Mated to the Beast of the Wasteland novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159 A Morning Out

Chapter 159 A Morning Out

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When Gillian made it downstairs, she found a covered dish waiting on the table. Lifting the metal lid revealed a bowl of almond milk pudding underneath.

Golden ribbons of sweet syrup had been drizzled over the top, and Gillian’s appetite roared to life at the sight.

“Grandma, did you make this for me?”

The living room sat empty, so Gillian raised her voice to call out.

Mabel came in from the backyard, her face brightening at the color that had returned to Gillian’s cheeks since the night before. “Everything on the table is yours. Do the dishes when you’re done, and once finish watering the back garden, I’ll make you a proper soup.”

“Thanks, Grandma.”

The pudding tasted sweet and fragrant, and before Gillian had even finished, a message from Elara came through.

“Gillian, I’ll swing by in half an hour to take you over to Gourmaw Road. Does that work?”

“Sounds good. I’ll be ready.”

Gillian wolfed down breakfast in a few quick bites. She had complete faith in the medical team to handle the day.

Elara knew the place far better than she did, after all.

The treatment protocols for scaling patients had been left with the medical team, along with detailed video tutorials. With ten clerics on rotation, they’d likely have every patient cleared by early afternoon.

Gillian sent Merrick a message to let him know Elara would pick her up at 9:30 to head over to Gourmaw Road.

Merrick’s reply was just a single line. “Enjoy yourself out there. You can go anywhere you like, just not Winterhush House.”

Funny that he’d singled out Winterhush House, of all places, since that was exactly where she’d been planning to go.

Gillian thought of one more contact saved on her wrist terminal and shot off a message to Clara. “Clara, I’ve got the day off. After lunch I’ll be free. Would today work for whatever you needed help with?” Clara’s reply came back almost at once. “Mrs. Cole, absolutely. I’ll come pick you up when it’s time.”

Gillian shot back a quick yes. She didn’t have a grip-buggy license, so a pickup was the easiest way to get there.

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11:26 Wed, Jun 3

Chapter 159 A Morning Out

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Mabel hadn’t planned to go out, but the moment Elara arrived, she copied Gillian’s tactic and hooked her `arm around Mabel’s.

Mabel had no choice but to surrender. Flanked by Gillian and Elara, one on each arm, she found herself practically marched off to Gourmaw Road.

After a full week in Wasteland City, Mabel really hadn’t stepped outside once. Today turned out to be good chance to revisit some old haunts.

“Gillian, come on. I’m taking you and Grandma out to relax for a while.”

Elara had already assigned the medical team’s tasks for the day and stuck around for an hour to oversed. Once everything was running smoothly, she’d taken three hours off to come collect them.

The sight of the five-star, metal-clad building rising in front of Gillian filled her with the strange comfor of coming home.

The three of them stepped inside, and across the front plaque outside stretched bold, powerful lettering.

“Winterhush House”

The main hall of Winterhush House was buzzing with activity. The first floor felt like a casting stage, lined with all kinds of males and females seated and waiting for guests to choose them.

Behind them rose a pear blossom tree planted within a wall of bio-glass, where eternal spring reigned year-round. White pear blossoms blanketed every branch, and petals drifted down in delicate flurries like a real snowfall.

A string of white jade gourds hung among the branches, gleaming with quiet elegance.

Gillian’s breath caught. That was Elowen’s prized treasure, the wedding wine, and against all odds it hadn’t been smashed.

Elowen had once told her she’d come along a little too late. Otherwise, Elowen would have made sure Gillian got to taste wedding wine as old as Gillian herself. A real shame, she’d said back then. A pack of animals had smashed it.

“Gillian, what is it? You like this pear blossom tree?”

Elara noticed Gillian standing there, transfixed by the pear blossom tree, and stepped over to her side to take in the view together.

“Word is this tree’s been here for 20 years, a little older than you are. The flower wine they brew from these blossoms and the pastries they bake with them are the house specialty. You should try the pastries later.”

“Sure thing, Elara.”

As Gillian’s group walked in, none of the companions stooped to chase after guests. They put their best selves on display and let the customers do the choosing.

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Chapter 159 A Morning Out

Winterhush House was vast. A full day inside wasn’t nearly enough to explore every corner.

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