Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1390

Zoey questioned Viola in detail, asking how she had come across Oliver, what state he was in now, and whether he had brought his child with him.

Viola recounted, "I was out yesterday to buy a stew pot, hoping to make some medicinal broth for Mom. After I purchased it, he came up to me. I was startled at first, thinking it was some pervert.

"But when he called my name, I recognized his voice. His face was so dark and haggard, and his eyebrows were shaved off. He has lost so much weight. If I hadn't carefully examined him, I wouldn't have believed it was Oliver."

Viola paused as she recalled the encounter and Zoey's earlier words, still feeling a sense of unease.

She continued, "He didn't have a child with him. He was alone. He told me he was forced to flee, and now there are arrest warrants for him everywhere. He has no money left, and with a child to support, things are really difficult for him. He asked me to talk to Mom about gathering 3,000 silver coins."

Zoey quickly asked, "If you did manage to get the money, how were you supposed to give it to him?"

Viola shook her head. "He didn't say. He just told me to get the money and he would find a way to come to me."

Zoey cursed inwardly. Oliver didn't take precautions against outsiders, but the little bit of vigilance he had was all directed at his own family.

She mulled over Viola's words, then asked, "He doesn't have eyebrows?"

"Yes, it looks like they were shaved off. Oliver's eyebrows were thick and easy to recognize. If he shaved them off, who would think it's him?" Viola said.

Zoey nodded thoughtfully. It made sense. If his eyebrows were missing, he would be harder to identify. But now that they knew, they could use it to their advantage. She could tell Carissa to keep a watchful eye.

However, eyebrows could be drawn on. If they only focused on looking for people with no eyebrows, they might miss him entirely.

"You should go out tomorrow," Zoey suggested. "Try the Ministry of Defense and see if you can get a meeting with Isaac. If Oliver is still around, he might try to follow you. I'll have Ms. Alana speak with Lady Carrisa and have her increase the patrols. It'll put pressure on him to reveal himself sooner."

Viola nodded. "Got it."

Then, she hesitated, asking, "How should we deal with Mom in the meantime?"

"Tell her that Isaac has agreed to help but we're still gathering the money by selling off some of the shops," Zoey replied.