Chapter 21

Oblivious to the odd expressions on everyone’s faces, Malcolm and urgency was as clear as day in their eyes “Mr. Bryant, we really want to apologize to Master Bryant in person. Could you, perhaps, let us meet with her?” they pleaded.

Clifford opened his mouth as if to speak, but it took him a moment to find his voice, sounding somewhat dumbfounded, “Winnie is not here.”

At his words, Malcolm and Carola seemed to panic, pressing him for answers, “Has Master Bryant not returned yet? When will she be back? Maybe we could wall for her here?”

In the living room, the Bryant family all briefly showed a flash of embarrassment.

How could they explain that Winnie had moved out and wouldn’t be returning today?

With Malcolm and Carola growing more anxious by the second, especially as the Bryant family remained silent, they called out more insistently, “Mr. Bryant!”

Just as Clifford was about to respond, Horace stepped forward, “Winnie probably won’t be back today. Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez, if you are in a hurry, perhaps I can contact Winnie for you. If she’s available, I can take you to see her.”

Their faces lit up at the offer. “That would be wonderful,” Malcolm said, forgoing any pretense of politeness. “We’d really appreciate that.”

Horace nodded, smiling, and stepped aside to make a phone call. Returning shortly after, he announced, “Winnie says she’s aware of your visit and is on her way to the Sanchez family. You can meet and talk there.”

Relieved and overjoyed to hear that Winnie was willing to meet at the Sanchez family, Malcolm and Carola didn’t bother with further pleasantries with the Bryant family and promptly took their leave.

Horace followed them out, clearly concerned about Winnie dealing with the Sanchez family alone. Malcolm, preoccupied with his urgent matters, paid little mind to this.

It wasn’t until their car disappeared into the night that the Bryant family realized the urgency the situation.

of “Could something have happened to Ms. Sanchez for them to be in such a rush to find Winnie?” Janet said with palpable concern Clifford deepened his frown, his demeanor grave. “It must be something serious.” He replied. And most likely, it was the very issue Winnie had predicted.

The drive to the opulent Sanchez family took over half an hour, given its distance from Silver Lake Manor. Malcolm, Carola and Horace arrived just as Winnie reached the grand entrance.

12:18 Despite Malcolm having heard from his wife about the Bryant family’s recently found Winnie, he was still taken aback by her youthful and demure appearance.

Carola, on the other hand, shed all previous formalities, her eyes filled with eagerness as they fell on Winnie “Master Bryant, I was rash today. Thank you for still being willing to come,” Carola said earnestly.

Winnie, having made the effort to come, had no intention of posturing. “Let’s go inside,” she suggested simply.

The Sanchezes wasted no time ushering Winnie in, explaining the day’s events as they walked.

“Lucy usually goes for a stroll in the community playground after her afternoon nap. You warned us this morning, and it’s my fault for not taking it seriously. I let Lucy go out anyway. and she went missing somehow. At first, I thought it was a kidnapping… But within ten minutes, security found her by the fountain. I thought we were in the clear, but soon after getting home, Lucy passed out. No matter how much we tried, we couldn’t wake her. The family doctor couldn’t find anything wrong Carola paused, her voice betraying her worry and distress, then looked to Winnie, “With no other options, we were preparing to take Lucy to the hospital for a thorough check–up. That’s when, while lifting her, something fell from her body.”

That object was the very reason Carola had sought out Winnie again.

It was the Amulet Winnie had left behind. Carola had intended to throw it away, but Lucy. finding it amusing, had secretly picked it up and hidden it.

It had fallen from Lucy, now broken and burned yet oddly retaining its original form.

At that moment, the housekeeper recognized it and reminded her.

It seemed to be the Amulet Winnie had left behind, identified by its unique appearance.

Upon further inspection, Carola found no burns on Lucy.

As a staunch believer in science and materialism, Carola never put stock in supernatural beliefs and was at a loss over such matters.

It was Adelina, who had recently taken an interest in spiritual teachings, speculated the Amulet broke because it warded off evil, but with Lucy still unconscious, it meant the evil force lingered. They had to consult a spiritual expert.

It was then that Carola remembered Winnie, fearful that her earlier dismissal might have caused bad blood, prompting her to make amends.

For the safety of Lucy, Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez were ready to set aside their pride. Winnie could tell that the Sanchez family’s care for Lucy was genuine, and she spoke up to reassure them, “Don’t worry, Ms. Sanchez has luck that lasts a lifetime. Even if she’s facing 12:18 some losses now, she’ll come through unscathed.”

As they conversed, the group had made their way to the second floor of the villa.

Upon opening the door, they were greeted by a burst of flame shooting straight at them.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez recoiled in shock. Malcolm instinctively pulled Carola back, Horace, trailing behind, had the urge to shield Winnie. But before he could act, Winnie simply raised her hand and waved, then the oncoming flame vanished instantly.

Before Mr.

Mrs. Sanchez could marvel at Winnie’s swift action, their attention turned to the scene inside the room.

Lucy’s room had been transformed into a makeshift altar. At the forefront stood a middle–aged man in a robe, wielding a Palo Santo stick and chanting, slashing through the air.

The flame that greeted them upon entering was a result of his ritual.

Even though Malcolm had suspected his daughter might have encountered something supernatural, the sight of this overtly mystical setup made a vein on his forehead twitch in irritation.

He turned to Adelina in the room, seeking an explanation with a hint of helplessness in his voice, “Mom, what’s going on here?”

The room’s other occupant was the Sanchez family’s matriarch, Adelina, a well–to–do and plump elderly lady. Upon hearing her son, she hurried over to explain. “Didn’t we think that Lucy had a run–in with something foul? So, I called in a favor from a reputable spiritualist. Don’t worry. He assured me it’s nothing serious. Once he’s done with the ritual, Lucy will wake up and might even end up a bit sharper.”

Carola felt embarrassed. “Mom, didn’t I tell you that Malcolm and I were going to consult a spiritualist?*

It was embarrassing to engage two spiritualists at once. Even without deep knowledge of occult practices, Carola knew it wasn’t ideal.

Adelina, however, seemed unconcerned. “What’s the harm in getting a second opinion?! wouldn’t bother if it weren’t for our darling Lucy.”

Her gaze then drifted to Winnie and Horace, suspicion evident in her eyes.

She recognized Horace as the heir of the Bryant family. Obviously, the so–called spiritualist wasn’t him, so it must be the young lady by his side.

Frowning slightly, she questioned, “Is this the spiritualist you found? A young girl ”

Her tone was laced with disdain for Winnie’s youth.

Winnie raised an eyebrow. Since when did the spiritual community start favoring men over women?