Faced with Theodore Carson’s surprise and secrecy, Scarlett Shaw did not stop her inquiry and followed with another sentence:
"Did she also send an anonymous ssage, telling to leave Julian Ford?"
It was a question, yet her tone was more like a statent.
As if she was already convinced of the answer.
The more confident and assured Scarlett’s expression beca, the more serious Theodore Carson’s face grew. His lips pressed tightly together, he squinted at her.
Before she spoke, it had all been speculation for Scarlett.
But now, Theodore Carson’s reaction clearly confird her suspicions.
However, being a seasoned detective for so many years, no matter how much his heart was stirred, Theodore Carson’s lapse was only montary.
The surprise in his dark eyes was quickly overshadowed by curiosity. He looked at Scarlett and asked:
"You’re Serena’s daughter, so I understand why you’d guess she wants you to leave Julian. But she specifically asked to make the ssage untraceable. How did you find her out?"
"I didn’t investigate."
Scarlett answered openly and honestly.
She simply used the process of elimination.
Since starting her relationship with Julian Ford, although the Ford family’s opposition was strong, with Julian diating, almost no one had the audacity to tell her directly and unrestrainedly to leave Julian.
Except for Serena Ford, and that anonymous text she received on her first trip to Cloud Harbor.
The timing of that ssage was just at the start of her relationship with Julian Ford. They had just confird their relationship only a few days prior, and Julian had gone abroad on a business trip. She hadn’t even had the chance to tell Yana Yarrow, so who could know about it?
Thinking it over, Scarlett could only conclude one possibility—
Soone with intentions saw her and Julian Ford together in Cloud Harbor during those two days.
As for who that soone might be, Scarlett initially had no clues. After all, the clients she t in Cloud Harbor, and Mia, couldn’t possibly know about her relationship with Julian Ford.
It wasn’t until a few days ago when Aaron Carson ntioned again that the real Anna Ford was possibly Dominic Locke’s secret lover.
So it wasn’t impossible for Serena, who is currently assuming Anna’s identity, to appear in Cloud Harbor.
Furthermore, during that Cloud Harbor trip with Julian Ford, they happened to visit where Anna used to live to gather information.
Perhaps that was when Serena Ford saw sothing.
Scarlett straightforwardly shared this analysis with Theodore Carson in a few words.
The old detective’s eyes held emotions of admiration and recollection, but these were soon replaced by a bitter smile.
"Back then, it was your mother who first pinpointed the location where the kidnapping suspect was hiding the hostages during that operation."
It was akin to overlapping with the present Scarlett.
Involved an elent of gambling and courage.
Yet full of confidence.
Scarlett was unfazed by Theodore Carson’s words. She didn’t know if it was because of the ntion of Julian Ford, but a sudden, unwarranted anxiety gripped her heart, furrowing her brow, and her deanor turned distant and serious:
"My relationship with Julian Ford is my private matter. Neither my mom nor you have the right to intervene or inquire!"
Theodore Carson glanced at her, "Serena is concerned about you. She worries that the gap between you and Julian Ford’s family is too wide, and the longer you stay together, the more exhausted you’ll both beco. By then, you’ll be the one suffering more grievances."
"Afraid I’ll be aggrieved? When she abandoned back then, why wasn’t she afraid of that?"
The once gentle, beautiful almond eyes suddenly turned sharp, and her tone was aggressive.
Scarlett’s gaze was like a sharp blade, piercing directly into the depths of Theodore Carson’s elusive eyes.
"If she really was just afraid I’d be aggrieved, why didn’t she directly say so the last ti she saw ? Was she mute or was her mouth sealed? Is it so hard to say one sentence?"
"Using these mysterious thods like sending untraceable anonymous ssages and having you, an irrelevant person, pass on your cryptic stance to , it’s hard not to make suspect there are other reasons behind wanting to leave Julian Ford!"
Theodore Carson’s pupils flickered for a mont.
Scarlett simply looked at him intently.
The air was dead silent, both plunged into silence.
Theodore Carson remained tight-lipped, refraining from uttering a single additional word, which certainly added to Scarlett’s agitation.
But what worried her more was that she suddenly did not want to continue asking.
Scarlett rose from the table, tossed the finished instant noodle cup into the nearby dirty trash can, and before leaving, she said one last thing to Theodore Carson:
"If you’re still in touch with my mom, please pass on one ssage for . No matter what reasons she had for leaving , I will never forgive her in this lifeti."
Theodore Carson looked up, gazing deep into Scarlett’s eyes.
From those almond eyes emanated a decisiveness completely different from their usual gentleness.
He slowly nodded.
Scarlett stepped away without turning back even for a mont.
Her mood not only didn’t lighten from Theodore Carson’s response; instead, it grew heavier, like a heavy stone pressing down on her heart, refusing to budge.
But reality is always brutal.
It didn’t allow her much ti to process her emotions, as Julian Ford’s surgery date drew nearer, and the pre-surgery examinations increased.
The clinical testing equipnt, the continuously ticking away ti, and the pervasive scent of disinfectant filled the air.
Also, the doctors casually ntioning possible physical disabilities, mory confusion, and the impact on his lifespan.
The words, the images, the scents, all symbolized pain.
Even though Scarlett repeatedly prepared herself ntally, when faced with the situation, the wrenching pain in her heart seed trivial in comparison. What suffocated her more was the overwhelming despair of truly facing the possibility of Julian Ford’s life being taken away.
Her trembling, cold fingers, hidden away, were suddenly enveloped in a familiar warmth.
"At this point, you no longer have a chance to escape."
Julian Ford, having finished his examination, approached his girlfriend, saying calmly amidst her feigned strong deanor.
Scarlett curled her lips, trying to speak in a light, joking manner: "That’s not necessarily true. Since you’re sick now, if I run, you can’t catch ."
"No matter where you run, even if it ans resorting to unscrupulous ans, I will bring you back."
Julian Ford’s tone was earnest and firm, carrying a faint chill.
"Scarlett, you’re the one who chose to stay by my side. I gave you the chance to leave, you didn’t take it; even if it ans pain following , you can no longer leave now."
Aside from wavering when it ca to treating his illness, Julian Ford’s life creed never included the word "regret."
He knew he was despicable.
Having once coveted her affection and warmth, he selfishly kept her by his side, ignoring her future prospects.
Now, even though he couldn’t live without her, and even if she would have to witness him being ravaged by illness, even if her father’s bankruptcy lood as a ticking ti bomb, he still didn’t want to let her go.
He was never one for grand magnanimity, not even towards her.
Scarlett’s fingers intertwined with Julian Ford’s. She lightly humd, "That’s not what you said before!"
Julian Ford turned to look at her.
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