WITH HIS brows furrowed, August waited for Maxine to speak. However, after a few seconds, Maxine did was to heave a sigh repeatedly. Her lips opened and closed like she was contemplating what to say.

“It's okay,” August assured her when he saw her pained expression. “If it's that hard to say, then you can keep it to yourself for now—”

“Master Charles is sick,” said Maxine as she suddenly found the courage to speak.

“What?”

August was stunned. He blinked his eyes twice, his lips parted in shock,