Finn was teasing, a wry smile etched on his face as he thought about the plight of the Langley


    family, a dynasty that would give anything to rid themselves of a child born with ws. How much


    more would the average families do the same?


    "And these two kids’ parents... they''ve turned downmunity fundraisers, sold off all their assets,


    and were living a life full of regret," he mused. "They med themselves for letting their kid enter


    that high-pressure talent contest, for the unbearable stress they allowed to pile on the child''s


    shoulders, cursing their own helplessness..."


    They truly loved their child. But ironically, those who truly loved were the ones being exploited.


    Turned into weapons of murder, likembs to the ughter. They were innocent, their sorrow


    profound.


    It''s as if the rope of life frays most at its thinnest point, and the silent cries of despair from these


    powerlessmoners were just too heart-wrenching.


    What depths of despair must they have reached to willingly walk the path of bing someone


    else''s executioner?


    "Community fundraisers? Which families received such donations? From a charity, you say?" I


    furrowed my brow, pressing Finn for more information.


    "Yeah, I looked into it. It''s all been orchestrated by folks from the Angel Fund. They''ve been the


    beacon of hope for the folks at the bottom in Sea City and have a sterling reputation in the charity


    world. Nowadays, if a family''s kid gets sick, they''re eligible to apply for support from the Angel


    Fund," Finn shrugged nonchntly.


    I took a deep breath.


    Angel Fund.


    It sounded all too familiar.


    "It''s the charity foundation established by Dexter''s mother..." My voice was a whisper, hoarse and


    trembling.


    I hoped it was all just a coincidence. Otherwise, the game was too grand, the spiders on the web


    too numerous. How were we, mere insects, to survive on this vast?


    "Society itself is a web. There''s no absolute good or evil. The world isn''t just ck and white," Finn


    spoke calmly. "The person you consider utterly vile might be a devoted son. The great phnthropist


    you admire could have a trail of blood behind them... Every great fortune casts a long shadow,


    without exception. Do you think any of the world''s richest are spotless? Free from skeletons and


    bloodshed?"


    This world is like a giant grinder, where living in blissful ignorance and simplicity is the greatest


    freedom.


    "Did you find out who funded the big prize money behind the contest back in the day?" Robin asked


    Finn.


    "It was the Angel Fund," Finn replied with another shrug.


    It wasn''t a secret.


    Back then, the Angel Fund was devoted to helping children with congenital deformities, gic


    disorders, and rare diseases. It drew wide public attention, and the Fitzgerald family received heaps


    of praise from the media,ying a solid foundation for Dexter''s eventual takeover of the Fitzgerald


    Group.


    No one reaches the top in one leap. Without the legacy of the Fitzgerald Group as a stepping stone,


    Dexter wouldn''t have his status today.


    I took a deep breath and massaged my temples.


    Angel Fund.


    The Fitzgerald family.


    Dexter.


    Was it possible that not only had Dexter deliberately deceived me, but that I had approached him


    with deceitful intentions as well?


    What exactly was my rtionship with Damian?


    "Phoebe, you don''t look well. Let''s head back and rest," Colin said, concern etched on his face as


    he tried to lead me away.


    "Carter''s birthday ising up. Light a candle for him when you go. I won''t be joining," Finn said


    with a hint of defiance, visibly ufortable at the mention of Carter.


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    Colin remained silent, his eyes clouded with pain and loss.


    Carter had died because of him... a nightmare Colin would never be able to forget.


    "Why is Finn so afraid of Carter?" I whispered once we were in the car.


    "He''s afraid of me too," Colin whispered back, cautiously trying to take my hand when he thought I


    wasn''t looking.


    I swatted his hand away, and he looked up with a wounded expression. "He thinks Carter and I


    aren''t normal, that we''re monsters..."


    "And then?" That''s it?


    "He rallied the whole ss to call Carter and me monsters. So Carter and I got back at him, always


    using subtle tricks he couldn''t see or predict." Colin seemed to reminisce, a soft chuckle escaping


    him as his eyshes fluttered.