Mistaken Match: Marrying the Enigmatic CEO
Chapter 1979; Echoes of Forgotten Past
“I’m alright,” Gwain insisted, though Yuna could quickly tell he wasn’t. He wasn’t about to back down.
He wondered, How could I possibly admit to the woman I love that I, once the best, have repeatedly suffered defeat? Would she still admire the same way if she knew? “Okay, as long as you’re fine,” Yuna responded gently.
Changing the subject, she suggested, “How about we see Aunt Isabella?” Gwain hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. He dreaded the idea. I really don’t want to run into Santiago and Yorick again, but I need answers. Who are they, and why are they after me? His resolve hardened. Once I’ve mastered the Dragon Tome, I’ll settle the score.
Meanwhile, Shane and his group followed Santiago into a room in a cozy wooden house at the Magnolia Theater, “Mr. Santiago, Maestro Moretti would like to share some tea with you and catch up,” one of Isabella’s female disciples welcomed kindly. Then she turned to Shane and the rest.
“The three of you, come with us.” Shane snapped, “That’s not happening! There are bad guys out there trying to take Roselynn. If we leave without Master, they could grab her anytime!”
The disciple reassured him, “You’ll be safe with us. No one dares cause trouble on Maestro Moretti’s turf.”
Santiago gave them a wave. “Go on. The brat from the Lannister family wouldn’t dare start anything in the Magnolia Theater.”
“Okay,” Roselynn reluctantly agreed, dragging Shane along.
Clearly, this meeting meant a lot to Santiago, and everyone knew Isabella had profound ties to his late wife. Even though they were curious, it was apparent they didn’t belong in that conversation.
As escorted outside, they unexpectedly ran into Gwain in the front yard. Shane froze while Gwain’s eyes locked on Roselynn. To him, she was the key to unlocking the Dragon Tome and turning his life around. Yet he was on Isabella’s turf now, and Santiago’s presence made him cautious. He couldn’t make a move.
Then, the two groups passed by without a word.
A moment later, Lady Rosa and several other disciples stepped forward, stopping Gwain and Yuna. “Apologies, but we’re hosting two important guests, and no one else is permitted inside.”
“I’m Yuna Tanner, Maestro Moretti’s niece. Why can’t I see her?” Yuna asked, her voice icy.
Lady Rosa gave a soft laugh. “Maestro Moretti left all her family ties behind years ago. She only keeps connections with her disciples. Family doesn’t mean anything anymore.”
Yuna’s frustration was clear, but she couldn’t argue. All she could do was wait outside with Gwain.
Inside, Yorick and his tiger, Simba, sat drinking tea in one of the rooms. The house’s layout was such that the rooms were on opposite sides, with only the central hall between them. Though they couldn’t see each other, Yorick and Santiago could feel the other’s presence.
Santiago took a long sip of wine, wiped his mouth, and smirked. “So, you’ve finally come out after hiding for two decades?” Putting down his cup, Yorick calmly replied, “I wasn’t hiding. I was fulfilling a promise. Now that the time’s right, I’m back.”
“A promise? To her?” Santiago’s tone grew sharp.
“Um. She’s the only person I’d ever make a promise to,” Yorick responded, his gaze distant.
Santiago scoffed. “Don’t act like you cared for her! You’re the one who killed her!” Yorick said nothing, refusing to deny or confirm it.
“I’ll make you pay for that!” Santiago suddenly shouted, gripping his wine jug tightly, ready to throw it hard enough to smash through the walls.
Before he could, a calm, graceful voice echoed through the house. “Who’s threatening to break my place?” Santiago froze as a familiar figure stepped into the hall, pulling him back into old memories.
Yorick lowered his cup, watching the figure enter.
Her delicately painted face radiated elegance, and her sharp, lively eyes seemed to see straight through people. She scanned between the two men, both legends in their own right, and her presence brought an instant calm to the room. Every move she made was full of grace and poise.
Santiago’s emotions swirled, and he muttered under his breath, “What a shame… what a shame…”
“What’s a shame?” Isabella asked, though she already knew. Her words hit Santiago right where it hurt.
He let out a bitter laugh. “It’s a shame that the person standing here now isn’t the same as the one from back then. And Jane… well, she’s not you, Isabella. No matter how much you look alike, you’re not the same person.” Isabella smiled softly.
“Santiago, haven’t you realized that by now? Are you still hoping Jane will return alive?”