"Ms. Scott, this is regarding your request to investigate Serenity Lewis's life in Latveria for the last five years. We've completed the investigation. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results, but there's an additional fee." A man's voice spoke to Gwen on the phone.Gwen was relieved to hear that the investigation had come to fruition, but her mood immediately soured at the man's demand. "What, you need more money?" "When you requested the investigation, you didn't mention that she's the current Mrs. Valor, Jackson Valor's wife! I'm already taking a huge risk by giving you this information. You've only paid that much money, which isn't enough."Gwen grew resentful. That much money… But she had already paid 45 thousand dollars! Hiding her spite, she asked the man, "How much do you want?""750 thousand dollars," the man demanded.Gwen almost cursed out loud. 750 thousand dollars! That was extortion!"Do you think the information you're giving me is worth 750 thousand dollars?
Walter was detained in the detention center, and the Valor family would be suing him for what happened to the child. Although Walter might go to court because of the child's matter, he could always deny it. Serenity knew it would be hard to convict Walter without a chain of evidence, especially when they could not mention the incident of her crash into the sea. It was unlikely to punish Walter unless the Valor family found something else! Walter had been with Master Zack for years, after all. He must have done something else, not clean from sin. Serenity went to the detention center to meet Walter alone this time. When Walter saw her, he only said, "Don't bother asking. Whatever you're asking, I can't tell you anything. ""I came to say thanks," Serenity said."What? Thanks?" Walter seemed surprised."Thank you for saving me. I hate you, but I guess you're the one who saved me. You're the one who caused my tragedy. If not for you, I wouldn't have been separated from Jack for f
When Serenity left the detention center, it was still early. She had two hours before picking up the children from the kindergarten, so she went to meet Clara.As Serenity approached Clara's store, she noticed the same black car she had seen last time. Parked in the dark corner just like last time, the man sitting inside had a good view of Clara's store. Serenity immediately recognized Wilson's car. Wilson had not dated in years. He had moved half the Birch Group to Solaria, and Serenity knew it was all for Clara. Some broken things could be mended, but not Clara and Wilson's broken relationship. If Wilson had not pushed Clara over the edge, causing all her misery, he could have been with Clara long ago. Serenity came to the store and saw Clara busy braiding some handsome bracelets. Serenity remembered making a bracelet like this as a child. She would turn ropes of different colors into bracelets. It had been quite popular among girls in her generation."Clara, why are you making
"Adopted?""Yeah, that family is quite complicated. The man remarried another woman after his wife died. The man has a daughter with his late wife and a son with his new wife. Later, he suddenly adopted a child, which is strange. He already has two children, but he adopted another child who's not blood-related," Clara said.Many people in the neighborhood knew the family's history. Clara had lived in the area for years, so she knew. Serenity's heart ached for Caden again. Was Caden not blood-related to his current family? He must be living a hard life in the family. Without his sister's protection, he might get kicked out of the family.What would he do if they abandoned him? Where could he go? An orphanage? Then wait for the next family to adopt him?Finding a good home for Caden would take a lot of work. Those looking for adoption would prefer a younger child. Caden was already old enough to remember things. On top of that, he was not very likable."I'm gonna check on the boy
Serenity stayed a little longer, accompanying the boy until it was almost time to pick up Micah and Jackie from kindergarten. When Serenity was about to leave, she told Caden, "Caden, I'm leaving. I'll see you again, okay?"The little boy simply ignored Serenity, almost as if he had never heard her.Serenity's expression changed, and her eyes dimmed. The child's reaction stung her a little bit. She felt a slight aching pain in her chest. It was like she was being forcibly separated from someone she should have been close to. The accompanying thought brought a sardonic smile to her lips. 'What was wrong with her?' She wondered. Caden was just a child she had met. She was a little saddened by the child's story, but it was strange she felt pain because of the child's attitude toward her!Calming herself, Serenity left the child and returned to Clara's store."Hey, what's wrong? You seem pretty concerned about the kid," Clara said, curious as to why Serenity had stayed so long with t
Wilson sat in the car, watching his son return from school. He saw Clara smiling softly at Yanny, the same smile she had shown him long ago.Wilson had destroyed everything with his own hands. Whenever he thought of the love and affection she had shown him before, the regret overwhelmed him. It hurt to have lost her love, especially after realizing how much he had loved her.Wilson stayed in the car, drowning in regret. The sky was getting dark, but he was still reluctant to leave. He just wanted to spend more time here. Wilson kept watching Clara and Yanny until the lights in the store went out. 'Has another day passed?' He thought, his eyes hooded. Every day he lived seemed like torture to him, but it had only been five years since he had learned the pain of not being able to get what he wanted.Smiling bitterly, Wilson wondered how many years more he would live in pain. Even his own flesh and blood would not call him 'Daddy' ever again. Just as Wilson was about to start the c
"I came to talk. You shouldn't come here again." Clara was very calm, a contrast to Wilson, who was still panicking silently. Wilson froze, and his face instantly paled. "I'm just watching from a distance. I'm not bothering you, am I? Is this not okay?""You should stop," Clara said. "Wilson, we shouldn't see each other again. It's better for us. We should have stopped meeting after the operation."Not see each other again?! These words stung Wilson, making him barely able to breathe. "I know… I made a big mistake before. I-I'm trying to make up for it. I know I can't fix everything, but Clara, I know I was wrong.""I beg you, please. Don't take away my only chance to see you! It's all I ask for!" Wilson pleaded in agony.This man was usually far more powerful than the people around him, but having no power against the woman he loved most, he had to beg to save his chances of seeing her, even from a distance."What's the point of doing this?" Clara said, her voice surprisingly c
Clara's words were killing Wilson on the inside."Will you stop showing up when I date someone else? If that's the case, I'll find another man," Clara said.Wilson was a bit unsteady on his feet. What did she just say? Did she really just say that? Would she… "Do you hate me that much?" he said with difficulty, forcing the words through his throat. "It's not that I hate you, but every time I see you around me, it reminds me of my nightmares. Wilson, do you know? You're already a nightmare to me. And now, I just want to forget all about it," Clara stated.Wilson slowly loosened his grip on her wrist and finally let go. Despair rolled through him, showing in his eyes. He dissolved wordlessly as he lost his only hope.Nightmare? He never knew. It turned out that he was just a nightmare to her. When she saw him, all she could think of was the pain she had suffered in the past!Looking at the trace of indifference and coolness written all over Clara's face, Wilson had a sudden feel