Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Because of Elaine, the Summers family was torn apart. If not for his father, Charles assumed Elaine would've died a hundred times over. Night after night, he dreamt of Ivy suffering out there, demanding why he never looked for her. For years, regret ate at him. Outside of work, he traveled daily, searching everywhere for ivy. Thinking of that, Charles felt a heavy stone pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe. "She wants to alter the engagement," Andrew said coolly, narrowing his eyes as a flicker of murderous intent flashed in them. "She's dreaming big," Charles sneered, stubbing out letting her get so full of herself." cigarette and flicking the butt away. "I've been too easy on her, Andrew said calmly, "Don't worry. I won't change a thing." Charles's murderous look eased a bit. He clapped Andrew on the shoulder and chuckled, "Didn't see that coming. You're damn loyal to Ivy, huh?" Andrew stayed silent, just offering a faint smile. It wasn't loyalty, but he was never meant for marriage. Who he was engaged to didn't matter to him. He had no intention of honoring it anyway. Charles gave his shoulder a pat and, noticing his reluctance, switched topics. "Weren't you searching for Mystery? Theodore's got news on him." He pulled Andrew to a stop and added with a grim expression, "Six months ago, Theodore was in Seranka when he got caught in a refugee riot and random killings. "It had been planned. The killer covered every trace. Local police came up empty on suspects, and the people were terrified. Talks between the two countries fell apart. "For Clusia, Theodore posted a bounty in a hacker forum, and only Mystery stepped in. He hacked into the police's database, tracked down the killer's info and whereabouts, and shared all online, including a photo. The police nabbed the suspect right away using that photo. "The whole thing took under five minutes, with no trace of the source code address left by Mystery as if he never existed." Since then, Mystery had been a miracle in the hacker world. Andrew rested his chin on his hand, totally locked in. 'That level of power and the way he thinks is just plain weird,' he thought to himself. "He's that impressive? Do you know him?" he asked Charles. "Well... I don't actually know him," Charles scratched his head. He'd only heard about it from Theodore. Computers and stuff just weren't his thing. "But I've got his contact," he added, jotting down the source code address for Andrew. They locked eyes for a second and instantly sent a text to the number. Chapter 36 At Willow Lane, Sean was glued to his laptop, watching a food stream. Suddenly, a hidden window popped up, startlin him. He worried Olivia had caught him sneaking a computer session and sent him a warning text. When he realized it was just a message from a stranger, he sighed in relief and went back to his food show. After a moment, he glanced carelessly at the message. [Mystery, I'm in Hillarica. Where are you?] Sean knew the other person was clearly asking for a meetup, but he had no interest. He was only doing as Olivia ordered online. He tapped out some nonsense: [sfhwifuhwufbckasdjhakhdoq.] Charles, on the other end, was puzzled. "What does this mean? Some new kind of code?" Andrew saw it and chuckled softly, "He's fooling you, plain and simple." Charles felt powerless, having no idea how to respond. Meanwhile, Jenny slipped into a deserted corner and took out the latest model of smartwatch. She dialed a number and placed the call. Across town, Olivia's phone rang while she was reviewing documents. Jenny said, "Hello? You there? Can you hear me?" "Mhm." Olivia's answer was simple. "It's me, Jenny," Jenny blurted anxiously, terrified Olivia might've forgotten her. "I know." Olivia's voice softened, though her hands never paused. "What is it?" "Nothing much. I wanted to ask you to dinner," Jenny grinned, leaning against the wall. "There's a new Frelle restaurant in Hillarica. Sounds nice? Or we could go for other styles..." She was too focused on the call to notice footsteps approaching. "Jenny, what are you up to now?" Andrew's voice sounded. Jenny froze mid-call, turning slowly with a guilty wince. "Let me have that," Andrew demanded and extended his palm. Jenny mutely surrendered the watch. The moment Andrew took it, a cool voice came through. "Tonight's no good. I've got plans." "Plans? With who?" Andrew's brow furrowed almost instinctively as he asked. The voice on the other end suddenly shifted from cute to clear and masculine. Olivia blinked, catching on. "Family," she replied. Somehow, at those words, Andrew's expression brightened. When silence lingered, Olivia gave a wry smile. "What? Want to join us?" "Sure," Andrew agreed immediately-a response even Jenny hadn't seen coming. 13 Chapter 16 She wondered, 'He always ate alone. What's happening to him now?' Olivia paused, surprised, but quickly regained her composure. "Fine. At six tonight, Savory House," she said briefly and then hung up. Andrew held the smartwatch, eyes crinkling at the corners. Hearing the name, Ethan immediately looked up the place, finding it was a buffet. Ethan muttered in his mind, 'He never shared a table, not even with Ms. Summers. And a buffet? Unthinkable! He suggested, "Mr. Shea, it's a buffet. Why don't you-" Andrew shot Ethan a glance and interrupted him. Then he tossed the watch back to Jenny and said, "I never stand people up." "Understood," Ethan replied. He felt uneasy, though. If Andrew got sick from the dinner, Ethan's career would be finished. "Ethan, don't worry. With a miracle healer around, we're safe." Jenny patted Ethan's shoulder, pleased. "She'll be my sister-in-law soon enough." She was content yet Ethan wasn't at all, thinking his job was just so difficult. At the Evans residence, Nathan held the gift box. "With the help of this Revival Grass, our family will stand firm," he said, smiling. "It's all thanks to Cheryl." Henry nodded, and the whole family was overjoyed. But Rowan turned pale. Trembling, she asked, "Henry, is Natalie truly incurable?" Natalie had only been out for a few days when she was beaten half to death and dumped on the doorstep. The Evans family found her barely breathing, and the sight shattered Rowan every time she remembered it. Henry looked grim. "Rowan, I've examined Natalie. The other injuries are minor and will heal after a few days of rest. But her hands are ruined. She's unable to perform surgeries again. She can't be a doctor anymore." "No! Natalie's dreamed of being a doctor since she was a child," Rowan cried, clutching Henry. "Henry, you've got to help her. She'll earn her Ph.D. in just a year. Didn't you promise to make her head of obstetrics?" AD Comment Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...