Chapter 47: 47. The Battle for Redemption Maria was shocked the very moment she stepped into the living room and found Victoria seated stiffly on the couch, looking deeply disturbed.
She greeted her, but there was no response. At first, Maria thought Victoria was ignoring her intentionally, but soon she realized the older woman wasn’t even paying attention to her presence.
Concerned, Maria walked closer and gently tapped Victoria on the shoulder.
"Good evening, ma’am," Maria said softly.
Victoria flinched at the touch, clearly startled. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Maria at all.
It was easy for Maria to guess the cause of her worry. Given the current situation, it was understandable—her husband and only son had gone to war, and there were only two possible outcomes: they would either return victorious or not return at all.
Maria’s heart ached for her.
"Maria, how are you? Have you been here long?" Victoria asked in a tired voice, her face lined with worry.
"I’m fine, ma’am. I just arrived not long ago," Maria replied politely, then asked, "Hope you are doing well, ma’am?"
A faint, weary smile crossed Victoria’s lips. "I’m fine," she said quietly.
"I would like to retire to my room," she added a moment later, standing up slowly and heading toward the staircase.
Maria stood silently, watching her ascend. As Victoria reached the middle of the stairs, she paused and turned slightly, her eyes landing on Maria.
Could Maria be the calamity the three witches from the ancient world spoke about? Victoria wondered darkly, lingering for a second longer before continuing up to her room.
Maria, unaware of the suspicion brewing in Victoria’s mind, stayed in the living room a while longer, trying to appear casual. After about ten minutes, she quietly left for her room as well.
Inside her room, Maria’s mind raced with heavy thoughts. She worried for James and Bernard, who had ventured into danger alongside Beta Gilbert. And she was also focused on the documents she needed to fetch.
Determined not to fail, she rose from the bed, picked up the electronic key, and placed it beside her, within easy reach. She wanted everything ready when the time came.