C15 Had He Really Wronged Her That Year?

"It's clear in the video that the girl next to you deliberately knocked your phone off and then bent down to pick it up. But she took a suspiciously long time doing so..."

Loran pointed to the unfamiliar face in the video and turned to Lydia, "Do you recognize her?"

"No," Lydia said, shaking her head as she stared at the face she'd never seen before.

She then faced Reece, "You were there that day as well. Do you know her?"

"No recollection."

Reece shook his head, prompting a flicker of disappointment in Lydia's eyes that didn't go unnoticed.

The man took in her reaction, then fixed his gaze on Loran. "I asked you to revisit the incident from that year, and this is all you've come up with?"

Loran licked his lips awkwardly, "Ahem... I showed her photo to the guests from the banquet, but nobody recognized her. Ahem... So, that's where the trail ends."

Lydia's disappointment swelled upon hearing this.

She had hoped to finally clear her name.

But things hadn't gone as expected...

Nevertheless, she wasn't about to give up.

The emergence of this video was like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness; she was determined to seize it and shatter the web of conspiracy, laying bare the truth for all to see.

With renewed resolve, Lydia's gaze sharpened on the video. She slid her finger down the screen, capturing a screenshot.

She tossed the phone to Loran, "Could you send this woman's photo to my WeChat, please? Thank you."

Loran's face showed his reluctance, but with Reece's tacit approval, he complied.

"Why do you need the screenshot?" Reece asked, puzzled.

"Just because we don't recognize her doesn't mean no one at the banquet will. I'll question every last attendee if I have to, until I find out who she is!"

Lydia's eyes were unwavering, her determination shining through.

In that moment, her unique allure was captivating, drawing the gaze of everyone around her, including Reece, who found himself unexpectedly stirred by the sight.

The IV drip contained a sedative, lulling Lydia into a deep, irresistible slumber on the bed.

Reece waited at the hospital until Ora arrived before he finally left.

Sitting in the car, he stared at the video on the screen, his brow furrowed at the sight of the unfamiliar woman. Had he really misunderstood Lydia all those years ago? Her determined gaze haunted him, making him question the truths he had held onto for so long. Rubbing his temples, he leaned back in his seat and fixed his gaze on Loran. "I don't care if it takes digging three feet under, find that woman from the video!"

Loran nodded gravely and drove Reece to the Tillman Group.

That afternoon, after finishing her IV treatment, Lydia and Ora descended the stairs and hailed a taxi to return to the Tillman residence. Midway, something caught Lydia's eye, prompting her to abruptly signal the driver. "Excuse me, could you stop up ahead, please?"

"Young Mistress, is everything alright?" Ora asked, her head cocked in concern, mistaking Lydia's request for discomfort.

"I'm fine. I just spotted a hair salon and felt like getting a new hairstyle," Lydia explained.

"What style are you considering, Young Madam?" Ora inquired.

"Cut it off," Lydia said with a light chuckle, her voice rolling out the decision.

Lydia's face remained serene, while Ora's mirrored her astonishment. The Tillman family knew well that Lydia's long, satin-like black hair was kept for Mr. Tillman, who had once expressed his fondness for women with flowing locks. It was for this reason that Lydia had always treasured her hair, a symbol of her deep love for Mr. Tillman. But today, she was ready to cut it, a decision that would surely stun anyone.

"Are you certain you want to cut off the long hair you've cherished for so long?" Ora asked, peering at Lydia through the salon mirror, triple-checking, worried that Lydia might be acting on a fleeting impulse.

Lydia nodded with unwavering certainty. "Yes."

She gently closed her eyes, surrendering her long hair to the scissors' snip at her shoulders.

As each strand tumbled to the floor, Lydia's lips quirked upward.

For five years, her infatuation with Reece had grown alongside her hair. Now, both were being cut away.

She had once lost herself in loving him.

Now, she was reclaiming herself, starting with a new hairstyle.

Truth be told, she had never been fond of long hair. Being naturally lazy, she preferred the ease of a casual, shoulder-length cut.

But post-marriage, he had offhandedly remarked, "A woman looks more pleasing with flowing locks."

From then on, she kept her hair long.

Back then, she foolishly let Reece's preferences dictate her life. Looking back, she realized how naive and foolish that was.

With her new haircut, Lydia's spirits lifted considerably.

"Why are you so cheerful, Young Mistress?" Ora inquired, unable to contain her curiosity.

Lydia's smile broadened. "Perhaps this is more 'me'."

Ora was taken aback by the radiant, sunny smile that now graced Lydia's face.

She didn't know the full story, but these past few days Lydia had laughed more than ever before in the Tillman household.

It wasn't that Lydia was naturally somber; it was Mr. Tillman's cold indifference that had forced her smiles to be mere facades.

But now, Ora noticed, Lydia's joy seemed genuine.

Had Mr. Tillman truly begun to change after listening to Old Mr. Tillman's advice?

The thought brought Ora comfort.

The two young souls might finally cast aside their differences and truly unite.

Yet, unbeknownst to Ora, Lydia's thoughts were consumed with how to expedite her departure from Reece. If not for concerns about Old Mr. Tillman's health and her parents' situation, she might have already thrown down the divorce papers and moved out.

Walking side by side, Lydia's phone abruptly chimed.

Her gaze dropped to the insistent flashing number on the screen. The smile that had just played on her lips now straightened into a firm line, her brow furrowing with palpable aversion.

The call wasn't from just anyone; it was from Viola.

After a few seconds of contemplation, she decided to answer.

"Sister, you need to come back to the Ellis family home."

"Is something wrong?" Lydia asked, her voice tinged with detachment.

"The Woodwards came over this morning, making a scene... They berated Grandma so harshly that she nearly had a heart attack."

Viola's voice was laced with concern on the other end.

Lydia had never received a shred of affection or care from Janie, so she felt little warmth towards her grandmother and was largely unmoved by the news.

"Sister, the Woodwards are demanding an explanation from our family. Grandma wants Uncle to apologize to them on your behalf... She's so furious, she's talking about enforcing family discipline to settle things with the Woodwards."

Lydia felt a jolt of anxiety at these words, her expression darkening.

In a flurry, she quickly briefed Ora, then flagged down a cab and sped off towards the Ellis family estate.