On Saturday night, after a whole day and night without Hannah Sue’s appearance, her elder brother finally called to inquire about her whereabouts, saying that their father was worried and that she should go back soon.
Hannah Sue wasn’t sure if Bryce Sue’s claim that "Father was worried" was genuine, but after being lectured by Evan Sutton, she didn’t fuss over it. She just went along with the steps.
Evan Sutton suggested that it wouldn’t be as safe to go out at night and advised her to leave during the day.
That night, he went for his hospital shift again. Hannah Sue lay on the sofa alone but couldn’t fall asleep as easily as yesterday. She tossed and turned for a long ti without sleeping.
Because she didn’t want to leave here, she even wished she could be older, with her own work and life, so she could stay where she wanted and not return to that unwelco ho.
Early the next morning, just like the day before, Evan Sutton bought breakfast on his way back. After they finished eating, he drove Hannah Sue to the station.
He walked her to the entrance and asked, "Do you have enough money?"
Hannah Sue nodded, feeling embarrassed to admit that she had used up all her savings to find him.
"Focus on your studies, and don’t be so capricious next ti."
Hannah Sue: "Can I co to visit you again next ti?"
Evan Sutton paused for a mont and said, "Try not to."
Hannah Sue smiled and said, "So that ans I can co. I’ll visit you next ti I’m on holiday."
Evan Sutton: "You can see that I’m very busy with work. It’s best if you don’t co."
Hannah Sue pouted, knowing that Evan Sutton might be saying no, but he wouldn’t ignore her if she ca.
"Go on in, there’s not much ti left, don’t miss your train."
Hannah Sue stood in line at the entrance with her backpack, turned and said, "You should go back and get so sleep. I’ll text you when I arrive."
Evan Sutton nodded, "Okay, then I’m leaving."
Hannah Sue waved goodbye with a smile, but she kept looking back, hoping to catch another glimpse of Evan Sutton until she couldn’t see him anymore.
On the train, as the train drew closer to the destination, Hannah Sue felt more and more suffocated. She really didn’t want to face it.
When she returned ho this ti, the house was silent. Grace Sue had lessons on weekends, so she wasn’t usually ho during the day. Her mother most likely went out to play cards, her elder brother was busy managing the company, so he was seldom seen at ho during the day, and her second brother was unpredictable; nobody knew where he loitered each day.
Hannah Sue thought the house was empty and breathed a slight sigh of relief, but as soon as she opened the door, she heard the sound of the TV and saw her father sitting in the living room.
They glanced at each other but neither greeted the other.
Hannah Sue lowered her head, changed her shoes, clutched her backpack’s strap tightly, and silently headed upstairs.
She thought her father might scold her, but it was also likely he’d ignore her.
"Hannah," Old Master Sue’s deep and serious voice called out, stopping Hannah, who had just reached the stairs.
Old Master Sue waved his hand and then patted the spot beside him, "Co here."
The tone sounded sowhat kind.
Hannah Sue swallowed hard and walked over reluctantly.
Once Hannah Sue sat down, Old Master Sue took a deep breath and said, "I’ve had your room cleaned up. That night, my tone was a bit harsh, and I apologize to you."
Hannah Sue was taken aback, turning to look at Old Master Sue. The grievances in her heart seed to fade upon hearing the word "apology."
"All along, I’ve owed you, but you need to understand my difficulties. You know Gracie’s temper; your aunt can be unreasonable at tis. That night, I was also really tired from a business trip, seeing what you did triggered , and I couldn’t control my temper. Later, I went to see your room and realized you had your grievances too."
Hannah Sue took a deep breath and said, "I was also at fault... I shouldn’t have upset you."
Old Master Sue gently patted Hannah Sue’s head, "You’re a considerate child, so don’t hold grudges against Gracie. She’s spoiled by your aunt."
Hannah Sue remained silent, head lowered, knowing that in her father’s heart, he sowhat favored Grace Sue and her mother. She wouldn’t naively expect him to treat everyone equally.
There’s only a bit more than a year left until she leaves for college in another city.
As Evan Sutton said, if the relationship with family can be improved, try to improve it. If not, just strive to live well on your own.
She used to lower her head and try to please everyone, hoping she could fit into this family. But reality told her that was impossible.
She was a thorn in the side of others; how could they tolerate her?
It’s better to focus on her studies, endure this last year and a half, and aim for a university far away.
...
On the third day after Jasmine Jason was arrested, she finally confessed about Catherine Porter.
Early in the morning, Shane Warner received a call from Franklin Sutton. After breakfast, following Franklin’s instructions, he took Audrey Sutton to the police station.
Franklin brought them to his office and asked Audrey, "Audrey, wasn’t Catherine Porter the lady doctor that your fifth brother brought ho? You need to tell him to find soone else. This woman’s got a lot going on."
Audrey frowned in disdain, "Fifth brother doesn’t like her. I asked him. It’s her who’s pestering him."
Franklin poured them so water, sat in his chair, and said to Shane, "The reason I brought Audrey here today is actually for a task. Catherine Porter initially didn’t admit to instructing Jasmine Jason. We’ve checked, and they indeed had no financial transactions, so we don’t actually have any solid evidence to prove it. If she refuses to admit it, there’s really nothing we can do."
Audrey urgently asked, "Then what do we do? Just let her go?"
Franklin chuckled, "Don’t worry, listen to . It was quite coincidental, really. Last night, the head of the narcotics team ca to find us, saying that we arrested their suspect, which is Catherine Porter, heard she’s involved in more than a small amount of dealings. She escaped years ago when her drug lab wasn’t traced back to her. Recently, they caught a main perpetrator from back then, who confessed to her in exchange for a reduced sentence. If she’s found guilty of drug trafficking, that’s not going to be much lighter than instigating murder. With the solid evidence from that side, Catherine Porter knew she couldn’t argue and confessed, but..."
Shane Warner and Audrey exchanged puzzled looks at Franklin, who paused, lowered his voice, and said, "She’s asking to see Audrey by na, saying she’ll only confess her full cri when she ets her."
User Comments
0 comments from readers