can't help but overthink my situation. I suddenly want to speak with Oliver to apol
? What's the point of talking to me if he will fire me, anyway? Though I remember that he has every reason
ther sculpture
ing in. Open the door and sit in the chair provided." Her face is stone-cold. She is looking at the
might be a chance I won't
ce vanishes slowly whe
ring to. It's probably the simplest door inside the mansion. It's flat white without any
front of me. There is nothing on the walls, and everything is painted
room for criminals. I knew he was a bit eccentric, but this co
? Then I remember what Oliver told me before. He
on the desk
is pounding abnormally. All I can think about is running for my
ce suddenly says loudly. I look up and find a
ould only chew my nervousness like a d
in, and honestly, his voice doesn't sound
hits me. How does he
e. He can see how ne
e chair and sit down. I
to your ear so I can hea
hite wireless telephone, then
m the speakers and not through the telepho
randon Lucien? I'm beginning to doubt it. What
ises, is definitely the man with whom I've worked the past month-which means this man over the phone is indeed th
hy did you com
. "I was lost," I answer, not
t your reason was, you still broke
r. "I'm sorry. It'
r reason. It's a pity. I find you talented," he
my mouth instantly. "Sorry." I
m getting used to your little notes. I like the
u would at least
despise the most are absent-minded people." There is a long pause on his end. "But I need so
from me?" What else can someone like me gi
u. I'm sure Oliver alre
... he
if you give me what I need. That is your only chance, Miss Hart, a
now. Here I can cook to my heart's content, and I have a boss who helps me learn so much a
ve me good compensation. May
"What is it that yo
why you are
er reasons tha
eant it when he said I was chosen. He meant it when he s
on the desk suddenly turns on. An image of me
er in Venice after graduating from the institute in Kansas. I enrolled in a six-mont
u want from
at I need from you. I want you to tell me where she is," he demands, li
ire me f
't think I c
y n
" I half-lie. I do know where she is. I've spoken to her after I left the training school, and she's p
No normal person would speak only on a
eceive better compensa
g information like that to a stranger is illeg
think I could be
epeats, sound
ame. Lucia.
e says in a low tone but a little exasper
y would she
nnette Teller. She's Italian no
n than he already had. "What? I'm n
When was the last time
don't know."
He exhales. "Miss Hart, if you can just tell me eve
he mentioned isn't just a few dollars. I suddenly imagine living in a mansion like this with my twelve siblin
e thing I learned from my mother; money shouldn
answer firmly, "I don
need medical attention? Neurom
w that?" I almost squeal angrily.
who can do research, Mi
up to thi
wer the q
d. "Yes, s
of twenty thousa
ts were because of my mother's medication too
that's
ell me something useful. I'll pay for your mother's medication, settle your debts
eet as heaven, but this man i
elittling
stating
just now? Why not when I started working here? It doesn't m
ling yourself. I did s
e. I can't help you with that
eless," he says. "You are rig