Chapter 6

Malcolm instinctively looked up, but the camera had already focused back on the host.

He glanced over disinterestedly and then looked away, catching only a glimpse of Arturo.

Suddenly, thought of the schedule for tomorrow and asked, "The design director from the branch will be here tomorrow, right?"

Julian smiled, "Yeah. She joined the branch three years ago and soon got promoted to design director with her unique designs. She's quite excellent. I'm sure she'll be a great help after taking over Hannah's job."

Malcolm nodded, his handsome face devoid of emotion.

The Lowe Group operated in various industries, but he had always been obsessed with design.

The topic brought a warm memory back to his mind.

"Lynn, what do you wanna do when you grow up?" asked young Malcolm.

"Malcolm, what do you think of my princess dress?" Young Carolyn stood up, spinning around in front of him with a sweet smile. Her dress fluttered, making her tender face even sweeter and lovelier.

"It's pretty!" Malcolm nodded.

"Anyone who can design such a beautiful dress must be amazing. You know what? I'm gonna study fashion design when I grow up. I'll make loads of princess dresses for myself!" exclaimed Carolyn, her eyes filled with hope.

Looking at her innocent smile, young Malcolm felt so happy and content.

Yet, that pure girl went missing because of him. Whenever Malcolm thought of that rainy night, regret and self-blame would surge up inside him.

He picked up his glass and gulped the wine, but it didn't dispel the frustration in his heart.

Letting out a deep sigh, he stood up and walked toward the door.

His tall figure was shrouded in deep sorrow.

Julian, who had been watching TV, finally started to eat. Before he could even take a bite of his chicken, he saw Malcolm leaving.

He closed his eyes in resignation, thinking, "Malcolm's so mercurial."

Then, he stuffed the chicken into his mouth, hoping it would at least fill him up a bit.

Grabbing the car keys from the table, he followed Malcolm out.

In a high-end restaurant in Fielddell.

The large private room was filled with the crisp sound of glasses clinking.

"Cheers!" Jeannie exclaimed happily.

She, Marilyn, and Roland downed their glasses of wine.

After Arturo's competition, the three took him here to celebrate.

Jeannie looked at Arturo, her gaze doting, her tone gentle and thrilled. "Congrats, Arturo. On winning first place!"

"Thanks, Mom! I owe my success to you." Arturo looked at Jeannie with a smile.

Jeannie didn't like Arturo calling her by her name. So he just called her Mom to make her happy.

"You're so sweet," Jeannie beamed. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, making her look even more charming.

She pecked Arturo's tender cheek in glee, leaving a lipstick mark.

Arturo didn't make a fuss, just grinning at Marilyn.

The piece he had played today was written for her, as he wanted to thank her and his grandma for raising him and his siblings.

Marilyn ruffled Arturo's hair, all smiles.

Then she looked at Jeannie, asking, "When are you guys heading back to Goldmere?"

Jeannie looked at Marilyn with a charming smile, replying, "Lynn, we're heading back tomorrow. There's a role for a kid that a director specifically wants Arturo for. I gotta take him back to Goldmere for the audition. The shooting would definitely be over before he starts school."

With tenderness in her eyes, Marilyn told Arturo, "Babe, don't tire yourself out. Listen to Grandma when you get back. I'll be back in a month."

Arturo gazed at her with his clear big eyes, his voice sweet and pleasant as he promised, "Don't worry, Mommy. Just focus on your work. Dominic, Laverne, and I will be good."

Marilyn nodded with relief.

Raising her eyebrows, Jeannie looked at Marilyn with dissatisfaction as if she had been left out. "Lynn, just relax. I got them. All you need to do is concentrate on your work. The Chambers Enterprise hasn't been doing well in recent years. They even have started selling shares. I'll buy some, too. Just to show you my support."

Roland, who had been ignored for quite some time, spoke up with displeasure, "Lynn, I'll help too. I'll keep an eye on their shares and buy some as soon as I see fit."

Marilyn gazed at Jeannie and Roland, feeling grateful.

In her life, she owed them the most.

"Thanks, Roland!" she exclaimed.

"Come on! Aren't we family? You don't have to thank me. It makes us seem so distant! Let's go. I'll take you back to your apartment," said Roland.

He had voluntarily become her protector, staying by her side like a guardian angel for seven years.

Jeannie piped up, "I'll take Arturo back to the hotel first. We booked an early flight tomorrow, so you don't need to come see us off."

"Alright. Thank you!" Marilyn squatted down and kissed Arturo on the forehead, feeling reluctant to part with him.

"Bye, Mommy!" Arturo felt the same, yet he knew Marilyn wouldn't be at ease if she didn't work.

"Bye!" Marilyn waved at Arturo and Jeannie.

Then, she left with Roland.

The Lowe Group had prepared an apartment for Marilyn in Mauve Heights right behind the office building.

Roland dropped Marilyn off at the apartment building. Then he got out of the car, watching her walk away under a tree.

As he stood there, he thought to himself, "Since Marilyn's gonna be here for a month, I'll stay here on a business trip for that long, too. The Harrison Group got a branch here anyway."

He looked up at the window on the fifth floor where Marilyn was staying. After seeing her silhouette, he finally turned to leave with a smile.

Marilyn's apartment was not big, but it was spacious enough for her to live alone.

The area by the window was wide and bright. Sitting on the sofa, she could enjoy the scenery of Fielddell. She drew the beige curtains a bit, letting the neon lights shine through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the whole room.

Standing before the windows with her arms crossed over her chest, Marilyn gazed at the familiar city where she had left for seven years.

Just then, the memory of that horrible night came flooding back. A sharp, indescribable pain instantly swept through her entire body.

That night seven years ago replayed in her mind, like a nightmare that would never fade.

People said that time was the best healer.

But it had been so many years, and the pain from back then never eased.

Whenever it flared up, she realized that those scars and the unbearable suffering of that night had already become a part of her.

Yet apart from the pain, the city also meant hope for her. She was looking forward to finding her biological parents here.

Now that she had become a mother, she understood how precious a child was to a parent. Sometimes she wondered if her family was looking everywhere for her just like she did.