Bradley tasted the strong liquor, and suddenly, a hint of blood spilled from his lips.Blankly stared at the alcohol in the glass. He smashed it onto the floor, creating a loud "clang" as it shattered, mixing blood with the potent liquor.Seemingly oblivious, Bradley entered the room, opened a medicine bottle, poured some pills out, and took it with bottled water. He then threw himself onto the bed, closing his eyes shortly after.-At the motel.Logan and Esther each opened a bottle of mineral water.Esther asked, "Did they go to the bar just for a drink?"Logan and Esther observed that the men at the bar didn't interact with anyone.Using binoculars to check the windows opposite, Logan said in a deep voice, "I don't know."In theory, they shouldn't be doing reconnaissance unless it was necessary.Logan didn't ask about Bradley and Esther's relationship. He wasn't concerned about his temporary partner's past. As long as Esther didn't affect his work, he wouldn't say anything
Logan initially thought Esther's mention of switching shifts in two hours was mere talk—he didn't anticipate her waking up right on time.Esther stood before Logan and said in a deep voice, "Go rest."Checking the time, Logan found it to be 3:00 a.m. Normally, everyone would be asleep, and unusual activities were uncommon. Logan wasn't Iron Man capable of going without sleep for 24 hours. This time, he didn't decline. Instead, he went to sleep while Esther kept watch.Although Esther wasn't sure about the specifics of Logan's mission, she naturally wanted to cooperate well with him as his partner.At 6:00 a.m., Logan woke up, washed up, and returned with breakfast, coffee, and a garbage bag.Esther glanced at Logan. He placed her breakfast in front of her, sat on a chair, and opened the garbage bag. The contents made his expression particularly serious.Esther sipped her coffee and silently observed without disturbing Logan's thoughts.Logan put on gloves and carefully picked ou
Esther appeared like a rose blooming amidst ruins—captivating, resplendent, and enduring."How much did Grandpa Gabriel find out?"After sipping coffee and nibbling on a sandwich, Logan replied, "I don't know. If you want to know, ask him yourself. Perhaps he sent you here this time for a test."Logan paused for a moment and observed Esther's contemplative expression. "Of course, all of this is just my speculation. I don't know the facts."It must be acknowledged that Logan grasped Gabriel's most sincere thoughts. Regarding the unforeseen incident with Esther's parents, Gabriel harbored more self-blame than anyone else. Despite Esther's father initially escaping unharmed, the vengeful individuals hadn't ceased their pursuit.Initially, Gabriel believed that providing Esther with a positive environment, shielding her from hatred and everything else, would ensure her safe and healthy development. However, only upon learning about Esther's experiences did Gabriel recognize that the o
Xara remained silent, her gaze fixed on Bradley. She comprehended Bradley's purpose in visiting the Sandersons better than anyone else. She also knew that if Bradley insisted on taking Felix away, she couldn't stop him, even with the guardianship authorization letter handwritten by Esther back then. After all, biologically speaking, Bradley was Felix's father.Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, Bradley flipped through the pages of Felix's drawings, each marked with a date. Despite not being a professional psychologist, Bradley discerned the emotions depicted in Felix's drawings.Felix's drawings exhibited subtle changes over time, indicating gradual improvement."Felix is my son," Bradley asserted, emphasizing a fact Xara couldn't deny.Observing Bradley's slightly worn face, Xara conceded, "I know Felix is your son, but you should understand that you only have a son if he's alive. If you continue to press him and push him to the brink like his mother did, you'll end up with
"Shall we play a game?" Bradley asked.Felix shook his head, and Bradley's expression noticeably darkened.Felix pulled out his tablet, and his chubby fingers danced lightly on the screen. He showed Bradley the words he typed, who glanced at them, feeling a throbbing pain in his temples.Felix: [I won't follow you back.]Felix, Sunshine, and Jacob had discussed it and unanimously decided that Felix wouldn't go with Bradley. They feared Bradley would use Felix as a hostage to threaten Esther again.Bradley forced a smile, speaking coldly. "Felix, you're my son. What's the meaning of staying with the Sandersons?"How do you want others to see me? That I can't even afford to raise my own son?"Bradley couldn't control his anger. Each word he uttered made Felix feel an urge to stand up and escape Bradley's sight.Felix: [My father isn't like you.]Felix: [My father loves me. He's gentle and doesn't lash out.]Felix: [Give me my father back!]For Felix, his memory of his fa
The psychologist, Bethany Hackett, observed Bradley as he fell into deep contemplation in response to her words.Without disturbing him, Bethany allowed Bradley the space to ponder the question at hand.After a prolonged silence, Bradley slowly raised his gaze to meet Bethany's. "I hope she's alive."Bethany's words had prompted Bradley to seriously consider the question. He vividly remembered the car plummeting off the cliff, the engulfing flames, and Esther being pushed into the incinerator. All signs pointed to Esther being dead.Nevertheless, Bradley persisted in the search, convincing himself that she was still alive."Let me ask you again. Do you think she's alive because you believe it will alleviate your guilt?"Bradley looked at Bethany and shook his head. "No. She's a cunning woman who's good at acting."Bethany maintained a gentle gaze on Bradley until his voice gradually subsided."Do I have a psychological disorder?" he asked.With understanding, Bethany replied,
"If you don't love her, you should let her soar freely."If you love her, you should hold her like a delicate flower, showering her with affection."Your pride, your arrogance, your dominance—they're all the culprits that pushed her to death."Everyone familiar with Bradley and Esther's history deemed Bradley the culprit. Regardless of his self-defense, it amounted to mere self-deception.The truth was within Bradley's grasp, yet he repeatedly refused to acknowledge it."I... I..." Bradley pondered Felix's drawings, Felix's illness, and the whereabouts of his and Esther's missing daughters. An indescribable glimmer of emotion flickered in his eyes. "What should I do now?"Bethany shook her head and softly said, "This is your life."The road stretched beneath his feet. By taking the first step, a new life awaited him.Bradley tidied up his clothes, wrote a check, and placed it in front of Bethany. "This is your payment."Without looking at the figure on the check, Bethany's eye
After Bradley's departure, it took Mandy a while to snap out of her thoughts. Serving Bradley wasn't something she truly desired, but wasn't that X's assigned task for her? With Bradley no longer interested, would X blame her for not completing the mission?Upon returning to her room, Mandy promptly called X to report Bradley's recent actions.After listening to Mandy's report, X's mechanical voice sounded. "I understand. The mission was completed well."Hearing the mysterious X utter these words, Mandy couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, tentatively asking, "Boss, are you genuinely not being sarcastic?""No. You can enjoy some time abroad before returning." X replied.With this confirmation from X, Mandy cleared her throat and asked, "May I know who donated their liver to Bradley during the transplant?"Mandy knew it was impossible she was Bradley's donor, but she was genuinely curious about the identity of the liver donor."You shouldn't ask what you shouldn't." X abruptly hun
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