The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)

Chapter 511

"Don't worry, folks. Just let him rest up a bit, and he'll be waking up before you know it.”

But the doctor's "before you know it" turned out to be slower than expected, as Jonas didn't open his eyes until the sun had risen again the next day.

After a night of recuperation, Jonas’ strength gradually returned. Recognizing the faces of those who had likely pulled him from the brink, he propped himself up and expressed his thanks, "Thank you for saving me. Where am I?"

The group exchanged glances before the eldest among them, a white-bearded gentleman, stepped forward. Instead of answering Jonas' question, the gentleman asked, "Where do you hail from?"

"The States," Jonas replied succinctly, continuing his inquiry, "Where is this place? How far is it from the States?"

The old man shook his head. "Can't say. This is Oakwood Manor. We're all just the help around these parts. You weren't saved by us, though. It was Mr. Johanson who found you washed up on the shore."© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Alright now, let's not bombard the man with questions," interjected a plump lady, approaching with a bowl of steaming broth in her hands. "Honey, you must be famished. Have some of the fish stew | just whipped up. It'll help you regain your strength."

"Thank you, ma’am," Jonas said graciously, taking the bowl with both hands. He blew on the steaming broth gently before taking small sips. After two days with nothing to eat at sea, the fish stew tasted a thousand times better than anything he'd ever eaten.

Once he finished his meal, Jonas changed into the clothes provided by the kind woman and cleaned himself up in a makeshift shelter, revealing his handsome features.

His demeanor and eloquence didn't go unnoticed by the servants, who could tell Jonas was no ordinary man.

Having made himself presentable, and with nightfall upon them, Jonas had no choice but to stay in the makeshift accommodation, planning to depart at first light.

Lying on the rickety wooden bed, he stared into the still night outside, his mind fraught with worry. He wondered if his comrades would inform his mom and dad of his disappearance. That would be disastrous. His mother would be devastated. She couldn't bear more sorrow, not after his sister's disappearance.

No, he had to leave first thing in the morning! With these thoughts tumbling through his mind, Jonas soon drifted off to sleep.

As dawn broke, Jonas awoke, refreshed and clear-headed, to find the white-bearded gentleman from the day before sharing the humble room. He spoke earnestly, "Sir, I'm feeling much better. Could | possibly borrow a fishing boat to leave this place? | assure you I'll repay your kindness."

The old man looked at Jonas with a sad shake of his head. "Son, once you enter Oakwood Manor, there's no leaving." “What do you mean by that, sir? | don't understand," Jonas asked, puzzled.

The gentleman sighed deeply and didn't elaborate further. Instead, he stood up and gestured for Jonas to follow him. "Come, I'll take you to meet Mr. Johanson."

Jonas was soon led to a grand house, where the old servant introduced him and then respectfully retreated.

Jonas entered the foyer, exuding a regal air despite his youth. Approaching a chair of gilded wood, he saw a boy about his age seated upon it—presumably, Mr. Johanson.

Jonas stepped forward and offered his thanks with sincerity, "| am indebted to you for saving my life. | shall find a way to repay your kindness."

When Johanson first brought Jonas back, the boy was so grimy that Johanson scarcely dared to look at him. Now, cleaned up, Jonas' good looks were evident. But what truly surprised Johanson was how much Jonas resembled Anna. His eyes widened in shock.

Johanson quickly approached Jonas, staring intently into his eyes, which—just like Anna's—were a striking shade of blue.

Jonas, confused by Johanson’s reaction, repeated his thanks, "I am grateful for your aid. | shall find a way to properly express my gratitude.”

However, Johanson was internally reeling from the resemblance. He couldn't tenor how aeerenr y thine’ fquittBore such a likeness to Anna, even down to the color of their eyes. He made a silent resolve to be wary and determined that Anna must never meet this stranger. Please read the original content at .

With a haughty tilt of his head, Johanson dismissed the idea of thanks. “Gratitude isn’t necessary. Stay and work on the estate. That'll be your way of repaying me.”

Jonas couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. A decorated Army Major from the States and a top Harvard graduate was reduced to laboring for this capricious boy. "How long must | work to repay this debt?" Jonas inquired calmly.

"Depends on how sincere you are," Johanson replied offhandedly. "I'll let you know when | feel you've earned your keep.” With that, Johanson signaled for Jonas to be dismissed.

Watching the imperious Johanson, Jonas swallowed his pride. While he disliked Johanson’s attit dechett) OLWe\Sai tRBY KA saved his lifé. Without means to leave, Jonas begrudgingly agreed to Johanson’s terms, planning to bide his time until an opportunity to depart presented itself. Please read the original content at .

Johanson instructed the butler to find some task for Jonas, and

although Jonas was less th rom) pleased, e-held tist6ngde. esolved to hlork or a couple of days as a gesture of thanks, Jonas mused that perhaps, here in this strange place, repaying a life-saving deed meant putting in a few days of honest work. Please read the original content at .

Not long after Jonas had left, Anna came barreling in, her face split by a beaming smile. She cast a playful look at Johanson, who was lost in thought. "Hey, Johanson, is that guy we found awake yet?"

Johanson snapped out of his reverie and nodded nonchalantly. "Yeah, he's up."

“Really? | wanna go see him," Anna chirped, darting towards the door only to be yanked back by Johanson.

Johanson really didn't want Anna anywhere near Jonas. His eyes darted to the side as he muttered, "Why bother with a servant? He's just off to do some chores. Let it be, Anna."