Chapter 252

Chapter 252

That morning, a middle-aged man claiming to be the Wheeler family's external liaison in Sunrise City sent word through an intermediary: "Mr. Cameron Wheeler heard that Ms. Clark has been making inquiries about certain past events. He happens to have some old records that might help Ms. Clark resolve her questions. Would Ms. Clark be willing to meet?"

Audrey's reply was straightforward: "Yes. You pick the time and place."

The Wheeler family chose a private estate in the northern suburbs of Sunrise City. The place was said to be over a hundred years old, with sprawling courtyards that matched the Wheeler family's low-profile approach in both political and business circles.

The meeting was set for three days later in the evening. When Vincent learned about it, his immediate reaction was to object. "You're going to the Wheeler Mansion alone? That's like walking straight into their trap."

"If the Wheeler family could orchestrate the Turner family massacre, they're not people to be taken lightly."

Audrey wasn't afraid. "That's exactly why I need to go."

"If I don't, I'll never know what my mother went through."

Vincent studied her for a long moment, his gaze heavy, before finally speaking. "Then we'll go together."

Audrey shook her head. "Even if you come, it might not make a difference."

"Cameron asked for me specifically. That means he wants to talk to me alone. Bring someone else, and this lead might disappear."

Vincent fell silent for a long while before finally compromising—though not completely.

"I'll have Chase on standby nearby. You talk inside, I'll keep watch outside."

Audrey nodded. "Okay."

Three days later, at dusk, Audrey's car pulled up outside the century-old mansion in Sunrise City's northern suburbs.

She didn't let the driver get out. She opened the door herself and walked toward the heavy wooden entrance.

The door opened from within, and a middle-aged man who looked like a butler bowed slightly. "Ms. Clark. Mr. Wheeler has been expecting you."

Audrey followed him into a reception room. The space was modest, the furnishings simple. An elderly man, close to seventy, sat in the main seat—lean in build, gentle in appearance.

Cameron looked up at Audrey and smiled faintly, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Ms. Clark, please sit."

Audrey took the seat opposite him, her posture composed. "Mr. Wheeler invited me personally. I assume it's not just for coffee."

Cameron smiled. "I heard you've been investigating the Turner family."

"Yes."

Cameron gave a slight nod. "The Turner family matter—it's been decades. Fewer and fewer people know what really happened. Your mother's survival was a blessing."

With that, Cameron slid a folder across the table toward her. "These are some internal records from the Turner family back then. Take a look. They might help you piece together another thread."

Audrey didn't reach for it. "Mr. Wheeler, you say these are internal Turner family records. But after that fire, all the evidence was reduced to ashes. How did these documents survive?"

Cameron's expression didn't waver. "The fire destroyed the house, but it didn't destroy everything. I kept these out of curiosity, originally."

He paused, then added, "Besides, some things don't require complete evidence to see clearly. From what I understand, the Turner family was already fractured internally. Someone wanted to use outside forces to eliminate rivals and claim the family fortune."

Audrey caught the implication. "Are you suggesting that the fire was set by someone inside the Turner family?"

Cameron didn't answer directly. He simply looked at her with meaning. "I didn't witness who set it myself, but from what I know, someone within the Turner family was already quietly plotting before Eagle Eye decided to move."

"Ms. Clark, the truth you're looking for may not lie outside, but with your mother's deceased relatives."

Audrey didn't press further—she couldn't yet tell truth from lies. Her mother had never mentioned anything about her own background while she was alive.

Still, she reached out and took the stack of documents. "May I take these?"

Cameron nodded. "They were prepared for you. Your mother's story—you have a right to know."

Audrey stood. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Wheeler. I'll review these and keep them safe."

Cameron didn't rise. "Ms. Clark, you're very much like your mother."

He smiled faintly. "But let me offer you some advice—sometimes, knowing the truth too clearly only makes life harder for those who survive."

Audrey paused at the door and glanced back. "I only believe what I see with my own eyes."

When Audrey returned to her car, she didn't start the engine right away. Instead, she removed a button from her jacket—a custom device from Ethan. Not only did it record in high definition, but it also captured voice patterns and heart rate fluctuations in real time.

Once the car merged onto Sunrise City's main road, Audrey called Vincent.

"You're out?"

"Yes. Went smoothly. I'm heading to see Ethan now."

"I already brought him to your hotel."

"How thoughtful of you."

Audrey smiled and hung up, heading toward the hotel.

When she opened the suite door, Ethan looked up. "Mom, you got the recording?"

Audrey nodded and handed him the device.

Ethan took it and quickly connected it to his computer. Within moments, he'd pulled up the audio waveform and heart rate curve.

Cameron's lean face appeared on the screen, his voice converted into a spectrum view with real-time heart rate data displayed alongside it.

Audrey sat down on the sofa beside him, watching quietly.

"Mom, this guy was definitely lying," Ethan said.