Chapter 11 Riley Exposed

• “Hm?” Ethan didn’t expect Simon to investigate this. He was just about to ask Kobi to do the same thing.
• “She was released two months ago. On the same day, she went to visit her grandfather’s grave before coming to Cloudfall City. Because of her record, no company would hire her, so the Imperial Court is her last ditch effort at a job,” Simon said calmly. He pitied Lauren, for she used to be a shining star in Copper City.
• All Ethan did was grunt after listening to Simon’s report.
• “The Imperial Court’s manager said she’s crippled, so she can only keep up with her daily life. No strenuous exercise or playing any instruments,” Simon said softly, but it was a bombshell for Ethan.
• She’s crippled? Lauren used to be a proud, dignified woman who had outstanding talent both in dancing and playing the piano. At the tender age of twenty, she was already talented enough to hold her own solo performance. Those hands of hers are crippled? Ethan failed to hide his shock, so he asked, “But how?”
• Simon looked at him with amusement. “Ethan, do you think a proud woman like Lauren can live peacefully in a place like prison?”
• Ethan sneered. “She deserved it.”
• “Oh, right. Have you ever slept with her five years ago?” Simon asked.
• “Why?” Ethan frowned.
• “Because she has a four-year-old daughter.” The moment he said that, Simon could even sense the chill running down his friend’s spine, while his eyes were cold and distant.
• Five years ago, Ethan saw her taking the pills before they did the deed, so he knew the child couldn’t be his. But if it’s not mine, whose is it? Elliot’s? Ethan almost suffocated when that idea popped into his mind. He felt frustrated, his eyes filled with rage. How dare you, Lauren. How dare you?!
• When morning came, a sound of complaint came from the little house Lauren rented. “Aw, but I don’t want to have eggs again, Mommy. I don’t wanna.” Riley looked disgusted when she saw that her breakfast was another hard-boiled egg.
• Lauren gave her a stern look. “What did I tell you, young lady?”
• “No picking my food,” Riley whispered, but she looked at Lauren imploringly.
• “Finish your breakfast and I’ll take you to Ocean Park, alright? They have penguins there.” Lauren smiled at her and patted her head.
• Riley’s eyes shone when she found out they would be going to Ocean Park, so she finished the hard-boiled egg. “I’m done, Mommy.”
• “Good girl!” Lauren smiled and took the empty plates to the dishes, then someone rang the doorbell. “Take the door for me, sweetie. It’s probably Mrs. Emma.”
• Riley skipped to the door, then when she opened it, what greeted her were two handsome men, so she stared at Simon and Ethan with her dark, round eyes unblinkingly. “Are you looking for someone, mister? I don’t know who you are.”
• Ethan looked at Riley coldly. She has her mother’s eyes. Before he could say anything, Lauren asked, “Riley, who’s out there? Is it not Mrs. Emma?”