


    she was dismissed.


    Voices echoed from the hall below; other members of the Sanders family had arrived early.


    As Maja and Ian descended, they saw Mr. Sanders entering from outside.


    Clearly, he had received the results he was seeking.


    Mr. Sanders looked robust as he sat at the center of the sofa. He nodded slowly at Maja''s approach.


    "Come here, I''ve consulted with the fortune-teller."


    Maja moved closer.


    Beck was seated nearby, visibly uneasy.


    At that moment, Mrs. Sanders came downstairs, changed into fresh attire, still exuding grace and


    dignity.


    She sat beside Mr. Sanders, asking softly.


    "Have the results arrived?"


    Mr. Sanders nodded, "Yes, the fortune-teller said Maja and Ian are ill-suited for each other."