Chapter 21 Do Gender Really Matter?

Zachary and Jennifer were so consumed by their anxiety that they missed everyone else's perplexed expressions in the room.

"Mr. Kenneth, we sincerely want to apologize to Master Sinclair in person. Can you set up a meeting with Master Sinclair?"

Kenneth took a moment to collect himself and formulate a response. "Olivia isn't here."

When Zachary and Jennifer heard this, they became flustered and asked, "Hasn't she returned yet? When can we expect her return? We can wait for her here."

In the living room, the Sinclairs exchanged awkward glances, unsure how to react. Olivia had already moved out and was not expected back today.

Zachary and Jennifer became increasingly agitated as they watched the family remain silent. "Mr. Kenneth!"

Just as Kenneth was about to speak, Alexander stood up next to him.

"It's unlikely that Olivia will return today. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, if you're in a hurry, perhaps I can help you contact Olivia first. If she agrees, I can take you to see her."

"That would be fantastic," Zachary responded earnestly. "We'd really appreciate it."

Alexander nodded with a smile, and made a phone call before returning.

"Olivia said she understands why you're here. She's on her way to the Edwards Villa and plans to meet you there.

Zachary and Jennifer were overjoyed to learn that Olivia agreed to meet them at the Edwards Villa. They quickly said their goodbyes to the Sinclair family and left.

Alexander, noticing their haste, followed them outside. "I'll give you a lift."

Understanding Alexander's concern for his sister's well-being at the Edwards Villa, Zachary accepted the offer, putting his worries aside for the time being.

The Sinclair family did not react to the situation until after they had driven for a while.

"With them being so desperate to locate Olivia, could something have happened to Cynthia?" Angela, Ethan's wife, raised her concerns tentatively.

Kenneth's expression darkened as he considered the possibilities. "It's highly probable."

And it was probably related to the issue Olivia had raised.

The Edwards Villa was quite a distance from Sunset Heights Estates, taking over half an hour to reach.

When they arrived, Olivia happened to be standing at the entrance.

Despite knowing Olivia's age from Jennifer, Zachary was skeptical of her abilities when he saw her dressed in a T-shirt and jeans.

Jennifer's eyes, however, were filled with anticipation, free of the previous formality and distance.

"I misjudged you today, Master Sinclair. Thank you for coming," she said sincerely.

Olivia had agreed to help them, but she refrained from displaying arrogance at that point.

"Let's go inside," Olivia suggested.

Zachary and Jennifer immediately led Olivia into the house, explaining the situation as they walked.

"After Cynthia's afternoon nap, she usually takes a stroll through the children's play area. You reminded me of this in the morning, but I missed it. Despite my warnings, Cynthia went out in the afternoon and mysteriously disappeared in the middle. Initially, I thought she had been kidnapped.

However, about ten minutes later, security found her near the fountain. But not long after returning home, Cynthia collapsed, unresponsive to our attempts to wake her. The family doctor performed examinations but discovered no obvious cause..." Jennifer recounted, her voice filled with worry and sadness as she looked at Olivia.

Jennifer paused briefly before continuing, "Subsequently, when the doctor was preparing to transport Cynthia to the hospital for further tests, they noticed something fall from her."

This object prompted Jennifer to seek out Olivia once more.

Jennifer had someone dispose of Olivia's jewelry, which she had left behind when she left. Cynthia unexpectedly found it intriguing and secretly retrieved and kept it.

However, the item eventually disintegrated into ashes, retaining its original form despite being burned. Jennifer and the maid couldn't figure out what it was, but Zachary eventually identified it as Olivia's gift to Cynthia, which was distinctive and easily identifiable.

Jennifer examined Cynthia's body and discovered no burns or scorch marks, prompting her to speculate on the significance of the jewelry's transformation.

Jennifer, who did not believe in ghosts or deities, was unfamiliar with such phenomena. Kimberly, who was familiar with wizardry, speculated that the jewelry's transformation into ashes had protected Cynthia. Nonetheless, with Cynthia still unconscious, Kimberly proposed enlisting the help of a wizard.

Jennifer approached Olivia with concern, fearing that Olivia would harbor resentment from their previous conflict and refuse to help. She decided to apologize to Olivia specifically.

Zachary and Jennifer put aside their pride and prioritized their daughter's safety above all else.

Olivia observed the Edwards family's genuine concern for Cynthia and reassured them, "Do not worry. I've said it before. Ms. Edwards is destined for a life of joy and prosperity. Even if adversity strikes her, she will undoubtedly overcome it.

As Olivia. But she was worried that Olivia would hold a grudge for being kicked out earlier and would not help, so she went to apologize to her especially.

Zachary and Jennifer no longer cared about their pride, as they were concerned about their daughter's safety.

Olivia could see that the Edwards family genuinely cared for Cynthia. So she reassured them, "Don't worry, I have said it before: Ms. Edwards will have a life of happiness and good luck. Even if she experiences misfortune, she will surely recover."

As Olivia spoke, the group the villa's second floor room.

When Zachary and Jennifer opened the door, they were startled by a burst of flames. Zachary instinctively pulled his wife back, and Alexander moved to pull Olivia. Before he could act, Olivia calmly waved her hand, extinguishing the fire instantly.

Inside Cynthia's room, a makeshift altar had been erected, with a middle-aged man dressed in a yellow robe standing before it, clutching a crucifix and chanting incantations.

Despite his suspicions that Cynthia had been cursed, Zachary was unnerved by this strange sight.

Zachary turned to Kimberly, an older, affluent woman, and inquired, "Mom, what is happening?"

Kimberly quickly explained, "After they mentioned Cynthia being cursed, I hired a wizard to fix the situation. Fear not, the wizard has assured us that Cynthia is not in grave danger. After completing the ritual, she will awaken, possibly with heightened intelligence."

Jennifer interjected, confused, "But Mom, didn't we agree that Zachary and I would handle this situation?"

Kimberly, displaying arrogance, responded, "What harm is there in seeking additional assistance? Given how concerned you all are about Cynthia, I felt compelled to assist."

Kimberly's gaze shifted to Olivia and Alexander, her suspicions clear. Recognizing Alexander as the Sinclair family's eldest grandson, she ignored him as the supposed master, instead focusing her ire on the girl next to him.

She frowned slightly and asked, "Is this the wizard you found? Why is she still a little girl?"

Her tone was full of disdain for Olivia.

Olivia raised an eyebrow slightly. 'Does one's gender truly matter in the realm of wizardry?'