One thing about the old man’s fortune-telling was especially odd-he didn’t do it for the money. He never set a price; you could give him a dollar or two, and he wouldn’t blink. Hand him a couple hundred, and he wouldn’t seem to notice.
Watching this, Cyan grinned and said, “Let me try him out, see if he’s actually good.” She stepped forward, raised her hand, and asked the old man, “Sir, could you read me?”
The old man chuckled softly, then tilted his head, placing his fingers on Cyan’s hand, feeling it as if he were listening with his ear! After a moment, he released her hand and said, “Miss, your fingers are delicate, but with firm joints. This means you have a kind heart, don’t like conflict, and are destined for wealth and fortune. Your future husband will likely be a businessman, someone with a bit of fame.”
Cyan was so thrilled she nearly burst out laughing. She turned to her friends and called out, “Georgia, Regina, come over here! This old man is really good!”
Regina scoffed with a haughty tone, “I don’t believe in any of that!”
“Georgia, your turn!” Cyan pulled Georgia over to the old man, who took her hand with a look of confident focus.
He began to feel along her hand, starting from her fingertips and moving to her palm. But suddenly, his expression twisted as if he’d found some hidden treasure.
His hands grew firmer, his eyes darkened with a strange intensity.
He gasped, “This… this…!” as his fingers worked over her palm, his face displaying a mix of emotions.
The crowd leaned in, intrigued. Cyan, squatting nearby, couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “What’s wrong, sir? Are you having trouble reading her?”
The old man didn’t answer. He kept examining her hand, like he was discovering something unbelievable.
After a long minute and a half, he finally let go, looking utterly stunned.
With a surprised expression, Cyan asked, “Well? What’s the verdict, sir?”
The old man didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he slowly rose, his eerie eyes fixed on Georgia Adams with an intensity that made her shiver.
Finally, he bowed deeply and said, “Your humble servant greets the Commander’s wife!”
The crowd gasped, eyes widening in shock at the old man’s bizarre proclamation. “Commander’s wife?” They exchanged stunned looks, unable to believe the dramatic turn.
Cyan blinked in astonishment, then looked at the old man in wonder.
He continued, “Madam, if I’m not mistaken, your husband is a great patriot, a hero defending Seclela’s lands. He’s a general, seasoned in battle, who has fought his way through countless fields and storms of gunfire. In Seclela, he is nothing less than a national treasure!”
These bombshell words left everyone open-mouthed in shock.
Even the aloof Regina couldn’t help glancing at Georgia Adams with amazement, her heart racing. Could it be true? Her husband… a battlefield hero?
Women love a little competition, comparing who’s prettiest, who’s got the wealthiest background, or who married the best. Regina had always felt a twinge of jealousy toward Georgia Adams’ looks, and her successful career only made it worse. Now, learning her husband might be a war hero? Regina couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy-was Georgia Adams really impossible to top?
“Is this real? Is he really that incredible?” Cyan finally couldn’t resist asking with big, curious eyes.
At that moment, a woman in the crowd chuckled. “Wait, isn’t she from the Adams family? I heard she married a fool a few years back. You all remember, don’t you?”
“Right! The Adams family girl, isn’t she? She really did marry some fool.”
“See? Old man, your story doesn’t hold up. I know her; she’s just an Adams family girl who lucked into a project from Beckett Robinson. Her husband’s a fool; everyone in Hiphia knows it.”
The old man remained calm, unfazed by the doubters around him.
“Forget it; let’s go! This guy’s a fraud. Probably just a hired act for the Adams girl!” someone else muttered. “Can’t believe I almost bought it. Total disappointment.”
As the crowd dispersed in discontent, Regina dropped her astonished look and, with a sly smirk, teased, “Georgia Adams, so you married a fool?”
Georgia’s face flushed with embarrassment. She nodded, whispering, “My husband did suffer some injuries in the past, but… he’s recovered. I only recently found out…”
Regina scoffed, cutting her off with a laugh. “Georgia Adams, no shame in marrying a fool. Just don’t bring a paid act to show off. No need to impress us. We’ll know the truth sooner or later.”
“That’s not true!” Georgia protested, “I don’t even know him!”
The old man, still silent, pulled a small red bottle from his pocket, much like an old-fashioned pill vial. Handing it to Georgia, he said, “Madam, please give this to your husband.”
Georgia blinked, asking, “Do you two know each other?”
He shook his head. “Strangers, guided by fate. But you’re our connection. Please pass this to him, along with this,” he said, handing her a yellow envelope.
Confused, Georgia repeated, “Do you really know each other?”
The old man chuckled. “I know him; he doesn’t know me. But his name rings across Seclela; a hero known far and wide. My message is inside. Please, madam… Tell him it’s from Maverick Quinn.”