They’re just deluding themselves, why should I care?
It’s always the same with you guys. If you say Cousin isn’t a good person, then it must be a lie, a rumor. Why is it that no matter what I say, you never believe me?
Xavier’s voice rose a notch, If you hadn’t given them the wrong idea, would they be mistaken? And not just one, but quite a few of them!
How am I supposed to control what’s in other people’s heads?
Father and son exchanged sharp words, and Gina, feeling drained, occasionally tried to mediate as they continued their argument all the way home.
When they got back to their villa, Archie stormed upstairs with a stern look on his face. The sound of the door slamming shut could be heard from downstairs.
…
Archie lay on his bed, still fuming. He got up and walked to his computer desk. Opening Instagram, he navigated to his only special follow with practiced ease.
It was an account belonging to a comic artist named Daphne.
This artist had started their individual account a few years ago, amassing over 600,000 followers with just one ongoing series.
Little Red’s Adventures
The story wasn’t about the Little Red Riding Hood from the Grimm fairy tales, but rather an adult sci-fi fairy tale.
The protagonist was a chubby little robot wearing a Red Hat, who, after making a bold vow to reach the moon following a bet with a friend, set off on a world tour, embarking on a moon-chasing adventure.
Archie was captivated by this artist’s style and imaginative storytelling, often turning to it when he felt unsettled.
This interest also steered him towards mechanical engineering, changing his academic focus.
He’s always wanted to meet this admired artist in person, but Daphne had mysteriously vanished two years ago, leaving the comic and any updates in silence.
Over the past two years, various animation companies have left comments on the account, eager to adapt the work, but the account owner never responded.
As he checked the page now, unsurprisingly, there was still no update, the last post frozen in time from two years ago.
Mom, why aren’t you home?
With Giselle in the hospital and Dad staying there with her, the rest of the Harvey family wasn’t up for playing games with him, so Adrian had returned to Crimson Gardens to find his mom.
Finding her absent, he called.
Mila, knowing her child well, could guess why he was calling. She responded with a calm tone.
Adrian, wait at home for a bit. I’ll be there soon.
Using this as an excuse, along with needing to pick up some personal items from there, she managed to leave the family estate, albeit with two bodyguards assigned to protect her.
At least she was out.
The closer she got to Crimson Gardens, the more determined Mila felt. She had to find those documents!