Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2313

Sylvia exhaled softly, finally understanding why Gabriel had been reluctant to come and why he felt the need to bring her along.

After sitting for a while and seeing that Gabriel and Ansel had matters to discuss, she stood up and said gently, "You two chat, I'm going to take a walk outside."

Gabriel nodded, "Don't wander too far."

"Got it," she replied.

She nodded politely to Ansel and then left the parlor.

The estate was breathtaking, but instead of strolling around the garden, Sylvia decided to drive down to the town.

Nestled against the backdrop of rolling hills and a meandering river, the town was known for its rich cultural heritage and was quite famous in the region. On this New Year's Day, it attracted a large crowd of visitors.

The main street of the town was bustling with New Year celebrations, but Sylvia wasn't in the mood for crowds. She wandered through quieter streets until a quaint little bookstore caught her eye. A girl in a cape was just unlocking the door.

"Are you open for business?" Sylvia asked with a smile.

The girl turned to face Sylvia, a welcoming smile on her delicate face, "Yes, come on in!"

Following the girl inside, Sylvia was taken aback by the charm of the interior. Just beyond the entrance was an intricately carved screen, with a long table set in front of it displaying pens, paper, and an array of books.

Further in, bookshelves lined the walls, their contents meticulously organized. Between the shelves were mahogany tables and chairs, each set with a bowl of New Year candies.

"Feel free to browse or sit anywhere!" the girl said, slipping off her cape to reveal a simple but elegant traditional dress underneath, her demeanor reminiscent of a character stepping out of a classic novel.

After making sure Sylvia was comfortable, the girl took a seat behind the long table, busying herself with her belongings.

Sylvia wandered deeper into the store, occasionally stopping to flip through a book that caught her eye.

Time passed leisurely, and the bookstore slowly filled with more visitors.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Sylvia?"

A gentle voice called out, and Sylvia looked up in surprise to see a woman approaching her, a look of joy on her face. "Grace, what are you doing here?"

The woman, Grace Quintin, was dressed in a beige coat with a shawl draped over her shoulders. Her skin was fair, her gaze soft, and her. demeanor both graceful and dignified. Even in her forties, she

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retained the beauty of her youth.

Grace laughed as she came closer, "I'm just as surprised to see you here. What brings you to town?"

Sylvia smiled back, "I came with a friend."

"On a holiday?" Grace asked gently.

Sylvia nodded, "Something like that."

They had met three years ago at an art show in Grand Falls when Sylvia accidentally knocked over one of Grace's paintings. Grace was there and was called over by the staff to discuss how to handle the situation.

Sylvia had apologized sincerely, offering to cover all damages, but Grace declined any compensation. Instead, she asked Sylvia to help her restore the painting. Despite Sylvia's lack of painting skills, she stayed.

Over that week, the two spent a lot of time together and became fast friends. Grace once told Sylvia that she felt an immediate kinship with her, a sense of familiarity as if they'd known each other for a long time. To Grace, gaining a friend was more valuable than any painting.

Eventually, Grace fixed the painting herself, but Sylvia learned much during her time there. They parted ways at O'Hare Airport after the art show, promising to meet again if the opportunity arose.

Since then, whenever Grace held an art exhibition, Sylvia would make time to visit, and their friendship continued to grow.