The people Ethan sent to investigate the recent movements of Elder Lancaster all reported the same: besides walking the dog and having tea, Elder Lancaster had been visiting old friends to play chess and enjoy leisure activities—nothing unusual at all.

Ethan felt something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was strange.

Ivy was still unconscious, and Ethan had seen off Evelyn and Madam Lancaster, telling them to rest. As for the fact that he could ...