Free Web NovelChapter 112: Chapter 112: Prying into Divine Secrets
Mrs. Donovan noticed her old classmate’s strange reaction and asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong? Is there something off about what Serena said?"
Beatrice’s mother pressed her lips together and said hoarsely, "When Beatrice was six, she went back to our ancestral home with us to pay respects to our ancestors. It was a hot summer day. A few children of relatives and neighbors invited her out to play, and the whole group ran off to the river. Beatrice couldn’t swim, but when she saw her friends playing in the water, her curiosity got the better of her, and she jumped in after them."
Mrs. Donovan gasped, "Then..."
Beatrice’s mother patted Mrs. Donovan’s hand reassuringly. "Thankfully, they found her in time. There also happened to be an adult nearby who knew first aid, so a disaster was averted."
After so many years, Beatrice’s mother never expected to speak of this again. Her gaze, as it fell on Arabella Donovan, grew tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Setting aside the "storylines" Arabella Donovan kept mentioning, the fact that she had figured this out without any prompting was enough to show Beatrice Donovan and the others that she truly had some ability.
But this was exactly why the couple grew even more worried and apprehensive, terrified that the future Arabella Donovan described would come to pass if they let their guard down for even a moment.
The members of the Donovan family were just as conflicted. They had been misled by Arabella Donovan’s inner thoughts, believing that the information she revealed all came from the so-called "library" in her mind. But was that really the case?
Other things could be overlooked, but in Beatrice Donovan’s case, there was truly no related storyline to be found anywhere.
And yet, she could still discern things about Beatrice Donovan that none of them knew. Was that really just a coincidence?
And what about the dozen-plus years she’d spent living in the Sacred Temple? Had she really, as she claimed, learned only a fraction of her master’s skills?
Arabella Donovan had no idea that she had barely begun, yet had already sent the minds of everyone present racing with endless speculation.
She lowered her head, her expression grave as she carefully studied the lines on Beatrice Donovan’s palm.
"There’s another calamity. If I’m not mistaken, it will occur between the ages of twenty-six and thirty. And this one is far more perilous than the last." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Arabella Donovan pointed to a sharper, more abrupt break in the middle of the life line. Her voice was somber. "Many people probably think palm lines are something you’re born with, that they don’t change over a lifetime. But that’s not true. The hands are one of the most rapidly changing parts of the body, which is why they are the best reflection of a person’s physical condition and mental state, allowing one to see their future prospects."
"From my cousin’s palm, you can see her life line splits into two branches after the great calamity. One continues upward to here, but the other one is broken... right at this spot."
Beatrice’s mother’s heart gave a violent lurch. "What does that mean?"
"It means... if she can successfully overcome this calamity, my cousin will live to a ripe old age. But if she can’t..."
"Her life will be cut short right there?"
"...Yes."
Though they had already suspected as much, hearing the definitive answer still made the couple’s faces turn deathly pale, and they swayed as if they might collapse.
Seeing her old classmate in such a state, Mrs. Donovan couldn’t help but ask out of compassion, "Is there any way you can help your cousin?"
Arabella Donovan had already made her decision, but she still gave them a preemptive warning. "I can only try. There’s no guarantee it will work."
Tears welled in the eyes of Beatrice’s parents, but they refused to let go of this lifeline.
"It’s alright. You just do what you can. Whether you succeed or not, your uncle and I will be grateful."
"That’s right, that’s right. We believe in you."
Arabella Donovan met the hopeful gazes of the couple, and Beatrice Donovan’s unnervingly calm stare. ’Internally, my thoughts are in turmoil.’
’What I didn’t tell them is that for a mere mortal to glimpse the secrets of heaven, there’s always a price to pay.’
’The incident with Henry Zeller was an exception. The will of the world struck first, and all it cost me was a moment of dizziness—practically nothing.’
’But this time, I’m the one actively trying to peer into the secrets of heaven, to see the future. I’m not sure if the Merit I’ve accumulated is enough to cover the cost, or if I’ll have to pay some other price on top of it.’
’But my relationship with Beatrice aside... just looking at the amount of Merit she carries, and considering her profession, I can imagine that whatever threatens her life is no small or petty affair.’
’If I can get more information from her, perhaps I can save more people than just her.’
When the Donovans suddenly heard that Arabella would have to pay an unknown price, their expressions changed dramatically. They instinctively moved to stop her, but Beatrice Donovan was a step faster.
"Wait, don’t—"
Before she could finish, those standing closest felt a keen shift in the atmosphere.
It was as if, in the blink of an eye, all the surrounding noise and whispers had vanished. Even the soft chirping of insects and birds outside, and the very sound of breathing, seemed to freeze in that instant. But after two or three seconds, everything returned to normal, so much so that everyone thought they had just been hallucinating.
But just as they stood there, stunned, Arabella Donovan’s hand suddenly went limp, releasing her grip on Beatrice. Her entire body then slumped backward as if she had lost consciousness.
"Serena!"
The color drained from everyone’s faces as they instinctively reached out. Several pairs of hands caught Arabella Donovan just before she hit the ground.
"An ambulance! Quick, call an ambulance!" Mrs. Donovan’s voice trembled with fright.
’A thousand regrets flooded her mind. She couldn’t bear to imagine the heart-wrenching pain of losing the daughter she had just gotten back.’
’I shouldn’t have just assumed she would be fine and let her carry on like this. I shouldn’t have let my pity for someone else’s tragedy put my own child in harm’s way...’
Just as Mrs. Donovan’s mind was racing, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. A weak, faint voice sounded by her ear. "Don’t... I don’t need to go to the hospital."
Mrs. Donovan jolted. "Serena..."
"I don’t need a hospital. I’m just a little dizzy. It’ll pass. Just help me upstairs to rest for a while."
"But..."
"I’m really fine. Take me upstairs. My cousin should come too." Arabella Donovan gripped her mother’s hand tighter, though her voice was unbelievably hoarse.
Mrs. Donovan and the others were extremely worried, but they couldn’t argue with her. They had no choice but to do as she asked and help her upstairs to rest. fгeewebnovёl.com
Beatrice and her parents were already fraught with worry and guilt. Since Arabella had also asked for Beatrice to come, the three of them exchanged a look and followed the Donovans upstairs, their hearts heavy with anxiety.
No sooner had they left than a clamorous wave of discussion erupted at the party below.
Meanwhile, in the second-floor living area, Mrs. Donovan and Eloise Donovan helped Arabella onto a sofa and had someone bring her a glass of water.
After drinking a glass of water, the color returned to Arabella Donovan’s face. She was no longer so deathly pale, allowing the intently watching members of the Donovan family to let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Where’s my cousin?"
"I’m here." Beatrice Donovan hurried forward to take her hand, her voice full of apology. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t know..."
She was cut off before she could finish. "Cousin, what I’m about to say may be hard to believe, but I need you to take it to heart. It could very well be a matter of life and death for many people."
