Given Ophelia''s efficiency, it was about time she delivered some results.


    He was desperate to know.


    What exactly happened to Jane two years ago?


    He asked, "Did you find anything?"


    "Yes."


    Ophelia began in her usual organized manner. "Your hunch was correct. Two years ago, Jane went abroad, to France. I''ve sent all the rted documents to your email just a minute ago."


    Gregory let out a sigh of relief, "She''s been overseas all this time?"


    "Correct."


    "Go on."


    "But she wasn''t alone."


    Ophelia''s tone remained steady, "She was apanied by Mark. Mark owns a vi in France, and that''s where Jane has been living for the past two years."


    Gregory''s grip on his phone tightened, "Is this information confirmed?"


    "Lucius helped me with the investigation."


    Continuing, Ophelia dropped another bombshell, "Mark initially stayed with Jane for just over a month before he had to return due to business with the Larson Group. After that, he frequently visited her, staying for days at a time."


    There was a long silence on the other end of the line.


    Gregory pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a surge of anger boiling inside!This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    So, this was why Jane had been so evasive every time he brought it up?


    Still, Gregory wasn''t ready to ept this just yet, his voice hoarse, "What has she been doing in France these two years?"


    "Studying design, bing Dave''s protégé."


    Ophelia teased out the information, "Apparently, all arranged by Mark."


    Gregory''s knuckles turned white from the grip, his tone dangerously low, "That''s it?"


    "...That''s it!"


    Ophelia intended to stand firm but feared the blowback, "Don''t worry, I''ll keep digging. I know your rtionship with Jane is special, I won''t miss any detail."


    "Greg..." Ophelia softened her tone, trying to be the voice of reason, "Maybe Jane thought you were gone after that explosion and made her choices. You can''t me her, after all, even the police had reported your death..."


    Crash!


    The sound of something smashing violently came through the phone, followed by a burst of static.


    Ophelia, satisfied, dived back into her work.


    Having been by Gregory''s side for years, she learned one thing: in any situation, there''s only sess, no failure.


    Before, she hated to see Gregory disappointed.


    Now, she didn''t want to disappoint herself.


    Gregory''s eyes were bloodshot, a deep crimson. Fury pushed him to the edge, his leg pain forgotten as he kicked over a trash can.


    But the more he vented, the more fiercely the fire burned-almost to the point of madness!


    Ever since Jane reappeared, his temper had cooled, hardly anything could disturb his mood.


    But whenever he did lose it, it was worse than before!


    She knew exactly how to push his buttons!


    Just the other night, as shey in his arms, softly cursing him, he thought, maybe it''s time to let go! To forget everything from the past.


    As long as she was with him now, that was all that mattered. But what about her? It seems, not so much!


    The thought of her and Mark together in France was driving him insane.


    He didn''t even dare to think deeper.


    Trembling, he poured out some lithium carbonate and swallowed it dry.


    He didn''t even bother with water.


    Time seemed to stretch endlessly, so much so that his phone, flung far away, vibrated several times unnoticed.


    He slumped on the couch, his gaze unfocused, staring nkly out the window.


    "Hello, the person you''re trying to reach is currently unavable. Please try againter..."


    The cold, mechanical voice echoed again.


    I tossed my phone into my bag, turning to Ike. "Your uncle''s still not picking up. Should we try knocking?"


    His cars were still parked outside. He must be home.


    "Okay!" Ike nodded vigorously.


    Christine signaled to me while on a call with a client, "You go ahead, I''ll wait here."


    I led Ike upstairs, ringing the doorbell.


    This time, the door was quickly answered.


    Gregory opened the door, his


    demeanor icy, his usually lively eyes


    now devoid of warmth, his voice tinged with sarcasm, "Jane, aren''t you tired of this act?"


    "What?"


    "I mean, you acting like you''re so into me,"


    Gregory smirked, his gaze dropping to Ike, mockingly adding, "And ''going out of your way'' to look after my


    nephew. Doesn''t putting on this


    facade tire you?"


    I was taken aback, my nails digging into my palm, a familiar pain resurfacing, "What do you mean..."


    "Uncle!" Ike, always sharp, red at


    Gregory, his eyes reddening. "What are you talking about?! Aunt Jane has been nothing but kind to me,


    very kind! You have no right to bully her"


    "Come back."


    Gregory grabbed Ike by the cor and hauled him inside, scoffing, "Don''t call her that without asking if she even wants to be your aunt!"