Chapter 1781


    It was as if someone had deliberately tossed it her way. Sarah lifted her gaze, scanning the area.


    No one in sight.


    She had half a mind to ignore the bamboo dragonfly, but after a few steps, she inexplicably


    backtracked and crouched to pick it up.


    Dried specks of blood marred its surface, no idea it was from whom.


    Her memories were fragmented, unreliable. She thought she''d be clueless about the toy, but the


    moment it touched her hand, she instinctively started to spin it, sending the des whirling into the


    air.


    As Sarah stared into the sky, a long-buried image surfaced. Very long time ago, a simr bamboo


    dragonfly soared above, chased by the delighted cries of a little girl.


    "Look how high it goes, Mommy! Is it because you made it? It''s amazing! It flies higher than anyone


    else''s!"


    A headache began to pulse at Sarah''s temples, prompting her to massage her forehead.


    The toy had vanished into the expanse, and panic momentarily gripped her heart as she frantically


    searched the surrounding grass and bushes.


    She hunted at thewn, but couldn’t find it; then she hurriedly rummaged in the shrubbery. There,


    nestled quietly,y the bamboo dragonfly, apanied by a tiny carved toy.


    Her pupils constricted sharply, a spike of emotion piercing her heart. With tight pressed lips, she


    reached out and pressed a switch on the little figurine. A carved wooden insect sprang to life, its


    craftsmanship stunningly lifelike.


    "Don''t cry, Cynthia. Look, what''s this?"


    "Wow, thanks, Uncle!"


    "You only thank your uncle? Don''t you like the bamboo dragonfly I made for you?"


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    "Of course, I do. I love both."


    The world around Sarah fell silent as she stood, legs a bit aching, before picking up the bamboo


    dragonfly as well.


    With two new trinkets in hand, her pace slowed, an inexplicable feeling telling her there might be


    more.


    Indeed, a white object dropped at her feet - a peculiar little stamp with a jellyfish etched at the top.


    The pain in her head intensified, sweat beading on her forehead. She stepped back, lips pressed


    tight, hesitant to pick up the item.


    Leaning against a nearby wall for support, she felt her heart racing. Once calmed, she noticed the


    dampness on her cheeks.


    After wiping her face, she nced around - still alone; she lifted the jellyfish seal, stroking it


    carefully.


    Before, she''d only venture out for ten minutes, but today she''d stayed out for twenty. Returning, she


    ced the trinkets in a drawer.


    Queena, who''d never seen Sarah bring anything back, started bing vignt.


    "Doctor, what have you brought?"


    "Just some little things I found outside."


    Queena''s brow furrowed, instinctively wanting to inform Bernard but heard Sarah say, "Mr. March


    will be here soon. Is all the data confirmed? We start at six sharp. Nothing can go wrong."


    "It''s ready. We''re just waiting for his reaction to thepounds."


    Sarah nced at the documents nearby, a look of satisfaction crossing her face, "Do well, and after


    all this, Mr. March will ensure you and Ian are together forever."


    Queena''s face lit up with an obsessed glow. Ian had been swapped over and shipped out, they said,


    by Mr. March''s prized mentee.


    And after that, it would be Queena''s turn to enter that prison. To be with Ian, even a lifetime behind


    bars seemed a fair trade.