As night fell, Daniel’s soul that had returned to its original body seemed to be sitting upright on the living room sofa, his eyes focused on the television screen showing an old movie playing. However, his mind was far away from the movie scene. The question of Olivia’s whereabouts at his grandfather’s residence continued to haunt him.
“Is there something bothering you?” asked Emily, breaking Daniel’s reverie as he sat beside her.
“Em, I think I have to go tonight,” Daniel said in a quiet voice.
“Go where?” asked Emily in a curious tone.
“There’s something I need to get done,” Daniel replied, trying to hide his anxiety behind a faint smile.
“Something?” murmured Emily, trying to read Daniel’s expression hidden behind his smile.
Daniel nodded slowly before replying, “Yes, there’s something I need to get done.”
Emily felt an unspoken concern, but she chose not to inquire further. “Okay, don’t come home too late,” she said in a soft voice.
“I’ll go first,” Daniel said before leaving Emily alone in the living room.
Emily looked at the tightly closed door after Daniel’s departure, feeling like there was something Daniel was hiding. However, she quickly dismissed those negative thoughts and tried to remain calm.
“Mr. Daniel,” greeted Daniel’s personal driver, who was already waiting outside, opening the car door kindly for Daniel.
After Daniel got in, the car drove onto the night streets that were slightly crowded with city traffic. After a short trip, Daniel’s car finally arrived in front of a luxurious residence. Daniel got out of his luxury car with steady steps in front of Olivia’s residence. As he stepped through the gate, he pressed the intercom on the gate until it rang. After giving the right answer, the gate slowly opened, revealing the luxurious residence inside.
“Ah, Mr. Winston. Come on in,” greeted a warm voice from inside the house, welcoming Daniel with an unexpected surprise. It was Eleanor, Olivia’s stepmother.
“Darling, Mr. Winston is here,” Eleanor said, calling her husband, Edward.
Edward, Olivia, and Olivia’s step brother, Alex were instantly startled and turned their heads toward the source of Eleanor’s voice. They were having dinner in the room.
“Hello, Daniel. How are you?” greeted Edward with a friendly smile, immediately standing up from his seat, while Olivia’s face looked pale.
“Fine, Mr. Walton. How are you?” asked Daniel respectfully.
“I’m fine too. What brings you here? Do you mind if we eat together?” asked Edward kindly.
“No need, Mr. Walton. Before coming here, I had already eaten. I just came here to ask Olivia something,” Daniel replied.
Hearing Daniel’s answer, Olivia gulped down her saliva that tasted like stone. She squeezed her other hand, feeling a little frightened that Daniel would bring up the subject of his grandfather’s death.
“Why do you look so nervous? Did you do something wrong again?” Alex asked while eating the steak.
“Shut up, Alex. This is my business. Little kids don’t need to know,” Olivia whispered nervously.
After a little chat with Edward Walton, Daniel waited in the living room until they finished their dinner.
“What are you doing looking for me here?” Olivia asked Daniel, who sat playing with his cell phone waiting for her arrival.
Seeing some of Olivia’s family inside the house, Daniel felt that it was not the right place to talk.
“Can you give me time to ask you something outside?” Daniel asked.
Olivia felt her hands trembling slightly, afraid that she would be caught at Daniel’s grandfather’s house on the night of the incident. Daniel noticed Olivia’s trembling hands, and he was even more convinced that Olivia was hiding something from him.
“Olivia,” Daniel called out.
“What’s wrong?” asked Olivia in a trembling voice.
“Would you mind if I asked for a little of your time?” Daniel asked in a firm tone.
After Olivia nodded in agreement, Daniel looked at Edward politely before taking Olivia away to talk. “Sorry, Mr. Walton. I’m just going to bring Olivia forward to talk. Do you mind?” he asked respectfully.
“No, no. Please,” Edward replied kindly.
After Daniel and Olivia left, Eleanor asked Edward with unconcealed curiosity. “What’s Mr. Winston looking for Olivia?”
Edward just shook his head with a doubtful expression. “I don’t know. I don’t know what Daniel is here for either,” he said.
When they arrived at the front, Daniel opened the car door, allowing Olivia to enter. Despite the fear of the revelation of last night’s incident, Olivia felt she had no choice but to comply with Daniel’s request.
Daniel firmly pulled something out of his pocket, his voice sounding cold as he asked, “Is this yours?”
Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw the glittering earrings in front of her. Nervousness and anxiety were clear on her pale face.
“It’s not mine,” Olivia replied briefly while avoiding Daniel’s sharp gaze, trying to hide the anxiety in her heart.
“I want to hear the truth from you, Olivia,” Daniel admonished in an emphasized voice, making Olivia’s heartbeat quicken.
“It’s not mine. Is that all you wanted to ask me?” Olivia asked, but Daniel didn’t answer her question.
“If you don’t have anything else to ask, I’d better get back in,” Olivia said as she opened the car door, hoping to avoid any more pressing questions.
Daniel massaged his furrowed mid-brow before saying, “I know Walton’s company is in financial difficulties and mounting debts,” his sudden words stopped Olivia from getting out of the car.
“I can help you, but I need your honesty. What are you hiding from me?” Daniel continued.
Olivia paused, realizing that she really needed help with her company right now.
“Walton Company has reached a critical stage. If W Company is willing to enter into a partnership with Walton’s company and provide additional funds to cover Walton’s financial deficit, it will help overcome the difficulties, right?” Daniel asked Olivia.
“Are you serious about helping Walton’s company?” asked Olivia in a doubtful tone.
Daniel continued firmly, “I guarantee it. I won’t go back on my word.”
Olivia was silent, feeling a little afraid to admit the truth, that she witnessed Jake Winston’s death.
“It’s true that the earring is mine,” Olivia explained, looking straight at Daniel. “I broke into your grandfather’s residence because I knew for a fact that Emily was the daughter of your parents’ murderer,” she continued.
After Olivia revealed the truth, a deep sense of anger was clear on Daniel’s face. His jaw hardened, and his eyes radiated an intensity that signaled pent-up anger. “So, you told Grandpa about this fact?”
“I just wanted to save my own company. I intended to give that information so that I could marry you for the sake of my company. But, that night, when I was in your grandfather’s office, I saw that someone was already there. Your grandfather was lying in front of him,” Olivia explained.
“What do you mean?” asked Daniel with a confused expression, asking for further explanation from Olivia. “You mean… Grandpa was killed?”
“Apparently, because that person just stood by and watched your grandpa dying without helping him,” Olivia replied, her voice trembling.
“I’m sorry. I could only run in fear and hide,” Olivia explained with her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes were still filled with the horrific scene she had witnessed, and the fear that still lingered in her memory.
“So you went into hiding without helping my Grandfather?” Daniel’s voice was full of desperation, hidden behind the hatred painted on his face.
Olivia swallowed, feeling the pressure of Daniel’s question. “I didn’t know what to do. I was scared at the time. Running away was the only solution I could think of,” she said in a trembling voice, reflecting deep fear and regret.
“Who was that person?” asked Daniel in a tone full of anger and desperation.
Olivia shook her head, “I don’t know because he was wearing all black. I couldn’t see his face.”
“But I heard something from him. When he turned to leave your grandfather’s study, and he slowly stepped closer to my hiding place.” Olivia’s voice was full of anxiety and tension.
“What did you hear?”