Chapter 289: Chapter 289



“Look into it.”

Callan started his investigation by delving into Gina’s background. Within a few days, Adrian returned to the Miller Mansion to see Amara and caught up on the latest updates from Quincy’s family.

“I heard Katie ended things with her wealthy boyfriend and came away with quite a bit of money.”

Adrian wasn’t interested in such gossip; his visits were solely to check on Amara’s well-being. However, whenever Amara caught up with him, she would endlessly discuss Quincy’s family matters. The revenge was settled, and he now had control over the Miller family.

Amara’s persistent chatter only brought back memories of when he was dominated by her, often facing her wrath. Perhaps he had never been a good son. As he sliced the apple, he felt as if their relationship, much like the apple peel, was gradually being severed with each cut.

“Adrian, I need you to find out what Katie and Lyla received from that man. And then, take it from them!”

Adrian gave a vague reply. Amara, picking up on his lack of interest, impulsively threw her cup to the floor, shattering it and breaking their momentary calm.

“Do you think you’re beyond anyone’s control now? Adrian, remember, I’m still here! I’m your mother, and you will do as I say!”

Adrian responded calmly, “Mom, Dad has been gone for a long time. Isn’t it time you moved on with your life?”

The older he became, the less he understood her. The dead were gone, never to come back. Why should the living sacrifice their futures? What would it take for her to finally release the past and start living for herself?

“Don’t ever say that again!” Amara’s voice became low and menacing as she moved closer to him. “Your father and I brought you up, and now that you’ve succeeded, you show no gratitude and even dare to criticize me?”

Typically, Adrian would remain silent during such outbursts. Amara was almost like a patient with paranoia, and he had long stopped trying to argue with her. Yet, ignoring the issue wouldn’t make it disappear.

This reminded him of the time he wronged Joelle. He needed to rectify that mistake. Merely being told “it’s okay” wasn’t enough to truly resolve anything. Moreover, his mother was clearly suffering, and as her son, he felt he couldn’t just ignore his duty.

“Mom, if Dad were here, do you think he’d be happy seeing you like this?”

Amara tightened her grip. “If you’re not willing to help with the investigation, just be upfront about it. It’s like I don’t even have a son.”

She turned around to leave, her words sharp as blades. “I don’t even know why I bothered having you. You might as well have died alongside your father.”

How could such words not sting Adrian’s heart? Callan, a father himself, found it unbearable to hear such harsh words. How could a mother speak so to her child? He intervened to diffuse the situation. “Mr. Miller, let me handle the investigation, okay? After all, Katie’s ex is linked to Gina. We might find some leads.”

Exhausted, Adrian nodded. “Alright.”

Callan had offered this to give Adrian an out, but he hadn’t anticipated actually linking Katie to Gina. He promptly relayed this discovery to Adrian.

Adrian had also asked Shawn about the incident prior to Joelle’s concert, but to no avail; all the surveillance had been erased. The staff couldn’t monitor everything constantly, suggesting someone had tampered with the evidence the night before.

Adrian reached out to Shawn. “Did you look into the flower baskets from that day?”

“Flower baskets? What about them?” Shawn inquired. “There were so many; I hardly noticed.”

Adrian’s tone turned grave. “Two of the baskets contained fake flowers with curses and flowers for mourning the dead.”

Shawn clicked his tongue. “That’s pretty twisted.”

“Exactly.” Adrian got straight to the point. “So, have you guys offended anyone lately?”

By now, Shawn saw no point in secrecy. Since Gina was keeping a low profile, involving someone else might help track her down.

“Gina is my father’s child from another woman. When he was young, he had a first love. After marrying my mom, he had an affair with her, and Gina was the result. Gina’s mother died, and under the pretense of sponsorship, my dad brought Gina to Illerith. Both my father’s stroke and my mother’s suicide are connected to her.”

Adrian wasn’t interested in the backstory; his focus was elsewhere. “So, she’s now lashing out, targeting you and Joelle?”

Shawn sighed. “That seems to be the case. We’re concerned she might target the children too.”

This gave Adrian a compelling reason to step in, especially since it involved his daughter. “Got it. I’ve uncovered some leads on my side. I’ll update you once I verify them.”

“Okay.”

After Adrian ended the call, Callan approached. “Mr. Miller, I’ve learned that Gina secretly meets with Katie here every week at this time.”

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