Chapter Six

“I’m really fine, don’t you trust your sister? By the way, what kind of job will you be looking for?” Caroline asked to change the subject.

“My degree is in computer science so I plan to join an internet company but don’t you worry, it will not the be Pierce Corporation.” Cole said with some excitement.

Pierce Corporation was their country, the United States of America’s most famous internet company and in this day and age, online business was all the hype. Pierce Corporation used to limit their business ventures to just hotels and real estate, but Andrew saw beforehand how lucrative the online business would become.

Under Andrew’s expert leadership, today’s Pierce Corporation was the United States biggest company, and Andrew had multiple times entered Forbes’ Ten Richest Person in the World list. Caroline said kindly, “the Pierce Corporation has the best technology, good management and favorable benefits, it’s a good platform for aspiring programmers like yourself. You should go.”

Cole replied in a determined tone, “Over my dead body. They treated you so badly, I couldn’t possibly work for them!”

“Fine, I won’t force you if you don’t want to. In the future, we’ll have an internet company of our own.”

“That has always been my plan. Sis, believe me, I will definitely make you proud!” Cole said with much enthusiasm. With Cole’s potential, Caroline believed that her cousin could truly make it in the world.

Not that he needed it, but if the worst was to happen, he still had her to lean back on. While Caroline was chatting the night away with Cole, Andrew was out looking for her. He had been searching for her for two hours but it was to no avail. He only realized how ridiculous his behavior was when Jenna called.

“Andrew, are you in bed?”it was Jenna’s habit to call him every night. To be honest, Andrew didn’t have a lot of conversational topics in common with her and he had no interest in listening to her recapher daily life so the nightly calls rarely went beyond the perfunctory hello and good night.

“I’m still up, is there anything you want to talk about?” Andrew asked half heartedly.

“How is Ray? He didn’t look so well during dinner.” Jenna asked cautiously. She knew Raymond was averse to her presence but for the sake of preserving her image, she had to pretend she didn’t notice.

“He’s fine. He’s sleeping now.”

Jenna said with a smile on her voice, “That’s good to know. It’s late. Andrew do retire to bed soon.”

“Okay”

“Good night,” Jenna concluded warmly.

Andrew kept his phone, stopped his car by the roadside, and lit a cigarette. As throngs of cars rushed him by, he chuckled to himself. So what if Caroline had vanished, why was it his responsibility to find her? She was a grown woman, she could find her way home. Andrew turned his car back home but as a safety measure, he ordered some men to investigate Caroline’s present circumstances.

At least that way he would know she was still alive and finally have an idea of what happened to her in the last few years. He was interested to find out how a woman with such a sizable amount of alimony could end up in her state.

* * * *

Early the next morning, Andrew received updates on Caroline for the past three years. After the divorce she was taken in by her uncle. Through family connections, he understood her uncle had a son and the three of them had been keeping each other afloat. Their life took a turn for the worse when John Roberts was diagnosed with kidney disease.

To earn money, Caroline had to take on multiple odd jobs. Cleaner, nanny, waitress…. She spent all her time doing all sorts of menial labor. However, she was bullied and isolated at every single workplace because of her reserved personality and reluctance to socialize. This meant that none of her work lasted longer than a month. Three years of bouncing from one harsh working environment to another had taken a toll on her.

Andrew was still surprised when he thought back to their chance encounter yesterday. It seemed like she had aged tremendously since their divorce. He could barely recognize her anymore. If not for their encounter yesterday, he wouldn’t have known how much pain and cruelty she had endured.

Nevertheless, there was one thing that puzzled him. Why hadn’t she used her alimony? He knew Caroline wasn’t a huge spender but even if she was, it was impossible to burn through the amount of money he’d given in such a short period of time. Andrew leaned back in his chair with a serious expression. It seemed like there were some details that were hidden from his knowledge….

* * * * *

When Andrew stepped into the dining room,his whole family was already seated, having their breakfast. Raymond was the first to wake up because he went to bed

early the day before. He had already finished his breakfast when Andrew sat down. “ Take Raymond to school for me,” Andrew ordered one of the maids.

“Yes sir,” the maid complied. She took Raymond’s hand and led him out of the room.

Old Mrs Pierce took a delicate bite of her barley porridge with a porcelain spoon before asking, “Why did you leave so suddenly yesterday? You’re the reason we gathered there, you know? How awkward you’ve left your father and mother.”

“I did call to say Raymond wasn’t feeling well, didn’t I? By the way, mom….” Andrew looked at his mother, the rest of his question caught in his throat.

Old Mrs Pierce encouraged him with a smile , adding a “Yes?”

Andrew continued, “Did Caroline accept the alimony after our divorce?”

Old Mrs Pierce’s spoon froze in mid air and her face dropped…Based on her reactions, Andrew instantly knew that the answer was no.

“Why didn’t you tell me if you didn’t give her the alimony?” He thought Caroline was living well with the money. That was why he didn’t bother to check up on her. If not for their chance encounter yesterday, he would still be left in the dark.

Old Mrs Pierce’s face froze over. She shrugged, “ It wasn’t that I didn’t give her the alimony, she didn’t want it.”

“Still, you could’ve told me.”

“Why should I? She no longer had anything to do with us Pierce family. It’s better that the relationship was cut off cleanly. If she didn’t want our help, good riddance, I’d say.”