NovelEnglishChapter 97 On a cold winter's night, the wind howled through the air.
The evergreen bamboo grove swayed in the gusts, producing a gentle rustling sound, while the red candles hung above swung softly with each breeze.
Surrounded by the natural music of the bamboo, Mila strolled along the path, carrying a candle. Her steps were light as she approached the neighbor's door. She rang the doorbell, and it wasn't long before the door swung open.
A well-dressed middle-aged man with graying hair stepped out. He looked momentarily surprised to see her, but his expression softened when he noticed the candle in her hand.
"Good evening." Mila greeted him first, gesturing towards the villa at the other end of the bamboo path with a slight wave of her candle. She smiled, "I'm your neighbor across the way, Sutherland. Thank you for the candle; it's adorable." "Good evening, Ms. Sutherland." The middle-aged man replied warmly, "My nis Howard." "But, Ms. Sutherland, you might have misunderstood. I'm the butler here. It was my employer who thought his house looked too festive with all the candles and decided to hang son yours so it wouldn't seem too quiet." "I'm glad it didn't bother you." Mila quickly shook her head, "Not at all. I love the candles; they're charming. Your employer has a whimsical side. Please thank him for me." "I will," Howard promised with a smile.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter exchanging a few more pleasantries and letting him know he could reach out if he ever needed anything, Mila turned and made her way back hwith her candle in hand.
Howard stood at the door, watching her disappear at the end of the bamboo path. Once she was gone, he closed the door and returned inside.
"Did she like the candles?" A young man's refined voice resonated in the warmly lit, cozy living room.
Howard answered respectfully, "She did, sir." The man didn't reply further. Soon, a tall and slender figure, as graceful as bamboo, moved elegantly up the stairs and vanished from the living room.
Back at her house, Mila hung the cat-shaped candle above her door, admiring it for a moment before going inside.
After a quick wash and changing into her plush pajamas, she settled down to work on her designs, sketching new fashion ideas at her desk.
Her great-aunt had advised her to polish her skills at Splendid for a while, to build her reputation before striking out on her own. But whenever inspiration struck, she couldn't resist capturing it immediately, sketching out a rough design to refine later.
She worked late into the night.
The next morning, she woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.
She was in a great mood, as it was her last day at the company, marking the end of her career in computing and the beginning of her full-tdedication to art and design.
Humming a cheerful tune, she finished her morning routine and was about to grab her bag and drive to work for her final day when her phone pinged. A shadow crossed her bright mood.
"Hey, sis, are you there?" The message was from her younger brother, Hugo Sutherland.
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Ever since graduating college and m getting married, Mila had distanced herself from her family, barely keeping in touch for the past seven years, and it had been almost two years since she last spoke with Hugo. Despite the tthat had passed, his familiar opening made her stomach turn.
Based on past experiences, she could predict the conversation's trajectory if she replied.
If she responded with a simple "Yes," the next question would inevitably be, followed by "How have you bebbly be, feigned sentiments about missing her and wanting to chat.
And if she engaged with him, the conversation would soon shift ton requests for money money that was never returned and links to luxury items he expected her to buy for him. For years, Mila had been manipulated by the guise of familial affection, duped into giving away large sums. Eventually, she wised up and distanced herself.
Now, seeing that familiar greeting triggered her nausea.
She put his message notifications on silent, turned off her phone screen, and decided not to engage.
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