"No need to meet outside, just call me Senior Sister Althea," Althea said firmly.
"Okay, Senior Sister Althea," Liana replied softly, her tone wary.
Althea frowned, sensing the subtle shift in Liana's demeanor. This was not the lively junior sister she once knew. There was a chill in her eyes, a hesitation in her voice that wasn't there before.
"Senior Sister Althea, why are you here looking for me?" Liana asked, her voice trailing off as if uncertain of her own words.
Althea's gaze sharpened. "Why is Junior Brother Ethan not in the sect? Where did he go?"
Liana gulped, struggling to meet Althea's piercing eyes. "Senior Brother Ethan… he's gone."
"Gone? Where?" Althea pressed urgently.
Liana glanced down at the jade slip resting on Althea's neck. "Isn't it mentioned in the jade slip that Senior Brother Ethan left for you?"
Althea's hand swiftly concealed the jade slip beneath her clothes. "No."
