Chapter 26 A Heartbreaking Childhood
Chapter 26 A Heartbreaking Childhood
Thomas began. “About fifteen years ago, I was just a local dermatologist in town. One afternoon, a little girl with severe burns on her back was brought in for surgery. But her parents refused to pay the medical bills, convinced we were exaggerating her condition to extort money from them.”
He continued. “They insisted on taking her home, refusing treatment. In the end, it was an elderly neighbor who had accompanied them to the hospital that covered the expenses. At first, the girl refused to speak. But once her parents were gone, she finally broke her silence–begging us to call the police. She claimed they had locked her inside and set the fire. themselves, all for an insurance payout!”
Thomas‘ words cut through Zachary’s heart like a blade.
Fury ignited in his eyes as he clenched his fists. How could they be so heartless? We should have uncovered the truth sooner. It should have brought Roseanne back sooner What horror has the endured these past two years?
Closing his eyes, he exhaled shakily, his chest tight with guilt.
Unaware of Zachary’s turmoil, Thomas continued recounting the past.
“Without evidence, the police were powerless. The most they could do was mediate and have the parents sign a written
-assurance”
He let out a weary sigh. “That little girl was only seven, but she was so thin she looked no older than five. Dressed in boys clothes, it was clear she came from a family that favored sons over daughters”
Shaking his head, he added, “I’ve never understood how anyone could be cruel enough to harm their own child. You said this girl is your sister. Was she trafficked? Have you found her? Is she safe now?”
A sudden realization struck Thomas,
He froze for a moment before abruptly rising to his feet. “She’s the legitimate heiress the Sylvester family finally found?”
As key investors in the hospital, the Sylvesters were always the center of attention. Their family’s affairs were a hot topic, and Thomas had heard his fair share of rumors
For example, there was the well–known incident where the Sylvester family ended up with the wrong child..
Zachary looked up “Dr. Cooper, can you tell me the name of the hospital in town?”
Thomas’s expression darkened. He let out a dry, sarcastic chuckle. “The Sylvester family is so powerful, yet you need me to tell you? You don’t have the resources to find out yourself?”
The true heiress of the Sylvester family had never been well–liked. Just two months after returning home, she was inarried off to the Graham family. Thomas had heard all about it. Back then, he hadn’t given it much thought, assuming it was just another strategic marriage between wealthy families.
But now, doubt crept in. If the Sylvester family had truly welcomed her back, how could they have married her off so quickly? Most reliable business partner? What nonsense is that?
Despite Shawn’s attempts to intervene. Thomas waved them off, dismissing the two without another word.
Inside the car, silence hung heavy in the air. Jonas had always suspected Roseanne’s childhood had been difficult, but the truth was far worse than he had imagined. And these were only the details they had uncovered so far. If the boss hadn’t ordered an investigation, perhaps no one would have ever known the full extent of what she had endured.
His grip tightened around the steering wheel. After a moment, he cautiously asked, “Boss, there’s an appointment this afternoon. Should we head there now?”
Zachary remained absorbed in the photo on his phone, his fingertips lightly tracing its surface. “Make the necessary arrangements,” he said “Ill investigate it personally
“Should I inform Ms. Sylvester?”
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Chapter 26 A Heartbreaking Childhood
“No need
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At ten o’clock at night, Burton was buried in work. He had lost count of how many times he had summoned his secretary. Albert into his office.
“It’s been a week already, and that rascal still hasn’t returned. What on earth is he up to?”
Burton’s voice was laced with irritation, the exhaustion of sleepless nights weighing on him.
Albert sighed quietly before replying. “He’s been traveling back and forth a lot lately, mostly to a particular town. The second most frequent place he visits is the village where Ms. Roseanne grew up.”
Burton’s eyes narrowed. “Xatbridge?”
“Yes” Albert confirmed.
“You can leave now.
J”Yes. Mr. Burton.”
After Albert lefi, silence settled over the office.
Burton tapped his pen against the desk, his thoughts a tangled mess. What is Zach doing in the place where Rosie grew up?
After a moment of contemplation, he picked up his phone and sent a message: Rosie, are you asleep?
Several minutes later. Roseanne stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand after drying her hair. Seeing the message on her phone, she replied: Not yet. Is something wrong?
Burton responded almost immediately: Har your brother been in touch with you recently?
Roseanne: No
Burton: Could you let me know if he gets in touch with you?
Roseanne All right
Burton had been rigorously trained as the Sylvester family’s heirconditioned to be efficient and decisive. Whenever he received long messages, he would either scan them for issues or respond with nothing more than a curt “Okay” or “Fine.”
But now, for the first time, he truly understood the frustration his employees must have felt receiving his brief, impersonal replies.
How did they usually respond to me?
Curious, he opened his chat history with a certain manager, scrolled through their messages, and found a cute nodding emoji. Without hesitation, he saved it and sent it to his daughter.
Roseanne stared at the message for a few seconds, uncertain how to react. After a brief pause, she selected a similar emoji and
sent it back
A few seconds later, another adorable kitten emoji popped up on her screen.
Roseanne stared at it, speechless. She chose not to reply.
Rumble!
Just then, a clap of thunder rumbled outside, shaking the silence. Setting her phone aside, she walked over to close the
window
Ding‘
At that moment, the doorbell rang, its chime overlapping with the rolling thunder. Tonight is full of interruptions
Turning on the surveillance system, she glanced at the screen. The sight of Aurora standing at her doorstep made her eyeb
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Chapter 26 A Heartbreaking Childhood
narrow slightly.
When Roseanne opened the door, she was met with a pair of reddened, tear–filled eyes.
Aurora gave a shaky, awkward smile, her voice choked with emotion, her lips trembling “Roseanne…”
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Roseanne’s voice was calm, laced only with curiosity. “What were you doing out so late?” There was no accusation, no impatience–just concern.
Aurora sniffled, and the tears that had been threatening to spill finally streamed down her face.
A loud clap of thunder echoed through the night, making Aurora flinch slightly. Her eyes, red and raw, remained fixed on Roseanne.
Roseanne said nothing, letting the silence hang-
Aurora swallowed hard, her hands gripping her dress tightly, before lowering her gaze “They’ve come for me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Roseanne’s expression remained neutral as she asked, “Steve and Meghan?”
Aurora nodded.
A small laugh escaped Roseanne as she casually folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the door frame. “They’ve come to ask for money?”
Aurora looked up, her voice trembling. “You know?”
Roseanne smirked. “It wasn’t hard to guess. They didn’t dare approach me, so they turned to you instead”
“Why didn’t they dare come to you?”
Roseanne’s eyes darkened slightly as she replied, her tone dry. “Perhaps… they’re afraid I might kill them.”
Her tone was indifferent, yet it struck Aurora like a shock, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if Roseanne was joking or being serious.
“Once is happenstance, twice is a pattern. A hungry wolf can never be satisfied,” Roseanne said, her gaze shifting toward the living room balcony “I suggest you tell your parents. It looks like it’s going to rain. Aren’t you going home?”
The subtle distinction caught Aurora off guard. Roseanne had said “your” parents,
s, not “our“—making it clear she was excluding herself.
The rhythmic pitter–patter of the rain echoed from the living room balcony, its sound clear and distinct to both of them. The rain had intensified, pouring down heavily.
Aurora bit her lip, her voice laced with frustration. “Brody got detained for gambling, and I paid the five million to bail him out. But they weren’t satisfied. Now they’re demanding I buy a house in the city under Brody’s name, and they want me to give him a monthly allowance of five hundred thousand…”
Her voice faltered, and she added with regret, “They knew about our mix–up lifteen years ago, Roseanne… I’m sorry”
Roseanne’s expression remained calm. She didn’t seem to find the words Aurora had just spoken particularly significant.
Aurora blinked, surprised. “Aren’t you shocked”
I’ve known about it for a while now.”
