I’m Diane Carruso

Nora’s actual given name was Eleanore.

She used that name for all her official documents, except for everything related to her work as an influencer.

All this time, people in both her real life and her fake life thought her given name was Nora, or Leonora.

Leon relied on that fact to hinder Diane who was also looking for Nora.

Let her look in the wrong pile, he thought. He didn’t expect Diane to know right away.

“Apparently a vacation to the Caribbean is not a good bribe,” Gina whispered before walking into the kitchen just as Diane stormed into the suite in a rage.

However, it wasn’t her secretary who found Nora. That’s what Diane said.

“In that case, which private investigator did you hire? It must have been expensive.” Leon responded calmly

to Diane, who was still wearing an exasperated face.

She snorted. “I didn’t need to hire anyone. I followed you.”

“Oh my!” Leon pretended to be surprised, although he was actually not surprised by his sister-in-law’s behavior. He was also relieved that it meant Diane had no information about Nora’s real life. “I imagined you were in disguise and sneaking up behind me. Is that old woman selling flowers across the cafe actually you?”

“Go ahead and make fun of me, Leon. Why do you think I'm Doing all this?” Diane asked sharply. “Because I care about you. That girl is dangerous to you!”

Leon shook his head. “No, Diane. She doesn’t remember anything about that day. She told me her memories of the past were blurry and made her uncomfortable. She never tried to remember anything.”

“That’s no guarantee. After all, her memory can come back at any time.”

“If that happens, I will be by her side to explain.”

Diane shook her head. “You and your fragile beliefs worry me. I don’t understand why you still like that girl. She will only lead you to prison.”

“Apparently you’re convinced that I’m a murderer.” Leon's Voice sounded cold.

”I never called you a murderer. You’re the one who always accuses me of thinking that way about you,” Diane replied sharply. “I’m just trying to protect you, as your father asked. Meanwhile your two brothers didn’t care.”

“No,” Leon said. “You and my father are not protecting me. You’re protecting the family name.”

“Another accusation that shows your selfishness.” Diane smiled sarcastically. “I’m offended that you take my concern for you for granted.”

Leon sighed, feeling the pressure his sister-in-law was putting on him. He could understand why Diane complied with herfather’s request.

His father loved Diane, because the two of them were similar, especially in terms of strict principles and perfection. To her father John, Diane was like his own daughter.

“So what do you think you should do?”

“Stay away from her. Disappear from her life. You’ve only met her a few times anyway. I don’t think she even expects anything from you yet. Or...” Diane sighed. “We can get rid of her.”

Leon narrowed his eyes, there was a ray of anger on his cold face. “You guys wouldn’t think of killing her, would you?”

“Jesus, Leon. You’re making us sound like a mafia family,” Diane snapped. “Of course not. I mean, we could get her out of town. She’s a rich girl, isn’t she? I heard that her parents own a diamond mine in South Africa. Maybe we can get her to go back there? We can figure out how.”

“No, Diane. I appreciate your concern. But Nora is not a threat to me. She’s just a woman trying to live her life.”

Diane shook her head again. “You’re being naive. You don’t understand that she could harm you, as well as all of us.”

“I understand perfectly. But you have to trust me, Diane. Nora has done nothing to harm me, and until she does, I won’t treat her as an enemy.”

“You need to know, Leon,” Diane said before leaving. “I'll Keep an eye on the girl. Whether you like it or not, I won’t let a single member become a fire.”

As if you didn’t do that before already, Diane. I know…’

------

Leon never told his family what really happened on that day.

He let his family accept the misconception that he had killed someone by accident.

He was 19 at the time and enjoying the exciting early days of college.

After the incident, his parents tried to get him to leave college and asked him to take up an internship at one of their subsidiaries in New Delhi.

However, Leon flatly refused.

He didn't like New Delhi. He wouldn't like any city in the world if Nora didn't live there.

Eventually, Leon went to New Delhi for a while, then rushed back to America.

He went to Bar Harbor to see Nora.

But Nora had already left and her parents were keeping it a secret where their daughter was hidden.

It wasn't until years later that Leon found out that Nora had been in England.

Gina appeared with a cup of tea that was still steaming. “I'm Sure you need this.”

She placed it on Leon’s desk. “You must be wishing I gave you one of your stash bottles in the kitchen cupboard, huh?”

She grinned. “Drunk is not an elegant way to calm down after a grumpy sister-in-law’s invasion.”

Leon smiled. “Thank you, Gina. You must have been eavesdropping in the kitchen.”

“Forgive my sassy ears.” Gina grinned.

“But I’vealways admired your ability to keep your cool when dealing with Diane.”

“Max is better than me.” Leon took a sip of his tea. “So, what have you heard?”

Gina shrugged. “I don’t know. You guys mentioned murderers. You’re considered a murderer.”

“Do you think I have the look of a murderer?”

Gina did not even look at him when she answered. “No, you don't. You’re just a fool who doesn’t try to set the record straight.”

Leon took another sip of his tea. He was touched by Gina's Trust. In his mind, the events of that day were still vivid.

The screeching of tires and the loud crash, as well as the hysterical screams behind his back.

He even remembered his bloodied clothes, which his mother had burned behind the house.

He never tried to clear up the accusations, as it was one of his ways of protecting Nora.

The sound of the phone interrupted his thoughts.

He heard Gina’s voice talking to the caller. Gina appeared hurriedly to meet him.

“Boss, Diego’s secretary has just informed me that the files for the offer for Miss Williams were taken by Kate McCoy onDiane’s orders. Apparently Diane already knew about the offer and persuaded Diego to have her deliver the document to Miss Williams.”

Leon got up from his chair. “I never thought she’d be serious about keeping Nora away from me.”

“Is this bad?”

“Yes.” Leon replied gloomily

Nora was filling Mojo's food bowl. The cat meowed impatiently as it rubbed its body against Nora's leg. The phone on the kitchen counter rang.

*bzzz* *bbbzz* *bbbzz*

Nora put the bag of cat food on the table and reached for the phone.

She even slightly expected to see Leon's Phone number on the screen.

However, it was an unknown number.

"Hello?"

An unfamiliar female voice greeted her. "Miss Williams, I'm Diane Carusso. Can we meet for lunch tomorrow?"