Seeing the photo, Alice went nk. Her hand trembled as she zoomed in. Even though it was just a profile, she couldn''t be mistaken. It was Chloe''s father–the driver who''d supposedly died with her parents. But he was alive?


    A chill ran down her spine; a vast conspiracy felt like it was closing in. Her mind raced. If Chloe''s father was alive, who was the driver who died? Why had he faked his death and remained hidden? There was a hidden truth.


    Alice asked, “Ms. Alice, what''s wrong? Is there


    Is there something about this person? "Nothing." Alice said, quicklyposing herself. "What did he and Chloe discuss?"


    “Just a few minutes, then they left hurriedly and cautiously. If they hadn''t been worried about being seen, we might have overheard their conversation."


    “Keep an eye on Chloe, but be discreet. Investigate this man. See what you can find.”


    After Alice left, Alice studied the photo again and again. Why was the driver alive? The car ident wasn''t as simple as it seemed; there was a hidden truth. She couldn''t remember the details of the ident; if she could, she would know the truth.


    Alice pulled the nket over her head, shivering. Chloe meeting her father meant she knew something. Chloe had lived afortable life in the Windham family for years; Mom and Dad wouldn''t be happy.


    A cold fury filled Alice; she needed to find out the truth and avenge her parents. She would probe Ethan to see if he knew the truth and had kept it from her.


    Alice rested, having little appetite for lunch. Jack called."Heard you didn''t eat much. Feeling


    down?"


    Alice hesitated."ke sent a video of Chloe apologizing. He beat her up. It''s ironic; the Windhams are inherently selfish." While Chloe deserved it, the me fell solely on her, making ke appear innocent.


    Jack, overlooking the city from his office, said patiently, “Don''t be fooled by their games."


    "I know."


    "Feeling cooped up? Go for a walk in the garden. I''ll have aputer installed in your room; Daniel can y games with you."


    Alice quickly refused. I''ll be discharged soon. Aputer is unnecessary.” Jack didn''t push it.


    Hanging up, Alice''s mind raced. She''d thought the ident was just bad luck. But there was more


    to it.


    Jack returned in the afternoon. Seeing Alice''s rtively calm demeanor, he rxed. "You sounded down on the phone."


    "Don''t worry. I won''t be manipted by the Windhams." She tiptoed closer.“Did quickly because you''re worried about me?"


    youe back


    Jack looked down at her, his throat tightening. He gently touched her face.“Yes. I never want to see you cry like that again." He remembered her tearful live stream; even though she was acting, it had distressed him. He''d cut a meeting short toe back.


    Alice leaned her head against his hand. "Have I ever cried that much before?" She didn''t remember. doing


    So.


    1720


    Jack''s lips tightened. Yes, after the ident. When he rescued her, she''d sobbed uncontrobly, even biting him when he wouldn''t let her near the burning car. But she''d forgotten. His palm felt warm as his gaze locked on her face.


    As he leaned in, Alice straightened, clearing her throat. "You probably haven''t eaten either. I''m hungry."


    “I am hungry,” he admitted, taking her hand, his gaze meaningful.


    Alice looked down at their intertwined fingers.“What are we now?”


    Jack tucked a stray hair behind her ear. After you''re discharged, I''ll take you somewhere."


    "Where?"


    "A surprise. To make things official."


    Alice''s eyes


    flickered. Official? A rtionship? While things had changed between them, they hadn''t discussed their rtionship status. Jack was thoughtful.


    They ate dinner; Alice didn''t tell him about Chloe''s father. It was just spection.


    The next day, Alice delivered the update. “Ms. Alice, we lost them. The man was very cautious. We found no information on him; it''s like he doesn''t exist."


    Alice felt a pang of disappointment. It was as if he didn''t exist; after all, he should be dead. Seeing Chloe''s bruised face, Alice suspected she was seeking help. Chloe had been wless for years, presenting herself as an orphan while enjoying the privileges of a Windham family daughter. Given her vanity, she wouldn''t seek out her father unless desperate. If Chloe''s father Was still alive, her position in the Windham family would be jeopardized.


    Alice said, "ke''s attack scared Chloe into seeking help. Her secrets were unraveling. She needed TO force


    more


    contact between Chloe and her father to find more evidence.


    Alice received a message from ke: "Did Chloe apologize? If not, I''ll keep beating her until she does." His tone hadn''t changed. He was treating Chloe as he''d treated her. Alice realized Chloe had sought out her father because of the beating. A mischievous n formed in her mind. She texted ke:“She didn''te." ke''s mood lifted. If Chloe apologized, things would be alright between him and Alice. He saw Chloe entering Noah''s room with a food container. His face turned cold. He grabbed Chloe''s hair."Chloe, I told you. to apologize to Alice! Have you forgotten?" This chapter continues the suspenseful narrative, focusing on Alice''s investigation into Chloe''s father and hinting at further confrontations and revtions. The Americanized elements and colloquialnguage are consistently present.