Chapter 318 One More Surprise
"Silly girl…"
Mystro’s face broke into a gentle, doting smile. The gold medal in his hand felt heavy, warm, and comforting.
“Tilda, I’ll treasure this gold medal for my whole life,” he said seriously, slipping it carefully into his pocket.
Dane reached out and gently stroked Tilda’s head. Then, he pressed his lips lightly on the blue, diamond-studded trophy she had given him.
“Professor Kerrigan!”
River and Manfred froze, hearts racing. What if the trophy is poisoned?
“Relax,” Tilda said calmly. “I checked everything myself. There’s no problem at all."
“Well then, where’s my Christmas gift?”
Tilda held out her small hand, smiling sweetly.
Mystro said, “It’s ready too. You’ll get it back at the hotel.”
“Mine too,” Dane wrote.
Tilda rubbed her hands together. “I’m looking forward to it!”
She wasn’t lying. This Christmas wasn’t like the old, careless gifts from the Jensons or the ones picked by Kyla. This time, it was her reunited seniors–her most precious people–picking gifts with all their love for her. Just thinking about receiving such a meaningful gift made Tilda excited.
Amanda stepped closer quietly and started speaking.
“Tilda…”
Tilda turned, her tone cool and calm. “Yes? Do you need something?”
She didn’t want to take out her anger at the Jensons on innocent people, but she really didn’t want anything to do with them. She understood why Amanda had approached her anyway.
Facing Tilda’s coldness, Amanda suddenly felt weak, as if her confidence had faded. “A–aren’t you going to see Santiago?”
“I made it very clear. I’ve cut ties with the Jensons. From now on, whatever happens to them has nothing to do with me.
“Doesn’t Santiago know yet?”
“He knows… But today is Christmas, so he didn’t ask the family. He didn’t want to ruin the happy mood,” Amanda replied.
“Hah! Such a dutiful son, so thoughtful!” Tilda’s voice had a hint of sarcasm.
“Technically, I shouldn’t interfere in other people’s family matters, but Tilda… have you really reached a point of no return with the Jensons? Santiago nearly died this time, and he doesn’t know you cut ties with them. He… still cares about you. After all, you’re his missing sister of 19 years. When we hang out, he often talks about you. He wants to know more when he goes back to Cetherland.”
Even saying these words, Amanda felt they weren’t truly hers. The usually cold Amanda had hated meddling in other people’s family matters. Yet here she was, doing exactly that. Maybe she wanted to talk to Tilda more, to find a connection. She also did this for her good friend, Santiago, who didn’t know anything. These motives mixed together, leaving Amanda’s heart in a whirlwind.
“Well, it’s done. Don’t think you can save Santiago. That’s not your nature.” Tilda looked down.
She realized she had overthought it. Tilda assumed Amanda was like the person she had been in her past life. But that Tilda would never meddle in these matters.
Don’t advise others unless you’ve experienced that pain yourself. Tilda had always known that. Especially with someone else’s family! An outsider, forming her own idea after hearing only a few words from a “good friend“? Has Amanda never considered that this “good friend” might not be completely honest?
It’s been such a long time. If Santiago really wanted to know about me, then why wouldn’t he know about such a huge thing in Slosa? After all this time, he didn’t even know how to contact me. He never even spoke to me!
I’ve long since stopped thinking about the past. The Jensons aren’t worth it anymore. Saying he wants to know about me? How ridiculous! The Jensons are a bunch of clowns. Lunatics!
Tilda’s fondness for Amanda disappeared.
Amanda froze, feeling Tilda’s cold disdain. She didn’t know what to do and stammered, “I–I’m sorry… I spoke out of turn. Goodbye.” Then she left.
Dane and the others quietly watched.
After Amanda left, Mystro asked, “Tilda, now that the race is over, are we going back? Or do you want to stay a bit longer?”
“Wait a bit. I have one more surprise for you. It’s almost ready.”