Chapter 21

Felix noticed the unease in Clara’s eyes and reached out to gently pat her head. "Alright, don't overthink it. I’ve been busy since morning and I'm starving."

Clara snapped out of her thoughts and led him toward the house. At the dinner table, the two reached a tacit understanding not to mention the day's events, choosing instead to chat with Grandmother about everyday things. Seeing the smile on Grandmother’s face, Clara felt a great sense of relief.

After dinner, Grandmother gave Clara a knowing wink:

"The moonlight is lovely outside. Why don't you accompany Dr. Sullivan for a stroll? Don't just stay cooped up at home."

The two walked along the tree-lined path, the night breeze carrying a light fragrance. Clara hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Aren't you going to ask why Elder Miller caused trouble for me today?"

"Grandmother told me everything." Felix slowed his pace and looked sideways at her. "If you need help, I can return to the Sullivan family..."

Clara interrupted him immediately:

"No need! I can solve this myself. There's no reason for you to do something you're unwilling to do just for me."

As she spoke, she pulled a USB drive from her pocket:

"Everything Elder Miller has done is recorded in here. This time, he won't be able to escape."

Early the next morning, Clara went to the police station. With ironclad evidence, Elder Miller was arrested that very afternoon. Without its pillar, the Miller family instantly fell into chaos, with the younger generation arguing incessantly over the inheritance. The farce stayed on the entertainment headlines for three full days, becoming the laughingstock of the city.

One day, as Clara was driving home from work, a dark shadow suddenly blocked her car. She slammed on the brakes. Seeing it was Ethan, she immediately frowned and only rolled down a crack in the window: "Is something the matter?"

Ethan’s eyes were sunken, and he had thinned down to a gaunt frame, clearly having suffered a great deal.

"Clara, I know you were the one who reported Grandfather." His voice was hoarse and weary. "I only ever told those things to you. But I don't blame you; it's our family that failed you."

He took a key and a slip of paper from his pocket and handed them through the window:

"I didn't come today to beg for your forgiveness."

"All the profits from the Barker family assets over these years are stored in this account. You can retrieve them at the address on this note."

He lowered his head, his voice choking:

"Clara, forget me. You must be happy from now on."

Before Clara could react, he turned and ran away. Looking at the key and the note, Clara felt that one last matter had finally been settled. However, she never expected this would be their final meeting.

The next day when she stepped out, she heard neighbors gossiping:

"There was a murder nearby last night. I heard it was a gruesome death!"

A news notification suddenly popped up on her phone. The moment she saw the victim's photo, Clara froze.

It was Ethan.

It turned out that while her biological father was on the run, he overheard a fellow villager mention a nearby "pleasure den" for the powerful. The tips given there were enough for someone to live on for a month. He was tempted and paid his way into a job as a cleaner.

On his first day, the cage he was assigned to clean held his wife and biological daughter, who had been bitten to the point of death by wild beasts. Before she died, the daughter told him that it was Ethan who had discarded them there. Seeing his wife and child die such a tragic death, he snapped. After the Miller family collapsed, he finally found an opportunity when Ethan was alone. He stabbed him ninety-nine times; it was said the body was barely recognizable.

Clara’s fingertips turned icy, her heart filled with lingering fear. She turned and ran back home. In the living room, Grandmother was weeping uncontrollably while watching the news, yet she still comforted Clara:

"Don't be afraid, Clara. This is their retribution."

But he was Grandmother’s only son; it was impossible for her not to be heartbroken. Clara took Grandmother’s hand in hers:

"Grandmother, you still have me."

...

Clara arranged a funeral for Ethan. After the ceremony ended and she walked out of the cemetery, she saw Felix’s car parked at the gate. Grandmother secretly nudged her arm, smiling and blinking:

"Go on, don't keep Dr. Sullivan waiting."

Looking at Felix waving to her in the distance, Clara gave a smile of quiet relief and ran toward him. The sunlight fell upon them, warm and bright, signaling a brand-new beginning.

(End of Story)