Chapter 286

"Why are you crying as soon as you get home? Did something happen outside?"

Kelly's voice was full of concern as she pulled me down to sit on the couch with her.

I shook my head. "No, it's not that. I just had a nightmare last night. I dreamt I was back at home..."

"That place isn't my home anymore. I went through a lot there."

My mom's eyes welled up with tears when she heard me say that.

"It was just a nightmare. You're doing great now."

"Everything now is real... If you have another nightmare, come sleep with me, okay?"

I nodded vigorously. "Okay..."

The truth is, I made up the nightmare. My mind is always flashing back to old memories.

Especially when I hear news about Brandon. It makes me feel like those shadows never left.

It's almost like I'm haunted in real life.

But I couldn't say that in front of Kelly. I was afraid she'd worry even more.

"That's good. Why don't you come sleep with me tonight?" Kelly suddenly hugged my shoulders.

Just like when I was little, holding me close.

"My daughter has grown up so much, and now she has four kids of her own."

Kelly's tone was full of emotion.

"I'm getting old too. I even have gray hair now. It's hard to believe."

I couldn't help but laugh through my tears. "Why are you saying that... You're not old at all. You're still the most beautiful."

"I'm not beautiful anymore. My daughter is the beautiful one." Kelly stroked my hair. "You were beautiful from the moment you were born."

"When I had you in the hospital, the nurses said you were the most beautiful baby they'd ever seen."

I had never heard Kelly mention this before, and I was curious. "Really?"

But in my memory, all newborns look the same, all wrinkly.

How could they think I was beautiful?

Maybe it's because it's your own child, so you see them through rose-colored glasses?

Kelly laughed too. "You silly girl... Can't you just accept a compliment?"

"I just find it strange. Even though I've had kids, I think all newborns look kind of ugly. I don't see the beauty."

Kelly patted my shoulder. "Maybe you'll understand someday... And those four kids of yours are beautiful."

"Of course, as their grandma, you think they're all wonderful." I couldn't help but laugh.

The evening passed quickly, but even a short time with family brought me peace.

In these quiet moments, I felt filled with courage to face the unknown.

The next morning, Simon's whereabouts became strangely mysterious.

I often couldn't reach him. My messages seemed to disappear into a void. I had no idea which city he was in or what he was investigating.

But I knew Simon was on our side and would never betray me.

That gave me some confidence.

Still, I instinctively asked Kathy if she'd heard from Simon lately.

Kathy rolled her eyes at me. "You always ask me. Do you think I'm that close to him?"

I reflexively responded, "Aren't you? You two are pretty tight, right?"

"Well, you're not wrong... Meeting him was quite unexpected."

Kathy blinked. "But there's really nothing between us like you think."

"I get it. I don't think there's anything between you two. It's just that I have so much on my plate right now, and there's no news from Simon about what I asked him to investigate. I'm getting anxious."

I knew I should be patient, and I knew everyone was doing their part, but in practice, it was incredibly hard.

Every minute felt like sitting on pins and needles.

On one hand, there was the unresolved issue with Joanna. Kathy and I still hadn't figured out how to warn her about Ronnie.

Should we be direct, or take it step by step?

We still didn't have an answer.

A day or two passed, and I couldn't help but feel anxious.

On the other hand, there was Brandon.

Brandon was out of prison now. Royce had told me.

"Now that Brandon's out, I really don't know what to do next."

I sighed.

Kathy's eyes widened. "What do you mean he's out? He was really released?"

"Why would I lie? We thought we had it all figured out, getting him locked up for good. We knew it wouldn't be for long, but we planned to submit more evidence later. But with everything going on with the Jordan family, we decided to wait. Who knew that would give them an opportunity."

Now Brandon was out.

Kathy looked serious. "That's terrifying... How could such a bad man be released?"

"They must have connections. If he recanted and appealed, it would give them a reason to reinvestigate. And if someone helped him get a lawyer, it wouldn't be hard."

I had thought it through.

"Actually, if you think about it, it's good he's out. At least we know someone is helping him. There's more to this than we thought. So now I've got Royce looking into it seriously..."

Kathy shook her head. "But still, it's another big problem."

True.

Talking with Kathy, I gave a wry smile. "I asked you out for coffee to relax, but you're making me more anxious."

"Can't help it. I'm a realist. And work has been crazy busy. When you talk about this, I can't help but think of the worst-case scenario."

Kathy shrugged.

She stirred her coffee and complained, "And I'm sick of drinking black coffee to stay in shape."

"Why didn't you say so? Next time, I'll take you for bubble tea," I said softly.

Kathy laughed. "You think I can drink bubble tea?"

"There's a company event coming up. We have to showcase our best designs. I need to look my best."

So that's what she was preparing for.

I thought for a moment. "This event will have important clients, right? Like Joanna?"

Maybe we could use this event to distract Joanna. It might work.