Chapter 28 Alaric followed as well . She had no idea how he found her Instagram account , but he sent her several private messages , asking her to accept his friend request , along with a selfie taken at the racetrack . The boy had deep black eyes , a high - bridged nose , and thin , pink cherry blossom lips . His features were so delicate that he looked like a porcelain doll . There was a hint of innocence and allure about him . Standing in the sunlight , he exuded a strong sense of atmosphere . He wore a white silk shirt that revealed his slender collarbones , and a thin , sparkling silver necklace hung around his neck . " Darlene , are you there ? Add me- He sent a crying puppy emoji . Darlene immediately opened her profile , made sure she hadn't posted any photos that revealed her location or identity , and then set her account to block private messages . Wintervale Academy provided school buses , but they had to take a detour on the way back . Usually , only sponsored admits took the bus . By the time Darlene got home , it was already dark . Sylvia was sitting cross - legged on the floor , surrounded by vases and bunches of flowers spread out on the carpet . The woman wore the standard professional attire of the Calder's mansion . Her smooth black hair was pinned up , and with her eyes lowered , she carefully arranged the flowers in her hands , placing the finished bouquets into the vases . Darlene put down her backpack , sat down next to Sylvia , and began helping her with the flowers . Sylvia shook her head and gestured , " This is work Mrs. Calder assigned to me . She appreciates my flower arranging skills . You've already had a long day at school , so go rest for now . I'll call you when d dinner is ready . " Two people working together are twice as efficient , " Darlene said . " I had very few classes today , and there's no evening study session . I'm not tired at all . " " I made your favorite desserts , so go try them while they're still fresh . They won't taste as good once they're cold . " Sylvia smiled gently . Is the Calder family hosting a banquet ? " Sylvia's flower arranging skills had once been praised by the ladies of high society . Since then , whenever there was a banquet , Vanessa always entrusted this task to Sylvia . Sylvia shook her head and typed a line on her phone , " Mrs. Calder and Mr. Calder had a fight and are in a bad mood . Mrs. Calder bought a lot of flowers , saying that beautiful , vibrant flowers could brighten up her withering marriage . " Darlene lowered her eyes , picked up a bouquet and sniffed it , then asked tentatively , " Mr. Calder came home . Did you see him ? " Sylvia shook her head , looking puzzled , as if she didn't quite understand why Darlene was asking this question . Darlene's expression remained natural as she said , " Lucian is always causing trouble . Both Mrs. Calder and Mr. Calder are in a bad mood . I'm worried they'll take it out on me . " Hearing this , Sylvia's gentle eyes curved with a smile as she typed another line , " Mrs. Calder and Mr. Calder are both very kind , and Mr. Lucian is as well . He never scolds the staff . " Darlene's expression was subtle , but she didn't respond . She got up and went to the small kitchen , where the table was filled with all kinds of exquisite desserts . Sylvia was skillful and talented at everything , as if there was nothing in this world she couldn't master . Yet her life had been full of hardships and wandering . What was it like ? It was like the female lead in a novel whose luck had been stolen . 16.30 70.0 % StarShort