LOGINIf you lock a monkey in an enclosed space with a banana and beat it every time it reaches for it, then after enough repetitions, the monkey will become afraid the moment it even sees the banana.That kind of conditioning fit Fiona perfectly. Which meant someone had likely planned all of this in advance.Even so, Sarah still wanted to try.A mother’s love to her child could run deeper than anything. Deep enough to fight through everything else.She steadied herself, looked Fiona in the eye, and said seriously, “Fiona Hemsworth, I came here today to tell you this. Your son is probably still alive.”Fiona, who had been crying to go back just moments ago, instantly fell silent. She avoided Sarah’s gaze, clearly not daring to look at her directly.“Shawn Sanders did this on purpose because he didn’t want you clinging to him anymore. He sent the child away to a remote area. Don’t you want to see him?” Sarah asked again.This time, the visitation room went completely quiet.After a lo
Sarah’s face changed instantly. “How do you know that?”“At the Sanders family banquet, it wasn’t just the regular household staff. They also hired temporary workers to help out. While I was investigating Fiona, I looked into that group too. I eventually tracked down one of them, a server who had been moving around the banquet the whole time, pouring drinks for everyone,” the detective explained. “He said he saw Shawn and your father arguing. He also mentioned a woman showed up, but she only stayed for a few minutes before disappearing.”Sarah frowned. “Then how can you be sure that woman was Fiona?”The detective gave a faint smile. “Miss Sanders, the difference between us and the police is simple. They need solid evidence before they can confirm anything. We don’t. Most of what we do is treat a theory like a working conclusion and push forward step by step.”“The part that needs to be confirmed,” he added, “is up to you.”He paused, then said, “Oh, and there’s something else imp
Sarah’s expression darkened. “So in that situation, he wanted to end things with Fiona immediately?”The detective let out a cold laugh. “Exactly. That’s how most men handle it. But unfortunately for him, Fiona wasn’t the type to back down. She truly believed Shawn loved her. And with the pregnancy, she desperately needed him to divorce his wife and marry her. She wanted a future for herself and the child. She didn’t want to keep living in the shadows.”According to the version the detective uncovered, Shawn tried to keep Fiona calm by telling her he was being forced by his wife.Fiona made a fatal mistake.She took her ultrasound report and went straight to Mrs. Sanders, demanding that she and Shawn divorce.Mrs. Sanders was never going to tolerate that kind of humiliation. She was the daughter of the White family and had spent years in high society.Fiona thought they were competing on equal footing. She believed Shawn’s love was enough to outweigh a marriage.But the scales h
Scarlett let out a breath of relief. “You can come out now.”Only then did Steven crawl out from under the bed. He dusted himself off. “My fault. Your dad probably already figured it out.”“Forget what my dad said. Steven, I wanted to see you,” Scarlett said.“Scarlett, I think your dad’s right. I’m not going to sneak around like this anymore. I’ll come see you the proper way. For that, I’ll do whatever it takes.” Steven looked at her with firm resolve.“You…”He stepped closer, his voice soft. “Shh.”Scarlett fell silent, watching him with a hint of confusion.This time, he didn’t try anything else. He simply leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.“Good night, Scarlett.”Then he turned, opened the window without hesitation, and climbed out.Instead, Scarlett was the one left feeling a little empty. She got out of bed and closed the window, forcing herself not to look down.With her back to the window, she looked at the bed they had just been lying on and murmu
Spring nights came early. Outside the window, the sky was already dark and carried a lingering chill.Drowsiness crept over Scarlett. Just as she was about to fall asleep, a faint rustling sound came from the window.Her heart jumped, but she wasn’t really afraid.Steven had climbed in like this plenty of times before. It was probably him again.Sure enough, after turning on the light, she walked over to the bed as if nothing was wrong. Even without opening the window, she could already make out his figure outside.She pushed the window open and whispered, “Do you always climb into people’s rooms like this?”Steven carefully climbed inside, brushing the dust off his clothes. “Not at all. You’re the only person worth climbing a window for. The only one I have to sneak around just to see.”Scarlett covered her mouth, laughing softly. “Serves you right for messing around in the kitchen earlier. You finally got on my dad’s good side, and then you went and ruined it.”She puffed her
Steven took a deep breath. “Um… Mr. Larson, I—”Mr. Larson cut him off calmly. “Scarlett and I haven’t had dinner yet.”Steven didn’t catch on right away. “The kitchen didn’t make anything?”Mr. Larson looked up at him like he was looking at an idiot. “I heard you’re a good cook.”If he still didn’t get it at that point, Mr. Larson probably would have chased him out with a broom.A surge of wild joy rushed through Steven.He didn’t dare believe it, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking it. Did that mean Scarlett’s dad was finally accepting him?It had to be, right?By the time he got to the kitchen and started checking the utensils, Steven was practically floating. He moved in a daze, a goofy, almost dazed grin plastered across his face.He sent all the kitchen staff out.Mr. Larson called one of them over and asked quietly, “Did he show any sign of dissatisfaction?”The servant shook his head without hesitation. “No. If anything, he seemed really happy.”Mr. Larson no
"No! Mia, she..." Sarah knew something was wrong with Mia's condition. Over the past few years, Zachary had sought help from many people to treat Mia, but nothing worked.She couldn't give up, especially since Mia only recognized her during her episodes.Looking at Sarah's eyes, Melvin understood
Mia looked at her freshly painted pink nails. A tiny bunny sticker sat on her ring finger. She gave a faint smile. “They’re pretty.”After what had happened last time, she had improved a little. At least now she could manage simple conversations with Lucas.As he carefully brushed on another coat
“Don’t know?” Sarah reached out to grab her. “Then come back with me. Whether Scarlett’s disappearance has anything to do with you, the police will figure it out.”The moment her arm was seized, Mindy began thrashing wildly.“Are you crazy?”Sarah lost her grip for just a second.Mindy tore free
“Can you send me a copy of everything?” Sarah asked quietly.Steven slid a USB drive across the desk. “Already prepared. It has Mr. Sanders’s full records, plus some photos and videos. I figured you’d want them.”Sarah’s fingers trembled as she took it. “Thank you.”“If you’re thanking anyone, th







