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“It was because of your famous case fighting for the migrant workers‘ wages. The man who jumped from the unfinished building was my father,” Audrey
said.
It didn’t matter whether she was repaying a debt of gratitude or had some other reason. Clayton had said he needed a wife, and even though there was no love between them yet, they could cultivate it after marriage. Audrey had agreed.
She thought that even if Clayton never fell in love with her, given that he had stood up for justice despite the pressure, he couldn’t be a hypocrite who couldn’t tell right from wrong.
Unfortunately, she had been blinded by his professional halo. People who seemed to uphold justice could become even more ruthless when they turned into demons.
Clayton shook his head repeatedly. “I remember the man who jumped was named George Senior,”
‘He has the last name Senior. How could he be Audrey’s father?‘ he thought to himself.
People were passing by, and cars were weaving through the streets. Clayton stood there, frozen, like someone had hit the pause button on him.
He had always enjoyed Audrey’s care and sacrifices since they got married. He had never done anything for her.
When Audrey said she had no family left, Clayton didn’t investigate her background or ask about her past.
The migrant workers‘ wage case had been led by Samson. At that time, Malcolm had recommended Clayton to join, but Clayton had hesitated. It was only after Malcolm had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons for him that Clayton agreed to participate.
Handling the migrant workers‘ case was grueling. Collecting evidence meant running around everywhere, and they had to deal with the construction company’s various excuses and even threats. Many participants dropped out halfway.
If it weren’t for the fear of disappointing Samson by quitting, Clayton would have withdrawn as well.
After the case was won, Samson had fallen ill from exhaustion, and Clayton had taken over the follow–up work. That was why the media had interviewed Clayton.
‘Audrey married me out of gratitude for George’s case. If she knew it was all Mr. William’s doing, she definitely wouldn’t have reconciled with me,‘ he thought. Clayton snapped back to reality abruptly.
Clayton immediately drove to see Samson. Just as he arrived at Malcolm’s house, he received a call from Valerie. “Clayton, Luna’s gone. What do I do?”
“She’s gone? When did she disappear?” Clayton asked.
“J–just now.” Valerie’s voice choked with sobs, and then she burst into loud, wailing cries. “What do I do? If something happens to Luna, I don’t want to
live either.”
During her hospital stay, Valerie hadn’t thought about the fact that she had a three–and–a–half–year–old child at home.
She hadn’t considered whether Luna would be scared alone, or what would happen if Luna were hungry or sick.
Even when Valerie had gone home yesterday to fetch a pair of shoes to send by courier, she hadn’t thought of Luna. She had just grabbed the shoes and left in a hurry.
Valerie had come back today intending to return a beauty card and get some money back, even if it was just half.
When she arrived, she found the door open and Luna gone. Valerie had no idea when Luna had disappeared. When Clayton asked her, all she could say was that Luna had just gone missing.
Clayton glanced at the nearby gate. ‘The party is on tomorrow night. I still have time to make things right. Luna is only three and a half and has autism.
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20:54 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 7)
Every minute of delay increases the danger, he thought
the gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove to see Valerie.
“Clayton, I can’t live without fer” valerie threw herself at him as soon as she saw him.
Clayton grabbed her wrists to keep her from getting too class. “Have you called the police?”
“No, I didn’t dare to,” Valerie said.
“Didn’t dare?” Clayton repeated
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Valerie’s eyes were filled with grievance and cowardice. “If I call the police and they ask me why I left the child alone at home, I’ll have to tell them about us. What about your reputation then?
“Mrs. Patel warned me not to have any improper thoughts about you. If she thinks I deliberately spread things around to force you to marry me, no explanation will work.”
Clayton thought to himself, ‘Luna is missing. Vally must be frantic. And yet, in this situation, she’s still worried about my reputation, Vally really is a kind- hearted person.
Reporting the disappearance would indeed bring up the fact that Clayton had slept with Valerie, leading to her suicide attempt. The fewer people who
knew about that, the better.
“Since Luna just went missing, she can’t have gone far. Let’s split up and search,” Clayton said.
He and Valerie scoured their neighborhood and even checked the one where Clayton lived, but there was no sign of Luna.
Edana had recommended a dress shop to Audrey.
The dresses weren’t high–end, but they were more than adequate for a business cocktail party, and most importantly, they were within the company’s budget. Audrey went to check it out after work.
The street was bustling. After seven, the number of people on the street gradually increased. Audrey found a parking spot and made her way through the crowd. She stopped in front of a leather shoe store.
The brand’s shoes had a higher vamp design, yet they still incorporated trendy elements, making them perfect for customers like Audrey, who had smail feet but high insteps.
She stepped inside, but another customer, talking on the phone and looking down, bumped into her at the entrance.
“Sorry.” They apologized at the same time.
“Audrey?” Carson, who had just ended his call, looked delighted. “What a coincidence. Are you here to buy shoes?”
Audrey gave an indifferent nod
A sales associate approached, but Carson gestured toward Audrey, indicating that he was with her. The associate then left them alone.
Audrey ignored his presence and browsed around for a while before selecting a pair of shoes. “Could you bring me this style in Size 67 I’d like to try them
on,” she said.
“Sure, just a moment,” the associate replied, heading off to get the shoes.
Carson walked over. “You seern familiar with this store. I’m looking for a pair of shoes for my mom. Could you help me out?”
Audrey glanced at him and, seeing that he seemed genuine, nodded. After she finished trying on her shoes, she helped Carson pick out a pair of women’s
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Chapter 71
shoes
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When they went to pay, Carson insisted on covering the cost of Audrey’s shoes as well, but she flatly refused. “If you pay for my shoes, it’s not out of gratitude–it’s an insult.”
“No, it’s not. I just wanted to thank you for helping me,” Carson said, looking embarrassed. “I really appreciate it.”
Audrey snorted. “The sales associate helped you pick out shoes, too. Are you going to buy her a pair as well?”
“We’re friends, aren’t we?” Carson said.
Audrey paid for her shoes and took the box. “Ihever thought a friend of Clayton’s would be my friend. My friends wouldn’t stand by and do nothing while I was forced to go to Ashwood Mental Hospital.”
Carson’s knuckles turned pale as he clutched his wallet.
Audrey left the store and headed toward the fried chicken shop. “Sir, I’ll have a small order of fried chicken, please.”
As she prepared to pay, she heard a woman’s panicked cry from behind. “Whose child is this, rummaging through the trash can?”
Next to the fried chicken shop was a temporary trash bin–a plastic container with a garbage bag, shorter than a regular trash can.
Some people would throw away their leftover fried chicken, box and all. A little girl had just picked up a box that the woman had discarded, hoping to eat
the remnants inside.
The child’s clothes were dirty, and one sleeve was soaked and clinging to her arm, making it look even thinner than it was.
Audrey walked over and squatted down to look at her.
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