Chapter 1

In the Smith household in Townsville, Madam Louise Smith was in her study, looking through some family albums and reminiscing her past. Looking at the recent photos she took with her family members, she felt a sense of gratitude and joy.

*Knock knock*

"Hi, grandma!" A voice sounded from the door of her study. Madam Louise turned towards the door and smiled at the people standing there.

"Charles. Derek. It's so nice to see you both. Please, come in." greeted Madam Louise as she stood up and walked towards the door, embracing both her grandsons when she was there.

"What brings you both here at this time of the night? Are your wives aware of this visit?" asked Madam Louise.

"Of course they are, grandma. It's been some time since we visited you. Amanda had to take care of Davina; but she sends her best wishes." replied Derek.

"Esther is in the Phoenix Bunker, going through some research with the Phoenix Mafia. She sends her best wishes too." added Charles.

"How's Peter and Lea? I heard Francois Bakery is back in business." Madam Louise asked Derek in excitement.

"We were there a few days ago to visit them. Business is booming, to say the least. Thankfully, a few of Pamela's former henchmen asked to work as their staff and they were a great help." replied Derek with pride.

"What were you doing, grandma? You looked happy when we saw you at your desk." asked Charles as they walked with Madam Louise to her table.

"Oh, I was just looking at some old photos. Here, have a look at your baby selves." replied Madam Louise as she showed Charles and Derek the photos on her desk.

"Wow. We were so little back then. How time flies." said Charles as he looked at his own photos.

Derek too felt slightly emotional as he looked at photos of his late foster parents Edward and Emma. As he continued to look at his foster parents' photos, Derek came across a photo that caught his attention.

"Grandma, since when did Mum and Dad have another child? Was he adopted too?" asked Derek as he passed the photo he was holding to Madam Louise.

Madam Louise took a look at the photo Derek passed to her. Initially, she had a puzzled look on her face. "Hmmm... this is peculiar. To my memory, Emma was barren, so they could not have children of their own."

As Madam Louise continued to analyze the photo, she suddenly remembered who the toddler in the photo was.

"I remember now, Derek; but with that said, things are going to get complicated." said Madam Louise. "How so, grandma?" asked Charles.

"If I recall correctly, the baby in the photo is Oliver, Judith's younger brother." Madam Louise began to explain.

"Back when I was, well, my past self, I favoured Judith over Oliver because she was obedient, unlike him. Years later, when their parents sadly passed away, I sent Oliver to an orphange far away from Townsville. I have not seen him since; and I don't know how he is doing now." she explained.

"Maybe we can find out. Brother Derek, let me scan the photo on my phone." said Charles. He then took a picture of the photo on his phone and contacted Ivy.

"We should get some information about Oliver in a few minutes." reported Charles. "That quick, Charles?" asked Derek, surprised at Charles's efficiency.

"Ivy has developed some form of prototype A.I. software recently. Apparently, the software can detect a face and determine how that face will age as the years go by."

"It can also link to that face's whereabouts. It sounds really complicated and very advanced at the same time." replied Charles.

"Holy s**t, if this prototype works, she has to patent it as soon as possible." remarked Derek. "Language, my dear boy." Madam Louise warned Derek, chuckling slightly.

Ding! Charles phone chimed as soon as he finished his explanation. "Ok, it looks like Ivy has some info."

"Apparently, this Oliver is now residing somewhere at Metro City, going by the name Oliver Reed. He is married into a wealthy family there. His wife's name is Christina Connors." reported Charles.

"Is that so? Well, I'm glad that he is doing just fine." said Derek upon hearing Charles's report.

"Don't be so sure, brother. There's more." interjected Charles. "According to Ivy's report, Oliver has been unemployed ever since marrying into the Connors family. It seems like he is a live-in son-in-law; and not in the best way." he added.

"Oh no... Oliver is being treated like how you were in the past, Derek." said Madam Louise, with a tinge of regret and sadness in her voice.

"It's ok, grandma. What's past is past." replied Derek as he held Madam Louise's hand warmly.

"No, Derek. This time the past is going to come back to haunt me. It seems that Oliver is going through a tougher life than you had." said Madam Louise.

"She's got a point, brother Derek. Imagine being given away to an orphanage and having to suffer like you had; and then the life of suffering continues being married to a wealthy family as a live-in son-in-law." added Charles.

"You may be right, Charles. We have to approach this wisely. We all have to show Oliver that there is light at the end of his dark tunnel."

"We have to let him know that the family that once abandoned him has changed their ways, ready to bring him back." said Derek. "Trust me and Charles, grandma. The past will not come back to haunt you."

"I believe in you both. What's your plan?" asked Madam Louise.