Chapter 347
Memories flooded back.
Fragmented images flashed through her mind.
Irene Valdemar remembered those tear-filled eyes.
They had appeared in her nightmares countless times.
Her voice was hoarse. "Emilia's kidnapping was done by rivals."
"Why blame me?"
"Just because I went out with her that day?"
"Is that fair?"
Her eyes were vacant. "If I had been the one taken."
"Would I be the one remembered now?"
Tears streamed down continuously.
She sank into deep self-blame.
Sebastian Evans watched his mother.
His heart softened eventually.
Remembering his grandmother's recent interest.
He suggested softly. "Grandma has become obsessed with a mystery novel lately."
"It's called 'The Seven-Day Tale'."
"If we could get a signed copy from the author."
"Especially a personalized one."
"She would be very happy."
Irene's eyes immediately lit up.
He quickly added. "You know Grandma's temperament."
"It's best to take it step by step."
"Tell me first after you get the book."
"I'll arrange it."
To avoid backfiring.
"Got it, got it." Irene couldn't wait.
Wasn't it just a signed book?
Anything money could solve wasn't a problem.
Sebastian hesitated to speak.
He ultimately chose silence.
His assistant called about urgent documents.
He hurried to the company.
Irene summoned the butler.
"Find me a copy of 'The Seven-Day Tale'."
"I want the author's personal signature."
"Preferably a personalized one."
"Spend whatever it takes to get it."
The butler asked cautiously. "What should the personalized message say?"
Irene thought for a moment. "Just write some blessings."
"Good health and long life."
Elderly people loved hearing such things.
The butler nodded and noted it down.
He immediately set to work.
...
The end of the semester approached.
The Plant Quarantine course had a practical exam.
This time, it wasn't a written test.
It was a field specimen collection.
Grades were based on collection results.
This counted as the final grade.
Sophia Sullivan was in a group with Marcus Lawrence and Hannah Morse.
The teacher notified the meeting location in the group chat.
Sophia arrived fifteen minutes early.
Only a few scattered students were at the school gate.
The college had arranged five buses.
The first four had already departed.
The last one was for first-year graduate students.
Classmates arrived one after another.
Marcus was still on his way.
Hannah habitually arrived at the last minute.
Sophia looked down at her watch.
She occasionally glanced up searching for her companions.
Her gaze collided with someone else's in the crowd.
Cool peach-blossom eyes held a probing look.
Sophia was slightly taken aback.
Across the crowd.
Fiona Valentine gave her a polite smile.
Ashley Lowell and Amelia Roscente surrounded her.
They seemed to be asking something.
Ashley's attitude was aloof.