Chapter 2304
At the back of the orphanage, a black Maybach sat quietly at the roadside with its headlights off.
Not long after, a figure stealthily emerged from the rear door and swiftly got into the car.
"Ms. Amaryllis, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," The woman said respectfully.
In the dim light, Clarice sat arrogantly with her legs crossed, her gaze indifferent as she handed the woman a brown envelope. "You did well this morning."
The woman accepted it, felt its thickness, and grinned widely. "Cutting a brake line was no big deal, just a small task."
Clarice did not bother to look at the lowly person, her expression cold and indifferent. "By the way, did you find the information I asked for? About all the volunteers and staff at the orphanage?"
"Yes, yes! I've been working here for over ten years. This kind of thing is easy!" The woman took out a stack of documents from her bag and handed them to Clarice with both hands.
Clarice took them and began scanning through the pages carefully.
Suddenly, her pupils contracted as she sharply pulled out one of the documents. The photo showed a beautiful woman with a striking resemblance to Bella, Christopher's former companion. It was Yvonne!
"This woman is a volunteer here?" Clarice asked suspiciously.
"Yes, Ms. Amaryllis. Ms. Smith has been volunteering at the orphanage for over two years. Not only that, but she donates to us every year. She's well-regarded around here."
Noticing Clarice's unsettled demeanor, the woman asked curiously, "Is there an issue with her?"
Clarice's voice turned cold. "Is she still volunteering here?"
"It's been a while since Ms. Smith last came by, but that's not uncommon. Volunteers can come and go as they please. They're giving their time freely anyway. She's been dedicated for over two years, which is a lot. Most people would've quit long ago because it's hard work."
Clarice frowned and said, "Today at the orphanage, there was a woman named Summer Brown. Do you know her?"
"Summer Brown? Never heard of her. It's probably her first time here."
Clarice fell into contemplation. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like something was off.
This woman called Summer had just shown up, while Yvonne, who used to visit regularly,
had been missing for a while.
Moreover, Justin had even approached Summer, asking if they had met before. Although she was a stranger, there was something familiar about her that had piqued his interest.
Suddenly, a realization dawned on Clarice as her gaze turned dark.
A sports car screeched into a parking spot in the hospital's underground parking lot, drifting sharply as it pulled in.
Justin stepped out and quickly made his way to the ward number A006.
The hallway was eerily silent in the late hours, with only his steady, slightly wavering steps echoing and accentuating the weight of his pounding heart.
The image of Bella almost getting into a car accident flashed through his mind. His brother had rushed to save her and held her tightly.
His heart throbbed with indescribable pain, as if an invisible force were gripping and twisting it.
Justin was almost at the ward when the door suddenly opened. Grant, who was seated in a wheelchair, slowly emerged.
Justin's steps faltered, and his breathing became labored as he approached.
In the bright, empty hallway, the brothers faced each other in tense silence.
Justin, tall and striking like a statue, stood in contrast to Grant, who sat obscured in the darkness. His pale, sickly features were barely visible, like a ghostly figure lurking in the shadows.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
After a moment, Justin found himself unable to hold back any longer. He strode toward his brother, driven by a subtle yet persistent desire to see Bella.
As he was about to enter, Grant suddenly smiled and extended his right arm, blocking his path.
"Justin, what brings you here so late?" Grant asked, his voice light.
Justin swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. "I heard Ms. Thompson was in a car accident today. Is she alright?"
"She's fine; it's just her leg injury flaring up. She needs rest," Grant replied, his tone calm.
"I want to see her."
"Bella is already asleep," Grant said, his gaze dark and unreadable.
Hearing this from someone else's mouth sent Justin's vision into a blur. His heart sank. A dull ache spread through his chest, almost welling up in his eyes.
"I just want to see her for a minute. I'll leave right after." Justin spoke firmly as he tried to
move past, but Grant suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Justin," Grant said, stopping him in his tracks.
The grip tightened, and Justin could feel the increasing pressure in his brother's fingers."
What are you doing, Grant?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm stopping you."
Justin frowned and asked, "Why?"
"Because I think you shouldn't be near Bella anymore," Grant replied with a faint smile.
Grant's expression remained gentle, but his eyes carried a chilling darkness. "When she needed someone the most-when she was in danger-I was there for her. I saved her. Where were you then? You were absent and indifferent. So, why are you here now? Is it out of regret, or are you just trying to assert your presence?"
Justin frowned as the color drained from his lips. This was the first time his brother had ever spoken to him so harshly, and it was all for Bella.
"Justin, ever since you came to the Salvador family, you've had everything handed to you the affection of our grandfather, the trust of our father, even your position as the president of Salvador Corporation. I never tried to compete with you for any of that."
Grant spoke bluntly and sharply, with a touch of sarcasm, yet his smile appeared innocent. " But when it comes to Bella, I'm dead serious. I won't let you try to take the credit for what
I've done."
He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Besides, she's no longer yours. If you've chosen to let go, then let it go completely. Otherwise, for the first time, I will be mad at you."