Agatha grasped the necessity of Logan's work, so she agreed without probing too deeply."And you?"Logan clarified, "Esther and I will pretend to be engaged for a while.""Understood."Agatha refrained from questioning whether Logan knew Esther's true identity. For her, Esther was the best choice. No law prohibited her from remarrying after divorcing Bradley.Additionally, Logan was someone she had seen growing up. She would be delighted if Logan and Esther ended up together. However, if Esther opted to remain unmarried, Agatha wouldn't object. Esther's happiness was paramount, whether in marriage or otherwise."So, when do we depart?""Now."Logan assisted Esther and Agatha in loading the luggage into the car.Before arriving at Agatha's place, Logan and Esther roughly coordinated their background story—Logan had been captivated by Esther at first sight during his visit to Agatha. Guided by Agatha's matchmaking, they attempted to get along.Both Logan and Esther, being highl
Bradley had witnessed Esther being pushed into the incinerator. What more did he expect?Xara didn't disturb Bradley. Instead, she went to check on the three children.Jacob exuded a big brother vibe, and Sunshine and Felix were sensible. They had teachers for studies and a butler for daily life.Now pregnant again, Xara couldn't afford excessive worry due to her health. Moreover, she had to attend prenatal classes regularly.As Xara prepared to leave, Bradley blocked her way, asking, "Dr. Sadler, can I see Felix?""Felix is your son. If he wants to see you, I have no objections."Choked, Bradley didn't know what to say."I'll ask him," she said.After consulting Felix, Xara arranged for him to meet Bradley. Father and son sat face to face.Felix sat upright, displaying an unusual maturity for his age mirrored in Bradley's face."Felix," Bradley began.Felix looked up at Bradley. The latter's eyes were gentle, and his tone soft as he said, "I'm going back to the country. I k
Logan, Agatha, and Esther arrived at Capitus International Airport. To heighten the authenticity of their plan, Esther had been in a wheelchair since disembarking the plane."Grandma Agatha, don't you think I look too healthy?" Esther questioned, glancing at herself on her phone.Even without makeup, her complexion was radiant, far from that of a sick person."We'll take you to the hospital right away," Agatha said, reaching out to touch Esther's face with an indulgent look. "Once we're there, I'll take care of the rest.""Okay."-At the hospital.Agatha managed everything on the medical front.Half an hour later, Esther found herself on a hospital bed, engrossed in her phone. "Logan, do you think this is okay?"Logan replied gently, "Looks good.""Really?" Esther doubted him. She switched to selfie mode on her phone and asked, "How about ordering some foundation online?""Vain much? You want to put on makeup?" Logan teased.Esther clarified, "No, I just want to give mysel
Logan stepped out with his phone. After just a few strides, he spotted his parents approaching from the opposite direction."Logan!""Dad, Mom," Logan greeted them.Upon receiving Logan's message, his parents hurried to the hospital. For years, Logan had been engrossed in work, avoiding romantic entanglements. His parents had resigned themselves to the idea that he might remain a dedicated workaholic destined for a single life.However, Logan surprised them tonight by revealing that he had a fiancee. Excitement surged through his parents, prompting them to abandon their tasks and rush to the hospital to meet his partner."What's the situation with your fiancee?" they asked.Logan solemnly replied, "Dad, Mom, have a seat. Let me talk to you first. Don't startle her."-In the garden.Logan's parents sat, and he brought two cups of coffee from the vending machine."Dad, Mom, my fiancee is Esther Quill," he said.Logan's parents, perplexed, asked, "Oliver's niece? Bradley's ex-
When Paul and Tamara entered the hospital room, Esther was engrossed in a comedy movie, her face brightening with a happy smile as the plot amused her.At that moment, Logan's parents questioned whether she could be Bradley's ex-wife, considering how lively and beautiful Esther appeared, seemingly unlike before."Esther, these are my parents. They came to see you," Logan reminded her.Startled, Esther set down her phone, ready to rise.Logan approached and gently held her shoulder. "You're a patient. No need to tire yourself."Paul and Tamara added, "That's right, just stay seated."With a questioning look, Esther asked Logan why he hadn't informed her earlier. She wasn't mentally prepared at all."Esther, my parents know about your situation," Logan said, successfully calming her anxious emotions.Esther instantly felt less nervous. She and Logan were merely playing the roles of a fake couple. If the act became too realistic, she worried about facing Logan's parents after thei
Esther doubted Logan's words, prompting her to grab her phone and open the camera."Why have you been staring at me?" she questioned.Logan chuckled as he stood up. "You're good-looking."Esther was rendered speechless. If he didn't want to answer, staying silent would have sufficed. Why bother with a false statement to appease her?"While danger hasn't arrived yet, you should enjoy the peace now," Logan advised.His words carried a hidden meaning, but Esther didn't grasp it."It would be even better if there were some snacks," she commented.Without saying a word, Logan ordered snacks and drinks for Esther.Observing the pile of snacks delivered, Esther sincerely praised, "Logan, your future girlfriend is very lucky."It was a casual compliment, but Logan took note.Esther believed Logan would treat his future girlfriend like the apple of his eye, considering how well he treated her now.-Everyone knew Bradley's ex-wife had died in a car accident, falling into the sea. Th
Esther and Logan locked eyes.Logan quickly engaged in their act and asked, "Esther, do you know him?""I don't." Esther shook her head, tentatively asking, "Sir, perhaps you are a friend of my younger sister?"Kevin turned around and entered the hospital room, closing the door behind him."Esther, I'm Kevin!"Esther shook her head."Don't you remember me? I'm Kevin, Kevin Slade!"Seeing Kevin so emotionally charged, Esther suddenly became curious about Bradley's expression when he saw her."Sorry, I don't know you."Kevin instantly understood as a doctor. He looked at Esther, then at Logan, and asked gently, "Do you have selective amnesia?"I know some people suffer from selective amnesia because they can't accept reality."I understand. Don't worry, I won't tell Bradley about your situation."Esther took out a purse and pulled out an ID."Sir, you might know my sister. I'm her elder sister, Esther Quill."Kevin was a bit confused by Esther's words. "What sister? Esther
Even though Esther was the one who had assisted him, he had considered her an enemy and joined Bradley in mistreating and hurting her. Had he known from the start that Esther was the one who had persuaded Bradley to save him, he would have unhesitantly stood by her, protecting her without hesitation during the incident.If he had believed Esther, staunchly defended her, and insisted on a DNA test from Bradley, many tragedies might have been averted.His mistake made him Bradley's accomplice. Now armed with the truth, he wouldn't harm Esther in the slightest."Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about you," Kevin assured, resolving not to hurt her anymore, regardless of her identity."It's fine if you tell Bradley." A terrifying crimson glinted beneath Esther's teary eyes.If she weren't on a mission, she would seek revenge against Bradley on her sister's behalf. Not necessarily through physical harm, as that would be too easy. Instead, she wished for Bradley to endure the same pain s
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