Chapter 22: The Poor Witness
After the seven young men of the Norman family expressed their gratitude to Irene, they glanced at Assistant Barton.
The eldest, Gray, smiled and said, “This is just a small token of our
appreciation. Please, Miss Irene, you must accept it.”
Assistant Barton opened a small black velvet box, revealing a black and gold credit card. “Miss Irene, here is one million.”
“That’s too much.”
Irene always took only what she deserved. “I was just a witness. Saving Mr. Palmer was due to the efforts of the police.”
The second eldest, Ocum, laughed and said, “We have already thanked the police.”
The agent nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. “Mr. Norman invested in our police department, establishing a refreshment area and a gym. Construction has already begun.”
Robertson deliberately put on a serious face. “Does Miss Irene think my grandson’s life isn’t worth a million?”
Irene laughed.
Since the police had already accepted it, refusing would seem too pretentious.
“Thank you, then.”
Irene held the card, a peculiar light flashing in her beautiful eyes.
She needed to plan carefully how to spend this money.
After all, someone always thought she was poor, right?
Stefan, sitting quietly nearby, observed Irene. He didn’t know what Irene was thinking, but he recalled Assistant Barton’s words from this morning.
“Don’t be fooled by Miss Irene’s capability; she lives in a terribly dilapidated place.”
“I couldn’t imagine such a broken house existing in the West District of City A.”
Her grandmother makes a living doing needlework. There aren’t even streetlights, and the roof has a hole that hasn’t been fixed.”
No wonder Miss Irene wanders outside during weekdays. She must be out earning money, there’s no time of energy for school.”
Watching Irene holding the card motionless, Stefan felt a sudden stir in hist heart
He didn’t know why, but he said, ‘You haven’t taken the money I owe you for saving my life and from Marta’s gratitude
Irene had no idea that, due to Assistant Barton’s words last night, her image of poverty had deeply impressed everyone, making her seem as tragic as the little. match girl.
Irene looked at Stefan in confusion. “I just reminded you; as for Marta thanking me, that’s a matter between girls. No need to take money.”
Seeing her clear eyes, Stefan coughed a few times.
“No, you should be thanked properly.”
Walter, understanding, took out a credit card from his pocket.
Irene felt helpless.
“Marta really wants to see you and has been upset with me many times.”
Seeing Irene’s helplessness, Stefan smiled.
Irene checked the time; it was nine in the morning, and she had some free.
time. Thinking she hadn’t seen Marta in a while, she did miss that pretty girl.
“Alright, but I need to go home first to get something.”
“No problem.”
Stefan nodded, and after bidding farewell to the Norman family, they left.
In the hospital room, the group watched Irene and Stefan leave through the window. Robertson felt a bit sad and said softly, “My granddaughter should be about her age.”
“Boss, the young lady will be safe,” Assistant Barton consoled. “We’ve already reached the South District. Based on the clues, finding the young lady is just a
matter of time.
The third eldest, Adams, said, “Assistant Barton is right, Grandpa. I’ve already sent people to gather clues about my sister. Don’t worry.”
Robertson sighed lightly, and immediately, his previously cloudy and sad eyes turned sharp “Continue to issue missing person notices nationwide. Anyone with clues should contact us immediately! If there’s a problemn, I want to know all the truth!”
“Yes!”
Assistant Barton bowed and then left the room to make arrangements.
It was morning, and the sun was hot, the leaves curlingyly.
The car drove for less than half an hour before arriving at the old Kashi
residence.
“Boss, be careful.”
Assistant Walter helped Stefan and looked around.
If not for Assistant Barton’s words, he wouldn’t believe it. Who would have thought that in the West District, famous for its luxurious commercial areas and office buildings, there would be such a rundown place?
The cement ground was dry and cracked, with rubble and stones everywhere.
There were also some dirty, broken cola bottles and a few yellowed, torn
tissues.
Stefan, wearing handmade casual clothes, even his shoes were limited editions from the world’s most famous brand. But in such an environment, he
didn’t even frown, his expression calm.
Irene glanced at him, her lips curving slightly.
What was the relationship between Stefan and Teo? What was his background?
Seeing how Stefan behaved in such a slum–like environment without a hint of discomfort, even strictly trained agents would subconsciously show some flaws in unfamiliar surroundings.
Irene didn’t believe Stefan had such an experience.
Chapter 22. The Pune Winks
She became increasingly curious about Stefan.
“We’re here.”
Irene stood in front of the dilapidated house.
Sunlight poured from the villa’s roof, falling on Irene’s hair. She bathed in the sunlight, looking as beautiful as a painting.
“Irene, is this your friend?”
Neighbor Yuna was sitting on the stairs at her door, her eyes fixed on the
expensive car and the obviously wealthy man
Bodyguard Harper glanced at Yuna, turned sideway, and Yuna couldn’t see
Stefan’s face anymore.
“Oh my God!”
Yuna exclaimed in shock.
She was a red–haired woman in her forties, common for low–income people, with a bit of fat. She stood up, her belly jiggling, looking somewhat cute.
“Irene, why does that man have a scar on his face? He doesn’t look like a good person! Are you being threatened? Should I call the police for you?”
Yuna grabbed Irene’s hand and whispered.
Irene laughed.
“Thank you, Yuna, but it’s alright. This is a friend I met after school. I just came back to get something.”
Yuna nodded.
Yuna knew Irene’s school was a private high school, where people were either rich or children of politicians. It made sense.
Irene and Mademe Kashi should have a better life now.
Yuna sighed, but a thought crossed her mind, “But why do Irene’s two friends. look a bit old?”
Oh well, who knows about the affairs of the rich.
Yuna thought optimistically, greeted Irene, and went back inside.
Stefan looked at the villa.
Time had eroded the house; the walls were peeling, and rust was red, but it still
showed traces of its former luxury.
After a while, Stefan concluded.
Irene was really poor now.
