Just then, Domenic approached with urgent news. “Mr. Daniels, Dr. Riss has escaped.”
Connor’s frown deepened. “Didn’t you say it was impossible for her to escape?”
Domenic looked embarrassed. “It should have been, but someone hacked into the hospital’s surveillance system. The screens went black for ten seconds, and during that time, Dr. Riss disappeared.”
Connor’s thoughts raced as he considered the implications. A hacker had breached the hospital’s security system precisely when Riss needed to vanish. This was no coincidence. Determined to uncover the truth, he pulled out his phone and started hacking into the hospital’s surveillance system, intent on tracking down the hacker who facilitated Riss’s escape
Five minutes later, Connor disconnected from the hospital’s surveillance system, his expression one of frustration. The hacker had thoroughly erased their digital tracks, leaving no clues for him to follow. The level of skill displayed suggested a highly competent individual, but the full extent of their capabilities would remain a mystery until perhaps their paths crossed again under different circumstances
Intrigued and somewhat annoyed, Connor speculated that Riss must have spent a lot of money enlisting such a formidable hacker to evade the surveillance system. His curiosity about her true identity deepened-why was she so determined to avoid him? A playful smirk briefly crossed his handsome face
After a contemplative pause, he issued a command to Domenic. “Keep tracing her until we find her.”
“Yes, sir,” Domenic affirmed
Meanwhile, Marissa didn’t head back to the Nash family’s home. Instead, she went to her flower shop. It had been neglected since the day Connor had taken her away, and she worried about the state of her plants. She spent over two hours tending to the shop, pruning dead leaves and watering the plants
After her diligent work, she sat down for a much-needed rest. While taking a break, she logged into the Dark Net under the alias Black Snake and messaged Silver Fox. “Is there any news about Amiri?”
Silver Fox replied, “Not yet. Amiri has been elusive since the last assassination attempt on him. We can’t find any trace of him.”
Blue Wind chimed in, “Black Snake, you finally remembered to ask about Amiri. I thought you were having fun somewhere or too scared of Amiri’s revenge to care about avenging Red Thunder!”
Marissa typed back, “I never forget.”
Blue Wind continued, “Then why haven’t you shown up for so long?”
Marissa replied, “I was busy handling something else.”
Silver Fox interjected, “Blue Wind, mind your tone. We all felt the loss of Red Thunder deeply. Don’t question Black Snake’s commitment to our cause. Black Snake has always been loyal.”
Blue Wind apologized, “I’m sorry, Black Snake. My parents have been pushing me to take over family responsibilities. I need to leave the organization, but I can’t do that without avenging Red Thunder first. I won’t find peace otherwise.”
Marissa responded, “I understand, Blue Wind. You were close to Red Thunder. Red Thunder was an important friend to me as well.”
Blue Wind then said, “Silver Fox, about that favor I asked before to look for my cousin-you can stop. She’s returned home.”
Silver Fox replied with an OK emoji and then cautioned, “Remember, we should keep our identities secret in this organization. Revealing ourselves can lead to betrayal and even death. But you trusted me with your real name to find your cousin. It shows how deeply you care for her.”
Blue Wind admitted, “No one in our family looks out for her. She’s been struggling since she was a child. If I don’t stand by her, no one will. Silver Fox, I trust you won’t betray my confidence.”
Silver Fox responded with a flirtatious emoji and teased, “Black Snake, I’m now keeping Blue Wind’s secret. If you ever take issue with Blue Wind, just let me know and I’ll deal with it. Are you curious about Blue Wind’s real identity? I might just share it with you in secret, if you’re interested.”
Marissa responded curtly, “I’m not interested. Silver Fox, continue to track Amiri. Keep me updated with any developments.” After sending this, she exited the group chat
Once Marissa left, Blue Wind curiously inquired, “Silver Fox, do you think Black Snake is a man or a woman?”
Silver Fox replied with a teasing tone, “Why the sudden interest in Black Snake’s identity? Why not speculate on whether I’m a man or a woman instead?”
“I don’t need to guess about you,” Blue Wind retorted playfully. “All your messages drip with flirtation. You’re definitely a femme fatale!”
Silver Fox shot back, “You cheeky brat, one of these days, I’ll teach you a lesson!”
After she logged out of the Dark Net, Marissa’s phone buzzed with a new message from Ferris. “Riss, the results of the DNA test are in and have been sent to your email.” Marissa quickly logged into her email to check the results, her heart pounding with anticipation
When Marissa viewed the results of the DNA test, her heart surged with excitement. The document confirmed that Caylee was indeed her biological mother. This explained Marissa’s strong resemblance to Tiffany-they were twins
But why had Daryl claimed that Caylee had only one child? Brian was a distinguished doctor, making it unlikely he would not know his wife was expecting twins. How could Caylee have never mentioned to her family that she had two babies? What was really happening? With many unanswered questions, Marissa felt even more confused. Yet, amid the confusion, she also felt a hint of joy
Growing up, Marissa had felt less favored by her parents compared to her sister Denise. They frequently berated and physically punished her, branding her a misfortune and claiming she was unwanted, which deeply wounded her and filled her with self-doubt. She felt undeserving of anything positive. It wasn’t until she met a kind teacher later on that she began to emerge from those shadows
Discovering that she wasn’t actually born into the Nash family in Adagend somewhat eased her deep-seated emotional scars. Their mistreatment wasn’t due to her own shortcomings but because she wasn’t their biological child. Marissa had been adopted by a family in Blo Grein and spent her early years in a refugee camp. Despite her obviously different looks, her adoptive family treated her kindly. Life there was harsh. Marissa often went hungry, and the constant threat of cannonballs hung heavily in the air. Fear was a constant companion. It was only when Marissa was four years old that Korbin and Betty, who were then working in Blo Grein, took her under their care and brought her to Adagend. They told Marissa that they had given birth to her and Denise while working in Blo Grein, but during a war outbreak, Marissa was lost. They claimed they had found her after a long search. However, it now seemed Korbin and Betty had fabricated this story. They had always known she wasn’t their biological child. So why had they adopted her?
Korbin and Betty were just low-ranking foreign workers in Blo Grein; it seemed implausible that they could have simply taken Marissa from a refugee camp. Who had helped them? How had she become separated from her real parents in the first place? Marissa suspected a deep and mysterious influence behind these events
To unravel this mystery, she resolved to delay confronting Korbin and Betty. Even if they were under someone else’s influence, they likely knew little of real value. Now aware of her true identity, Marissa felt compelled to aid Caylee in her recovery, seek out Tiffany, and find out if Brian was still alive
With resolve, she sent a message to Connor. “Let’s keep our partnership going.” Working in his office, Connor cracked a slight smile when he saw Marissa’s message. He didn’t need further explanation; he guessed that the results of the DNA test were out. Marissa and Caylee must be blood related, and that was why Marissa chose to maintain their deal. It was in her character not to get involved in the affairs of the Nash, Sanchez, or Daniels families without a substantial reason
“Are you Caylee’s daughter?” Connor asked. Marissa’s silence was answer enough
She once again navigated to the Dark Net, sending a private message to Silver Fox. “Keep looking for Blue Wind’s cousin. Ensure it remains confidential and that Blue Wind remains unaware.”
Silver Fox responded skeptically, “Didn’t Blue Wind say his cousin was back? If you’re looking for his cousin, I can reveal who Blue Wind really is.”
Marissa replied, “The one who returned is a fake. His real cousin has left Hereigh.”
Silver Fox asked, “What ties do you have to Blue Wind, Black Snake? What’s going on?”
Marissa replied curtly, “Don’t ask questions. Just do as I say.”
After that, Marissa logged off the Dark Net and made her way back to the Nash family’s home, where she was greeted by a dramatic scene in the living room
The atmosphere in the Nash family’s house was heavy with gloom. The entire family was present, their expressions a mix of anger and despair. Ayla was on her knees on the floor, a picture of defeat, while Sansa sat on the sofa, her usual arrogance replaced by gloom. Marissa walked into the living room, immediately sensing the strained atmosphere. Since Tiffany was often ignored in family interactions, Marissa slipped in unnoticed except by Landen, who subtly gestured for her to come over
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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