Female Novel
Chapter 5333
Meanwhile, at the Zilian Villa…
The moment was tranquil yet charged with creative energy.
Maria stood before the desk, admiring the breathtaking landscape painting that lay before her.
The mountains in the painting stood tall and mighty, winding their way around Dr.
Simmons Lake, which was depicted in its full rippling glory.
It was a sight to behold.
Maria stretched out her slender fingers, tapping the thickest part of the painting with a lightness akin toa dragonfly.
Feeling no stickiness, she gazed at her white fingertips, relieved to see no ink stains.
The painting was dry.
With utmost care, she mounted the painting onto a prepared scroll, the golden frame shining in thesunlight.
Once it was rolled up, she secured it with a silk ribbon.
Marius’s voice echoed from outside the door.
“Miss, may I come in?”
Maria replied with a clear and concise “Yes…”
Marius, slightly hunched over, stumbled in, catching a glimpse of the magnificent landscape paintingthat now hung on the wall.
He exclaimed, “Congratulations, Miss, on your masterpiece!”
Maria, nonchalant in her response, replied, “It’s not a masterpiece.”
Looking up at Marius, she asked, “What can I do for you?”
“Miss, Aurous Hills University will start registering new students tomorrow.
The registration will last for two days.
When should this old slave accompany you there?” Mr. Cross spoke with utmost respect.
Maria pondered for a moment before replying, “It depends on Claudia’s schedule.
When she goes, I’ll go.
It also depends on whether Charlie will go with Claudia.”
Turning to Marius, she said, “Let Mr. Cole handle the arrangements.
We’ll leave by car tomorrow morning.
Wait near Aurous Hills University until it’s confirmed that Claudia has started registering.”
Marius nodded in agreement and replied, “Yes, miss.
I’ll confirm with Mr. Cole.”
Suddenly, he asked with concern, “If I happen to run into Charlie tomorrow, what should I do to avoidsuspicion?”
Maria’s voice remained indifferent as she responded, “You can’t be seen by him.
In Northern Europe, only the two of us walked out of the farm alive.
He’ll do everything to verify if there’s anything wrong with us.
I can handle it, but you can’t.
If he sees you, I won’t be able to keep it hidden anymore.
So, during this time, stay in Zilian Villa and don’t go anywhere.”
Marius responded without hesitation, “Understood, Miss.
I will never leave Zilian Villa.”
Maria hummed in agreement before adding, “Tell Mr. Cole that he doesn’t need to accompany me.
Sister Michelle can drive me.”
Marius replied obediently, “Yes, Miss.
Your wish is my command.”
“Okay, that’s all.
You may leave now,” Maria concluded.
“Understood, Miss.
I’ll take my leave,” Marius bowed respectfully before leaving the room.
Marius Cross bowed out, leaving Maria to clutch the scroll with both hands as she walked towards thelong table where her father’s spiritual tablet was enshrined.
On the tablet, eight bold characters shone bright, paying tribute to her late father, Lucius Clark.
With slow and steady movements, Maria knelt down in front of the tablet, placing the scroll aside withcare.
Folding her hands together, she gazed upon the tablet with respect and spoke in a hushed tone,“Father, your daughter may have the chance to meet her benefactor, Charlie, tomorrow.
But appearing before him will trigger his vigilance.novelbin
Whether or not she gains his trust remains unknown.
I pray that you, my father, in the afterlife, can bless your daughter to earn his trust.”
A tangled expression clouded Maria’s face.
She reached out, touching the scroll on the ground, and spoke softly, “But… If Charlie still can’t believeyour daughter… If he treats her as an enemy… Then she may have to reveal everything.”
Maria paused for a few seconds, and her eyes filled with tears, her cheeks tracing the paths of hersadness.
She didn’t wipe them away but continued, her voice choking, “Father, I’ve always kept your last wish inmind.
I’ve never revealed anything about our life experiences or past.
But if there comes a time where I can no longer hold back, please, my father, in heaven, do not blameyour daughter.”
After finishing her prayer, Maria wiped away her tears and paid her respects by kowtowing three timesto her father’s spiritual tablet.
***
After her lecture, Nanako Ito drove back to Thompson First apartments, arriving to find her father andaunt waiting with the ingredients she requested.
Knowing that Charlie would be eating with them that night, Yuhiko Ito was over the moon.
He had always considered Charlie the best candidate for his son-in-law, and