Thelma nodded, and the girl opened the door for her. This seemed to be a study, perhaps more appropriately called a library. The entire building was dedicated to storing books, and the walls downstairs were adorned with many group photos, including several from the Republican era featuring the Sam family and some historical figures.
As Thelma looked through them, she couldn’t help but be amazed. It was said that Sam Noah’s great-grandfather was quite a famous person, mentioned in modern history books. It seemed the Sam family’s background was indeed impressive, and since this library was open to tourists during the travel season, it naturally contained some valuable items.
After casually browsing, Thelma came out. Ahead was a children’s playground, which was said to have been specially built for Tyler by Ruth. However, it was not open now, and in the summer, tourists would bring their children to play there.
A little further north was a low bungalow, nestled among the towering villas, making it less conspicuous.
Unlike the other villas that had guards, this one was unguarded, and the door was unlocked. Thelma pushed the door open and found it surprisingly clean inside.
The room was large, with glass cabinets stacked against the walls, displaying some collectibles. In the center of the room stood a piano.
It was a horizontal Bechstein piano, which seemed to have some years behind it, the carved patterns on it had become smooth and rounded. Thelma walked over to test the sound, and upon trying it, she was immediately overjoyed.
The mid-range was coherent and consistent, the lower bass was pure and powerful, the resonance was full, and the touch was also quite nice; this was definitely a rare good piano.
Perhaps those who study music all have this flaw; seeing a good piano, they can hardly contain their excitement. Thelma couldn’t help but sit down in front of the piano, starting to play a piece she was familiar with.
For a moment, she was completely absorbed in the piano’s tone and touch, and as she played, she became somewhat entranced. When she finished the piece, she realized there was another person in the room.
It was Marco.
“Mr. Marco, what brings you here?”
Marco smiled and said, “No need to be so formal. If you don’t mind, just call me ‘big brother.'”
Thelma smiled but said nothing.
Marco walked over and said, “This is my father’s piano room.”
Thelma hurriedly stood up, her face filled with apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
The butler had just told her that all areas here were open for exploration, and she hadn’t expected this unassuming place to actually be Marco’s father’s piano room.
Marco said, “You must find it strange that my father, a gambler who made his fortune through cheating, actually likes music.”
Thelma quickly replied, “Not at all. Music knows no boundaries.”
As they spoke, Marco had already walked over. At that moment, Thelma was still standing by the piano. Marco approached the piano and pressed a few keys, instantly filling the room with a deep, resonant sound.
However, as Marco passed by her, Thelma caught a peculiar scent from him; a man shouldn’t be using such a strong perfume.
Thelma didn’t think much of it and said to Marco, “I’m going to explore other places.”
She walked to the door and twisted the doorknob, only to find it wouldn’t turn. After several attempts, she turned to Marco and said, “Could you help me open it?”
Marco didn’t move but looked at her with a very complex expression.
Thelma sensed something was off; she felt a heaviness in her chest, her head began to spin, and everything in front of her started to blur. Marco was slowly approaching her.
Instinctively, Thelma stepped back, her steps unsteady, and after two steps, she fell to the ground. Yet Marco continued to come closer. Realizing the danger, Thelma hurriedly groped around and found a wooden rhino sculpture on the cabinet, which she hurled at him.
“What are you doing?! Don’t come any closer!”
In that instant, a fragment suddenly appeared in her mind, as if someone was crouching beside him, holding her foot, but she didn’t want him near. She kept throwing things at him.
A sharp pain shot through her brain, causing her to scream. She banged her head against the nearby cabinet, hoping to relieve some of the pressure.
However, with each impact, more unfamiliar memories surged into her mind like a flood that had suddenly been unleashed…
Marco continued to approach step by step.
She heard him saying something.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want it to be this way either, but Norah is my sister, and I want to help her get what she wants.”
Her head hurt too much; she had banged it several times but still couldn’t relieve the pain. Perhaps it was too unbearable; she finally steeled herself and slammed her head against the wall again. She felt a wave of dizziness, and after that, she knew nothing.
