Chapter 335

Samuel had come to Aurich to handle some business for his new company, a venture in collaboration with Samson and others. He had met up with Samson, who had brought his wife along. Samuel had brought Shelmaine to dinner with them, but she remained detached and distant from the conversation. Her mind was on something else. The only time she reacted was when Samson mentioned Julien. Her grip tightened around the spoon, her eyelids fluttering slightly as if the name had triggered something deep inside her—a reminder of another life that now seemed worlds away. Samuel noticed it all, though he remained impassive and did not let his emotions show. Samson's wife, Caitlyn Turner, and Shelmaine were from Emerald City. She had moved away as a child, and though she could still speak some of the local dialects, her vocabulary was limited. Caitlyn tried to engage Shelmaine in conversation, and out of politeness, the latter responded, though it was clear her heart wasn't in it. Sensing Shelm