When they were done, Lucinda slowly put her plan into motion.
She sent out invitations to gather fashionable ladies for a tea party at the Garden Hotel.
Meanwhile, Cyrus returned to the Simmonsâ house.
He hadnât gone there since his fatherâs passing and had been residing in another house he purchased.
It had been a long while since he had seen Graham, and he was surprised to learn that Graham had fallen seriously ill.
Violeta guided him to Grahamâs room, explaining as they walked, âGraham used to kneel on the floor and read the Bible all night, even when the weather is extremely cold.
His knees ache every time it rains or when the seasons change.
His voice is now raspy, and thereâs little we can do to help.
â
Cyrus sighed and said, âEverything that happened was largely orchestrated by Valerie.
Although he made mistakes, Lucinda didnât hold it against him too much.
Why is he tormenting himself like this Violeta replied sadly, âItâs all in the past.
Letâs not dwell on it.
â
He nodded and followed her upstairs but couldnât help asking about Valerie, âIs Graham still searching for Valerie? Howâs that going?
Any information on her?â
As they walked up the stairs, Violeta responded, âYour brother sent out two teams of his soldiers to search for Valerie, but they couldnât locate her.
Itâs uncertain if sheâs still alive.
â
Cyrus contemplated this and replied, âOnly the living can hide.
We canât confirm her death without seeing her body.
â
Violeta disagreed.
âGrahamâs men mentioned there are large dogs in the villages downstream of the river.
The river was flowing fast as Valerie was shot.
She might have died and her body could have been consumed by those dogs.
â
After a momentâs pause, Cyrus went on, âItâs none of my business if she is alive or dead, as long as she doesnât bother Lucinda.
And she can never return to the Simmons family.
Her fate is sealed in the cemetery.
I have just one sister.
â
In that neglected cemetery rested those bodies unclaimed by their relatives, alone and isolated.
Violeta nodded in agreement.
They both conversed until they got to the master bedroom.
Upon opening the door, Cyrus laid
eyes on the man propped against the headboard.
Grahamâs frequent pain had taken a toll on him, leaving him visibly frail, haggard, and pale.
He looked like a shadow of his former self.
Having not seen him for a considerable time, Cyrus could hardly recognize him.
There was no way he could link this man before him to the once powerful and prosperous captain Graham used to be.
Taken aback, Cyrus took a seat, struggling to explain his visit.
âDid you come to me about the Shaw familyâs return banquet that held two days ago?â Graham asked.
He sounded hoarse and unpleasant.
Cyrus was momentarily stunned.
When he looked into Grahamâs eyes, he saw that Graham had grown even older.
Concealing his own rising sadness, he nodded and explained, âWe suspect that Mekhi has harmed Noelle and is holding her captive.
Lucinda is going to try every means to check on her.
Thatâs why Iâve come to seek your help.
â