Chapter 203
My Mute Bride
âLetâs not talk about that. Whatâs the matter?â
âIn your email, you stated that Justin has the videos and rejected news articles from that time, but I couldnât find them in his safe at home. It didnât look like he would keep them anywhere else in his house.â
Thoughtfully, Janice admitted, âFive years ago, he went to the investigation hall to look for me not long after you left.â
âWhy did he look for you?â
âIâm not sure. My secretary told me that he brought some documents, but I wasnât at the office at that time. So, we agreed to meet on another day, but he didnât show up.â
Documents? Rachel narrowed her eyes. âWhat kind of documents?â
âI didnât get to see them, and I couldnât contact him. After that, his attitude toward the Hudsons took a 180 degree turn. From harboring deep-seated hatred and using any means to get rid of them from Riverdaleâs market, to supporting their every move. Since I wasnât able to meet him in person and the Burtons kept a tight lip on everything, I couldnât find out anything about the situation at that time.â
Suddenly, Rachel realized something. âThis must have something to do with his amnesia.â
âJustin has amnesia?â Janice was surprised to hear so. âWhen did that happen?â
Rachel shook her head. âIâm not sure myself, but he didnât recognize me when I first came back. Up till now, he still doesnât remember what happened between us back then and even forgot that he was abducted by human traffickers when he was a child.â
âThat explains it. I couldnât wrap my head around his sudden change of attitude toward the Hudsons before this.â
âIâm afraid he probably doesnât even remember what the video evidence was anymore.â
Hearing this, Janice furrowed her brows. âSeems that way. But it seems a bit weird. Even if Justin has lost his memories, why did the Burtons have to hide it from him and even agreed to his marriage with Amber?â
âIt must be Old Mr. Burtonâs doing. At that time, he did say that he didnât want Justin to dwell on what happened when he was a child, so he made me leave.â
âSo, the Burtons are keeping him in the dark.â
âExactly.â
Janice was deep in thought. âIf thatâs the case, then Justin wouldnât have the evidence anymore since Old Mr. Burton wants to keep the past from him.â Then, she continued, âThe evidence must be at Old Mr. Burtons.â
When Rachel heard this, she froze.
âThereâs one more thing that I didnât get to tell you in the email because I wasnât sure,â Janice reminded Rachel âGo ahead.â
âI suspect thereâs something going on between Jason and Sue. She was well aware of your grandmotherâs kidnapping and talked to him frequently on the phone.â
Rachel squinted. Jason and Sue?
Back then, it was Jason who kidnapped Nancy, so Rachel was determined to bring him to justice regardless of whether she would leave or not. However, it never occurred to her that the Burtons would find someone else to take the fall.
Jason, the murderer, was still at large. Things are smooth sailing for wicked people like Jason, Jefferey, Sue, and Amber. How will Hans rest in peace if I didnât come back? Rachel clenched her fists.
âIâll try to get closer to Justin and make him bring me to the Burtonsâ summer villa. Old Mr. Burton should be there during this time of the year.â
âBe careful.â
âI will.â
Soon, it was the weekend and the skies were bright and clear.
Early in the morning, Rachel and Jolly got ready to head out with Samuel. Jolly, who was wearing a flowy sundress, almost had her wide-brimmed sun hat stuck at the door.
Speechless, Rachel asked Jolly, âAre you going on a holiday at the beach?â
âThe weatherâs so hot. Iâll die of heatstroke if I donât bring this hat.â
âWeâre going on a hike, not a spring outing. How are you supposed to hike in this outfit?â
Jolly put her hands on her hips. âPretty girls donât hike. Whatâs the use of getting all smelly and sweaty from hiking? It would ruin my image! Iâll be taking the cable car up, of course.â
âSure, take the cable car then.â Rachel rolled her eyes as she put the picnic basket into the trunk.
In fact, Rachel did not want to tell Jolly the actual condition of the cable car and wanted to let her get a taste of her own medicine so that she would not be so smug next time.
When they arrived, they parked the car at the foot of the mountain.
As Samuel held onto Rachelâs hand, he shouted, âMommy, itâs my sister!â
From afar, Charlotte, who was wearing a blue denim suspender skirt, dashed toward them. âMommy!
Samuel!â
When Charlotte plunged into Rachelâs arms, she lifted her head to look at the lady wearing a floral dress standing beside them. Immediately, Charlotteâs eyes twinkled before she greeted the lady politely, âYou must be my godmother!â
Leaning against the car, Jolly pulled down her sunglasses. âWow, what sharp eyes you have! How did you know?â
âSamuel told me that youâre young and pretty, so I recognized you almost immediately!â
âSuch a sweet girl.â The corners of Jollyâs mouth lifted into a smile. âSweeter than your mom.â
Praising a woman was the best way to get close to her.
Then, Rachel stood up as she saw Justin walking over slowly. âI thought you werenât coming?â
âI donât trust anyone else to take care of my daughter.â
Upon hearing this, Rachel was speechless.
Instantaneously, Jolly took off her sunglasses and crossed her arms. âWhat do you mean by someone else? Rachel is Charlotteâs biological mother. How could you say that you donât trust Charlotteâs own mother when youâre willing to let someone else whoâs clearly unqualified be her stepmother?â
Right then, Justin glared at her.
âWho are you glaring at? Iâm just telling the truth. You can ask Charlotte to see if she likes to be with her own mother or that b*tch who seduced her brother-in-law.â
At that moment, Rachel wanted to cover Charlotteâs ears but it was too late. âJolly, the kids are here.â
Looking at him irritably, Jolly told her, âItâs good to let the children know how dangerous the world can be so that they wouldnât suffer when they grow up. They have such a blind dad after all.â
âMiss Carter, I have nothing against you, right?â Justin frowned, not understanding why Jolly was acting this way.
Before Jolly could say anything else, she saw someone walking over behind him. At once, her face brightened as she waved excitedly. âJulian! Right here!â
Julian? Justin frowned.
Dressed in a white casual outfit, Julian got out of a car and approached them with a bright smile.
âMr. Peters!â Samuel rushed over. Immediately, Julian hugged him.
In truth, Charlotte also liked Julian very much, but considering what Samuel had told her before, she stepped back and looked back and forth between her parents hesitantly. This is awkward.
As expected, Justin questioned, âWhyâs Julian here too?â