Chapter 260. The Good News

Chapter 260. The Good News
Raphael had not even said anything unpleasant yet, but his expression had already turned as cold as a snow-covered mountain. And Albert remained impeccably polite, perfectly composed, though the way he looked at Jacintha was gentle enough that anyone perceptive would have caught a trace of something unusual there.

And Raphael was exactly the kind of man who never missed things like that.

Carol, on the other hand, noticed none of the undercurrent between them. Tugging at Jacintha’s hand, she said excitedly, “Come inside. I’ve got something I want to tell you. Something really good.”

The whole group went into the living room together.

The moment he stepped through the door, Albert paused ever so slightly, then slowly turned his head and swept his gaze toward a corner of the west corridor. On his wrist was a black watch that looked completely ordinary, but the screen inside it had just flashed a razor-thin streak of blue before going dark again.

Carol was busy pulling Jacintha along in front of him and did not notice. Albert lowered his eyes quietly, then slowed by half a step and leaned close to Carol’s ear.

“Don’t wander around here on your own.”

Carol gave a start and turned to look at him. “Why?”

“There’s an unnatural electromagnetic source over there.” His voice was so low that almost no one could have heard it. “I haven’t figured out what it is yet, but don’t go near it.”

Carol knew her brother well. Albert never spoke without reason, and if he had bothered to warn her, then he had definitely sensed something.

She gave the faintest nod at once. “Got it. Besides, this is Jacintha’s in-laws’ house. I’m not rude enough to go wandering around someone else’s home.”

Jacintha turned back to look at them. “What are you two whispering about?”

Carol immediately flashed a bright smile as if nothing had happened. “Nothing. My brother was just telling me not to eat too many sweets later.”

Jacintha laughed and let it go. But Raphael, standing beside her, kept his eyes on Albert for a second longer.

Once they were seated, Carol could barely hold herself back before blurting out her good news.

“My series got approved for an adaptation project.”

Jacintha’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really.” Carol was so happy her cheeks had turned pink. “And not just another print run. It’s a full new comic adaptation project. They want to expand it into a long-running series. If everything goes well, they might even keep negotiating other projects after that.”

Jacintha looked at her friend, genuinely delighted for her. “Oh my God, congratulations.”

Carol smiled so hard her eyes curved. “I knew you’d be happy for me. That’s why I wanted to come tell you myself first.”

Jacintha took her best friend’s hand. “This really is something worth celebrating. You’re amazing, Carol.”

Carol smiled awkwardly at the praise, though she still could not hide the delight on her face. "It was only because I’d been working so hard for years. Back then, I used to think I would never make it this far. But looking back now, it turned out that if I just pushed a little more, I really could get there."

At that, she turned to Albert. "Actually, this time I even managed to drag my brother back with me. If he hadn’t helped me handle all the mess outside, I probably would’ve gone crazy by now."

Albert looked at Carol with indulgent affection. "If it’s about my little sister, of course I have to pay attention."

After saying that, he paused for a moment, then slowly lifted his gaze to Jacintha. "And if it’s about you... I’d pay attention too."

Carol was carefree and thought nothing of it, but Jacintha’s expression faltered for the briefest instant. On the surface, Albert’s words could still be taken as nothing more than the concern of an old friend. It was just that his voice had been far too gentle, and the way he looked at her was so intent that his words unconsciously seemed to carry something more.

Raphael was sitting beside her, so of course he heard every word clearly.

He did not say anything right away. He merely reached out to take the cup of tea the servant had just brought and placed it in Jacintha’s hand. The gesture itself looked perfectly ordinary, yet his fingertips deliberately brushed across her wrist, brazenly possessive, as though staking his claim.

Jacintha felt it at once and shot him a look. Raphael, however, remained completely at ease, as though he had not noticed her warning at all.

Just then, Jack came running in from outside.

He had just finished training. His hair was slightly mussed, and there were still beads of sweat on his forehead. But the moment he saw Albert, his eyes lit up at once.

"Uncle Albert!"

Jack charged straight toward him. Albert had barely risen to his feet before the boy threw his arms around his leg. The calm expression that usually rested on Albert’s face softened instantly. He bent down to ruffle Jack’s hair, his voice carrying a clear note of laughter that rarely appeared.

"You’ve gotten a little taller again."

Jack tipped his face up to look at him, so excited that the words came tumbling out in one breath. "You really came back to Averlin? Did Evelyn come back with you too?"

As soon as summer vacation had begun, Evelyn had flown abroad to visit her grandparents. On the day they said goodbye at the airport, Jack had cried so hard his voice went hoarse, which was enough to show just how much he liked that little friend of his.

Albert shook his head. "Evelyn will come back after summer vacation ends."

Jack’s expression drooped at once, his disappointment plain on his face.

Jacintha stroked Jack’s red hair and comforted him softly. "Evelyn wanted to spend time with her grandparents too. You two will see each other again in a few months. Besides, you video call every day, don’t you? She definitely won’t forget you."

Only after hearing Jacintha comfort him did Jack seem a little less upset, though there was still a faint sense of loss in his heart.