“Let’s not talk about that. What’s the matter?”
“In your email, you stated that Justin has the videos and rejected news articles from that time, but I couldn’t find them in his safe at home. It didn’t look like he would keep them anywhere else in his house.”
Thoughtfully, Janice admitted, “Five years ago, he went to the investigation hall to look for me not long after you left.”
“Why did he look for you?”
“I’m not sure. My secretary told me that he brought some documents, but I wasn’t at the office at that time. So, we agreed to meet on another day, but he didn’t show up.”
Documents? Rachel narrowed her eyes. “What kind of documents?”
“I didn’t get to see them, and I couldn’t contact him. After that, his attitude toward the Hudsons took a 180 degree turn. From harboring deep-seated hatred and using any means to get rid of them from Riverdale’s market, to supporting their every move. Since I wasn’t able to meet him in person and the Burtons kept a tight lip on everything, I couldn’t find out anything about the situation at that time.”
Suddenly, Rachel realized something. “This must have something to do with his amnesia.”
“Justin has amnesia?” Janice was surprised to hear so. “When did that happen?”
Rachel shook her head. “I’m not sure myself, but he didn’t recognize me when I first came back. Up till now, he still doesn’t remember what happened between us back then and even forgot that he was abducted by human traffickers when he was a child.”
“That explains it. I couldn’t wrap my head around his sudden change of attitude toward the Hudsons before this.”
“I’m afraid he probably doesn’t even remember what the video evidence was anymore.”
Hearing this, Janice furrowed her brows. “Seems that way. But it seems a bit weird. Even if Justin has lost his memories, why did the Burtons have to hide it from him and even agreed to his marriage with Amber?”
“It must be Old Mr. Burton’s doing. At that time, he did say that he didn’t want Justin to dwell on what happened when he was a child, so he made me leave.”
“So, the Burtons are keeping him in the dark.”
“Exactly.”
Janice was deep in thought. “If that’s the case, then Justin wouldn’t have the evidence anymore since Old Mr. Burton wants to keep the past from him.” Then, she continued, “The evidence must be at Old Mr. Burtons.”
When Rachel heard this, she froze.
“There’s one more thing that I didn’t get to tell you in the email because I wasn’t sure,” Janice reminded Rachel
“Go ahead.”
“I suspect there’s something going on between Jason and Sue. She was well aware of your grandmother’s kidnapping and talked to him frequently on the phone.”
Rachel squinted. Jason and Sue?
Back then, it was Jason who kidnapped Nancy, so Rachel was determined to bring him to justice regardless of whether she would leave or not. However, it never occurred to her that the Burtons would find someone else to take the fall.
Jason, the murderer, was still at large. Things are smooth sailing for wicked people like Jason, Jefferey, Sue, and Amber. How will Hans rest in peace if I didn’t come back? Rachel clenched her fists.
“I’ll try to get closer to Justin and make him bring me to the Burtons’ summer villa. Old Mr. Burton should be there during this time of the year.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Soon, it was the weekend and the skies were bright and clear.
Early in the morning, Rachel and Jolly got ready to head out with Samuel. Jolly, who was wearing a flowy sundress, almost had her wide-brimmed sun hat stuck at the door.
Speechless, Rachel asked Jolly, “Are you going on a holiday at the beach?”
“The weather’s so hot. I’ll die of heatstroke if I don’t bring this hat.”
“We’re going on a hike, not a spring outing. How are you supposed to hike in this outfit?”
Jolly put her hands on her hips. “Pretty girls don’t hike. What’s the use of getting all smelly and sweaty from hiking? It would ruin my image! I’ll be taking the cable car up, of course.”
“Sure, take the cable car then.” Rachel rolled her eyes as she put the picnic basket into the trunk.
In fact, Rachel did not want to tell Jolly the actual condition of the cable car and wanted to let her get a taste of her own medicine so that she would not be so smug next time.
When they arrived, they parked the car at the foot of the mountain.
As Samuel held onto Rachel’s hand, he shouted, “Mommy, it’s my sister!”
From afar, Charlotte, who was wearing a blue denim suspender skirt, dashed toward them. “Mommy! Samuel!”
When Charlotte plunged into Rachel’s arms, she lifted her head to look at the lady wearing a floral dress
standing beside them. Immediately, Charlotte’s eyes twinkled before she greeted the lady politely, “You must be my godmother!”
Leaning against the car, Jolly pulled down her sunglasses. “Wow, what sharp eyes you have! How did you know?”
“Samuel told me that you’re young and pretty, so I recognized you almost immediately!”
“Such a sweet girl.” The corners of Jolly’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Sweeter than your mom.”
Praising a woman was the best way to get close to her.
Then, Rachel stood up as she saw Justin walking over slowly. “I thought you weren’t coming?”
“I don’t trust anyone else to take care of my daughter.”
Upon hearing this, Rachel was speechless.
Instantaneously, Jolly took off her sunglasses and crossed her arms. “What do you mean by someone else? Rachel is Charlotte’s biological mother. How could you say that you don’t trust Charlotte’s own mother when you’re willing to let someone else who’s clearly unqualified be her stepmother?”
Right then, Justin glared at her.
“Who are you glaring at? I’m just telling the truth. You can ask Charlotte to see if she likes to be with her own mother or that b*tch who seduced her brother-in-law.”
At that moment, Rachel wanted to cover Charlotte’s ears but it was too late. “Jolly, the kids are here.”
Looking at him irritably, Jolly told her, “It’s good to let the children know how dangerous the world can be so that they wouldn’t suffer when they grow up. They have such a blind dad after all.”
“Miss Carter, I have nothing against you, right?” Justin frowned, not understanding why Jolly was acting this way.
Before Jolly could say anything else, she saw someone walking over behind him. At once, her face brightened as she waved excitedly. “Julian! Right here!”
Julian? Justin frowned.
Dressed in a white casual outfit, Julian got out of a car and approached them with a bright smile.
“Mr. Peters!” Samuel rushed over. Immediately, Julian hugged him.
In truth, Charlotte also liked Julian very much, but considering what Samuel had told her before, she stepped back and looked back and forth between her parents hesitantly. This is awkward.
As expected, Justin questioned, “Why’s Julian here too?”
