Chapter 314: That Was Deliberate
Aidan slowly released Alison’s collar.
Then he turned away, his shoulders trembling slightly, leaving behind only a shadow of desolation — the loneliness clinging to his back.
A moment of silence hung heavily in the air.
“He’s back,” he murmured, breaking the silence.
“Who? Who’s back?” she asked, confused.
Aidan turned back to face her.
After a long moment, he spoke. “Besides me, only he knows about this place.”
Alison’s body trembled, then surged with excitement.
Could it be… Was Jack not dead? Has he returned?
“Aidan, are you talking about Jack? Are you sure it’s just the two of you who know?” She shook his shoulders, her voice brimming with excitement.
When he met her hopeful gaze, his eyes dimmed.
A moment ago, he had thought so too, but now he knew it wasn’t.
Gently removing her hand from his shoulder, he said in a low voice, “No, it was my father, not Jack.”
He decided to uncover the truth secretly, starting his investigation with Gabriel.
Thinking of his cold face, Aidan recalled his several sudden appearances.
Was this really just a coincidence?
Maybe he really was the one.
All this was mere conjecture. He had to wait for the fingerprint results to know for sure.
His words poured over Alison, instantly dousing her joy.
She stood frozen in place, twisting the hem of her shirt.
By then, the team had arrived.
Aidan instructed them to enter the small room and meticulously collect fingerprints.
He watched the team finish gathering evidence, then turned to Alison.
His face was expressionless, radiating only a cold aura that made her shiver without knowing why.
“Alison, let’s go.”
He took her hand and led her away.
From the lower level, they emerged into the underground parking garage.
After the vehicle started moving, her clarity returned.
“I’m sorry.” The earlier slap filled her with remorse.
She realized she had grown far too close to Gabriel — it was unfair to Jack.
She missed Jack so much and had mistakenly seen Gabriel as a substitute.
Tears blurred her vision.
Then, a hand gently clasped hers.
“Alison, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
Her tears pained him.
The car stopped. Headlights illuminated the parking lot.
“Silly girl, don’t cry. I’ll never do it again.” Aidan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes tenderly.
“No, Aidan, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have continued to get involved with Gabriel. I shouldn’t betray Jack…” She wept with heart-wrenching anguish.
“Don’t be silly. It’s not your fault. It’s all Jack’s fault. He shouldn’t have abandoned you and the kids.”
He leaned in and naturally cradled her face against his shoulder.
Jack… could it be you behind all this?
How could that be possible?
If you were really here — alive, inside the company — someone would’ve seen you.
Only time and the test results would reveal the truth.
Alison’s tears soaked through his coat and pierced his heart.
After a while, she finally remembered the children. “Pick up the kids! Aidan, drive now!”
“Done crying?” He pinched her nose lightly. “You look terrible now. I can’t let you go pick them up like this — they’d be terrified.”
“Are we still going to the ancestral home?” she asked.
“Yes. But first, we need to find somewhere for you to compose yourself. Otherwise, Grandfather will think I mistreated you. I just kissed you, yet you hit me so hard. Look, the five-finger marks on my face.”
He turned his face, deliberately bringing the bruised spot close to her.
Alison reached out a finger to touch them lightly.
She whispered, “Aidan, I’m truly sorry.”
“Okay, fine. This slap was my own doing. Let’s go,” he said.
Jack, if you’re still alive, show yourself.
Why hide in the shadows? Coward.
“Okay, let’s go.” Alison rubbed her eyes.
The car swiftly exited the parking lot and sped down the road.
Aidan rolled down the window and let the wind brush his face.