Chapter 167 Testing
"I'll immediately assign more people on my end to keep tabs on everyone who's had contact with Aria and Jasper, especially any unfamiliar faces that have shown up near her building or the kindergarten recently. If there's even the slightest abnormality, I want it reported right away."
Lance's tone took on a more serious note as he laid out his plan first. "On your end, you should also thoroughly investigate the people around you, especially those who've been particularly interested in your relationship with Aria. We might find a breakthrough there."
"I've already got people looking into it. If there's even the slightest clue, I won't let it go."
Arthur immediately agreed, then added, "Also, I've arranged for round-the-clock security shifts stationed at Aria's place and Jasper's kindergarten. I'll handle the outer perimeter security—no random people will get close."
"I'll take care of the day-to-day inside."
Lance picked up where he left off. Though the two had always been competitive, they now found themselves working together in silent coordination for the same protective goal. "I've already spoken to the kindergarten—they'll strictly verify everyone's identity going in and out. When Aria goes out, I'll also have someone reliable follow her to prevent any close-range danger. And if you find any leads on a suspect, tell me right away. Don't hold back."
"Of course."
Arthur's tone softened slightly, losing some of its usual distance. "Same goes for your end. After all, right now our goal is the same."
Protecting Aria and Jasper, and finding whoever was behind this.
This was the most straightforward understanding between them at this moment—nothing else mattered, only that small child who needed protection, only not wanting Aria to be frightened again.
Lance fell silent for a moment, remembering when he'd gone upstairs earlier and seen that look in Aria's eyes as she watched Jasper—that barely concealed exhaustion and wariness. He couldn't help but speak up again, his tone carrying both a reminder and a warning.
"Arthur, your concern right now is probably not protection to her—it's more like a burden."
Arthur's heart sank, bitterness and loneliness instantly welling up inside him.
How could he not know that his very presence had disrupted Aria's peaceful life? But whenever he thought of Jasper possibly getting hurt again, he couldn't control his urge to get closer, to make amends.
"I know."
He replied quietly, his voice tinged with helplessness. "I'll be careful about boundaries. I'll just watch from the shadows and won't disturb their lives."
"That better be the case."
Lance's tone lightened a bit. "Don't let your urgency give whoever's behind this an opening."
"I understand."
The two had nothing more to say. After briefly finalizing the details of sharing information and dividing protective duties, they hung up.
In the car, Lance put down his phone, his fingertips lightly tapping the steering wheel, his eyes filled with deep contemplation.
Though unspoken, that name had already clearly surfaced in his mind.
Who else would have such audacity and harbor such deep hostility toward Aria, if not Sophie—the one who'd always been by Arthur's side and couldn't let go of her resentment over Aria's return?
He hadn't said it explicitly just now, but from his words, Arthur should be able to figure it out. He just hoped Arthur wouldn't be too clouded in judgment.
On the other side, Arthur stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside, his eyes churning with coldness and anger.
Lance's words kept echoing in his mind. He knew the person Lance suspected was the same one he suspected. His feelings were conflicted right now—he hadn't expected that person to have become like this. He'd rather hope it was all just his imagination...
There was no evidence yet, everything was just speculation, but this speculation had already taken root in both their hearts, becoming an unspoken answer they both understood.
Lance started the car, his gaze sweeping over the window of Aria's place. Seeing the curtains drawn, he figured Jasper must be resting. He lightly pressed the gas pedal and parked the car in the shadows by the residential complex entrance.
He would keep watch here for a while to ensure the mother and son were safe.
The daylight gradually faded as dusk began to blanket the city.
The Grant family mansion at night was so quiet that only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard. The cold light from the crystal chandelier spread across the empty living room, casting a layer of impenetrable gloom over Arthur as he entered.
He loosened his tight tie, his suit cuffs still carrying the slight chill of the night, his brows knitted with unresolved coldness, even his footsteps heavy with weight.
Sophie emerged from the guest bedroom and paused slightly when she saw Arthur. Since that day when Arthur had mentioned the west city project at home, the two hadn't spoken for several days.
Their eyes met. Sophie's gaze flickered briefly before she spoke to him. "Arthur, have you eaten?"
She reached out to take his coat, but just as her fingertips were about to touch the fabric, Arthur subtly shifted to avoid her.
He walked to the sofa and casually tossed his coat on the armrest without looking at her, only giving a faint acknowledgment. The low pressure surrounding him seemed to thicken the air.
A dark glint flashed in Sophie's eyes, but she quickly concealed it, maintaining her gentle and compliant demeanor as she brought him honey water, her fingertips lightly touching the glass. "Just warmed some honey water for you, to soothe your throat."
Arthur took it but didn't drink, his fingertips rubbing the slightly cool rim of the glass. He looked up at her, his gaze heavy, his words carrying deliberate probing, his tone revealing neither pleasure nor anger. "I went to the amusement park this afternoon and ran into something upsetting. Someone suddenly rushed into the carousel area and nearly hit a child. It caused quite a commotion."
His eyes locked tightly on Sophie's face, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in her expression—even the faint tremor at the corner of her eye, he wanted to see it clearly.
Upon hearing this, Sophie immediately showed complete surprise, her hand lightly covering her lips, genuine concern rippling in her eyes, her tone carrying urgency. "The amusement park? How could something like that happen? That's so dangerous! Is the child okay? Were they scared? How could someone do such a thing without any sense? The carousel area is full of little children."
Her string of questions, her appearance anxious and distressed, made it seem as if she truly knew nothing about what happened during the day. Then she gently shifted the conversation, as if casually asking, "Why did you suddenly go to the amusement park? You've never liked going to crowded, noisy places like that. Was it for work?"
Her tone was natural, her eyes clear, showing not a trace of a flaw, as if she was simply curious about his whereabouts, and her concern about the incident only remained at the level of "poor child."
The coldness in Arthur's heart deepened. His knuckles gripped the glass so tightly he could almost shatter it, yet he seemed unaware, only continuing to probe indirectly, deliberately emphasizing "child." "Not work. A friend's child was playing there. The child is still small and was nearly hit, got quite a scare."
He stared into her eyes, trying to find a trace of panic or guilt in those seemingly pure eyes.