NovelEnglishChapter 186 At that moment, Manley sank heavily back onto the floor, pounding his legs in frustration, his eyes clouded with a sickly, brooding darkness.
Citrine glanced up at the glass ceiling of the conservatory, then lowered her gaze. Although it was meant to be a sunlit garden, heavy curtains and blackout panels sealed out every trace of light, leaving the space in shadow.
She could sense that Manley was in a foul mood, but she didn't get angry. Instead, she walked over and crouched in front of him, gently intercepting his fists before he could strike his legs again.
"Uncle." Manley jerked his head up, staring straight into Citrine's calm, steady eyes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Citrine? What are you doing here?" He blinked at her in surprise. Until now, he'd assumed it was Zelda who had cin.
"I'm here to help Travis with his homework." Seeing that he'd stopped hurting himself, Citrine released his hands. "Did I scare you just now?" Manley was suddenly overwhelmed with self-loathing as he recalled how harshly he'd treated her just moments before.
"You're not a monster, Uncle. Why would you scare me?" Citrine met his gaze, making no mention of his earlier outburst, as if it had never happened.
Without another word, she helped Manley up from the floor and into his wheelchair, draping a light blanket over his legs as she did so.
This time, Manley didn't push her away.
He was caught a little off guard by Citrine's easy manner. But soon, a new wave of discomfort washed over him. Not only had Citrine witnessed his breakdown, she'd also seen his legs- shrunken, twisted, and utterly useless. Those hideous legs. She must be disgusted, he thought. Even he couldn't bear to look at them, let alone anyone else.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Manley clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He went pale, sinking deeper into a pit of self-reproach.
Just then, he felt a small, gentle hand cover his own.
Carefully, Citrine pried open his clenched fist, concern shining in her eyes. "Uncle, you're bleeding." Only then did Manley notice the blood trickling from his palm.
"Where's the first aid kit?" Citrine asked quietly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBefore she'd even finished speaking, Zelda's raised voice echoed from the doorway. "Miss Citrine, what are you doing in here?" Zelda had spotted Citrine crouching in front of Manley and immediately assumed she must have upset him. Her heart leapt into her throat.
Without thinking, Zelda stammered an apology to Manley. "I'm so sorry, sir. I should have warned Miss Citrine that you don't like to be disturbed.
Please, don't be angry." She was about to usher Citrine out when Manley cut her off.
"Zelda, Citrine is my niece, not a m stranger. There's nowhere in this * house she isn't welcome." He paused, then added, "And bring the first aid kit, please." "Yes, sir," Zelda replied, hurrying away, utterly stunned.
In all her years working for the family, she'd never seen Manley so relaxed about his privacy. His study and m bedroom were strictly off-limits-no one, not even the young master, was allowed inside without permission. There were many such forbidden areas in the house. It suddenly hit her: Mr. Manley treated his niece differently. He clearly doted on her.
Even more than he did on the young master.
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