C51 Back Home

When the three of us finally reached the hotel lobby, everyone was already waiting. Bright folded his arms and sighed dramatically. "There you are! We thought the three of you had disappeared." Several team members laughed.

Even Mr. Kelvin Wood, Ben, and Sarah were standing nearby with their luggage, waiting for the company bus. I exchanged a glance with Chris. Neither of us mentioned where we had actually been. "Sorry," I said with an awkward smile. "We lost track of time while discussing something."

Bright shook his head. "Next time discuss it after we get home." Fortunately, nobody questioned us any further. Everyone loaded their luggage onto the bus before climbing aboard. As the bus slowly left the hotel, I looked out the window one last time.

Paris gradually disappeared behind us. It had been an unforgettable trip. For some... Perhaps a little too unforgettable. A few seats ahead, Ben frowned slightly. His thoughts refused to settle. Yesterday... He had personally witnessed Mike Drinking the wine. But nothing happened. How strong was he? . Not a single effect from him. How?.

He still couldn't understand why nothing had happened to him. "If that drink really had something strange in it..." "Then why was I completely fine?" Little did he know... He had never actually drunk from that glass. The one who had... Was sitting quietly several rows ahead of him.

Sarah sat beside the window. She looked outside silently. Since morning, she had hardly spoken to anyone. Every now and then, Chris would unconsciously look in her direction. Each glance filled him with even more guilt. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to explain. But he didn't know how.

On the other hand... Every time I accidentally looked toward Alicia, I also felt strangely guilty. The image of that mistaken confession kept replaying inside my mind. Although she had forgiven me... I couldn't stop thinking about it.

The atmosphere inside the bus was unusually quiet. Everyone looked tired. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Soon we were checking in, we finally boarded the plane. Chris and I happened to sit together.

Alicia sat across the aisle while Sarah sat only a few rows ahead with her father. As the plane slowly ascended into the sky, I lowered my voice. "Brother..." "What are you thinking?" Chris remained silent for several seconds. His eyes unconsciously drifted toward Sarah again.

Then he replied softly, "We'll talk after we get home." I looked at him carefully. His face was filled with worry. Thinking he was still anxious about the investigation, I gently comforted him. "Don't worry." "Whether it's tomorrow or next week..." "We'll eventually find out what really happened." Chris simply nodded. "...I hope so."

A few rows ahead... Sarah heard every single word. Although she continued pretending to admire the clouds outside the window, her attention had completely shifted behind her. "So..." "They're still investigating..." Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the armrest. If they truly discovered what happened that night...

Then perhaps everything would finally make sense. Or perhaps... Everything would become even more complicated. Before she could continue thinking... Alicia suddenly leaned toward us with a teasing smile. "Brother Chris." Chris turned. "Hmm?"

She followed his line of sight before smiling mischievously. "Why do you keep looking at that beautiful woman over there?" Chris nearly choked. "W-What?" "I wasn't looking!" "You clearly were." "I... I was just thinking about... that incident."

The explanation somehow sounded even worse. Sarah's ears caught every word. Her expression immediately darkened. "Pervert..." She thought bitterly. "Can't he just pretend nothing happened?" "Why does he keep thinking about it?"

Just then... Her father gently tapped her shoulder. "Child." She looked up. "You've been unusually quiet today." "Did something happen?" Her heart skipped a beat. For one terrifying moment, she thought he had discovered everything.

She quickly forced a smile. "I'm just tired, Dad." Kelvin nodded without doubting her. "You've worked hard these past few days." "Get some rest." "...Okay." She quietly looked back toward the window. Inside, however... Her heart refused to calm down.

Several hours later... The plane finally landed safely in Scotland. The familiar cool breeze greeted us the moment we stepped outside. No matter how beautiful Paris had been... Coming home still felt different. It felt comforting. Soon, our company's transport arrived.

Everyone gathered outside the airport while waiting for the vehicles to be arranged. The crowd became slightly chaotic as luggage was sorted. Taking advantage of the confusion... Chris slowly walked toward Sarah. I noticed him leave but chose not to interrupt.

He stopped a respectful distance away. "Hello... Sarah." She looked up calmly. "Hello." "How have you been?" She simply nodded. "I'm fine." An awkward silence followed. Chris took a deep breath. "I..." "I'm really sorry about that night." Sarah's heartbeat quickened. "I still don't know exactly what happened." "But..." "I'm truly grateful." "If you hadn't helped me..." "I don't think I'd even be alive today."

Sarah didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After everything that had happened... This was the apology she received. She quietly lowered her eyes. "No need to thank me." "Let's just... leave everything in the past."

Chris hesitated before speaking again. "Then..." "Could I have your phone number?" "Or your Weibo account?" "In case..." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "...you ever need my help." "...Or if I owe you anything."

Sarah looked at him in silence. For a brief moment... She actually considered giving it to him. But then she remembered who he was. Her future colleague. Her father's employee. And perhaps... Someone she wasn't ready to face. She slowly shook her head. "Maybe next time." Without waiting for another reply, she turned around and walked back toward her father.

Chris remained standing there. "...She refused..." He scratched his head helplessly. "Is she angry with me?" "Does she never want to see me again?" Before he could continue thinking, the company vehicles finally arrived. Everyone quickly boarded.

The three of us happened to ride in the same vehicle. No sooner had the car begun moving than Chris spoke. "Brother." "When we arrive..." "Can we continue investigating?" I nodded. "My desktop computer is much better than the laptop." "We'll be able to examine every frame carefully."

Alicia suddenly spoke. "Why don't we just go to the restaurant instead?" Chris blinked. "...Does the restaurant have Mike's computer?" "...No." "Then why would we go there?" Alicia puffed her cheeks. "I was just making a suggestion."

Chris couldn't help laughing. "Younger Sister..." "I think your IQ has suddenly dropped." "What?!" She glared at him. "You dare insult my intelligence?" "Oh?" Chris grinned. "What are you going to do?" She folded her arms confidently. "Don't worry." "I won't show you any mercy."

The three of us burst into laughter. The heavy atmosphere around us finally eased.Even if it lasted only a few minutes. While we were driving, I took out my phone and sent a message. "Mom, we're back. Chris and Alicia are coming over. We have something important to work on, but don't worry, we'll stay in my room and won't disturb you."

The reply didn't come immediately. Instead... My mother's excitement did. At home... Mary was sitting in the living room when my message arrived. The moment she read it, she immediately stood up. "Honey!"

She called toward the study. Quinton looked up from his newspaper. "What is it?" "Mike and Chris are back!" "So soon?" She smiled brightly. "Yes! And Alicia is coming too." Dad chuckled. "Oh?" "Their little girlfriend is coming as well?"

Mom lightly rolled her eyes. "You always like teasing them." "But still..." She couldn't hide her excitement. "It's been almost a week." "I've missed our son." Dad folded his newspaper. "So have I." "Quickly." "Prepare something nice for them." "They must be hungry after the flight."

Mom didn't waste another second. She hurried into the kitchen. Soon... The entire house became filled with the delicious aroma of home-cooked food. One dish... Two dishes... Three... Before long, she had already prepared five different meals.

She smiled happily while placing them onto the dining table. "They've been eating hotel food for days." "Today..." "They're eating properly." Just as she finished arranging the last plate. Knock. The front door opened. I stepped inside first with a smile. "Mom." "Dad." "We're back." The moment we stepped inside the house, all three of us stopped in our tracks.