Chapter 97


    “Why haven’t you…” Gisele’s question faltered as she noticed Don’s gaze fixed on her feet.


    Startled, she attempted to pull her feet back, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.


    With his long legs, Dorian swiftly closed the distance and caught her. Sensing her resistance, he


    whispered gently, “Do you want to get hurt?”


    Gisele promptly shook her head inpliance, her hands ced cautiously on hils shoulders.


    Her body tensed, resembling a fish that had been lifeless for quite some time.


    Dorian’s displeasure was evident as he felt her stiffness. After cing Gisele on the bed, he


    grumbled irritably, “You’re as rigid as a dead fish. Who would want to touch you?”


    “You would!” Gisele shot back, pouting.


    Just as Dorian was about to walk away, he stopped, giving her a meaningful look.


    Gisele quicklyughed awkwardly. “Hehe, I was just joking around. Don’t take it seriously.”


    Without further confrontation, Dorian turned around and left, opting to let the moment


    pass.


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    Shortly after, Jon arrived to pick up pieces of the shattered bowl near the door. Once he finished, he


    made his way to the study.


    Inside, Dorian had been waiting for some time. He sat on a chair with a stern expression, yet his


    eyes betrayed a sense of confusion.


    As Jon entered, Dorian quickly put away a photo he had been holding.


    The picture, taken over a decade ago, showed Dorian with a young girl. Unfortunately, water stains


    had blurred the girl’s face, obscuring her features except for her frail body.


    Later, Dorian tried to restore the girl’s face byminating the photo, but his efforts were in vain, and


    he eventually gave up.


    Despite knowing it was Sierra in the photo, Dorian still cherished this first picture of himself


    with her.


    Rubbing his temples, he directed, “Look into what happened near Hearthfield Orphanage back then,


    and also investigate a cat named Peanut.”


    tas


    Just as Jon was about to nod in agreement, the mention of the cat caused him to freeze.


    Noticing Jon’s reaction, Dorian asked, “Is there a problem?”


    “Mr. Jefferson, do you have a photo of this cat? Was it a stray?” Jon hesitantly asked, wary of


    Dorian’s potential assumptions.


    He quickly added, “Stray cats aremon in many areas. While people may asionally feed


    them, the names they give to the same cat can vary.”


    “It’s not a stray. It looks just like the cat Gisele has now,” Dorian whispered.


    Jon nodded, then left the study.


    Gisele had a restless night, tormented by dreams of a threatening, looming presence. Several


    times, she found herself trapped in the grip of a sinister hand.


    “Please, no! Leave me alone,” Gisele pleaded, sinking deeper into the nightmarish realm she


    couldn’t escape.


    Upon hearing the disturbance, Dorian quickly entered the room from his study. Observing her


    troubled expression as she slept, he gently inquired, “Gisele? Are you awake?”


    Despite his repeated calls, she remained unresponsive.


    With no other option, Dorian got into bed with her and wrapped his arms around her


    restless form.


    In her dream, Gisele fled desperately, running until she reached the edge of a cliff.


    She thought that by jumping, she could finally break free from the clutches of the evil hand.


    However, she found herself falling into a warm embrace instead, a sanctuary thatpletely freed


    her from its grip.


    The next morning, Gisele woke up feeling refreshed. She went to Witham Manor to administer


    acupuncture for Deborah.


    After finishing her tasks, she got ready to leave, only to be intercepted by Aspen.


    “Mr. Witham?” Gisele looked at him, puzzled.


    Aspen smiled gently. “Did Don give you a hard time yesterday?”


    “I’m… I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Mr. Witham,” Gisele replied earnestly, offering


    a smile.


    Seeing her polite response, Aspen could only smile back helplessly. “I don’t have any hidden


    agendas. I simply want to suggest a coboration.


    “I tried the medicinal jam you made–it’s sweet but not overly so, with just the right note of herbal


    fragrance. If you’re interested, I’d like to talk about the idea of mass–producing this


    medicinal jam.”


    “A coboration?” Gisele eximed, her hand covering her mouth in astonishment.


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