Chapter 977

After the New Year’s Eve dinner at the Wallace residence, Frederick returned to his own home. Now, seated alone in his study, he gazed silently at the snowflakes drifting through shifting patterns of light and shadow outside the window. His mind wandered to memories of that tiny figure in red—her clear, ringing laughter echoing through the snow the year he first arrived in the capital. So small. So bright. Dressed like a firework that had come to life. Unconsciously, the corners of Frederick’s lips lifted into a faint, tender smile. He had always believed—no, known—that the one who haunted his dreams would return someday. At that moment, a knock sounded on the door. Terry stepped in, ushering in Violet behind him. “John, Violet is here to offer her New Year’s greetings.” Frederick turned his head. The warmth in his eyes vanished the instant they landed on her. Violet was no longer the timid teenager who once stood awkwardly beside her father, Aubin, in a faded dress at the Fuller house