?<strong>Chapter 431:</strong>


    The officer’s next words seemed to answer her question. “We believe Wade’s brother, Chris Potter, might still be alive.”


    Joelle’s breath caught in her throat. “But Chris died years ago, didn’t he?”


    “There’s reason to believe his death was faked. Chris may have needed a lot of Rh-negative blood due to severe anemia. Wade’s disappearance may be connected to his brother’s condition.”


    Suddenly, something clicked in Joelle’s mind. “When did Wade disappear?”


    “Shortly after your son’s death.”


    Joelle’s world tilted. Rnd… Could it be…?


    Her thoughts raced back to that day, to the fire, and to Dunn’s words: “Sorry, I couldn’t find Rnd.” He had said he couldn’t find Rnd.


    Could Rnd still be alive?


    Her hands trembled, but she fought to keep her voice steady. “Officer, I need a DNA test done on my son’s body. Please.”


    The officers exchanged another look before nodding in agreement to her request.


    Joelle clutched her chest, fighting to steady her breath. The thought that Rnd might still be alive filled her with a fragile hope, even though it seemed almost too incredible to believe. Could Wade have hidden him?


    She needed to tell Adrian. She rushed out of her office, her mind consumed with this glimmer of hope, unable to focus on anything else. As she passed the break room, she overheard hushed whispers.


    “I can’t believe Joelle came back to work so soon. After everything that happened, you’d think she’d take more time off.”


    “Her son just died, and she’s back at work. How heartless.” The speaker was the young intern who had tried to flirt with Adrian.


    Joelle stopped, her attention snapping to their conversation. “Now there’s nothing about her online. Anyone who mentioned her would be banned instantly. What’s going on? Did Miller Group intervene?”


    Just as they were about to continue, they noticed Joelle standing there.


    “Joelle, we didn’t mean it!”


    Joelle’s cold gaze was fixed solely on the intern. “What did you just say about me?”


    She could tolerate people talking about her behind her back, but she couldn’t stand them dragging her child into it. The others quickly left, leaving the intern alone to face Joelle. Trying to maintain herposure, she said, “Did I say anything wrong? Your son dies, and here you are, acting like everything’s fine. You’re more worried about your image than being a mother.”


    Joelle was taken aback, struggling toprehend the malice in the intern’s words. “What did you say?”


    The intern’s bravado faltered. “Check the onlinements yourself. Do you think money can silence everyone? You’ve been criticized so harshly, yet you stille to work. I don’t know how you can act like nothing happened.”


    Joelle felt a wave of nausea rise in her, her face paling. Someone nearby, unable to watch any longer, pulled the intern away and silenced her.


    Joelle couldn’t remember how she left the office. Once in her car, she frantically searched for her pills. But they didn’t work right away.


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