A dream

Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, feeling slightly confused her eyes darted around the room. And she saw the nanny standing nearby

The Nanny noticed the movement and kept the apple she was peeling, "Good, You're awake" the Nanny said, her voice filled with relief. She had promised her boss that she would take utmost care of the young mistress. And she was not ready to fail that task as her boss could be bad-tempered when tempted. "The doctor just left, you fainted due to a very high fever. I told you to always remember to take a break."

"Oh" Evelyn confusedly replied, was that all a dream? 

"Let me get you the bowl of porridge I warmed up earlier" The Nanny stood up and left the room 

Evelyn could not help but glance around the room, her eyes darting from corner to corner hoping to find anything from the scene she had seen earlier.

But there was nothing. No sign of the figure, no indication of where it had gone, no clues. All she felt was a lingering feeling. 

Evelyn let out a weary sigh, "What was all that about?" She muttered to herself, running her hands through her through her hair. She felt like she was totally drained of energy

Suddenly, She froze. She reached up and touched her hair, realizing it was no longer glowing and was back to its natural Amythest hue, The earlier mystic glow had vanished. 

She pulled out a strand of hair hair and scrutinized it closely. Nothing out of the ordinary

Evelyn was puzzled, was it all part of her imagination? 

Evelyn rubbed her eyes and shook her hair several times, she tried to lift herself but was stopped by the nanny who had just come in. 

"Stay still" The nanny gently pushed her back, "Mr Si is back. He'll want to see you" 

"He's back!" Evelyn shot up. forgetting her weak body, she winced in pain

"Hey! Be careful" The Nanny quickly helped her back, "Be mindful of your body" 

The Nanny displeasingly chided. Evelyn didn't seem to have heard the Nanny chiding her as she recalled something. 

Her dream. Whatever it was, it was real. The image of his murderous glare still lingered in her mind. The letter… it said she killed his family then she suddenly had that dream. It wasn't just a coincidence. 

She does not believe in coincidence 

Was the letter truly from someone who cared about her safety? Or was it a ploy to draw her back to her hometown for unknown reasons? 

And the issue with the mysterious figure that just appeared and disappeared so abruptly was it connected to the letter or was it a separate entity altogether

As she closed her eyes trying to calm her racing mind, a thought suddenly struck her. 

Her eyes shot open as the thought occurred to her

What mission will require a person to use a dead man's identity? Was he… here entirely for revenge on her? 

Hold on but she didn't do anything. But, was that why she received those mysterious letters warning her to come home? 

"Miss, is the food not to your liking?" 

Evelyn forced a smile and answered weakly, "No No it's oka- 

"If it is not to her liking, cook another lightweight food" A deep voice interrupted

Evelyn looked up and saw him, she trembled slightly. "I'm not hungry…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper 

She glanced at him again and could not help but notice that he looked different from how she remembered, his features were even more defined and his eyes were more intense 

"Leave us," Sial said, his voice low and commanding. The nanny nodded and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her 

Silence filled the room as Sial silently gazed at her. Evelyn nervously fidgeted, as she gazed around the room 

Finally, Sial spoke,"You look pale" he noted, his voice betraying no hint of emotions. 

Evelyn was startled. She hadn't expected him to speak so casually, especially given the tension between them.

"I-I've been feeling unwell," she stammered. "A fever, the nanny said."

"You look like you've been through a lot more than just a fever," he remarked dryly

Evelyn's cheeks flushed as she fidgeted even more under his intense gaze. 

"I'm fine," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Just a little tired, that's all."

Sial raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. But didn't utter anything further.

He finally got a lead on his mission, he knew he didn't kill his family he was sure of it. Now he got a lead on the Shen Family. He was able to come back now but didn't go the organization straight as he usually did. The time apart made him realize he might have let in a feeling in him. 

So he came back immediately afterwards, he was self-aware and knew what it was.

But being back he noticed Evelyn wasn't entirely herself, she was timid with him. The former Evelyn won't waste a minute to disregard him in any way she can.

But this… She seemed scared of him

Why? 

"Alright, take a nap. I'll go wash up" he said simply, his voice cold. 

Evelyn was relieved when she saw him leaving. She heaved a sigh of relief. Exhaustion washed over her and she didn't know when she fell back to sleep

In her sleep, she had the same dream… The burnt house, the murderous glare and the same scene turned over into the conversation she had with the mysterious figure but each time she tried to ask the crucial question he vanished. 

The same happens whenever she tries to sleep. 

….

It was morning, and Evelyn stared blankly at the window with a deranged look. She had not been able to sleep. What was happening?

She looked even more pale and weak 

She shifted her hair from her face not noticing the strange ashy strand of hair 

"Good morning Miss" The nanny walked in with a bowl of porridge, "Mr Si asked me to take you out on a walk after your meal" 

Evelyn glanced up blankly, She stretched out her hands and collected the bowl quietly 

The nanny watched, her expression sympathetic 

Evelyn quickly finished her meal. With the Nanny's help, Evelyn slowly stood up from the bed, her legs felt unsteady. 

"Take it easy" the nanny cautioned, " if you want to get better you need to rest" 

Evelyn nodded absentmindedly, why did she suddenly have a fever? Yeah, her schedule was messed up and she pulls all-nighters in the company but she takes care of herself well lest she falls ill and Huifeng start another scheme. 

Evelyn sighed, She carefully made her way through the hallway with the nanny walking beside her. They approached the front door and Evelyn saw Sial on the desk she placed in a corner. He was sitting on a chair, the desk was littered with documents and maps. 

His gaze flickered as he saw them. Evelyn could not help but avoid his gaze. Sial's expression hardened. He observed lately how she always avoids his gaze 

The nanny nodded at him, "We'll take the short walk" 

Sial simply grunted out a reply and they walked out