Chapter 282 The Same Handwriting

Chapter 282 The Same Handwriting

Aurora Ross's POV:

I showed Alex the analysis I had done, but after waiting for what felt like forever, he still hadn't responded.

I waved my hand in front of his face, and he finally snapped out of it, frowning slightly.

"Your handwriting's starting to look more and more like his."

Really?

I looked down carefully and was surprised to see he was right.

The writing on the paper had lost some of its previous elegance and had become sharper.

I used to add fancy flourishes to my letters, but Eder had corrected all of that, leaving only a bold and steady script.

Just like when I first saw Eder's handwriting.

If Alex hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have noticed.

That heartless old man had managed to change my handwriting.

[Maybe it's because I've been practicing by imitating his style.]

By now, I genuinely wanted to learn.

Eder was a terrible person, but I could learn a lot from him.

I sighed, [During the time he's been teaching me to write, he's actually taught me a lot of other things, too.]

The more time I spent with him, the more we communicated.

Sometimes, he would share perspectives I had never considered.

As young as I was, I couldn't fully grasp them yet.

But once I did, those insights would become invaluable experience.

Sometimes, I even felt like he was telling me on purpose.

But why?

He clearly hated me.

I could never figure it out.

...

In the following days, I continued to track down the missing jewelry.

Eder was too preoccupied with the theft to teach me writing, but he still checked my practice occasionally.

I casually asked Eleven about it, but from her reaction, she didn't seem like the thief.

There were many cameras around the estate, and even with Eder and Alex's people helping, finding a gem smaller than a palm was proving difficult.

The situation was at a standstill.

To understand the thief's mindset, I sometimes sat in the garden.

And there, I always ran into Eder.

He would stand quietly in the farthest corner, staring at a gap in the wall.

He could stand there for hours.

I would sit not far behind him, having afternoon tea.

Through a glass wall, Eder's frail figure looked even more distorted.

I noticed his hand holding the cane had become even more withered, like a brittle twig about to snap.

He didn't seem as spirited as when I first met him.

The usually intimidating and abusive Eder had suddenly become quiet.

It felt strange.

I took a small sip of my hot tea.

Next to me, Harry, who also didn't disturb Eder, spoke softly.

"Ms. Ross, you don't seem too worried?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to rush you, I just..."

I shook my head, cutting him off, indicating it was fine.

"I think I know where the jewelry is hidden."

"What?" Harry asked, his eyes widening.

His voice was a bit loud, startling Eder in front of us.

Eder glanced back at us before turning away again.

Harry smiled awkwardly, then eagerly asked, "Where?"

I shook my head.

"It's just a guess for now. It's a secret."

"Don't worry."

Hearing my confident tone, Harry relaxed a bit.

After finishing my tea, I stood up.

As I left, I glanced back.

The beautiful glass house was filled with various gems, adorned with intricate patterns.

In the light, they cast long beams of light.

From a distance, it looked like a fence.

The exposure effect, after seeing something multiple times, you instinctively chose it next time.

The thief must have seen this light and thought of it when hiding the gem. And conveniently, the place they thought of was perfect for hiding it.

That small building was locked behind iron gates.

...

I knew the location.

The problem was, how to get in.

Eder had kept it locked for fifty years, not allowing anyone to open it.

If I told him the gem was inside, would he believe me?

Even if he did, and opened the door only to find nothing, what then?

His anger would be worse than ever.

As I pondered the solution, an opportunity suddenly presented itself.

Eder fell seriously ill.

When Alex told me, I was still in shock.

I held the book I was reading, unable to put it down.

"How did this happen so suddenly?"

Alex shrugged. "He's old. It's not surprising if he suddenly dies."

His tone was flat, with no hint of sorrow for a family member's passing.

Alex smirked. "His dying sooner is actually good for us."

I sensed a different undertone in his smirk.

I had a feeling he was involved.

But strangely, I didn't ask whether he did it.

Instead, I vaguely responded, "How is he now? What did the doctor say?"

Alex leaned back lazily, replying, "Doctor? The old man fell ill, and the family panicked. The room is always crowded, no time for treatment."

He chuckled, recalling something.

"At his worst, the old man was gasping for air, and people were still asking about the inheritance. There wasn't even room for the ventilator. He struggled for three minutes before catching his breath on his own."

I gently put down my book.

With Eder's condition, Alex had more to handle.

He didn't stay long, standing up and pulling me into a lingering kiss.

As he lightly bit my lip, I heard his threatening tone.

"Who are you thinking about?"

I shook my head.

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Be good and stay in the room."

"But I still need to find the gem."

He scoffed, thinking of Eder, his expression turning disdainful.

"It's just a gem. He needs to live long enough to see it."

His sharp aura made me pause.

Then my eyes widened slightly.

Alex gently lifted my hair, planting a reverent kiss, his expression still tender.

"Soon, I'll take you home."