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Chapter_17
Simon Sunderland, sitting in his office, continued to sip his coffee, carefully choosing his words. “The Chambers family donated $15 million worth of lab equipment to the school last month, right?”
Patrick, the dean of Argrol University, had always been a man of caution. He didn’t immediately sense that Simon was aware of any wrongdoing but felt a slight unease creep in. Could Simon be onto him for pocketing some of the donation money? He quickly pushed the thought away, knowing Simon would likely not bring it up directly. “Yes, Mr. Sunderland. Everything’s in order. Is there anything else I can assist with?”
Simon didn’t respond immediately. He stared at Patrick for a moment, as if assessing him. “And the daughter they found… her name is Yvette?”
Patrick raised an eyebrow. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn. Since when had Simon become so curious about the Chambers family’s personal matters? Still, Patrick was no stranger to the political maneuverings of elite families, so he answered without hesitation. “Yes, her name is Yvette. She was recently found, and from what I hear, she hasn’t had much formal schooling. Some say she might struggle to graduate from Argrol University. Why do you ask?”
Simon’s gaze narrowed as he considered Yvette’s connection to the mysterious message he had received. The Chambers family had kept a low profile for years, and while Simon had agreed to help by enrolling their newly discovered daughter, something about this situation felt different. The name “Yvette” seemed strangely familiar, especially now that the mysterious Siren had requested that he deliver an admission notice directly to her at the Chambers residence.
Simon thought hard, trying to connect the dots. Was Yvette simply another long-lost daughter of a wealthy family, or was she something more? Was she somehow involved with Siren?
“Patrick,” Simon said, his voice steady but laced with urgency, “I need you to personally deliver this envelope to Yvette.”
Patrick, still reeling from Simon’s unexpected focus on Yvette, felt his confusion grow. “Yvette?” he asked, his tone a little incredulous. “Are you sure, Mr. Sunderland? What’s so special about her that you would personally send a letter for her?”
Simon’s gaze grew sharper, and he didn’t waste another moment. “Yes. It’s for Yvette. Do not ask any more questions—just deliver it.”
Patrick, now fully aware that something was afoot, rushed out of Simon’s office, the weight of the sealed letter heavy in his hands.
When Patrick arrived at the Chambers residence, Lucas greeted him with the courtesy that befitted his position. “What brings you here, Mr. Williams? This is quite unexpected.”
Patrick couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he saw Lucas greet him personally. He remembered the days when Zachary had sent Lucas to Argrol University to handle Yvette’s enrollment. Since then, they had established a rapport—an unspoken understanding of mutual benefit.
“Is the young lady Mr. Zachary recently found here?” Patrick asked, trying to maintain a calm exterior.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by Patrick’s question. “Why are you asking about Ms. Zeller? Is there something about her that requires your attention? Did something happen at Argrol University?”
Patrick felt uncertain about Simon’s motives. Was there something hidden beneath the surface of this seemingly simple task? He glanced at the sealed envelope in his hand, hoping it would provide answers. “I’m not entirely sure what’s going on. I’ve been sent to deliver a letter to Ms. Zeller from Mr. Sunderland.”
Lucas’s surprise was palpable. Simon Sunderland, a figure so influential in national education, had personally sent a letter for Yvette? It was enough to shake anyone’s belief. Patrick, usually a man of composure, could sense Lucas’s growing confusion.
But the news didn’t stop there. Zachary, who had been informed of Patrick’s visit by Lucas, was equally stunned. The idea of Simon Sunderland sending a letter for Yvette was incomprehensible, almost surreal. No one in Seacrity, not even the nobility of Betrico, would have believed such a thing unless they saw it for themselves.
Zachary decided it was time to check things out in person.
Inside the grand living room of the Chambers family, Patrick sat with an air of casual interest, sipping Blue Mountain Coffee. The room’s opulent antiques, each worth a small fortune, were not lost on him. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret for not negotiating a better deal when handling Yvette’s enrollment. Had he known how deep the Chambers family’s pockets ran, he might have pushed harder.
Lucas, who had observed Patrick’s greed, couldn’t hide his disdain. It was clear to him that Patrick’s true interest lay in the wealth around him, and he didn’t trust the man one bit. Nonetheless, Lucas knew how to handle such people, knowing that weaknesses would make them easier to manipulate.
Just as Patrick was beginning to speak more about Yvette, he was interrupted by a voice from the staircase.
“Looking for me?”
Patrick’s head whipped around, his sharp eyes narrowing as he saw the figure descending. Standing before him was Yvette, the very person he had been instructed to deliver the letter to.
For a moment, Patrick felt a strange chill, as if the mystery surrounding Yvette had just deepened. There was something about her, something that set off alarm bells in his mind, but he couldn’t quite figure out what. He cleared his throat and stood, his expression unreadable.
“Yes, Ms. Zeller. I have something for you,” he said, holding out the envelope.
Yvette took the letter from his hand, her eyes flickering with curiosity. “A letter from Mr. Sunderland?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Patrick nodded, his gaze not leaving her face. This was it—the moment that might reveal everything. What was Yvette’s true role in this web of secrets?
