16

Minute by minute, time slipped away, and Elliot's lips grew thin and cold, forming a straight line. Expressionless, he stared out the window. Soon, his subordinate called back with information. "Master, according to our investigation, the woman's qualifications and certificates are credible, but she is using a false name. She appeared in the hospital's obstetric department six years ago, gave birth, and then disappeared. She has only recently been active in the imperial capital city."

Elliot's grip on the phone tightened as he heard this. His hand trembled slightly before he hung up. Leaning back on his leather chair, his eyes glowed fiercely, resembling a predatory beast. Was it just a coincidence? The faces were so different, almost imaginary. This woman was extremely ugly, heavily relying on makeup, whereas the woman who married into the Stone family six years ago despised cosmetics.

But hiding one's true identity was not beyond the realm of possibility. Elliot's heart raced, pound