Chapter 1800

chapter1800

Vivian looked at Manfred, confusion etched on her face. His speech... It sounded like he was from another time, not like someone from the modern world. Could he have gotten too deep into his role?

"You're not joking, are you? You're burning with fever. Do you realize that?" she said, pulling her hand away from his grip.

Manfred narrowed his eyes, watching her with suspicion.

Vivian met his gaze calmly, unfazed by his cold scrutiny. She had encountered many negative items before, and the people in those situations were often grotesque and terrifying. As such, his questioning glare didn't rattle her anymore.

At first, she might have been startled, but not now.

Just then, Viola's voice rang out beside her.

"Vivian, help him. If you help him overcome this, you'll see your parents again one day. Right now, you're the only one who can save him."

Vivian's head whipped toward the voice. Viola's figure was slowly fading.

"You...." Vivian stammered, panic rising as her heart raced. Was Viola leaving?

Viola smiled warmly at her. "Vivian, you've grown up. You can face whatever comes next. This boy is connected to me in ways you can't yet understand. I can't let him die like this. Take care of him for me. This is a time and place unknown to history. He's suffering. I have to go now. Goodbye, Vivian."

"No, please don't leave! Don't go!" Vivian cried, rushing toward Viola.

But no matter how fast she moved, she couldn't reach her. Viola's figure vanished before her eyes.

It was the first time Viola had said goodbye and Vivian knew it would also be the last.

The old woman who had stayed by her side all these years would never return. Manfred watched, bewildered, as Vivian spoke to the air and cried. His eyes were full of doubt, and he wondered if this was some new trick meant to mock him.

Vivian wiped away her tears, taking a moment to collect herself before turning back to Manfred.

Viola had entrusted her with a task-to take care of Manfred. Through him, she would find Joe and Skylar. In that brief moment, everything became clear-why Viola had sent her to Dewhurst, why she had witnessed the past.

As she met Manfred's suspicious, defensive gaze, she opened her mouth to speak-only to be interrupted by a mocking laugh.

"Manfred, it's snowing. Would you like to kneel and lick the snow off my shoes? If you clean it all off, I'll give you a coat to help you survive this winter What do you say?" a boy, roughly Manfred's age, sneered at him from the courtyard entrance.

Vivian frowned. "Who are you? Are you out of your mind? I think you should be the one licking someone's shoes."

Manfred turned to her, disbelief flashing in his eyes. She was speaking up for him daring to offend Cyril Atkinson.

"Hey! Are you deaf? Did the cold freeze your brain?" Cyril snapped as he marched closer, standing in front of Manfred.

"What are you staring at?" Cyril demanded, following Manfred's gaze. But all he saw was snow.

"A woman," Manfred replied.

Something felt off. Normally, Cyril would have exploded with rage at such

insolence. Yet he seemed oblivious, as though he hadn't heard a thing.

Vivian noticed it too. She turned to Cyril. "He's looking at me. Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Cyril's response made them both pale.

"Hahaha! Manfred, it looks like you've lost your mind. A woman? Are you falling for her? Hahahaha!" Cyril doubled over with laughter. "Dad's not home and probably won't be back for the whole winter Let's see how you survive.

Pnet

"But I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you a chance. If you lick my shoes until they're cleaner than a dog could manage, I'll give you coat and even throw in a chicken leg with your meals every day. Not everyone gets this opportunity, you know. Consider it a mercy from me!"