âLetâs see if anyone sparks a memory. Otherwise, all our efforts will have been for naught,â Lucy suggested. Cheriseâs lips pressed into a thin line as she settled back onto the bed, resuming her.
examination of the photos.
As daylight waned and the room darkened with the onset of evening, Cherise noticed the fading.
sunlight giving way to the encroaching night. By eight oâclock at night, Lucyâs persistent yawns betrayed her fatigue. After hours spent poring over the photographs, Cheriseâs breakthrough came unexpectedly.
She identified a figure in one of the books with a pointed finger. âI remember him,â she declared. âI recall his name, and I remember he once lent me a hand.â
Lucyâs expression soured as she glanced at the page subconsciously, her disbelief evident as she covered her face with her hands in frustration. âAfter all this time, you only remember one person?â
Cherise nodded solemnly. âIt appears so.â
âVery well,â Lucy sighed, closing the book and tucking it away. âIâll have a word with Damien and see if we can arrange for this individual to be released from the mental institution.â
As Lucy departed. Cherise remained seated, her gaze following the woman until she disappeared.
Then, realization struck, causing her eyes to widen in astonishment. âM-mental institution?â
Yes. Lucy confirmed, reopening the door at the sound of Cheriseâs startled voice. She offered a reassuring smile. âHeâs the only person you remember. Even if heâs currently confined, Damien will see to his release. Lucyâs expression softened, a faint smile gracing her lips. âI just⦠worry that Mr. Lenoir will have to go through quite a hassle.
Lucyâs voice trailed off her words hanging in the air, leaving Cherise puzzled over her cryptic statement.
âIn my recollection⦠lan was a standout student. How could he possibly end up in a mental institutionâ¦â
âBecause he desired something he shouldnât have,â Lucy clarified with a subtle smile before departing.
leaving Cherise still befuddled by the revelation.
Cherise contemplated chasing after Lucy for clarification, but her intentions wer vigilant bodyguards stationed at the door. âMrs. Lenoir,â they interjected, raising her, âPlease donât put us in a difficult position.
Cherise fell silent and resigned to the situation. Fine. wonât put them in a difficult posi stuck in this challengingsituation.
Retreating to her room, Cherise stretched out on the bed, her senses attuned to the fain downstars.
With the villaâs impeccable soundproofing, she strained to discern Damienâs teed with a hint of self-
deprecation. The current Cherise remained unaware of lanâs fate Leo. Teratone Dannienâs role in orchestrating lanâs admission to the mental institution.
The commotion downstairs persisted for a long time. After more than half an hour, the faint s Euer departure could be heard from outside. Another half hour clapsed before the measured. footsteps of a man ascended the stairs and approached Cheriseâs room.
adversary, maintaining an air of indifference toward him. However, today⦠Lucyâs words lingered, subtly influencing her thoughts. Even if Lucyâs assertions were untrue, Cherise couldnât continue treating Damien as an enem Moreover, her attention was drawn to the black silk cloth resting in the corner of the desk. Last nightâs dream⦠Lost in contemplation, Cherise was jolted from her reverie by the nearing footsteps of the man. As they halted outside her door, she could distinctly discern his deep voice asking the bodyguard about her.
Feeling a surge of unease, Cherise hastily scrambled onto the bed, pulling the blanket over herself to feign slumber.
Once the bodyguard updated Damien on Cheriseâs condition, he gracefully opened the door and entered the room.