Chapter 41

Miranda had taken some photos of Winter. In one, Winter had just gotten off the roller coaster, looking as if she’d escaped with her life. Miranda laughed.

She scrolled to the end. The last photo was a solo shot of her. Before closing the app, she noticed two familiar figures in the background.

She pursed her lips. Winter had probably included Hansel and Ingrid accidentally. She was the main subject; they were supposed to be background. However, seeing the couple holding hands behind her, it looked as if she had barged into their world.

“Martha!” Hansel shouted, clutching his stomach. His face was pale.

However, there was no response in the quiet mansion. He had been awakened by pain early that morning. Sharp pangs of pain radiated from his stomach, and chills wracked his body. He felt nauseous but couldn’t vomit.

He was familiar with this feeling. His gastric issues were acting up. He remembered having stomach pain medicine at home. He ransacked his cupboards, trying to recall where it was kept.

Finally, he found a box, but it was empty. Resisting the pain, he called Zoe. “Bring some stomach pain medicine to the mansion.”

Zoe didn’t hesitate. She rushed to the pharmacy, picked up a box, and sped to the mansion. There, she found Hansel sitting silently on the couch, pale and sweating profusely.

“Mr. Johnson, here’s the medicine.”

Hansel took the tablets and swallowed them with water.

“Do you want something to eat?”

Hansel waved his hand. “You can go.”

*** Video Bonus ***

Zoe let out a breath and left silently. However, less than an hour later, Hansel called again. “What kind of medicine did you get me? It’s completely useless! How could you mess up something as simple as buying medicine? Are you illiterate or blind?”

He wanted to control his emotions, but the unrelenting abdominal pain made it difficult to avoid a rage. Looking at the box on the coffee table, he realized it wasn’t the medicine he usually took. No wonder it was ineffective.

“I’m sorry for not knowing your usual medicine, Mr. Johnson. What brand would you like me to buy?”

Staring at the box, Hansel’s mind went blank. Miranda used to prepare his medicine; he’d never paid attention to the brand or manufacturer. It always worked immediately.

Thinking this, he hung up in irritation and looked up Miranda’s number.

“I’m sorry, the number you are calling is currently busy…”

He grimaced, remembering she’d blocked him.

At that moment, he heard the door open. It was Martha, returning from grocery shopping. Hansel disliked outsiders in the house, so she came and went at the same time each day. She was about to begin cleaning when she saw a tall figure approaching.

“Martha, where’s your phone?”

Martha was shocked by his pale face. “Mr. Johnson, are you alright?”

Hansel, already irritated, said impatiently, “Give me your phone. I want to make a call.”

He didn’t hesitate. He typed a number with familiarity. The line connected. “What’s the matter, Martha?”

Before hearing her voice, he’d planned to ask if she was finished with her tantrum and when she planned to return to the mansion.

+15 Bonus

But those words were stuck in his throat. He could only manage a quiet, “I’m having gastric issues again.”