Chapter 274

Chapter 274

Alicia's face went pale. She knew she was finished.

As the police officer approached, she backed away. "You can't take me! This is all fake! It's a conspiracy between Adeline and this dead woman!" She glared at the caregiver, then at Kaida. "Mrs. Thomas, I've always been so respectful to you, I even visited you at the nursing home. Why are you doing this to me?"

"You visited me, wasn't it to see if I remembered what happened?" Now that she was lucid, Kaida's mind was sharp. Alicia had indeed visited her often, but it was always with a condition, a premise. Kaida's mind had been muddled then, and she hadn't understood the meaning behind her questions. Now, she understood.

"And Briar, the caregiver who looked after Mrs. Thomas, she was your person." Adeline added. She had felt something was off about Briar from the start and had mentioned it to Edward. It was just a subtle hint, but Edward had trusted her completely. He had immediately confronted Briar, who had quickly cracked under pressure and told the truth.

"So this was all your plan?"

Adeline sneered. "You're just figuring that out?"

Alicia looked at Rupert. "You knew all along?"

Rupert smiled wearily. "Edward asked for my help. I couldn't refuse." Between his partner's daughter and his adopted son, he knew who to choose.

"Come with me, Ms. Carter." The police officer stood before her, the handcuffs glinting coldly. Alicia's hope was extinguished. She had thought today was Rupert's trap, a way to deal with Edward and Adeline, to shut them up. She had been so confident. She hadn't even asked her father or brother to come. Now, the truth was out, and in a room full of people, she had no one to turn to.

Alicia was taken away. As she passed Adeline, she left a cryptic remark. "You think you've won?"

Adeline said nothing.

Alicia smiled, her voice a malicious whisper. "Adeline, I lost, but you didn't win either. We'll see."

She and the caregiver were taken away by the police. The caregiver wasn't out of prison yet, just out to cooperate. But with her good behavior, she might get a reduced sentence. It wasn't a bad outcome for someone who had truly repented.

"Was there really a recording?" Rupert asked.

"No," Adeline replied. "If there had been, the caregiver would have produced it long ago."

Rupert gave Adeline a long, deep look. "You're a clever girl." She had used a non-existent recording to trick Alicia, leaving her no room to argue or explain.

Kaida was silent for a long time. "I never thought she could do something like that." She had always thought Alicia was just spoiled.

"Jealousy makes people lose their minds and do irrational things." Adeline said calmly.

"Now that this is settled," Rupert said, "why don't you stay and have dinner with me? We're family, after all."

Edward looked at him, surprised. Rupert's disapproval of his relationship with Adeline was no secret. He had never said it outright, but Edward knew his attitude better than anyone. Now, his words…

Edward looked at Adeline. He wanted her to stay, to have dinner with them. Everyone in the room was his family. Rupert had been his benefactor, and Kaida…

"Alright." Adeline agreed.

The meal was surprisingly harmonious. Rupert even suggested that Kaida stay. "Edward worries about you being looked after by others. I have professional caregivers, chefs, gardeners, security. Why don't you stay here with me? There are plenty of rooms upstairs. It would put Edward's mind at ease."

But Kaida hesitated. After some thought, she declined. "I think I'll pass. I'm doing well at the nursing home. The one Edward found for me, the people there are very nice. I've made friends. I'd be sad to leave now."

Edward had wanted Kaida to live with him, but hearing her words, he swallowed his own. He had sent her to the nursing home not to get rid of her, but to give her a chance to socialize with people her own age, to make friends. And it had worked. Her mood had visibly improved.

Rupert didn't press her. "That's a shame. I'm quite lonely here by myself." He looked at Edward and Adeline. "You two, when you're not busy with work, come and visit me more often."

"I'll try." Edward said.

Adeline remained silent. She knew it was just a polite invitation. She hadn't forgotten the conversation she had had with Rupert years ago. Even though he seemed so kind now, had he really accepted her? It was a question she couldn't answer. A man like Rupert was far more terrifying than Alicia.

After dinner, they took Kaida home. In the car, Adeline received a call from Zephyr. "I have news about what you asked me to look into. The villa was up for auction and was bought by a company CEO. After some negotiation, he's agreed to meet you. But whether you can buy it back depends on how you handle the conversation."

"I understand. Send me the time and place."

"Okay."

Edward, who was driving, caught the faint sound of a man's voice on the phone. It sounded familiar… like Zephyr. He was on high alert. "Where are you going? I'll take you."

"No need. You can take Mrs. Thomas home. Just drop me off at the next intersection." Zephyr's message had already come through. Adeline wanted to see him immediately. She had been thinking about this for a long time, and now that she had a lead, she didn't want to waste a moment.

Kaida looked at Edward, then at Adeline in the rearview mirror. "I'm not in a hurry to get back. Let's take Adeline first. We can wait in the car. A young woman shouldn't be running around by herself. Adeline is so beautiful and talented, I wouldn't feel comfortable with you taking a taxi." Kaida had a way with words, and as an elder, Adeline couldn't refuse.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Edward drove to the clubhouse. Zephyr was already waiting at the entrance. Adeline got out and went inside with him. Edward's hands gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the door.

Kaida sighed. "She's already inside. Stop looking."

Edward pulled his gaze away. "I just don't understand. The past is resolved. Why is she still like this with me…" Her distance was more painful than a knife to the heart.

"Edward, you need to understand something." Kaida said gently. "Some things, once they happen, leave a mark on your heart. It doesn't fade with time, but it doesn't deepen either."

"Then what should I do?" Edward was at a loss. If some things were destined to be unforgettable, he couldn't just hit Adeline over the head and give her amnesia. He couldn't bear to do that. But if she could never get over it, if he could never get close to her, this push and pull was a form of torture for him, too.

Kaida thought for a moment. "You need to be patient. It's easy to close a door in your heart. All it takes is a little pain. But it's hard to open it again. You need to put in many times the effort and patience. Don't rush." You can't rush matters of the heart. The closer he got, the more she would retreat.

Edward listened, deep in thought. "Thanks, Mom. I think I understand a little better now."