C121 Time To Begin The Investigation

Later that evening, after dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.

Samantha, who earlier had considered returning to her parents’ home but was stopped by Ben, now felt a little more at ease. A sense of guilt lingered in her heart his parents were treating her with kindness, unlike her own family, who seemed more interested in benefiting from her situation.

Still, one thing remained clear in her heart, she did not love Ben. As she lay in thought, she considered the investigation she wanted to carry out.

Combined with the red envelope she had received from Kelvin, she made up her mind. It was time to begin her own quiet investigation.

The next morning, I woke up early after another restless night. No matter how hard I tried, sleep refused to come easily.

My thoughts were all over the place. First, there was that beautiful young woman, Laura. Her innocent appearance and shy personality kept appearing in my mind. Then there was the dinner at the Mooney Mansion later that evening.

By the time I stepped out of my room, dark circles had formed under my eyes.

My parents immediately noticed. “Mike, did you not sleep well?” my mother asked with concern. “If you’re tired, why don’t you go back and rest for a little while?” I shook my head firmly. “No need, Mom.”

I sat down and sighed. “I was just thinking about the dinner at the Mooney Mansion. Even Alicia doesn’t know why her family arranged something like this.”

I paused before continuing. “She made Chris and me promise that no matter what happens tonight, or whatever her family says, it won’t affect our friendship. She said she’ll still be our younger sister and we’ll still be her older brothers.”