'What birthmarks?'Cole was a bit confused, and he was uncertain how credible Joan's words were, given her current condition.Joan pointed to the necks of Tinkerbell and Pixie in the photo and gestured to her own neck, her eyes clear and her expression gentle as she said, "The children you sent, they had birthmarks here. They don't have them.""The children I sent had birthmarks?" he asked."They do," Joan whispered. "Every child sent to the welfare home is carefully examined from head to toe because it could serve as proof for them to reunite with their biological parents in the future."Upon hearing Joan's words, Cole quickly retrieved his phone and opened the cloud album. He often replaced his phones, not because of poor phone quality but due to work reasons.It was because he had too much work to handle every day, and the phone memory would quickly fill up. He could not delete the work-related content as he might need to find some information that he could directly access on
Cole stepped on the brake abruptly, stopping the car by the roadside. He got out of the car, opened the trunk, and took out a sealed brown envelope from the car's password-protected box.He eagerly sat back in the driver's seat and turned on the small overhead light. In the dim light, he opened the brown envelope containing several DNA paternity test documents.When Cole provided the samples to the head of the lab testing department, he did not use full names but letters to represent the names. The bag containing Bradley's sample had the letter "W" written on it. The bag containing Esther's sample had the letter "Q" written on it. The bag containing Felix's sample had the letter "X" written on it, while the bag containing Tinkerbell's sample had the letter "B" written on it.Cole found the paternity test between "W" and "B". Without bothering to read the previous content, he went straight to the last page to look at the set of numbers written on it. The number was "0", indicating no
The tremendous impact forced the driver of the cement truck to step on the brake and come to a stop. The driver got out of the truck and looked at the sinking car, his legs trembling as he fell to his knees and called the police."Hello, is this the traffic police? I just had an accident and the car... The car… It fell into the water! Please come and rescue them!"Cole, who was in the Mercedes-Benz, could only think of one possibility while he was sinking. Had someone discovered his search for the truth and intentionally tried to kill him to silence him? If this was just an accident, did it not seem too coincidental?Cole could swim, so he held his breath and tried to push open the car door.A man wearing a wetsuit and carrying an air tank appeared outside the passenger seat. He smashed the window of the car with a sharp glass breaker, opened the door after the window shattered, quickly picked up several DNA test documents from inside, and turned to swim away from the car.At firs
"Mr. Warner, the driver involved in the accident has already given the traffic police his statement. Due to drunk driving, he's been detained..."Bradley angrily asked, "Where is he?"Cole had graduated with a master's degree abroad and joined the Warner Group six years ago, becoming Bradley's special assistant. They had spent the most time together.Cole was exceptionally capable, and Bradley trusted him with many tasks, knowing that they would be well taken care of. Cole was quick-witted and efficient, not only completing the assigned work excellently but also being well-liked by everyone in the company.Bradley never expected that the person who was full of energy and vitality yesterday would suddenly disappear today without a trace!"The driver involved in the accident is currently with the criminal investigation department."Bradley's cold gaze fell on the rescue team, searching diligently for Cole on the river's surface."Each person participating in the rescue will receiv
Bradley was aware that Cole was an orphan who had grown up in a welfare institution. When he saw the water-soaked DNA test document, he instinctively assumed that it was a maternity test between Cole and his biological mother. If that were the case, could Cole's death be related to this DNA maternity test?Bradley then picked up the water-damaged phone from the plastic bag, but it was no longer functional since it had been in the water for so long. He brought these items found in Cole's car back to the company headquarters.The news of Cole's accident quickly spread within the company. Since Cole was skilled at dealing with people, everyone was worried about him. They even discussed going to the most famous local temple that weekend to pray for his safe return.Bradley usually assigned tasks to Cole, but he was still working normally now that something had happened to Cole. When the employees of the Warner Group saw that Bradley was still working as usual, they all realized that the
Was it because Thomas had discovered Liliane's evil deeds? Had Liliane decided to kill him to silence him once and for all?Clark knew better than anyone that if Thomas were alive, he would never allow Liliane to marry into the Warners, even if she was pregnant and brought the child to the door."Doctor, can we go in and see her?" Clark sought the permission of the doctor in the ICU.After glancing at the tablet with information about Esther's condition, the doctor said straightforwardly, "You two don't have to go into the ICU for now. I'm arranging to transfer her to a regular ward, but her condition is rather unusual. She personally lacks the will to live, so if you can awaken her will to live, that'll be the best."Felix clenched his fists and said obediently, "We'll do our best."Clark asked with a sympathetic expression, "Is her condition very bad?""Especially bad." The doctor also showed sympathy and said, "She just had a bone marrow transplant surgery and received a stron
Leah arrived at the attending physician's office for Liliane's heart condition, Dr. Wilson Birch. He was a renowned cardiac expert in the country, and Liliane had been his patient since she was young.Leah gently pushed a brand card toward him and said, "Dr. Birch, I'd like you to help me with something."Looking at Leah, Wilson remembered that she used to be his goddess, but she had married someone else. Though he had also settled down and built his family and career, Leah remained an unattainable love in his eyes."Leah, you know I'd never turn you down," he said.Wilson's affectionate expression made Leah smile wide."With this card, you can go to any Hermès store and claim a limited edition Himalayan handbag."As a man, Wilson did not have much knowledge about handbags. However, Leah, being a woman, was different. She casually said, "I remember your wedding anniversary is coming soon. If your spouse receives such a handbag, she'll surely be delighted."Upon hearing that, Wil
If Wilson had married Leah back then, he would have treated her like a princess, showering her with love, and he would not bear to see her suffer even a bit.Wilson picked up the phone and called a doctor from the Warner Group."It's me, Wilson. I have a favor to ask. Can you help me check if there's a girl named Esther Quill in your hospital?""Oh, Wilson, what's going on?" The doctor teased him. "She's not even dead yet, and you're so eager to get her heart?""Just checking compatibility to see if it's suitable. Just send me the test data." Wilson was willing to sacrifice his hospital's interests to get what he wanted. "You wanted to visit our hospital's artificial heart lab before, right? I'll take you for a visit.""Wilson, you better not trick me!""I never lie. You have my word," Wilson assured him.-After a brilliant performance, Leah returned to her car. Over the years, she had never hesitated to manipulate Wilson with her sweet words—Wilson had orchestrated it all, in
Bradley's brazen words made Gabriel raise an eyebrow, and his scrutinizing gaze on Bradley intensified.Unfazed by Gabriel, Bradley calmly stated, "Mr. Sinclair, when I visited Shane recently, he handed me some video footage. It showed Esther being assaulted and abused in prison, with the perpetrators claiming it was my order. I've always dared to own up to my actions. What I've done, I won't shirk from. What I haven't done, I won't admit."Gabriel had seen the videos online. Even though Bradley had obscured the protagonist's face in the footage, he knew it was Esther. He had believed entrusting Esther to Thomas would ensure her safety, only to discover how fate twisted things."Bradley, I'll assume your words are true," Gabriel began. "Then tell me, if those people who assaulted Esther in prison weren't influenced by someone else, who put her in prison? Have you forgotten how you, in your irrational madness, expected a woman carrying your children to pay the price? Or do you believ
When Bradley brought up his grandfather again, he felt utterly unfilial as a grandson."Your grandfather's greatest wish before he passed was for you and Esther to live peacefully and happily. Sadly, all he witnessed was discord and enmity between you as a couple."Gabriel understood better than anyone that Bradley, in his youthful arrogance, felt that everything and everyone should conform to his desires. When Thomas compelled Bradley to marry Esther, almost like an arranged marriage, his rebellious nature surfaced."I've failed my grandfather's hopes," Bradley admitted with a bitter taste in his mouth.During quiet, solitary nights, he revisited memories of the past repeatedly.He hadn't desired that marriage back then. However, since he had promised his grandfather to marry Esther, he should have genuinely treated her as a wife.Despite the subsequent events not aligning with his wishes, he was painfully aware that if he hadn't been arrogant and unwilling to listen to Esther's
Esther wasn't pleasant toward Bradley. If she had evidence, she would gladly send him to prison to experience the joy of life behind bars.Bradley gazed blankly at Esther's stunning face, a hint of indescribable sorrow in his eyes. Those deep eyes resembled a chilly cold spring."Not only do you want to chop off my hand, but you also want my life, right?"Esther gestured a slice across her neck at Bradley with her hand, then turned away to tell Logan, "Let's go. Don't waste time on this.""Okay."With languid steps, Esther walked into the elevator. Once they were inside, the elevator doors shut.Outside the elevator, Bradley watched Esther and Logan like they were two puzzle pieces that matched perfectly. Instantly, he felt an unbearable heartache, as if his heart was being torn apart.He instinctively reached out to steady himself against the wall, observing the numbers on the elevator panel decrease until it stopped at the ground floor.It took a while before Bradley recovere
Throughout the entire night, neither Esther nor Logan had shut their eyes.Feeling their eyes strain, they applied eye drops. It wasn't until Esther noticed someone who shouldn't have been there on the surveillance footage."Logan, take a look at this."Perplexed, Logan asked, "What's going on?""Do you think this person looks like Shirley?"Esther was particularly sharp in discerning a woman's physique. She could immediately tell that the woman being supported by a man due to her intoxication bore a striking resemblance to Shirley."Let me see."Logan zoomed in on the surveillance footage, carefully comparing it with the footage containing Shirley. Physically, the two women indeed looked very similar.There was just one question... How would they confirm if she was Shirley?"Esther, stay here and keep watching the surveillance. I'll retrieve other surveillance footage.""Okay."Logan and Esther divided their tasks. Suspecting that the intoxicated woman might be Shirley, Est
Logan and Esther exchanged a glance. They fixed their intense gazes on Jason's face, unable to discern if he was smirking or provoking them."Mr. Taft, the evidence you seek will come."Jason scoffed. He seemed to transform into a different person as he put his glasses back on."Even if Shirley deceived me, I never wished harm upon her, let alone her death."I can consider your suspicions toward me as part of the investigation, but I hope that once everything is revealed, you can restore my innocence."I've said my piece. As long as Shirley hasn't divorced me, she remains my wife. I am obliged to cooperate in the investigation, and I hope you find her soon."Logan and Esther sensed something amiss with the first confrontation. They didn't say anything untoward until they exited the elevator and looked up at Jason's balcony outside.Jason stood on the balcony, looking at Logan and Esther and waving toward them.Logan and Esther looked at Jason before they turned and got into the
"She blocked me on all forms of contact at that time. I even tried contacting her through my colleagues' phones but found out she had blocked them, too. I thought she might be angry, so we should both calm down."Logan didn't speak and just listened quietly as Jason recounted the events of the case."I was angry that she blocked me. At my age, what's wrong with wanting a child? My parents were pushing for it, and I wondered if this marriage was what I wanted."Shirley is very beautiful. My friends and classmates say I'm lucky to have married her, but they don't know that beauty comes at a price."While my colleagues were buying properties, my wife kept changing bags. Her clothes, skincare products, shoes—everything was designer. To support her lifestyle, I work diligently, even taking extra freelance jobs to afford it."I thought I was a good husband and just wanted a child. What did I do wrong? If she had said that she didn't want a child after marriage in the first place, it wou
Gabriel took a long look at Esther, realizing more than anyone that Esther seemed to be heading toward a different extreme now. He wasn't certain if this shift in Esther's demeanor was good or bad.However, one thing was clear to him—the intersection of Esther and Bradley's lives resembled two lines crossing. After intersecting, they would drift further apart."Esther, you can investigate Bradley's criminal evidence. I won't object to that," Gabriel said with a stern face, emphasizing, "But ensure you complete your tasks on time and with quality.""Grandpa Gabriel, rest assured, I won't neglect my work."Gabriel nodded. "Go on then.""Alright." Esther stepped out of the office and approached Logan. "We can set off now.""Okay."Logan didn't inquire about Esther's conversation with Gabriel. Although they pretended to be engaged, Logan maintained a respectful distance from Esther. He wouldn't interfere much in her matters. However, he was aware that if she needed his help, he woul
Gabriel stated, "According to her husband, they argued before she went missing. He assumed she had returned to her parents' home and didn't inquire further since they often had cold spells for ten days to half a month. Their relatives and friends can testify to this."However, the cold spell extended to a month this time, which alarmed him. When he called her parents, they told him his wife never went home."Esther knew that the husband was often the first suspect when the wife went missing in cases like this."The wife bought a high-speed train ticket to her parents' home but didn't take the train back. The police traced her taking a ride-hailing car, and the driver claimed to have dropped her off on the street. The dashcam recording is proof. However, after that point, there's a blind spot in the surveillance footage. Usually, surveillance is kept for a certain period and gets overwritten after that."Logan asked, "What about the investigation on the missing woman's husband?""T
Esther rose, fixating on the distant scenery with clear eyes. "As long as he commits a crime, he'll leave traces."Logan was on the verge of speaking but was interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone."Hello, Mr. Sinclair."Gabriel's voice sounded grave. "There's a new lead.""Alright, we'll be right there."Logan stood up, turning to Esther. "We'll meet at the locker room entrance in ten minutes.""Is there a new development?""Yes."For most girls, ten minutes might not suffice even for basic grooming. For Esther, it was just right. The only issue was her long hair. Time was too short, and she lacked the opportunity to blow-dry it. Her damp hair draped over her shoulders, slightly soaking her T-shirt.Logan kept his eyes on the road. "I'll drive. You can use a towel to dry your hair.""Okay."As Logan drove, Esther sat in the car, patting her hair dry with a towel. Her hair was thick, posing a challenge to dry with just a towel.Nevertheless, Esther refrained from openi