141. Level - oscar
Marcelline (soft, trembling, continuing her act):
"…I… didn't want to bother anyone, so I… I came here to rest…"
Chloe's hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide with worry.
Chloe (voice breaking, panicked):
"Oh no… she's really sick… I should have come sooner…"
Aiden's jaw clenched, his knuckles white as he gripped the phone. His voice shook with raw urgency.
Aiden:
"You… you can't be alone! We're coming! Just… just stay there, don't move!"
Marcelline stifled a yawn, hiding it perfectly behind her trembling hand, her entire posture slumping in a way that screamed fragile and ill. Every micro-expression, every quiver of her voice, was precisely calibrated — a masterful, Oscar-level act designed to pull at their hearts and twist their emotions.
> Perfect… they're buying it completely, she thought, the tiniest spark of devilish amusement flickering in her eyes.
---
Leo watched silently from the side, leaning casually against the doorway, eyes glinting with quiet amusement. Occasionally, he sent subtle mental nudges to Marcelline — tiny cues, adjustments to her performance:
> Leo (mindlink, lightly amused): Tilt your head slightly. Voice softer… more fragile.
Marcelline's lips curved into a faint grin, acknowledging his guidance without breaking her act.
> Marcelline (mindlink back, teasing): Noted. These kids are mine to torment anyway.
---
By now, Aiden's panic had reached a fever pitch. His entire body vibrated with worry, frustration, and jealousy. Every second he couldn't see her, touch her, or confirm she was truly safe, tore at him. Chloe's panic mirrored his, though she tried to hide it behind clenched fists and trembling lips.
Chloe (voice tight, whispering to herself):
"What if… what if she collapses? We're too late…"
Aiden, unable to hold back any longer, barged further into the room, phone pressed to his ear, eyes scanning every corner for her. His jealousy spiked as he glanced at Leo, standing there like a perfect ancient Greek statue:
> What is he doing here? How can he just… exist like this in her place?
Chloe's own heart twisted, imagining Leo quietly taking care of Marcelline, the siblings' panic mixing with fear and jealousy.
Aiden (through clenched teeth, muttering to himself):
"What the hell is going on here…"
---
Marcelline, still perfectly acting weak and fragile, allowed a tiny, controlled shiver to pass through her. She bit her lip softly, eyes glancing at Leo with a subtle, playful sparkle that only he could detect.
> They're practically losing their minds… this is too much fun, she thought, the smallest devilish grin tugging at the corner of her lips.
Aiden, hearing her soft, trembling excuses, could barely hold back the mix of relief, frustration, and protective rage. He wanted to sweep her into his arms, scold her, and demand answers all at once. Chloe mirrored his fear and worry, but her jealousy over Leo's presence added a twist of irritation she couldn't suppress.
---
Finally, Marcelline allowed herself a very faint sigh — just enough to make it sound like exhaustion, but the faint sparkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement. She tilted her head delicately, voice still quivering:
Marcelline (softly, trembling, perfectly fragile):
"Please… don't worry too much. I… I really just need a little rest…"
Leo, leaning back, allowed himself a small smile. The siblings had completely fallen into her performance, panic-stricken and emotionally entangled. Occasionally, he sent another mental nudge:
> Leo (mindlink, teasing): A little more tremble in the voice. Make them sweat just a bit longer.
Marcelline's grin widened imperceptibly, her mind whispering back:
> Oh, don't worry, Leo… I plan to squeeze every ounce of chaos from them before this act ends.
---
The tension in the room was electric. Aiden's eyes burned with worry and jealousy, Chloe's hands shook as she wrung them together, and Leo watched silently, entertained and impressed by Marcelline's flawless control.
Every pause, every quiver, every trembling syllable of her voice pushed the siblings closer to panic, yet somehow, they also felt a strange pull — admiration, awe, and helplessness all intertwined.
Marcelline, fully aware of the storm she had stirred, let a small, devilish, teasing smile tug at her lips as she glanced at Leo. Her voice barely audible, still fragile, she whispered almost to herself:
> Let's see how far we can push them…
And in that moment, Aiden and Chloe, caught between fear, panic, jealousy, and helplessness, could only stare at her — utterly mortified, utterly stunned, utterly trapped in her performance.
The villa was quiet, but the tension hung in the air like a storm ready to break.
> And somewhere deep in her heart… Marcelline was savoring every second of it.
---