Hadley reached for her phone and made the call.
The call was connected swiftly after.
Hadley reported, “Young Matriarch, I’ve failed in my mission and is currently held captive by the enemy. I am willing to receive any punishment.”
The other party was silent.
A girl’s voice was heard from the other end of the call after a few seconds, “I’ll send someone to rescue you immediately, Hadley. Tell them their families will suffer if you die. However, we will offer them a large amount of money if you survive.”
“Young Matriarch, the enemy told me to pass along this message to you. I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree. Poems are made... by fools like me?”
Unexpectedly, the Young Matriarch sounded agitated all of a sudden. “Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree?”
“Yes. That’s right. That’s the rest of the poem.” Hadley nodded at once. “Who wrote this poem? Why have I never heard of this?”
The Young Matriarch shouted excitedly, “It’s master! Master wrote this poem. There are only 3 people who know of this poem. Master, me, and another person... Tell me, Hadley. Who told you to pass along this message? Is Williams that person’s family name?”
Hadley was dumbfounded. “That’s right. His family name is indeed Williams. His name is Zeke Williams...”
The Young Matriarch yelled, “Quick! Hand the phone to grandmaster.”
Grandmaster? Hadley was in utter disbelief. “Young Matriarch, are you saying that he’s our grandmaster?”
“Yes. He’s our grandmaster.”
Hadley took a deep breath. “This is a mistake. You must’ve gotten the wrong person, Young Matriarch. This guy is only around 30 years old...”
The Young Matriarch responded, “How is this matter related to his age? Did you forget? Our master is only around 20 years old.”
Hadley pondered. “That’s true.” She handed the phone to Zeke in a daze. “There. The Young Matriarch wants to speak with you.”
Zeke received the phone with complicated emotions in his chest. “Hello...”
A loud bang was heard from the other end of the call right after he spoke. “Myrtle Silvia speaking. It is a great honor to greet you, grandmaster.”
Zeke answered, “Easy there. Is your master, Thally, doing well all these years?”
Hadley shuddered uncontrollably. Thally? That’s master’s nickname. I’ve never seen anyone who dares to refer her in that manner. Is this man really my grandmaster?
Hadley nearly broke down.
The Young Matriarch, Myrtle Silvia, said, “Master has not been doing well in recent years, grandmaster. Master has been searching for you since you left without saying goodbye previously. But her effort was for naught. She’s has been unhappy because she’s missing you. In the end, she resorted to living a secluded life. Master even had the intention to become a nun on multiple occasions. I am afraid master will succumb to depression if you do not return soon, grandmaster...”
Zeke sighed. “Inform your master that I will visit her after a few days. Wait... On second thought, I think it’s best if you do not tell her anything about me. I don’t want her to be looking for me. I’ll visit her when I’m free. I’m facing a little trouble at the moment, and I need Hadley’s assistance.”
Myrtle said solemnly, “Can you please turn on the speaker, grandmaster?”
Zeke did as Myrtle requested.
Myrtle ordered, “I hereby command you, Hadley Murphy, to put forth your best effort in fully cooperating with the grandmaster in his task.”
Hadley was unwilling to accept the fact. “Did you make a mistake, Young Matriarch? I feel the need to inform you of this. Zeke Williams is a kept-man...”
Myrtle warned Hadley, “Don’t force me to banish you from the Organization...”
Great. The Young Matriarch is willing to threaten me with banishment because of Zeke Williams. I guess I have no other choice but to accept this reality.
Hadley was crestfallen. “Yes, Young Matriarch.”
Myrtle wanted to speak further with Zeke, but the latter hung up the call.
Dreadful silence filled the air inside the casino afterward.
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