“Maybe, but I’m pretty sure I’m detecting a hint of jealousy,” Leroy teased.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ariel replied tersely, pointedly ignoring his smirk as they passed the dining room. “Where is everyone, anyway?”

“They should be outside,” Leroy responded as they made their way through the foyer.

Ariel kept her head down and gripped the monk’s arm tightly—just in case.

“The coast is clear,” Leroy murmured as they stepped out into the bright sunlight.

Ariel lifted her gaze and immediately winced at the harsh glare. The sky stretched out in a vivid expanse of blue, and the sun blazed overhead. While the inn’s interior had finally thinned out, the grounds of Magnolia Midlands were now bustling with activity. Everywhere she looked, couples strolled hand in hand, their faces lit up with smiles.

“Wow, it got busy out here,” Leroy remarked, taking in the lively scene. “Oh, look, there’s Jasper.”

Ariel squinted against the sunlight and raised a hand to shield her eyes. Indeed, a few yards away stood the rest of the GPI team, alongside Miss Marlowe.

“I wonder why they’re stopped?” Leroy pondered, narrowing his eyes at the group gathered together.

“Maybe they’re waiting for us?” Ariel suggested, trying to see through the glare.

“Who’s that old woman with them?” Leroy asked, his curiosity piqued.

“An old woman? Like the ones interested in John?” Ariel asked, peering harder through the blinding sunlight.

“I’m not sure. Let’s go see,” Leroy answered, pulling her along.

As they approached, Taylor greeted them with a mix of annoyance and relief, clutching Max’s arm. “It’s about time you showed up. If I have to be subjected to this old loon, so do you.”

Ariel shot Taylor a perplexed look, her confusion growing.

“What old loon?” she asked, glancing around.

“What are we doing here?” Leroy questioned, looking at Taylor with a hint of exasperation.

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Taylor merely pointed across the way, where John was standing with the old woman.

“Yes… I approve very much. Now, let me see your hand, boy,” the old woman’s voice croaked, her tone as ancient as her appearance.

John, looking bewildered, extended his hand hesitantly.

“What in the world…?” Ariel muttered, exchanging a puzzled glance with Leroy.

“Ah, you have given out a moon Magnolia, my boy,” the woman announced, her yellowed teeth flashing in a wide grin.

Ariel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

John attempted to retract his hand. “You must be mistaken,” he said, clearly unsettled.

The old woman’s smile widened, and she clucked her tongue. “I see the dust on your hand. It lingers for days. Anyway, I am the Wise Obasan. I make no mistakes.”

Releasing his hand, the old woman hobbled over to Mandy, who stood a few feet away with a mask of firm resistance.

“No reason to be nervous, my dear. Let Obasan see your hand,” she coaxed, reaching out.

Mandy clasped her hands tightly within the sleeves of her dress and turned her nose up. “I will not. This is completely unnecessary.”

“Don’t be difficult, deary. I may be old, but I’m not foolish. If you don’t show me your hand, I’ll assume you’ve received one.”

Mandy’s eyes widened in shock, her cheeks turning a faint pink. “That’s a dear,” the old woman murmured, gently taking the medium’s reluctant hand.

“Ah-ha!” the old woman exclaimed suddenly. “You have received one!”

Mandy snatched her hand away, her pale cheeks flushing a deep crimson. Ariel’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Mandy received a moon Magnolia too?!

“Yes, yes… I declare you both to be a good pair indeed!” the old woman cackled, her voice echoing with glee.

John looked distinctly pale, unable to meet his partner’s gaze. Mandy, recovering from her shock, protested, “I don’t see how that makes us anything. You have no idea who gave me this moon Magnolia!” Her gaze briefly flickered toward Jasper.

Obasan merely shrugged. “I see what I see… Who’s next? Ah, yes—the red-headed woman…”

Ariel felt an overwhelming urge to escape.

That crazy old loon is going to make me show my hand, and then everyone will know I’ve received a moon Magnolia!

Carefully, Ariel began to back away, but Leroy caught her arm.

“Where are you going? Don’t you want to see who else makes a good pair?”

“Uh, I just remembered I forgot to get something from my room—”

The monk raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you didn’t receive a moon Magnolia, did you, Ariel?”

“I’ll be right back, I promise—” Ariel insisted, trying to free herself from his grasp.

“You did. Ariel! Why didn’t you tell me?” Leroy’s voice carried a mix of surprise and concern.

“Leroy, let me go,” Ariel hissed, struggling against him.

“Oh my, what nails,” the old woman’s voice declared, tsking at Taylor’s pink polish.

“Excuse me, I thought you were supposed to be studying my palm,” Taylor grumbled.

“Patience,” the old woman commanded, turning Taylor’s hand over roughly.

“Ow!” Taylor objected, but a sharp look from Obasan silenced her.

“Hmmm, yet another moon Magnolia exchange,” the old woman continued after scrutinizing Taylor’s hand closely.

Ariel paused in her struggle with Leroy, and he abruptly released her.

Taylor too?!

As the realization hit, Ariel felt a wave of anxiety and curiosity mingling within her.