Chapter 157 Suspecting Mother
"""Sebastian felt like he'd been hit by lightning. He stood there, frozen in shock.
After a few seconds, he finally asked, """"What do you mean?""""
""""Angie said she saw a woman with a black mole on her forehead when the child was taken. Your mom's nanny has the same mole. Sebastian, could Joyce...""""
Sebastian cut Benjamin off. """"No, Joyce is Connie and Darren's daughter, not Cordelia's. I'll look into this. Please, Mr. Blackwood, don't tell Joyce yet.""""
Benjamin sighed in relief. """"I hope your mom's not involved. Otherwise, you and Joyce...""""
He couldn't bear to think if Cordelia was behind the child's disappearance and possibly Connie's death. If true, Joyce and Sebastian's mom would be enemies. How could they stay together?
After hanging up, Sebastian lay on the couch.
Nanny Sarah White was just a middle-aged woman from the countryside; she couldn't have planned this. But Sebastian couldn't shake the feeling it was connected to his mom.
'Mom and Connie were best friends. Why would she take Connie's child? Could she be behind Connie's death too?' The thought sent chills down his spine.
His fists clenched. His relationship with Joyce was just getting better, and now this. He needed the truth.
Sebastian grabbed his phone and called Dominic. """"Arrest Sarah from the Winters Mansion. I need to question her.""""
Dominic paused. """"Mr. Winters, Sarah died in a car accident yesterday while grocery shopping.""""
Sebastian's eyes went cold. It couldn't be a coincidence. Just as he was about to investigate, she died.
""""Find out the cause of the accident. Don't miss any clues.""""
""""Got it. I'll start right away.""""
""""How's the kidnapping case going?""""
""""The guy working with Angie is Jerome Hernandez, a thug she used to date. They have a son. He said someone offered a million dollars for Joyce's life and promised to send him and his son abroad. Angie sacrificed herself to protect her son, but I couldn't find out who was behind it.""""
Sebastian felt like a heavy weight was on his chest. 'Connie's car accident, Sarah's death, Benjamin's kidnapping—are they all connected to my mom? But Angie wanted to die with them. If my mom's involved, does she want to kill me too?' The thought made his blood run cold, his eyes bloodshot.
Just then, Joyce walked in. She saw Sebastian's pale face and trembling lips.
She hugged him, gently stroking his head. """"What's wrong? Is your wound hurting again?""""
Hearing Joyce's voice and feeling her warmth, Sebastian's heart swelled. He pulled her tightly into his arms.
""""Joyce, please don't leave me, okay?""""
Joyce looked at him, confused, her voice still groggy. """"Sebastian, did something happen?""""
""""No, I just had a dream that you left me. Joyce, promise me, no matter what happens, don't leave me, okay?"""" He looked up at her, his usually cold eyes filled with panic. He held her so tightly she could hardly breathe.
Joyce had never seen Sebastian so out of control. He was always the master strategist, but now he clung to her like a child, seeking comfort.
She didn't know what had him so anxious. She gently stroked his head, her voice soothing. """"Okay, I won't leave.""""
From the moment he risked his life to save Benjamin, Joyce had decided she would never leave Sebastian again.
Seeing her determined eyes and hearing her comforting words, Sebastian couldn't hold back. He pulled Joyce into his arms and kissed her urgently.
The kiss was so intense that Joyce could hardly breathe. It felt like Sebastian was going crazy, each kiss lingering like a farewell.
They didn't know how long they kissed until someone knocked on the door. Joyce broke free, blushing, and went to open it.
Theodore stood there with something in his hand. Seeing Joyce, his eyes flickered for a moment. Then he smiled. """"I came to check on Sebastian. I heard he woke up.""""
Joyce nodded. """"Mr. Vale, please come in.""""
Because of Isabella, Joyce didn't have a good impression of Theodore. She led him in and then turned to leave.
Theodore watched her go, lost in thought, until Sebastian's deep voice snapped him back. """"Keep staring, and I'll gouge your eyes out!""""
Theodore chuckled. """"So, you two have made up?""""
Sebastian had calmed down, lounging on the couch with a smug smile. """"Yeah, get ready for our wedding.""""
Theodore was surprised. """"So soon? Are you sure you didn't force her?""""
""""I risked my life for this. If it weren't for Isabella, I'd already be a dad by now.""""
Theodore's face turned grim. """"Sebastian, I had no idea about what my dad and the others did. I can't ask for your forgiveness, but I want you to know we're different. Our friendship shouldn't be tainted by their actions.""""
Sebastian took the food container from him, opened it, and saw breakfast inside, smiling. """"Alright, since you made me breakfast, I won't hold it against you. How's the investigation into Mrs. Vale's case going?""""
Theodore shook his head. """"The truck driver was just drunk. He was jailed and released. No one contacted him, and he hasn't received any suspicious money.""""
Sebastian's eyes sharpened.
He thought, 'Why is this accident so similar to the one where Cordelia saved Aurora? Even nanny Sarah died in a similar accident. Both are drunk driving incidents with no leads. It can't be a coincidence. There must be a clue we missed.'
He already had a vague answer in his mind that these incidents were likely connected to Cordelia.
As he was deep in thought, Theodore took out a diamond necklace. """"This was something my mother was clutching when she died. She must have been trying to convey a clue, but I haven't figured it out yet.""""
Sebastian took the necklace, and childhood memories flashed through his mind, making his fingers curl involuntarily."""
