The Secret Heir's Return to Wealth and Love novel Chapter 1842

"Chill."

Larkin raised a hand, planting his broad palm before her gaze, obscuring most of her face.

Erica blinked, her long eyelashes brushing against Larkin's palm, eliciting a ticklish sensation.

"I'm chilled." A few seconds later, Erica gently pushed Larkin's hand aside, holding it tightly.

"But I'm still a bit jittery, do you think your teacher will be pissed that I took you away?"

"He won’t." Larkin reassured with a smile, "Don't worry."

"Facing the elder who raised you, I'm bound to be jittery!" Erica took a few deep breaths, "I look like a hot mess right now, I need to go back and change into something more formal."

She had thrown on some sweats as soon as she woke up and hadn't even had time to fix her hair.

"You look great in anything." Larkin corrected her earnestly.

"Ha!" Erica giggled at his compliment, her eyes squinting into slits.

The pair walked and talked, and before they could make it to the sermon, Larkin's phone started buzzing.

Upon seeing the caller ID, the smile on Larkin's face vanished.

Neither Erica nor Larkin attended the morning sermon at the church.

After answering the call, Larkin grabbed Erica's hand and dashed to his teacher's room.

Outside the room, a crowd had already gathered, waiting.

Larkin's heart hammered in his chest.

Everyone looked at him, their faces a complicated mix of emotions, heads bowed, and no one daring to speak.

Erica gave Larkin a worried look.

He squeezed her hand tightly, his palm trembling.

Soon, Larkin led her into the room.

As soon as Erica entered, she caught a faint whiff of blood.

Larkin's teacher leaned against a stack of pillows, the corner of his mouth stained with blood, his face pale, and the light in his eyes seemingly gone.

"Teacher." Larkin called out.

Abbot smiled.

"Larkin is a good boy." He took a while to continue, "You... you must be good to him."

"I will!" Erica immediately assured him, tears spilling from her eyes, "Don't worry, I love him very much, I will treat him very, very well!"

"Good... good..." Abbot repeated twice.

Then the light in his eyes slowly faded away.

"Teacher!" The Prior cried out in anguish, rushing over.

On a clear morning, the Abbot had passed away.

As Larkin stepped out of the room, he accidentally bumped into a few monks.

He didn't feel anything in particular.

The sounds of crying echoed behind him, sometimes close, sometimes distant.

As he crossed the threshold, he stumbled slightly.