Chapter 5

Archer froze in shock, as if struck by lightning. When he came to his senses, he grabbed Rylan's shoulders and demanded:

"Why didn't you tell me immediately that her hearing had been restored?"

"She said she wanted to surprise you and asked me not to tell you," Rylan replied, startled but truthful. "As soon as her hearing came back, she went to find you. She said she wanted to tell you in person. Didn't she find you?"

Archer recalled the events of yesterday afternoon, the things he and Swallow had said in front of me, as well as what he'd told his subordinates this morning. His heart leapt into his throat, and he immediately turned and ran towards the exit.

Violet, seeing this, quickly called out to him:

"Uncle, where are you going?"

But Archer didn't stop for her like he used to. Instead, he ran forward without looking back, even pushing Violet away when she tried to grab him.