After Callie left the Ellison family, she continued her life and work as usual, as if nothing had happened.
The Oconnor Group had secured several major construction projects. She maintained professional ties with them and had the authority to facilitate collaborations with her studio, making her exceptionally busy.
With everyone occupied, people gradually forgot about her story with Nelson.
“Callie, I noticed that the initial stages of several big projects were handled by the Scott Group,” Eliza muttered while printing documents.
Jade was nearby and asked, “How do you know?”
“It’s all over the internet. Look at this, it’s a high-end seaside hotel project. Reliable sources online said it was supposed to be the Scott Group’s, but it ended up with the Oconnor Group,” Eliza explained confidently.
Callie listened and glanced over. This project had been highly sought after even before the public bidding.
“That’s normal. The Oconnor Group and the Scott Group have been competitors for a long time,” Jade remarked.
Eliza suddenly became annoyed. “Why do you always have to argue with me?”
“Me? I’m just stating facts,” Jade replied, puzzled.
Eliza, irritated, didn’t want to continue the conversation. She grabbed the printed documents and left. Jade, surprised, turned to Callie and asked, “Callie, do you think I was arguing?”
Callie leaned lazily against the side, watching Eliza leave. She sensed something but said nothing. “Girls need more coaxing.”
Feeling a bit wronged, Jade still went after Eliza.
Besides managing the studio, Callie visited her grandfather whenever she had free time.
Her grandfather was still not very lucid and often mistook her for Maevelyn. She never got upset about it; instead, she enjoyed listening to his stories from the past and sometimes even asked questions.
Soon, Callie learned about her childhood interests.
She loved painting, often got lost, liked small animals, enjoyed wearing white dresses, and loved sticking close to Nelson-
Callie often got lost in thought while listening. Some of her childhood hobbies no longer interested her.
She never wore white dresses anymore.
Initially, Bianca worried that hearing these stories might upset Callie. But over time, seeing that Callie enjoyed them, Bianca also started adding her own memories.
Callie rested her chin on her hands. “Bianca, Maevelyn disappeared at night. Wasn’t she at home? Did she just vanish into thin air?”
Bianca sighed. “It’s very strange. The Ellison family didn’t have surveillance cameras back then, only on the streets. But there was no footage of her leaving. After years of investigation, it was concluded that she might have been taken by someone she knew.”
“Someone she knew?” Callie frowned.
“Yes, someone Maevelyn trusted within the Ellison family. But all these years, no suspects have been ruled out.”
With this crucial information, Callie’s heart raced. Kidnapped…?
But why was she eventually sent to a hospital and adopted by Reuben?
What was the kidnapper’s motive?
As Callie pondered, a chill ran down her spine.
Two days later, she finally met Joaquin.
In a secluded cafe that required navigating through several alleys, Callie walked in and found a corner seat where Joaquin sat, wearing a baseball cap and mask.
She approached him and frowned. “Are you playing spy?”
Joaquin glanced around. “I’m just worried you might be followed.”
Callie set down her bag and calmly said, “We’re siblings. It’s normal to meet occasionally. Be open about it; don’t hide.”
Hearing this, Joaquin straightened up.
“The matter you asked Mollie to help with a few days ago has news,” he said, taking an envelope from his bag. “Charlotte secretly met with a renowned art teacher from Ylosea.”