Cecilia let out a sigh of relief.
Vivienne ran her fingers through Isolde's soft hair and asked her, "Isolde, do you blame me for not choosing to save you first?"
Isolde shook her head earnestly and said, "Vivienne, I don't blame you. I know whatever decision you make is the right one. Plus, the thought of sacrificing more than forty lives just to save me is too cruel and terrifying. If I were in your shoes, I would've made the same choice."
Vivienne's eyes became moist. She felt comforted by Isolde's understanding, but also a bit bitter. Isolde had experienced too much at such a young age and had learned about sacrifice and duty too early.
"Vivienne." Cecilia said in a comforting tone, "At first, I was a bit resentful when I heard about what happened. But then I realized that if it wasn't for you, Isolde would have been gone long ago because of the poison.”
"Besides, I don't think I could have chosen Isolde over more than forty lives of high school students ready to take their college entrance tests."
She patted Vivienne's shoulder and added, "I believe Percival feels the same way. We won't hold this against you."
"Thank you." Vivienne nodded, feeling even more touched. Actually, she was the one who brought about this disaster. The students from Class Eighteen and Isolde's family could all blame her, and she wouldn't have anything to say in her defense.
But they didn't. They chose to stand with her.
After giving Isolde some calming medicine, she gave Isolde a slice of cake that Percival had prepared.
"Wow, cake!" Isolde's eyes sparkled as she excitedly reached for it.
"Too much will give you cavities." Cecilia warned and stopped her.
Isolde pouted at Cecilia, looking at her with an expression of distress as if she had just been very cruel.
"Let her eat a little to fill her stomach." Vivienne said with a smile, helping Isolde open the cake box. "She needs to take her medicine later, and it's not good to take it on an empty stomach."
"Alright." Cecilia reluctantly agreed.
Isolde's lips immediately curled up into a smile, and she silently made a "yay" gesture at Vivienne.
After watching Cecilia coax Isolde into eating the cake and taking her medicine, Vivienne left Isolde's room. She was still worried about Matthew, who had been taken to the hospital, and wondered if Jerry and the others had everything under control.
Worried that Isolde might have trouble sleeping after today's scare, Cecilia insisted on staying with her despite Isolde's protests.
When Vivienne saw Isolde complaining about Cecilia but clinging tightly to her waist. She couldn't help but smile.
It was late, and most of the servants in the villa had already gone to bed.
Isolde's room was on the second floor. When Vivienne went downstairs to the living room, she saw Percival sitting upright on the leather sofa.
Thomas was standing next to him, looking as if they were about to face a great enemy.
A pot of freshly brewed coffee and ten cups were placed on the coffee table in front of Percival. The ceiling light cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting his striking features.
Vivienne stood by the stairs for a moment, admiring the view. Percival was indeed a handsome man; even his posture while drinking coffee was pleasing to the eye.
But was there really a need to sit so upright just for coffee? It was as if he was negotiating with someone.
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