"Let me show you around,” Jane said as she approached Zach. She pointed to a painting. "This one's Vitality by Prof. Monet. It captures what we saw deep in a tropical rainforest. Despite its calm appearance, that place was anything but peaceful.” Everyone waited, eyes fixed on Jane, anticipating a tale of a magical adventure.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"We ran into bullet ants. They're among the world's ten most venomous insects. You might mistake them for bees from afar, but they sport powerful mandibles and a venomous sting." Jane delved deeper into their time in the rainforest, touching on narrow escapes and thrilling experiences.
Hearing this, Kevin realized, "That explains Madelyn's absence. She's been adventuring with Prof. Monet's team." Jane recounted the adventures they had had. From her stories, Zach pieced together Madelyn's activities during her four-year absence. It amazed him that Madelyn, once not even trusted with a knife, had tackled such risks and returned unharmed.
Although a skeptical smirk formed on Zach's face, thinking the tales sounded stretched, he did not sweat the details.
Zach asked, "I heard Prof. Monet has four students. Is that correct?" Dorian replied, "Yes, and the youngest is Madelyn." Kevin's thoughts raced, 'ls it really her? That name is both foreign and familiar. Could the person we've been looking for all these years be right here?" Dorian added, "She stepped out to the break room. She should return shortly. Why are you interested in her?" "Just catching up,” Zach replied, anticipation clear in his voice. He glanced back, "Kevin." Kevin nodded in acknowledgment, "Got it." Clement, sensing tension, cautioned, "You can't just enter the break room uninvited." "Why not? What would happen if | did?" Zach smirked, his eyes full of mischief.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMinutes later, Kevin came down the stairs, saying, "She's not in the break room." Zach looked sharply at Clement, suspicion evident.
Striving to stay calm, Clement replied, "She must've had something important and left through the staff exit.” Without Madelyn there, Zach simply turned and left.
Jane stepped forward, "Sir, the exhibition isn't over yet. How do you know her?" Zach replied, "I'm her older brother." Dorian, Clement, and Jane exchanged puzzled looks. They did not know Madelyn had a brother; she had never mentioned him.
The only thing they knew about her personal life was her engagement to someone from the Arnold family from Ventropolis.