Chapter 188: Chapter 188

For a moment, I spaced out.

“Steve, are you hurt? Who messed with you?”

“They ruined the cupcake I made for you.”

Some strange memories flashed through my mind.

In those memories, a little girl squatted next to a little boy. She asked the little boy why he was hurt, and the little boy simply held a broken cupcake as tears welled up in his eyes.

The little girl, dressed in a red dress, reached for the broken cupcake and took a bite. “It’s so sweet.”

My head throbbed as if it might burst.

I raised my hand and pounded my head, but the strange memories still stubbornly lingered.

Who were they?

“Mrs. Lincoln, are you hungry?” The nanny knocked on the door and spoke softly.

My attention was drawn back, and I stepped outside. “Where’s Steven?”

The nanny glanced around and whispered, “Mr. Lincoln… has gone somewhere.”

Frowning, I wondered where he had disappeared to.

“Mrs. Lincoln, I’m new here, but you could check with Ms. Ewing. She’s been with the Lincoln family for ages.”

I nodded, not wanting to trouble the nanny further.

Then, I headed downstairs.

Ever since James had his accident and Mr. Lincoln Senior suffered a stroke, there was quite a shake–up in the Lincoln family.

Most of the old staff were gone, except for Angel, who still ran the kitchen. However, the rest were dismissed.

“Ms. Ewing, where’s Steven?” I inquired.

I was a little irritated earlier, and I might have upset him.

“Mrs. Lincoln, it’s typical for Mr. Lincoln to leave around this time every year for a brief period of time. But he did ask me to remind you to get enough rest and to eat your meals on time.”

So, Steven had left and wasn’t at the Lincoln residence now.

I was a bit worried since his emotions were unstable, “Did he say where he’s gone off to?” I inquired.

Angel shook her head. “We don’t dare pry into where Mr. Lincoln goes.”

I absentmindedly took a few bites of food before heading out.

As I made my way to my destination, my mind was filled with that sudden fragment of a memory–

the little girl in a red dress, and the little boy holding a broken cupcake.

“Stephie…”

The little boy’s face was blurry, but I faintly remembered a cut at the corner of his mouth as I struggled to recall the rest of his features.

Then, I sat up fast, catching my breath.

Steven. Why was Steven’s face popping into my head?

That mixed–race teenager. That pair of clear eyes.

“Mrs. Lincoln, we’re here,” the driver said, interrupting my thoughts as he parked the car.

I snapped out of my daze and stepped out of the car.

I looked around and saw that the alley was a mess. Trash was everywhere, and a nasty smell filled the air.

This was the last slum in Huma, untouched and awaiting demolition.

This was the spot where many homeless folks hung out, attracting all sorts of shady characters.

I’d come to see Carol, Simeon’s sister.

As I ascended the dirty stairs, I soon reached the third floor.

Trash was everywhere in the hallway.

“Damn, you’re only worth 200 for me.”

In the rundown hallway, shouts and cries continuously echoed.

Anyone could tell what was going on here.

Then, the door of Room 306 was kicked open, and a man came out.

He was pulling up his pants and cursing nastily.

The man sized me up. “Hmm, never knew there was such a hot chick here.”

I shot him a warning gaze. “If you don’t want me to call the cops, then get lost.”

The man then muttered a curse. But fortunately, he didn’t stick around and left in a huff.

Room 306 was dimly lit, and only a fair–skinned woman was sitting on the bed.

She appeared somewhat off, and her face was marked with bruises.

I carefully looked around the room until my eyes landed on a photo hanging prominently on the wall.

It sent shivers down my spine.

In the photo, there were three teenagers.

I stood in the center, dressed in a red dress, and looked around 17 or 18 years old.

To my right stood Steven, tall and aloof, purposely avoiding the camera.

On my left was Simeon, looking rather unhappy as well.

I had never laid eyes on this photo before, not even during my search for information about the orphanage.