Nathaniel Summers stood still like a spellbound man, staring blankly at the mage.
âWhat do you mean by⦠haunts proliferating?â he asked.
The mage was slightly taken aback, then replied, âThe Five Yin Tree in the back garden is cunningly positioned, as if someone intended to nurture malevolent entities deliberately.â
Dylan Summers hurriedly interjected, âNo, no, that was planted by my unaware younger brother, just for noveltyâs sake. How could our family possibly harbor anything malevolent! Mage, what do you suggest we do? Could you help us set up a geomancy formation? The kind that ensures safety and seeks fortune.â
âWhichever geomancy formation we use, weâll need to deal with those trees first; otherwise, itâll be difficult to proceed,â the mage said.
Dylan Summers nodded, âIâll have someone cut down the trees in a moment.â
âCut down what?!â Nathaniel Summers, for some reason, suddenly exploded in anger, shouting sharply, âItâs all utter nonsense! Ghosts, malevolence! Itâs all jibber-jabber!â
Nathaniel Summers had always been gentle and courteous. As a child, he was a shy and lovely boy, and as an adult, he became a reserved and handsome man. He was accustomed to keeping things to himself and rarely lost his temper.
When a man known for his patience suddenly lashed out in anger, Dylan Summers was instantly stunned, taking a long while to regain his composure.
âNathaniel, are you⦠alright?â Dylan Summers asked with concern, suspecting that Nathaniel might have been upset by something that happened outside.
Darkness lurked in the depths of Nathanielâs eyes, impenetrable and dense.
His demeanor was glum, and the gaze he cast upon others seemed filled with loathing, his words deliberate and staccato, âThere are no evil spirits here, and thereâs no need to cut down the trees! Please take your leave, mage!â
The mage, accustomed to frequenting the homes of the wealthy and receiving respect, had his pride. Treated in such a manner by Nathaniel, he left immediately with a darkened expression and a flick of his sleeve.
âAh! Mage, mage!⦠Robby, go send him off!â Dylan Summers quickly called a servant to escort the visitor, then turned back to Nathaniel and sighed, âNathaniel, whatâs gotten into you today? I specifically requested the mage from the Jade Green Templeâ¦â
Before he could finish, he caught Nathanielâs icy gaze and involuntarily fell silent, gazing at him with bewilderment.
Nathaniel seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, his thin lips pressed into a firm line, his deep-set eyes stark with a fierceness.
Without a word, he strode downstairsâ
The sound of his footsteps echoing on the staircase was both swift and heavy, conveying an irrevocable decisiveness.
â¦
Nathaniel Summers went to the western-style building.
Purple Summers was reviewing her books, finding the sound of footsteps odd, and thought to herself, Why is Alexander Summers back so early today?
As she turned her head, she saw Nathaniel standing at her bedroom door.
Purple Summers furrowed her brows slightly, looking coldly at Nathaniel.
Nathaniel was also looking at her, with smoldering, restrained fury in his eyes!
âCome out.â His voice was as low as could be, like dark clouds pressing down, ââ¦We need to talk about some things.â
Purple Summers watched him warily.
There was something off about Nathaniel today, and Purple Summers didnât want to go out with him.
Just as she was about to refuse, she heard Nathanielâs cutting tone: âOr, we could talk here, about how you went from being Suzanne Saunders to Purple Summers!â
Purple Summers was shocked.
It was as if someone had struck her head with a hammer, leaving her brain buzzing, momentarily blank.
However, as she slowly regained her senses, she felt that it was an eventuality.
Others might be able to hide throughout their lives, but Nathaniel had once been her husband, her most familiar bedfellowâhow could she hide from him forever?
Purple Summers regained her composure.
She would have to face it sooner or later, deal with it sooner or later.
âLetâs talk outside,â she said, standing and stepping out of the room.
She didnât want to cause a scene, nor did she want to argue with Nathaniel there. Any word or phrase overheard could spell endless trouble.
They went downstairs, one after the other.
In the living room, Atra Blanc turned her head at the sound and glanced in their direction. Seeing them, she looked somewhat puzzled. Just as Atra Blanc was about to ask where they were going, Purple Summers looked up and flashed her a smile.
Atra Blanc also smiled back, choosing not to inquire further.