Purple watched Nathaniel storm off, relieved.
Despite her emotional obtuseness, she understood a simple truth, soft-heartedness could lead to grave mistakes. What Nathaniel needed now wasn't her lingering affection, but her heart of stone.
"Miss?" the steward inquired.
Purple came back to her senses and said, "It's nothing, let's go."
...
The villa was built halfway up the mountain, accessible by a single road just wide enough for two cars to travel side by side. Purple had left some people to guard the foot of the mountain and took only the steward and two bodyguards with her up the mountainside.
As the car ascended along the mountain road, it wasn't long before they could see the tall ginkgo tree, its branches full and leaves flourishing, both strong and elegant.
Purple couldn't help but hold her breath.
She left everyone outside and entered the house alone.