Chapter 522

Chapter

Vivian Laurent stared at the glass before her, its contents a pale yellow liquid.

"Is this drinkable?" She swirled the glass skeptically.

Finn Deross immediately raised both hands. "Master, I wouldn't dare poison you! Besides, someone as skilled as you would detect any toxin."

Vivian took a tentative sip, her eyebrows lifting in surprise.

It actually tasted good.

She drained the glass in one go, licking her lips. "More?"

Finn gaped at her.

He'd tried it earlier—it was sour enough to make his teeth ache.

"Master...you actually like it?"

Vivian nodded. "The lemon flavor is authentic."

Dominic Atlante stood nearby, his brow furrowed.

Finn had tricked him into tasting it earlier, and his mouth still watered from the acidity.

"Miss Laurent has...unique taste buds."

Vivian accepted a second glass from Finn and downed it immediately.

Setting the glass down, she turned to Dominic. "Mr. Atlante, it's late."

The implication was clear.

Dominic chuckled. "Is Miss Laurent dismissing me?"

"I simply think it's unsafe to have a strange man in my home at midnight."

"Strange?" Amusement flickered in Dominic's eyes. "It seems we're not well enough acquainted."

He stepped closer. "Perhaps I should stay the night and get to know Miss Laurent better."

Vivian narrowed her eyes. "Finn, see our guest out."

Finn immediately positioned himself between them. "Uncle, let me walk you out."

Vivian turned and ascended the stairs without another word.

Dominic watched her retreating figure disappear around the landing.

"She's certainly extraordinary."

Finn scratched his head. "Master has always been remarkable."

"No one else could have accomplished what she did." Dominic's tone was complex.

By all rights, such a threat should have been eliminated.

Yet he'd spared her repeatedly.

"Why didn't Master take me along?" Finn muttered.

Dominic gave him a sidelong glance. "Take you? As dead weight?"

Finn: "..."

He was still her apprentice, damn it!