Chapter 113 Too Many Coincidences Three Years Ago
After a brief moment of surprise, Leo returned to normal, adjusting his glasses. "I'm here to take Miss Molly to school."
Hearing this, Molly deliberately puffed out her chest. Despite being covered in injuries, she still raised her head proudly, looking at Arabella and Becky with disdain.
From a ten-year-old's perspective, she felt this pose made her look superior and noble, worthy of Leo's address of "Miss Molly."
So what if she was injured? She was fundamentally different from those poor, low-class people now.
But what she didn't realize was how fragile her deliberately displayed arrogance appeared to Arabella and the others. Even Leo looked at her with some displeasure.
He'd never really thought much of Molly, but since she was Mr. Watson's adopted daughter, he couldn't say anything. Whatever Mr. Watson arranged, he'd just follow through.
It's just that this adopted daughter was so lacking in class—why would Mr. Watson choose such a girl?
Leo was slightly distracted until he heard Arabella's voice. "I see. Well, we won't keep you then. We'll head in first."
After speaking, Arabella walked shoulder to shoulder with Alexander, leading Becky as they turned and continued forward.
Leo was stunned. That was... it? No follow-up questions? She was clearly bringing that child to enroll that little girl in school too. The two kids would be classmates—was it so hard to say they should look out for each other?
Leo couldn't understand, but he was very professional. This wasn't really his business—it was Mr. Watson's.
He called Anthony and reported encountering Arabella after the call connected.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Watson's tone was flat. "Why do you think I chose this school?"
After a pause, with a hint of anticipation, he added, "What I've arranged isn't just this. I wonder if she'll be thrilled when she discovers the surprise I've prepared."
After saying this, he hung up without paying Leo any more attention.
Leo was stunned. What did that mean? Did Mr. Watson know Ms. Bourbon would arrange that little girl here, so he specifically had Molly come to this school?
Come to think of it, although Molly had been rejected by Majestic City's top elementary school, as long as Mr. Watson was willing, there were countless good elementary schools to choose from. Yet he'd specifically chosen such a mediocre school.
But what was Mr. Watson after?
Leo couldn't figure it out. He'd been involved in the entire process when Mr. Watson and his wife divorced. Even before the divorce, when Mr. Watson was having an affair with Ms. Sanders, he'd helped book hotels and cover for them in front of Arabella.
Back then, Mr. Watson's disgust for his wife was more than just a little. Surely he couldn't regret it just days after the divorce? Want to go back to his ex?
Leo quickly dismissed this possibility. Mr. Watson was always strategic—he must have his reasons for this arrangement.
He didn't dwell on the question further and looked at Molly beside him. "Let's go in too."
Molly was somewhat unhappy with his attitude toward her, but having just been taught a lesson by Jennifer and having a private talk with Anthony before coming, she was being very cautious. She didn't show any displeasure and obediently followed behind Leo.
When they reached the principal's office, Leo understood why Mr. Watson had mentioned a surprise.
Molly and Becky had actually been assigned to the same class by the school!
Arabella had just finished Becky's enrollment paperwork and hadn't left yet. Hearing about Molly's class assignment, Arabella paused and looked at Leo. "What are you trying to pull?"
Leo adjusted his glasses. No matter how much he couldn't understand Mr. Watson's arrangements internally, he maintained the composure an assistant should have. "Ms. Bourbon, it's just a coincidence."
Arabella didn't believe this was a coincidence. If this was coincidence, the sun and moon could coincidentally become one.
She turned to the principal. "Can you switch Becky to a different class?"
The principal smiled. "Class 3 happens to have openings—it's perfect to place both children there. The other classes are all over capacity."
The implication was clear—the class assignment was set in stone.
Arabella had to give up. She walked Becky to the classroom door and whispered, "Since we can't switch classes, be careful at school. Don't be rash or get carried away, so you don't fall for someone's tricks. We won't start trouble, but we're not afraid of it either. If someone really bullies you, don't be polite—leave the rest to me."
Though Becky was young, she'd sensed something was off from Leo and Molly's sudden appearance, and with Arabella being so serious, she nodded earnestly. "Ms. Bourbon, don't worry. I'll be careful."
Arabella smiled and patted her head. "Go on in."
"Wait a minute," Alexander, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. He smiled at Arabella. "I have a few things to tell her too. It's a secret between Becky and me—don't listen."
His joking tone didn't make Arabella think much of it. Thinking he was kidding around, she walked a few steps away and smiled. "Then hurry up and talk."
Men—clearly worried about Becky but too embarrassed to say so directly, making up some secret.
Arabella found it amusing, a slight smile playing at her lips.
But what she didn't know was that ten meters away, Alexander crouched down, looked into Becky's eyes, and asked, "Do you need to switch classes? If you do, I can help you transfer, or even switch schools."
Becky was startled. "Didn't the principal just say we couldn't switch?"
Alexander smiled without explaining, just saying, "I can help you."
Becky sensed something wasn't quite right, but she didn't press further. She just shook her head at Alexander, her voice young but firm.
"Mr. FitzRoy, that's not necessary. I want to be strong, not a coward who runs at the first sign of trouble."
Alexander looked at her, somewhat surprised, raising an eyebrow before smiling and praising, "Brave kid."
He didn't say more, just instructed, "If you're bullied at school, tell the teacher. I know your homeroom teacher—she'll protect you. If that doesn't work, tell Ms. Bourbon and me."
All of Becky's anxiety about seeing Molly disappeared in that moment. It was like suddenly having reliable support when she'd felt helpless and alone. Though she wouldn't actually lean on them for anything, the feeling of having someone to depend on, having a way out—she absolutely loved it.
After obediently nodding, Becky walked into the classroom.
Alexander nodded to the homeroom teacher and turned to walk back to Arabella.
Arabella still teased him, asking, "What secret did you two share?"
Alexander smiled. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore."
Just then, Leo brought Molly over too. Molly glanced at Arabella but still didn't greet her.
Arabella didn't mind and walked away shoulder to shoulder with Alexander, not sparing them a glance.
Once in the car, Alexander comforted Arabella. "Don't worry. I already had a friend speak to Becky's homeroom teacher beforehand. The teacher will look out for her. Even if Molly tries something, Becky won't suffer."
Arabella had indeed been worried, though she hadn't said anything. She had her suspicions about why Molly had come to this school.
She just hadn't expected Alexander to notice her emotional changes and offer comfort.
Arabella couldn't help but laugh, asking, "Just how many friends do you have? It feels like you have friends everywhere. You can always put in a good word, always have someone who can help."
Alexander's expression didn't change. "That's the benefit of being a top salesman—friends everywhere. Not just in Majestic City, but all across the country I have friends from all walks of life."
Arabella was amazed. "We're both in sales, but I'm nowhere near your level."
Though her sales work was different from Alexander's, they were both essentially selling things.
Hearing this, Alexander's heart stirred. He glanced at her nonchalantly, seeming to joke but also being serious. "We're already married. My network is yours. Round it off, and you're someone with friends all over the country too."
Arabella took it as a joke, laughing. "That's true. If I have any problems, I can just ask you for help."
Alexander drove without taking his eyes off the road, thinking she wouldn't even need to ask—he was right there watching, eager to jump in and solve any problem for her immediately.
Just then, his phone rang. Alexander casually pressed the answer button on the car, and the call came through the speakers. "Mr. Fitz..."
Before the sentence was finished, Alexander quickly disconnected the phone from the car and put it to his ear. Roy's voice continued, "...I had people search the surveillance footage along the route and found that Anthony initially left from a place called an estate. That estate isn't registered under his name, but under an elderly man who used to be a butler for the Watson family. He retired three years ago."
Alexander's eyes flickered. Three years—that timeframe again.
Recently, this three-year mark had been coming up quite frequently.
If he hadn't sensed something was wrong and dug deeper, this timeline might have remained buried under layers of cover-up, never to be remembered again.
Three years ago, Arabella's parents had a car accident. Arabella's mother died on the spot, and her father Percy was paralyzed from the waist down.
Three years ago, Anthony appeared in her life.
Three years ago, Billy divorced his first wife and grew closer to Mandy.
Also three years ago, Mandy's brother Jake's body bag processing workshop began to slowly expand.
Now, another three years ago—the Watson family's butler retired at this exact time point.
The key question was: did all these three-years-ago events have a deeper connection to Grandpa's accidental death three years ago?
Since Arabella was in the car, Alexander didn't say much, only asking, "Any progress?"
To Arabella's ears, it sounded like work talk, while Roy continued his detailed report. "That estate is called Riverbend Manor. It's usually uninhabited, with Anthony occasionally visiting. Besides that, I arranged for people to conduct a thorough search inside the estate and found large amounts of cleaned blood traces in an underground storage room, but no body was discovered."
Alexander frowned deeply. "Continue."
Roy went on, "I've already taken blood samples for testing. The testing facility said that because the blood was too diluted, they might not be able to extract information, but they'll try. At the same time, I've sent people to find the Watson family's retired butler to see if we can uncover any clues."
Alexander had always been satisfied with his work efficiency and said, "Got it. Hand over your current tasks to subordinates and take two days off."
Roy had been working around the clock for the past two days—making him continue would be negligent as a boss.
Roy was deeply grateful and hung up.
Alexander put his phone aside, one hand on the steering wheel, still thinking about what Roy had just said.
His brow was tightly furrowed, his face expressionless—somewhat like his demeanor in front of subordinates. Arabella beside him barely dared to breathe, feeling like the atmosphere in the car was becoming increasingly tense. Alex had always been gentle and had never given off such an intimidating presence before.
She tentatively asked, "Did you run into some particularly troublesome work issue?"
Though from his phone conversation, it seemed like work was going smoothly, she couldn't think of any other explanation.
Hearing this, Alexander snapped back to reality and explained without missing a beat, "A deal got stolen from us. Our team is trying to figure out how to handle it. You know, with our kind of deals, losing one means losing a huge amount."
Arabella nodded in understanding. He did corporate insurance sales—losing one deal meant losing dozens or hundreds of clients. No wonder he looked so grim.
She comforted him, "Difficulties are temporary. You're so smart, you'll definitely figure it out."
Alexander shamelessly accepted the compliment and sighed dramatically. "It's so hard. Such a huge loss—I can't explain it to those above or below me. The pressure is enormous."
Hearing this, Arabella immediately felt sympathy for him. "Don't worry too much. I think with your abilities, you'll definitely get through this. Even if you really can't get it back, with your position at the company, your boss won't blame you."
Alexander nodded, still looking troubled.
Seeing him so upset, Arabella felt anxious too. Suddenly, she had an idea. "How about this—when we get home tonight, bring your client files back with you, and I'll help you brainstorm solutions?"
She didn't have any special talents, but she could at least contribute a little to repay all his care for her.
Alexander's lips curved almost imperceptibly as he nodded. "Sounds good."
Ever since Becky arrived, Arabella had devoted almost all her after-work time to the child. He'd been watching from the sidelines, unable to get involved, secretly dissatisfied for quite a while but unable to compete with a kid.
This was perfect—with her helping him analyze client files, they could have a whole evening alone together.
Arabella spent the day busy with work. Near quitting time, she received a call from an unknown number. When she answered, the voice was familiar but urgent and shrill—it was Rachel. "Arabella! You did this on purpose, didn't you? Gloria is in this state because of you! I won't let you get away with this!"