Chapter 3

I organized the first batch of information I received and shared some of it with a few famous livestreamers with whom I was familiar.

These livestreamers used to be my employees.

After being a housewife for so many years, I had nearly forgotten that before I got married, I used to be the top dog in the media industry. I had also been the president of a company and had a net worth of millions of dollars.

The livestreamers were experienced and could instantly tell that they had a big scoop on their hands. All of them made me promise them to let them know the time and location of the big reveal.

To ensure that the confrontation would explode all over the news, naturally, I dedicated all my efforts to setting the stage.

…

Jasper came home that night stinking of perfume. The cloying scent permeated my senses as he delivered his usual speech to me.

"I had no choice. I had to entertain a client."

It was the same excuse every single time.

The fury that I had worked so hard to suppress threatened to boil over at that moment.

I had once naively believed that Jasper was simply fulfilling his unavoidable duties as the president of the company. However, I knew better now. The lipstick stains and perfume that clung to him actually belonged to his mistress.

The me of the past probably would have teetered on the brink of a breakdown if I found out the truth that Jasper had only married me to be a replacement for his mistress. I might have even demanded that we divorce.

However, none of that mattered to me now.

I pretended that everything was fine as I took his jacket from him, saying, "You should turn in early after taking a shower. I still have a surprise for you tomorrow afternoon."

Jasper smiled as he hugged me and pressed a lingering kiss to my neck.

Disgust roiled in my gut.

"What are you planning, Nat? Why did you plan a surprise for me immediately after Winnie left for university? Are you feeling impatient?"

His words were nauseating, and I had to force down the bile in my throat.

"It's related to your company. Do you remember how I used to be involved in the media industry? I secretly tested your company's new product.

"The perfect opportunity to promote the product is almost here. Many famous livestreamers will be present at the cafe tomorrow. I want to elevate your company to an even higher level."

Jasper was momentarily stunned before he excitedly tightened his hold on me. "You shouldn't have, Nat. I'll definitely cherish this opportunity that you've given me! I love you, honey!"

There were glaciers in my eyes as I stared at his retreating back.

If I hadn't discovered the truth, it was likely that Jasper would have kept me in the dark for the rest of my life. I didn't want to accidentally reveal my hand too soon, but I was also overwhelmed with the burning desire to get to the bottom of things.

"You know, Jasper. I always had this feeling that Winnie became a completely different person after she was abducted. Do you feel the same way?"

Jasper halted his footsteps. Impatience was written across his face when he turned to look at me and snapped, "So many years have passed since the abduction, Nat. Can't you just let the past remain in the past? Who else would Winnie be if not your daughter?"

I stared at him coldly.

It was evident that lying had become second nature to Jasper, so he didn't even flinch when he lied straight to my face.

An inexplicable fear gripped my heart. I couldn't believe that the man with whom I shared a bed was such a terrifying person.

Just then, my phone started ringing. The private investigator was calling me.

Jasper's attention immediately zeroed in on the unknown number.

My heart leaped into my throat.

Confusion flickered across Jasper's face as he stared at my phone. His eyes were full of wariness when he said, "I've never seen this number before. Aren't you going to answer the call?"

I swallowed and forced myself to calm down before I answered the call.

"Turn on speaker mode," Jasper demanded.

It seemed that he had picked up on my panic, his eyes shining with displeasure.

"Hello, miss. There was something that I forgot to tell you earlier this afternoon. I—"

I hastily tried to stop the private investigator from saying more, but Jasper beat me to it, snatching my phone away and screaming furiously into the receiver.

"What else do you want to tell her? Don't you know that Natasha Storn has a husband? If you dare to call my wife again, I'll make sure you'll never leave Jorgenwood ever again!"

Jasper glared at me after he hung up.

"This is the first time and the last time," he hissed. "My love for you is true, Nat. Don't let me catch you speaking to another man again."

A bitter sensation spread through my chest as I watched Jasper storm off.

It was true that he loved me deeply, but it didn't change the fact that he was responsible for Winnie's death. His hypocritical sense of possessiveness did nothing to compensate for the sins that he had already committed.

I only hoped that he wouldn't regret his actions tomorrow.

…

I arrived at the cafe early the next day, waiting for "Winnie" to appear.

Or more accurately, I should refer to her as Rose Gulliver from now on.

Rose's mother, Penelope Hawthorn, was Jasper's first love, according to the information that the private investigator had dug up the day before.

For the first time in my life, I felt like throwing up as I looked at Penelope's face in the photo, especially when I realized that we looked quite similar to each other.

It didn't take long for Rose to show up at the cafe.

"Mom? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise and bewilderment.

She regained her composure within seconds and continued, "Did you make an appointment with one of your rich friends to have tea here? I have some business to attend to later. Why don't you go somewhere else instead? I don't want the person that I'm meeting to know that my mother dresses like this."

I looked down at my outfit upon hearing Rose's comment. I had to admit that I looked like a nanny.

I never asked Jasper for any money and only spent according to the amount that he gave me. I also spent most of my money on Rose. In fact, my entire outfit was cheaper than her branded handbag.

"Do I have to get permission from you just to have coffee now?" I asked, glancing at her.

Surprise flickered across Rose's eyes. It was obvious that she didn't expect me to talk back to her when I always spoiled her rotten.

A deep disdain flashed across her eyes. A few seconds later, she seemed to recall her current identity and fixed a sweet smile on her face. "Of course not, Mom. It's just that I'm meeting someone very important later. I was just worried that you and your friend would get carried away and talk really loudly."

I nodded. "I understand. They must definitely be someone who's very important."

I discreetly scanned my surroundings. Nearly all the patrons in the cafe were livestreamers who were dressed in casual clothes.

It was almost time for the show to begin.

"I have something really important to ask you too, Rose."

Rose shot a helpless look at me and said, "You're just a housewife, Mom. How important can your question really be? Stop causing trouble for me, alright?"

I didn't continue that particular line of conversation. Instead, I glared at her fiercely and hissed, "Haven't you gotten sick of putting up an act after 12 years, Rose Gulliver?"