"Mommy, a bug just flew into my eye," Cherry explained, presenting the most innocent of lies.Sophie's eyes reddened. She entered the room and wrapped Cherry in a warm embrace. "Well, let's cry a bit then. The tears will wash the little bug away.""I guess it worked. Look, the bug must be gone now," Cherry opened her eyes wide to show her reddened eyes. Sophie hid her own heartache and played along.Curled up in her mother's arms, Cherry tried not to cry, aware that her mother was likely feeling worse than her."It’s okay to cry when you're hurt, Cherry," Sophie reassured her, kissing her forehead. Sophie understood the weight of public scorn, especially for a child as young as Cherry."It’s not that, Mommy. I wasn’t crying because I was hurt," Cherry quickly explained."Why then?" Sophie asked, concern evident in her voice."It's because of… Tristan. He pretended not to see me before, and I was really mad, but now I feel so bad for him. Mommy, will he become a vegetative person
Sophie pointed at Tristan in the surveillance footage, moving unusually slowly. "Children usually rush to the restroom. His cautious movement is strange. He seems very tense, like someone who can't see clearly."Jeanna, absorbed in the video, gasped suddenly. "That explains why he entered the women's restroom!""Or perhaps someone intentionally led him there," the observant Linda added, her gaze fixed on the last housekeeper to interact with Tristan, hinting at a deeper intrigue.Sophie and Linda exchanged knowing looks as they contemplated the same theory. If Tristan's accidental entry into the wrong restroom was because of poor vision, then the timing of the incident seemed too coincidental. Evidently, someone had intentionally directed him there."We need to investigate that housekeeper," Jeanna proposed enthusiastically, sensing they were close to unraveling the truth."Certainly. We should also look into Tristan's vision problems. Jeanna, Linda, could you check the hospital f
"Now that you'll take over the company, you'll certainly be no idle man," she began, her tone carrying a hint of mischief. "Think about it, X Corp. belongs to Cedric. If you take charge of Carlson Group, then..." Melissa left the implication hanging, her playful expression belying the strategic push.Matthew was about to assure her of his commitment when the conference room door opened. Austin entered with his secretary, both displaying subdued smiles. "Apologies for keeping the shareholders waiting. Today is Carlson Group's routine shareholders' meeting. Jamie here will present this year's financial report and outline next year's budget."Jamie Aurum, the secretary, prepared to present the report. However, before he could begin, Melissa interjected, saying, "Hold on.""Do you need something?" Austin asked with a smile, noticing her stand up."We can skip the report on this year's operations. Our business has been stagnant for years, and profits are dwindling annually. Austin, I
"Austin, Grandfather no longer holds any shares, so you don't need to use him to intimidate me," Melissa said with a challenging tone.Austin looked at her with a smile. "Are you saying that I must relinquish my position as CEO of Carlson Group?""It's not about stepping down, but the company is declining under your leadership. The CEO position isn't right for you," Melissa declared confidently, her stance causing murmurs among the onlookers.The Carlson family had just begun to squabble over shares Jeff had given to a child.Matthew's expression darkened upon hearing that. He took hold of Melissa's arm, his voice louder than usual, "Isn't this enough trouble?""Who's causing trouble?" Melissa retorted."Let's go home." He dragged her into the elevator without waiting for a response.Inside, Melissa wrenched away from him, her voice tinged with frustration. "Matthew, why are you angry with me? I'm doing this for you.""For me? Five years ago, everything you did was for Cedric,
"Father, I also want Carlson Group to prosper," Melissa protested."Prosper? It's under your so-called hopes that this family has ended up like this!" Jeff's anger escalated with her words.The family was fractured, and now Sophie was unfairly shouldering a huge burden. Melissa's role in this was undeniable."Dad, please take your medicine. Don't let your health suffer because of anger."Jeff clutched his chest, gasping for breath, then swallowed the pills handed to him. His breathing eased after the medication took effect, but his appetite vanished. Leaning on his cane, he glared at Melissa, whose face bore grievance and resentment, before retreating to his room."Austin, I never knew you had it in you!" With Jeff gone, Melissa finally vented her bitterness. Austin must have spoken ill of her behind her back to Jeff.Matthew's expression grew darker as she showed no signs of remorse. "Aren't you done yet?""You're asking me? Fine, I see it now. All of you Carlsons are ganging u
"Then let's continue our search tomorrow.""We need to change our approach. Vivienne probably wouldn't have registered under her or Tristan's real names. We should focus on patients who didn’t use health insurance for ophthalmology appointments," Sophie suggested, bringing a spark of realization to Linda's eyes."That does narrow our search," Linda muttered.Considering the prevalence of health insurance, patients paying in cash for such appointments were indeed a rarity."Exactly. Sophie is so clever. We'll find those who paid out-of-pocket for ophthalmology and inquire with their doctors. I’m sure we can uncover Vivienne's tracks."What about the investigation into that housekeeper?" Jeanna asked, equally eager for updates.Sophie was eager for news from Austin's side as well. Just as she picked up her phone, perhaps coincidentally, it rang. Her eyes brightened as she quickly answered. "Hello, Austin, what's the news?""The housekeeper has resigned. My aunt treated her very we
"I understand," Evander immediately nodded. Someone must have instigated Polly's sudden resignation, likely for a substantial payoff to take such a big risk. If they could trace the money to its source, it would largely clear Sophie of suspicion."Mr. Carlson, where to now?" Evander asked."To the villa," Cedric replied, his expression contemplative.'To Vivienne's place?' Evander was somewhat puzzled by this response but swiftly drove toward Vivienne's villa.-Upon hearing the car, Wendy hurried to open the door. Seeing Cedric's tense demeanor, she asked uneasily, "Mr. Carlson, what brings you back?""I need to collect some of Tristan's belongings," Cedric stated as he entered, surveying the space with a critical eye.Wendy moved aside, asking, "Which items shall I gather for you, Mr. Carlson?"Cedric wasn't in a hurry to reply and calmly sat down on the couch. "Wendy, you've been employed here for nearly six years, correct?""Yes, it will be six years in two more months."
"She should be afraid," Cedric replied, his voice hoarse and icy.Wendy's fear suggested that Vivienne was equally unsettled."I understand," Evander acknowledged, grasping Cedric's implications, and accelerated into the night.Wendy peeked cautiously from behind the window and waited until Cedric's car disappeared. She then called Vivienne. "Ms. Kerrigan, Mr. Carlson was just here.""Did you do as instructed?" Vivienne's lowered voice came through the phone."Yes. After your instructions, I placed the medicine in my room," Wendy confirmed, momentarily forgetting Vivienne could not see her nod. "Ms. Kerrigan, is Mr. Carlson suspecting something? He inquired about my hospital visit.""Don't panic. Follow my instructions, and don't worry about anything else. And I warn you again, we're in this together. Neither of us can back out." Vivienne's cold tone abruptly ended the call. Clad in a patient's gown, her figure radiated malevolence, her fingers clutching the phone tightly.'Tris