Chapter 20 

A few days later, Nolan set out alone for Tibet. 

His assistant, worried about him, followed. 

Throughout the journey, Nolan remained unnaturally calm. He sat by the airplane window, gazing at the endless clouds below, his eyes hollow and empty. 

Upon reaching Tibet, Nolan headed straight for the site of Aurelia’s sky burial. 

The burial platform stood on a desolate hillside, surrounded by snow–capped mountains, the air heavy with solemnity, Nolan stood before the platform, his eyes fixed on the remaining traces, his voice low“What was it like… when it happened?” 

The assistant stood behind him, hesitation in his voice “Sir, are you sure you want to hear this?” 

Nolan’s gaze remained on the platform, his voice steady “Tell me.” 

The assistant took a deep breath and began slowly “That day, following the ritual, the burial master cut along Miss Thorne’s spine, dismembered her body, and crushed her bones with stones… The vultures came quickly. They consumed her organs first, then the bones, finally the flesh. The whole process was… swift and complete. The burial master said Miss Thorne’s soul was pure and would surely ascend to 

heaven.” 

A flicker of something like a smile crossed Nolan’s eyes, his voice barely audible “So she truly left me 

nothing” 

The assistant’s heart sank, an ominous feeling washing over him. He opened his mouth but said nothing. 

For the next few days, Nolan maintained his eerie calm. He behaved like a genuine tourist, visiting many places and taking in the sights. 

He stood at the foot of a snow–capped mountain, looking up at its majestic peak, his eyes still vacant. 

He visited temples, standing before Buddha statues, quietly observing their compassionate faces thout kneeling in prayer. 

The assistant followed, gradually relaxing his vigilance. 

Maybe Nolan really did just come to see the place where it happened. Maybe he’d finally made his peace with everything. 

However, on the third evening. Nolan stood on the hotel balcony, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains, 

06:52 

Eternal Pledge, Where Mountains Tou 

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Chayer 24 

His voice barety andite ta y love, wait for me 

The water stood behind him, his heart constricting at those words. He wanted to speak but couldn’t 

find his voice, 

The night breeze carried a chill. Nolan’s silhouette looked exceptionally solitary in the moonlight, as if he might disappear into the darkness at any moment. 

Mr.Creed’s phone calls came one after another, filled with anxiety and urgency “There’s too much happening at the company. When are you coming back? Nolan hasn’t fully recovered–he can’t stay away any longert 

The assistant held his phone in the hotel corridor, his eyes fixed on Nolan’s closed door, his heart anxious. Taking a deep breath, he finally summoned the courage to knock 

“Come in,” Nolan’s voice was calm and detached. 

The assistant opened the door to find Nolan sitting by the window, a cup of hot tea in his hands, gazing at the distant mountains. His silhouette in the morning light seemed particularly solitary, as if he belonged to another world. 

“Sir,” the assistant began cautiously, “the company matters… have piled up considerably. Perhaps we should head back?” 

Without turning around, Nolan replied with an unnerving calmness “Tomorrow.” 

The assistant was startled by Nolan’s straightforward agreement. His unease subsided slightly nodded “Got it. I’ll make the arrangements.” 

In the evening, Nolan left the hotel alone. The assistant wanted to follow but was gently rebuffed “I need to walk alone.” 

The assistant stood at the entrance of the hotel, watching Nolan’s silhouette fade into the sunset. That knot in his stomach tightened again. He tried to shake it off. “He promised we’re flying back tomorrow,” he reminded himself. “Maybe nothing should happen..”