The mont Aaron Carson finished speaking, a hint of surprise erged in both Scarlett Shaw and Julian Ford’s eyes.
For the forr, there was also a trace of uncontrollable panic.
However, after going through past mories in her mind, Scarlett’s panic subsided, and she calmly said:
"If Rhonda’s information is reliable, then Anna Ford, who is supposedly in a romantic relationship with Dominic Locke, should not be my mother, but the real Anna Ford. My mother was in Capitoline before her sudden disappearance and never left for long; she couldn’t have just appeared in Cloud Harbor."
"In other words, Anna Ford and your mother Serena Ford were unrelated individuals who coincidentally disappeared at the sa ti, and it just so happened that they looked remarkably similar."
Julian Ford sumd up following Scarlett’s words.
Scarlett nodded, agreeing with his conclusion.
Julian’s dark eyes deepened slightly as he glanced at her, and a possibility arose from the depths of his heart—
If Serena Ford is now living under the identity of Anna Ford, while the real Anna Ford is missing, then it’s possible Serena Ford might have crossed paths with Dominic Locke.
Julian doesn’t know much about Dominic Locke.
After all, one is in Cloud Harbor, the other in Capitoline; the forr’s business mainly involves traditional industries, which deviate from Veridian’s current investnt direction.
However, even though they had no dealings before, Dominic Locke’s na carried weight; it’s said he was restless in his youth, crossing paths with both sides of the law, and anyone who offended him t a terrible fate.
In business, such a person operating in gray areas was a minor issue; even involving death wasn’t surprising.
If his speculation is correct, it’s indeed a good thing if Serena Ford completely cuts ties with Scarlett and disappears entirely, no matter her motivations.
Thinking of this, Julian’s black pupils narrowed slightly, and he lowered his gaze, seeing Scarlett’s clear and pure eyes in his view.
Indeed, soone like her shouldn’t be tainted with any stains or dust.
Julian didn’t voice this speculation because, in his view, other than adding unnecessary burden to Scarlett and leading her into danger, it had no other purpose.
"Aside from this, Rhonda, did you find anything else?"
Scarlett pursued the question.
Aaron shook his head, "Both Anna Ford and Dominic Locke are from Cloud Harbor, and Dominic Locke has significant influence there; it’s hard for to investigate further."
He’s neither a police officer nor a detective; being able to investigate to this point was indeed a stroke of luck.
Scarlett realized this too, so she didn’t press Aaron further, not wanting to trouble him more.
Moreover, even if she wanted to continue investigating, this wasn’t the best ti.
After all, dealing with Josiah Sutton’s illness was the most important thing for her at the mont.
Regarding the specific timing of the surgery, Josiah’s side was very efficient, informing Julian Ford on the sa night—
The end of June, the start of a flourishing sumr.
When they received the news, Scarlett and Julian were at Cloud Mansion.
The forr was nestled in a hammock chair on the balcony, reading a book, while the latter leisurely reclined on the sofa with a Mac on his lap, his gaze indifferently resting on the screen ahead, a phone to his ear, and Josiah Sutton’s orderly voice flowing through.
The early sumr night breeze carried a faint warmth, caressing Scarlett’s face, blowing a few strands of hair playfully across her eyes, blocking her view.
She casually tucked her hair behind her ear, and at that mont, her eyes were drawn to the bright, rounded moon hanging in the sky.
The stars and moon reflected in her brilliant hazel eyes.
Often, when reminiscing about the past, the most profound monts are also the most mundane ones.
Just like this mont, what Julian Ford saw was a beauty exclusively his.
In life, despite all the hardships and obstacles, the muddy abyss, what supports us through these pains are often certain beliefs.
And for Scarlett Shaw and Julian Ford, during those future days apart, the belief sustaining them is each other’s presence in their hearts.
It’s mories as precious as they are at this mont.
Julian’s gaze was calm yet fiery, and Scarlett quickly noticed, turning her head to et his eyes, her smile spreading as he slightly opened his arms towards her.
When it ca to responding to Julian’s feelings, Scarlett was always relentless, never retreating.
She jumped off the hammock, ran barefoot to her boyfriend, hugged him, and cheekily said, "Your eyes just told you like very much."
"Yes, very much."
Julian Ford, who wasn’t adept at expressing love, gradually learned to openly and freely love her after eting Scarlett Shaw.
"Josiah just called; the surgery is at the end of the month."
Scarlett’s heart tightened, but she pretended to be relaxed, saying, "Ti flies; from when we t last year to now, it’s almost a year, right?"
Julian looked down at her, "Yes, a year."
So things can only truly be felt when one reaches the other shore, experiencing the fear and apprehension it brings.
Previously, Scarlett only thought about being by Julian’s side, and she believed that being together would withstand all challenges.
But now, thinking about the possibility of losing him in the most painful way despite being there, she suddenly lost the courage to face it all.
"Julian Ford."
Scarlett looked up, earnestly and purely at her boyfriend.
"Honestly, from the ti my family faced trouble until now, only the year knowing you made ti feel aningful."
"If I tell you this, you’ll probably laugh at . At first, I also thought about ending it all, so I wouldn’t have to face those ssy issues anymore."
As the saying goes, evasion may be shaful but useful.
Scarlett, who always seed brave and smiling, was truly vulnerable deep down.
Julian’s expression hardly changed, but his hand gently caressed her cheek, asking softly, "And then?"
"I actually reached the river where my dad died, but when I stepped in, I got scared and regretted it imdiately."
Though this reason seed awkward, it was indeed Scarlett’s genuine thought at the ti.
At that mont, the fear of death far outweighed the cruelty reality brought, and the desire to live wasn’t even for those beautifully stated reasons of life’s splendor.
At its core, it was because of fear and cowardice.
"But my luck wasn’t good; when I didn’t want to die, the heavens seemingly wanted gone, with heavy rain and thunder trapping in the mountains. I was really afraid of being struck dead right there, maybe even ending up in the news headlines as a source of amusent for onlookers getting flogged in retrospect!"
Scarlett curled her lips, recounting past pains lightly in her usual joking manner.
But Julian tightly held her hand, "Scarlett, with , even if you don’t smile, I’ll still love you."
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