Agatha was even more perplexed. She gripped Esther's hand, her voice trembling with nervousness. "W-Who is he?"Esther gazed tearfully at Agatha and suddenly sat up under the surgical light. She extended both hands and threw herself into Agatha's embrace, hugging her in distress. "Grandma Agatha, it was Bradley who took the drug traffickers to kill my parents."Agatha subconsciously stroked Esther's forehead as she listened. "Esther, what did you just say? It was Bradley?"Esther didn't conceal the flashes of images that had crossed her mind. Nestled in Agatha's embrace, she looked at the surgical light and softly said, "When I was looking at this light just now, some images flashed in my mind in a daze. I think those were the scenes from when my parents were killed.""Esther, you might be too stressed. Dear, close your eyes and rest for a while. After this is over, we'll go to Gabriel," Agatha reassured her.Agatha sighed in relief, thankful that Esther had recalled childhood mem
Agatha sighed slightly. "Yes."After ensuring Esther was settled, she immediately went to meet with Gabriel.-"Gabriel."Gabriel slowly poured Agatha a cup of tea. "I heard about Esther's situation. The members of the criminal group are more cunning than we thought.""That's not the priority now," Agatha interjected. "I remember you mentioning before that Esther had no childhood memories, right?""True. She might have witnessed the tragedy firsthand and, due to extreme shock, lost memories of the incident and the events leading up to it." Gabriel explained.Agatha closed her eyes, then asked, "Was Bradley at the scene as well back then?""How did you know?!" Gabriel exclaimed.Agatha gulped down the tea in front of her in frustration."Shortly after Esther was taken into the operating room today, she said she remembered," Agatha explained. "She mentioned that Bradley led the drug dealers to her home..."Gabriel had never considered this question before. He rubbed his chin,
Gabriel's words struck a chord with Agatha. However, she knew he hadn't seen the Esthre Bradley had tormented.Yes, Esther had the right to choose her own path in life. But who came to rescue her when she was imprisoned at Warner Manor? Was that really her will at that time?Agatha breathed deeply, her eyes reddening, as she articulated her thoughts. "Gabriel, I'm not like you, always rationally considering every issue. Esther's my apprentice. I'd rather see her carefree as she is now than bruised and wounded. If, due to my emotions, she regrets it later or blames me for taking charge, I can accept it."A person's life is precious. I'd rather she live peacefully than her life be cut short. You've seen all of Bradley's actions. He never regarded Esther as an independent individual."You also saw Bradley's behavior on the dashcam footage. If it weren't for Jasper swapping Esther to another car in the tunnel, Esther's car would still have plunged off the cliff by Coastal Highway 9, co
No matter who Esther was, her life belonged to Bradley. He would never allow her to die! He wanted her to stay alive!Bradley's thin lips formed a cold line, while his sharp eyes reflected killing intent. He suddenly turned around and swiftly exited his office, heading straight for the CEO-exclusive elevator. Passing by Dylan's office, he softly said, "Dylan."Dylan hurriedly caught up with Bradley, pressing the elevator button."Drive to the hospital," Bradley commanded."Yes, Mr. Warner," Dylan replied.-As Dylan drove Bradley to the hospital and their car entered its parking lot, Kevin drove in from the opposite direction."Block his car," Bradley ordered.Dylan accelerated, positioning the car in front of Kevin's.Kevin had no choice but to slam on the brake. The screeching of tires echoed in the silent underground parking lot.Bradley stepped out of the car with a furious stride, walked to the front of Kevin's car, and pulled Kevin out to pin him against the car door
Kevin leaned against the car door, watching Bradley's departing figure, and shook his head. A hint of resignation crept onto his handsome face.Bradley remained unchanged. He was as domineering and uncompromising as ever, never considering anyone else's feelings. For him, empathy was always out of the question.How could someone like him understand other people's fears, anxieties, dread, joy, or the desire to escape?-Bradley returned to the car, and Dylan respectfully closed the car door.After Dylan saluted Kevin, he entered the car and drove Bradley away.Meanwhile, Kevin pulled out his phone and dialed Logan's number.Kevin no longer thought about confirming Esther's identity. Whether she was the Esther he knew or her sister, none of it mattered. What mattered was that he didn't want Bradley to shatter her current life like an unfeeling executioner."Mr. Foster, it's Kevin. Bradley just came to the hospital. He has sent someone to find Esther's location. Just thought I'd g
Logan's call snapped Esther out of her chaotic thoughts. She looked at him as she asked, "What's the situation now?""To everyone else, your transplant surgery didn't happen. Instead, we've used the most traditional holistic methods to treat you. Soon, you'll recover to a normal state."Esther couldn't help but feel immensely relieved. She asked in a low voice, "Can I do what I want then?""Such as?" Logan asked.A glint of iciness flashed in Esther's eyes. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."She remembered how Bradley treated her sister. This time, she would repay every bit of his actions. She wanted genuine remorse and redemption from Bradley toward her sister. She aimed to strip him of everything he had in this world. She wanted him to have nothing left...While Esther spoke, the thunderous roar of a helicopter echoed overhead.Logan furrowed his brow and stepped out to see the helicopter hovering above.With his excellent vision, he spotted Bradley sitting in it. Brad
Logan couldn't help but sneer. Was there something wrong with Bradley's brain? How could he speak such nonsense? Had he forgotten that he and Esther were already divorced?"Warner, your ex-wife is dead."Bradley strode toward Logan murderously as if ready for a life-and-death battle."Logan, I'll warn you for the last time—hand over my wife!"Logan showed no sign of backing down. He stood still, calmly observing Bradley, and said composedly, "Warner, my fiancee is in a critical condition right now. I'm not in a good mood either. I suggest you—"Before Logan could finish, Bradley threw a punch at him. He knew that Logan was a mountain standing in his way, and he needed unwavering determination to overcome this obstacle.Bradley's skills were impressive due to his past practice, but Logan's skills were honed through repeated life-threatening situations. Moreover, Bradley had been in a slump due to Esther's death, impacting his abilities. Logan was also someone who had been through
If she had known, she probably would have never fallen in love with Bradley."Logan, say what else will he have to make other women fall for him if I slice his face off?"Logan rubbed his throbbing temples and reminded hoarsely, "Not too explicit."Esther pulled her hand back disinterestedly and cleaned her fingers with a wet tissue and a look of disgust."Logan, do you know why we haven't been able to catch the criminals?"Logan arched his brow. "Why?""Because we're normal people. We have values and a sense of righteousness, but they… don't."A flash of killing intent crossed Esther's face. It made her look like the beautiful assassin in movies. One knew she meant doom, but one couldn't help but stay engrossed."You can leave first.""Why?" Logan asked."It's enough to have blood on my hands alone."Logan chuckled and ruffled Esther's bangs. "Esther, you're my partner. Do you think if something happens, I can stay out of it?"Esther swatted Logan's hand and said bluntly,
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