<b>Chapter </b><b>494 </b>
“Some kid just jumped into the pool out of nowhere. If the staff hadn’t spotted him, he would’ve drowned,” someone said.
“That kid’s mother is demanding the manor take responsibility,” someone else added.
“Didn’t the cameras show he jumped in by himself?” a person asked.
Another one muttered, “Who knows? That kid nearly drowned a little girl this afternoon. Probably just karma catching up with him.”
As Aria and the others left the private dining room after dinner, they happened to overhear the discussion.
Pearl’s hand hanging by her side instinctively clenched, but rxed a secondter,
The butler wiped the sweat from his forehead and nced at Aria cautiously, thinking, ‘How unlucky it is to run into this kind of trouble on Ms. Saxon’s first day here.‘
He said carefully, “Ms. Saxon, this was truly an ident. We have no idea why that child suddenly jumped into the pool. Mr. Dous personally escorted him to the hospital, and fortunately, his condition isn’t life–threatening.”
After a pause, he added, “Tonight’s scheduled performance has been canceled and reced by a fountain show at eight.”
Aria’s gaze swept over the group deep in discussion. As she withdrew her gaze, she inadvertently caught <b>a </b>glimpse of Pearl and paused briefly.
‘Pearl seems a bit nervous,‘ Aria thought.
“So, how about we catch the fountain show at eight?” s she asked.
Owen said, “Sounds good.”
Lily also agreed, “Count me in!”
The butler held up his iPad. He swiped through the screen to show them pictures and exined, “The sun is about to set. There’s a breathtaking sunset glow on the west side of the manor, perfect for photos. You can head over there now.
“There’s a pristine spring in the back hills of the estate, and the water there is crystal clear. That area belongs to the manor and is normally off–limits to guests, but Ms. Song, you could take the two youngdies there tomorrow for some leisure time. There’s also camping and BBQ…”
Aria looked at Lily and Pearl, asking, “Would you both like to check it out?”
Lily immediately replied, “Absolutely!”
Pearl seemed to snap out of her thoughts. A beat toote, she nodded reflexively. “Me too,” she said.
Aria cast a subtle nce at Pearl, then smiled at the butler. “Let’s go with your arrangements,” she said.
The butler replied respectfully. “Okay, Ms. Saxon.”
Owen gave his camera a quick check. “All set. Let’s go,” he said.
The sightseeing cart moved slowly along the path<b>, </b>lush trees lining both sides. Dappled shadows shifted with the their faces, bringing a sense of calm.
Lily and Pearl sat up front, while Aria and Owen took the back seats.
acle, and a gentle breeze brushed
Aria rested her chin on her hand, gazing quietly into the distance as Owen raised his camera and captured the moment.
Aria turned at the sound to see Owen lowering his camera with a sheepish smile. “Forgot to mute the shutter,<b>” </b><b>he </b>said.
Aria rarely took photos of herself. Most of her pictures were group shots with Vanessa, Julia, and Cloe. They would take the photos, sand them <b>to </b>her, and she’d get them printed.
Owen muted the shutter sound, nced at the photo, then held it out to Aria with a grin. “Take a look<i>.” </i>
In the photo, the distant sky zed with the splendor of sunset. Golden–orange light spilled softly across Aria’s face, tracing the delicate curve of <b>her </b>upturnedshes and the clean line of her nose, wrapping her in a dreamy, filter–like glow.
Aria said with genuine appreciation, “That’s pretty good.”
Owen grinned and said, “I think so too.”
After arriving at the western gazebo, Owen told them to explore on their own while he took some candid shots here and there.
After watching the sunset and enjoying the fountain show, Aria dismissed the group and went to find yton.
Aria asked, “How did it go?”