Laura Summers’s words did not inspire much trust in Nathaniel Summers, but neither could he pretend he had not heard them.
If someone indeed attempted to murder Laura, the matter needed to be taken seriously. Who would be so bold as to target the life of the Summers family’s daughter? Was Purple Summers the mastermind behind it all?
Nathaniel decided it was time for a little probing.
Two days later, Purple and Atra Blanc made preparations to depart for the island.
Alexander Summers had arranged everything; they just needed to get the house in order.
The trip would last at least half a month, and Cleo and Tiny were definitely coming along. Atra asked the servant to regularly water the flowers inside the house and had left enough food for the stray cat that lingered by the back gate of the garden. Despite these measures, she still felt uneasy.
She always felt like there was something she had not prepared for.
Atra had lived in this little western-style house for so long that the prospect of leaving it for a time made her feel very uncomfortable, even somewhat dazed.
When one feels dazed, it is easy to misplace things or forget them altogether.
“I think I forgot the fresh bass I bought in the kitchen with Sister Zayna,” Atra said as she turned to leave.
Purple stopped Atra, “I’ll go, Mom. You’ve already been back and forth several times…”
She changed her shoes and went out, wondering, “Mom, why don’t you just have the kitchen staff buy the groceries in the future? Why bother doing it yourself? It’s such a hassle.”
“They can’t pick fish and would buy the wrong kind,” Atra explained. “Only when you pick it yourself can you get something that truly satisfies.”
Purple smiled, finished putting on her shoes, and left.
After retrieving the fish from the kitchen, she encountered Nathaniel on her way back.
Purple intended to pretend she hadn’t seen him, but Nathaniel blocked her path and greeted her with an indifferent tone, “Purple.”
“Nathaniel, you’re back,” Purple responded nonchalantly, “Is Laura feeling better?”
“It’s been off and on, but she’s doing better than she was at home, so she stayed in Scenton for continuing treatment,” Nathanial’s gaze fell on the fish in her hand. “Are you having fish today?”
“Not for today,” Purple said. “My mom’s worried about me getting allergies from the seafood on the island, so she prepared some freshwater fish to take with us.”
Nathaniel was aware that their family was spending the New Year on the island.
He smiled and said, “Aunt Atra is always so thorough, but even at the island, there will be freshwater fish for sale, won’t there?”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Purple repeated what Atra had said earlier. “Only the fish you pick yourself are truly satisfying.”
After speaking, Purple moved past Nathaniel, carrying the fish, when he suddenly said, “By the way, Emilia O’Connor got married last month. Did you know about this?”
Purple stumbled in her step.
Nathaniel questioned, “What’s the matter? Don’t you remember? Emilia was your psychiatrist, the person you trusted the most. It seems you haven’t been in touch with her recently?”
“…Once you’re cured, there’s naturally no need to keep seeing the doctor,” Purple replied calmly. “I had no idea that Dr. O’Connor got married. I must congratulate her someday and wish her and her spouse a happy marriage.”
Nathaniel was silent for a moment and then nodded, “Yes, she has helped you a lot. It really is a time for congratulations.”
Purple walked away with the fish.
Returning, she handed the fish over to Atra.
Atra immediately cleaned the fish, then put it in a container for quick freezing. Purple leaned by the kitchen door, recalling Nathaniel’s words and actions, feeling something strange about them.
She said to the busy Atra, “Mom, did you know that Dr. O’Connor is married?”
“Really? When did it happen?” Atra responded familiarly, “She finally got married. She had a foreign boyfriend and they had been dating for many years.” Purple was stunned, “She… she had a boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Atra turned with a smile at her, “Let’s prepare a wedding gift for her before we go. She’s been a big help to us in the past.”