"We have to y it by ear." He said, "I believe this notebook must be crucial, not just to your father but also to the ones who want it. There must be secrets involved. Even if we have this, we can''t let them have their way." As soon as As said this, everything clicked for me.


    Indeed, they knew my father better than I did. How did they know about this mysterious notebook? What exactly was in it that led them to resort to kidnapping?


    "So, are we heading there now? But the person on the phone is after the notebook. If we don''t give it to them, then...?"


    I was a bit unsettled, especially since it involved my dad''s well-being.


    "All the clues lead to the small town, so we must make a trip there to understand the whole story," As asserted.


    Just as we were about to leave the lobby, I heard my mom calling me from behind. "Chlo..."


    I turned around to see her quickly descending the stairs.


    We both stood in ce, watching her approach. Though her expression remainedposed, her eyes betrayed her inner unease.


    "Are you two going on a business trip together?"


    As nodded earnestly, "Yes. Chlo and I are both going."


    "Oh! So... where are you going?" She hesitated in her questioning, "Is it... about...?"


    I looked at her, wanting to hear her thoughts.


    She immediately reined in her emotions, giving us a slight smile. "Well, you better get going! Come back soon and give me a call anytime."


    I scrutinized her. "Mom, do you have something on your mind?"


    She quickly smiled and said, "No... Go on. I have to attend to Grandma Rose."


    "Okay. We''re leaving then. We''ll be back soon." As didn''t press further, subtly hinting at me to do the same.


    "I''m leaving, Mom."


    With that, As and I got into the car, heading straight to the airport.


    In the car, I asked, "Did Mom seem different to you?"Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    "This can only mean one thing. That notebook is at home," As said confidently to me.


    "So, you''re saying she knows about Dad''s situation?"


    "Yes. She must be well aware." As nodded with certainty.


    I remembered my mom''s peculiar expressions when sensitive topics were brought up.


    "You''re right. It seems they''ve hidden quite a few secrets from me. Whenever they mentioned the small town in rtion to my memories she always evaded the subject t looks like it might be time to unravel some of the secrets between my parents," I whispered.


    As grabbed my hand. "Don''t worry. Secrets will always resurface." "Then, earlier... did she sense that something might happen to Dad?"


    We raced to the airport, and Cane was already waiting for us at the departure gate. We took the VIP channel.


    On the ne, Asforted me, urging me to take a moment to rest. I was genuinely exhausted these past few days dealing with Oliver''s situation.


    I turned to As beside me, "Honey, do you think all of this could be rted to Liora''s escape? Especially with what happened to Oliver? Didn''t they already catch the perpetrator?" "I haven''t had a chance to interrogate anyone yet," As informed me.


    "The target of that assant was


    clearly me. If it weren''t for Lauren,


    who saw it first and pushed me


    away, I would have been the on


    injured Oliver, fearing for Lauren''s safety, threw himself in front of her."


    swne


    Amidst all the chaos in the past couple of days, it was the first quiet moment I had with As, prompting me to bring up this matter.


    "I can''t shake the feeling that this


    has something to do with Liora," added, "Who else is that vengeful against me? Since they knew exactly where we were dining at tha hotel, this wasn''t random."


    "It''s hard to say for sure right now."