Chapter 188

I carefully reviewed Natalia's documents and realized that the situation in Vesperia was way more complicated than I thought.

On the surface, Vesperia's main powers were split into three factions: the Gibson family, the Lopez family, and a group of hardcore scientists led by Clarence Fisher who formed a powerful organization.

These seemed like three totally unrelated groups, with almost no overlap in their industries.

The Gibson family's business was super secretive; no one knew where their money came from. The Lopez family was big in the entertainment industry, and almost every entertainment company in Vesperia had to play nice with them to survive.

As for Clarence... aside from his scientific obsession, there didn't seem to be anything particularly alarming about him.

Of course, anyone who managed to carve out a place in Vesperia couldn't have had clean hands. What they did behind the scenes wasn't documented, but I suspected Natalia knew more than she was letting on.

After all, she was a doctor. How could she be completely unaware of these shady dealings?

And the Lopez family... I wondered what their connection was to the Lopez family back home.

Edward had been in Vesperia for half a year by then, but there had never been any news of him meeting with the local Lopez family.

Then again, they might have met in secret.

As for the Gibson family, I knew it was Milo's doing.

In Vesperia, he went by the alias Tony Gibson. He had an older sister named Pippa and a younger sister named Violette.

Tony was almost never seen in full view, so no one knew what he truly looked like.

But I remembered, every time Milo came to see me... he wore a mask, and when I visited him at the base, he still wore that half-mask.

The documents detailed the three major powers quite thoroughly.

Yet, I inexplicably wanted to ask Natalia another question.

I wanted to ask if she knew Quincy.

But I couldn't ask.

The more questions I asked, the more I risked exposing myself.

At that time, the only one who suspected my true identity was Edward.

The sound of the front door opening echoed through the living room.

I checked the time; it wasn't even 4 PM yet.

I quietly stepped out and saw Avery devouring snacks like she was starving.

"What happened to you? It's not even dinner time, why are you so hungry?"

Avery gulped down some water. "I just finished a six-hour surgery. I'm exhausted. You can't eat during surgery, which is normal, but after the surgery, guess what? The hospital was surrounded, and no one was allowed to leave."

I didn't quite understand. "Like a lockdown?"

"Something like that. The director said everyone has to stay in the hospital until that patient is discharged. No visitors for other patients either, but they all have caretakers, and we won't be taking in new patients for a while."

It sounded like the patient was someone important.

"How did you get out?"

Avery rolled her eyes. "Do you think I could stay there forever? I'd go crazy! So I got the director to let me come home, but I can't go back to work for a while. Unlike me, the others need to earn a living, so they have to stay."

True, most people worked to survive, even healthcare workers.

But Avery was different. She came here because of me, and her research institute's income was enough to last her a lifetime.

"So, Natalia can't go to work tomorrow either."

What a coincidence, both of them suddenly had free time.

"Definitely not. The patient today was a big shot. I glanced at his name, Gabriel, supposedly the head of Vesperia's Lopez Group. He was attacked on his way to the office this morning. I don't know what they were thinking, sending such an important person to our small hospital for surgery. Aren't they afraid he'll die?"

If a big shot ended up at a small hospital, it usually meant one of two things: either the place had some rare expertise, or someone was trying to keep things under wraps.

"I remember your hospital isn't well-known. Like you said, Gabriel is probably there to avoid attention. The Lopez family locking down the hospital is a good thing; it prevents innocent people from getting caught up in this. It's good you came back, staying safe is the priority."

Avery finally slowed down her eating.

"I never connected Vesperia's Lopez family with the one back home. They shouldn't be related, right?"

I paused, then said meaningfully, "You'd have to ask Edward. A few years ago, Edward was abroad, and when he came back, he wanted to develop the entertainment industry. Vesperia's Lopez Group is a giant in that field. It can't be a coincidence."

I didn't share my conversation with Natalia with Avery.

I promised to keep it confidential, so I would keep my word for now.

"You're scaring me. I hope there's no connection. Neither Lopez family is any good."

Avery shivered as she spoke.

"Vesperia doesn't seem peaceful now. Are you sure about this? Getting engaged to Edward might mean the end of a quiet life."

I just smiled. "So what? Raymond is living well. I need to give him some trouble. It wouldn't be fair if only I was unhappy."

I would find out everything about Vesperia eventually.

That night, Flora contacted me, saying her flight would land the next day at noon.

I planned to leave at 10 AM the next day. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Natalia.

She was trudging up the stairs with a look of frustration.

"Morning, Caroline... Damn it, they didn't tell me I didn't have to go to work today. I could've slept in."

I couldn't help but laugh. "So you went all the way there? Isn't it nice to have a break? You can rest."

"...Not really. After I separated from my mom, she stopped giving me an allowance. If I don't work, I'll starve!"

The "mom" she mentioned, was that her biological mother?

I asked uncertainly, "What about your adoptive parents? Don't they support you?"

Not sure if they were home, I lowered my voice.

Natalia sighed. "I don't know where they went. They haven't been back all day, and I can't reach them. If they don't come back soon, I'll have to call the police."

Two kind faces flashed in my mind.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. You should rest. I have to go."

Natalia looked at me again. "Where are you going? The engagement is the day after tomorrow. Aren't you going to prepare?"

"Going to the airport to pick someone up."

Prepared for the engagement? Did I need to prepare?

It wasn't as if I were marrying someone I loved.

What it meant to Edward, I didn't know. But for me, it was merely a weapon to strike back at Raymond.

"Who are you picking up? Raymond?"

Sometimes Natalia was like a curious child.

I didn't answer her question.

I had already wasted some time. Planes usually landed earlier than expected.