Chapter 558:
“Meow!”
The moment they crossed the threshold, an exquisitely fluffy ragdoll cat materialized to welcome them, weaving elegant figure-eights around their ankles while its luxurious tail swayed like a ceremonial banner.
“Behave yourself properly,” Myron addressed the mischievous feline with gentle authority.
Millie’s face brightened with genuine warmth as she crouched down to stroke the cat’s silky fur. Truthfully, she harbored deep affection for this charming creature.
“Jayceon relocated to his own residence recently,” Myron mentioned casually as they began their ascent up the mansion’s sweeping staircase.
Millie nodded in acknowledgment, puzzled by his decision to share this information, though she recognized that this moment hardly provided the appropriate time to analyze his motivations.
She maintained her position just behind him as they approached a particular room’s elaborately carved entrance.
“What you’re about to witness might overwhelm you.” Myron paused at the threshold, his hand hesitating on the ornate door handle. “I wrestled with this decision for a considerable amount of time before concluding that you deserve to see what lies beyond this threshold.”
Millie braced herself mentally, drawing upon her inner reserves of strength as she nodded her consent.
The door swung open to reveal rows upon rows of carefully arranged shelving units stretching into the dimly lit space beyond.
With the room shrouded in darkness, she found herself unable to distinguish the specific contents of each display.
Fortunately, no terrifying totems or disturbing artifacts greeted her initial inspection.
Myron’s hand found the light switch, instantly flooding the room with brilliant illumination that revealed the shelves’ extraordinary contents.
Paintings filled every available surface, and each canvas bore her likeness, captured in exquisite detail.
The discovery genuinely stole her breath and left her reeling with disbelief.
“Sorry,” Myron murmured quietly, his voice heavy with remorse. “Now you might properly think I’m a creep.”
Millie steadied herself, glancing questioningly at Myron, blinking repeatedly in complete bewilderment. What strange circumstances had led to this moment? Why did every artwork feature her as the subject?
The sheer scope of his obsession felt both flattering and deeply unsettling.
“Please, come with me,” Myron requested, extending his hand once again to guide her deeper into the cavernous space.
They ventured deeper into what she now realized was an expansive gallery rather than merely a single room. He led her directly to one specific shelf, where he activated a small spotlight and carefully unrolled a canvas that had been stored with obvious reverence.
The painting depicted her younger self dancing with joyful abandon in a snow-covered town square from years past. Her hand was clasped securely in someone else’s grip, a festive Christmas scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, while she beamed with pure joy at the mysterious figure beyond the canvas’s edge.
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