Chapter 578 Clue 1
That day, Gabriel set a trap.
Three days later, Carter called Gabriel.
Carter's purpose was clear: he wanted money.
"Carter, you should know that ever since I found out you're not Jessica's biological father, I won't give you a dime."
"Of course, I know, but I also know you've been looking for Jessica's biological father. I have something that can help you find him."
Desperate for money, Carter revealed everything.
"Why should I believe you?" Gabriel scoffed.
"You don't have to believe me, but you'll believe the photos."
Carter's mention of the photos excited Gabriel.
But Gabriel remained calm. "What photos? How do I know you didn't just find some random picture to fool me?"
"I can let you see them with your eyes," Carter said.
They agreed on a time and place.
Gabriel went alone.
When Gabriel arrived, Carter was already waiting, dressed in black and wearing a baseball cap.
Although Carter's attire had changed a lot, his face was still the same as before.
So he was easy to recognize.
"What photos?"
Gabriel didn't waste any time and got straight to the point.
Carter took something out of his pocket and gently pushed it over. "If I'm not mistaken, this photo is of Giselle and that man."
Gabriel quickly picked it up.
But the photo was very different from what Gabriel had imagined.
It was black and white, and because it was taken decades ago, the resolution was very low.
Plus, it hadn't been laminated and had been stored for a long time, so it was very unclear.
Giselle's image was barely visible, but the man's face was too blurry, almost just a silhouette and some shadows.
"How do you know the man in this photo is Jessica's father?" Gabriel's sharp eyes shot towards Carter.
Carter gave a sly smile. "Giselle and I were just partners. She never let me touch her. She always covered herself tightly when she slept, even in the summer."
"I was very angry and hit her a few times. Every time, she would cry all night and hold onto a metal box."
"The box had a lock. I asked her for the key, but she wouldn't give it to me. I always thought the box contained money or valuable jewelry."
"I even stole the box once, but the locksmiths couldn't open it, so I kept coveting the money inside. After Giselle died, I finally got my chance."
"I searched the entire house and finally found the key. I opened the box, but there was no valuable jewelry inside, just a diary with this photo tucked inside."
"Giselle treasured this photo so much, so the man in it must be Jessica's father."
Carter was very certain.
Gabriel found this explanation quite reasonable.
"If you had this photo, why didn't you give Jessica any clues when she asked you?"
Carter laughed. "Mr. Walton, you must be joking. You know my nature. I love to gamble, and I can't quit. I kept it just in case I owed money someday and someone came after me. I could use it to get some money from Jessica to save my life."
He said this while looking at Gabriel with a sly grin, rubbing his fingers together. "Mr. Walton, isn't it coming in handy now?"
"If I gave everything away at once, could I get money from you now?"
Gabriel snorted. "You're quite the shrewd one, thinking long-term."
Carter chuckled. "I can't help it. I'm short on money, Mr. Walton. Since I've been so cooperative, shouldn't you give me the money?"
"How much do you want?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow, looking displeased.
Carter held out his hand. "One million dollars, not much."
Gabriel threw down the photo and laughed coldly.
Then, he crossed his legs and sipped his coffee leisurely.
Seeing Gabriel's nonchalant attitude, Carter began to feel uneasy.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither speaking.
Five minutes later.
Carter couldn't hold back.
"Mr. Walton, I know you businessmen are always shrewd, so I'm not stupid either. The photo I gave you is a copy."
Gabriel picked up the photo and looked at it. "I know, it's not the original."
Carter's eyes widened, and he became somewhat incoherent.
"How did you know?"
"Photos from over twenty years ago and now are very different in terms of material and printing methods. I have plenty of old photos at home, so I could tell just by touching it."
Carter felt a bit guilty. "Fine, even if you know, so what? I was afraid you'd trick me, so I gave you a copy. The original is with me. Do you want it?"
Gabriel remained calm.
Instead of answering, Gabriel asked, "What about the diary? Do you still have it?"
"Yes."
But soon, Carter shrewdly started negotiating. "I'll tell you, one million dollars is just for the photo."
"If you want the diary," Carter held up another finger, "at least this much."
"Two million dollars!" Gabriel chuckled.
Under the soft light, Gabriel's smile looked gentle, but those who knew him well understood the sharpness and coldness lurking beneath.
Gabriel took out a lighter and lit a cigarette.
Holding the cigarette elegantly between two fingers, Gabriel took a drag.
As he exhaled, the smoke enveloped his face, creating a dreamy effect under the light.
Gabriel leaned back in the chair, making an ordinary chair look special.
His aura of dominance exuded.
Carter's heart raced wildly, a frantic rhythm echoing in his chest.
Carter had some understanding of Gabriel before.
But now, after a few years apart, Carter felt uncertain.
Especially seeing Gabriel's relaxed demeanor, Carter felt even more uneasy.
At that moment, Gabriel's phone rang.
Gabriel glanced at it; it was a video call from Jessica.
Gabriel quickly put out the cigarette and answered the call.
Instantly, Gabriel's expression softened, and his voice became gentle and doting.
"Honey, why aren't you home yet? The baby and I are sleepy."
"Don't wait for me. You go to sleep. It's ten o'clock now. I'll be home by eleven at the latest."
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