Chapter 45 : In a Hurry, Utterly Hurried
Constantine leaned fully back against the sofa, his gaze settling upon the magnificent crystal chandelier above. A complicated expression lingered on his face.
Only when the heat of the cigar reached his fingers did he co back to himself. At last he spoke in a low voice, “Her mother passed away early. Her elder sister… does not get along with her either. Vivian is overly sensitive and still does not fully understand the cruelty of this world.”
“That is precisely why she must be exposed to it gradually,” Eve replied softly. “Within a controllable environnt. Complete protection will only make her more fragile.”
Constantine could not help giving a bitter smile. “Perhaps… you are right.”
The conversation paused. Constantine rose and walked to the window, turning his back toward Eve as he looked at the busy streets below. Eve remained seated, drinking her tea and waiting.
“Miss Eve,” Constantine suddenly turned around, his expression serious. “May I ask a favor of you?”
Eve did not look at him, rely nodding faintly.
“From now on, I will relax Vivian’s restrictions, though still within safe limits. Secondly… I would like Miss Eve to ensure her personal safety as well.”
Seeing him sit back down, Eve agreed casually, “A simple matter.”
“However,” she added, “excessive surveillance may produce the opposite effect. Part of the reason the Young Miss wishes to go out lies precisely in escaping those watchful eyes.”
Constantine sighed deeply. At this mont, he did not resemble the helmsman of a comrcial empire, but an ordinary father worried for his daughter.
“Then recently… has she been well?” His voice softened. “I an, truly well? I have not seen her for too long…”
“She appears well enough?” Eve answered uncertainly.
Privately she thought: whether his daughter felt academic pressure was unclear, but she certainly seed repressed. Yesterday she had asked to have her leg touched, and that night she had grabbed mine in return.
He rubbed his temples. “Have I been too strict? Expected too much from her?”
“You are the Hatherin Family Head. Every decision you make affects the entire family. Miss Vivian is a mber of that family and bears her responsibilities.”
After answering, Eve added, “But she should also have a life of her own.”
When Constantine lifted his teacup again, the tea had already cooled. He did not drink it, only nodded belatedly in acknowledgnt.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Then let matters take their natural course. Miss Eve may return now. Please… give Vivian my regards.”
Eve stood neatly, smoothing her skirt. “I will relay it. I take my leave.”
“Ah, wait. I nearly forgot one more matter,” Constantine called out.
Eve halted and turned back.
He walked quickly to the desk, searched the drawer, and took out a gold-embossed invitation, handing it to her. “In a few days there will be a gathering at the Perry family’s residence—mainly a eting among the younger generation of several great families. I have already replied that Vivian will attend.”
Eve accepted the invitation, lightly tracing the elegant patterns on it. The Perry family? She vaguely rembered Vivian ntioning them. In any case, it had little to do with her.
Constantine added, “Remind her to prepare properly. Those attending are heirs or promising children of the major families, including the Perry family’s eldest son. A fairly decent young man.”
“That is all. Miss Eve… you rember our agreent?”
“I will,” Eve gave her final assurance before opening the door and leaving the study.
The heavy carved double doors closed softly behind her. Only her footsteps echoed through the corridor. The maid from earlier was already waiting outside and guided her out of the residence.
Upon reaching the first-floor hall, the maid who had taken her parasol returned it. Eve nodded in thanks and stepped once more into the sunlight.
Seeing her erge, the driver imdiately threw away the half-smoked cigarette, accidentally burning his hand and hurriedly wiping it against his trousers.
After opening the car door for her, Eve sat in the rear seat and took one last look at the grand Hatherin residence.
“Miss Eve, straight back to the manor?” the driver asked, glancing into the rearview mirror as he started the engine.
“No. First, go to the JM district.”
“Yes, understood.”
……
Ti passed, and the scene returned to Morninglight Manor.
Vivian awoke naturally. She had no mind to care that it was already near noon. Instead she complained in dissatisfaction—why had a certain maid not woken her?
Under the Head Maid’s care, she had even personally selected a light dress. As for why she insisted on choosing it herself, perhaps only she knew.
The high-waisted skirt bore a slit at the hem, revealing the white lining and her rounded, silk-clad feet. Stockings were indeed a fine civilization.
“Where did Eve go?” Vivian asked while enjoying a al that served as both breakfast and lunch in the Study.
Sylvia bent slightly. “Young Miss, the Family Head summoned her to the residence.”
“What does that old fossil want with her?”
“I do not know.”
“Hmph, forget it.” Vivian toyed with her fork, then casually asked, “What about the matter I asked you to investigate earlier? Did you find anything?”
“I did. Eve is a native of Vosini, exactly twenty years old this year, height 172 centiters, bust—”
“Stop.” Vivian raised her hand impatiently, frowning. “I asked you to investigate her background. Do you hear yourself? What use is that? Why would I need her asurents?! Can you even do your job?”
Sylvia bowed slightly, calmly responding to the sudden outburst. “Young Miss, it is not that I could not find information. It is simply too clean—a complete blank. Only that she has no parents.”
Vivian did not know what to say. Her pointing hand trembled before curling into a fist and withdrawing. She exhaled and enunciated each word clearly through clenched teeth: “Besides that?”
“Mm… nothing else. If I must add sothing, she should still be a virgin.”
“......”
They stared at each other without speaking. Vivian blinked, her face clearly asking Are you serious?, while Sylvia looked entirely certain.
Suddenly Sylvia added, “No, not should be.”
Vivian’s brows lifted. Her head, which had just turned away, snapped back again. It could even be wrong?!
“It definitely is. I can guarantee it to Young Miss.”
Vivian covered her face.
Thank goodness… Wait, what am I thinking?! Whether she is or not has nothing to do with !
She shook her head vigorously, waved her hand lazily, and said, “Enough. You are dismissed. When she returns, tell her to co find .”
“Understood.”
“Wait—what was that asurent you ntioned earlier?”
“Difference between upper and lower bust: 23 centiters. Determined to be F. Young Miss need not worry; you surely still have room to grow.”
“Get out…”
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