Chapter 160: Something Always Felt Off Audrey Woodwind finally kept quiet, having achieved her purpose. With each word she spoke earlier, the faces of the Reed family had darkened bit by bit. They had considered the possibility that Amber was after their money.
"Back when we of the Reed family sent out wedding invitations across Ashbury for Jasper's wedding, Natalie Whittaker disappeared the day before the ceremony," Garrett said discontentedly. "She made Jasper and our family the laughingstock of Ashbury. To think that she raised a daughter with such character, like mother, like daughter!" "Father," Damian called out, looking at Jasper Reed's expression and stopping his father from continuing.
Jasper Reed, lips pursed, supported his temple with his hand as if lost in memories. Natalie Whittaker had vanished before their wedding without a trace, and the Reed family had written her off as a betrayer. Yet, deep down, he felt that wasn't the case.
When he had first saved the severely injured Natalie Whittaker, he knew her background was complicated, and even with the Reed family's resources, they couldn't uncover her past. As the eldest son of the Reed family, he was raised to be cautious and avoid trouble.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtYet, he had cared for Natalie Whittaker day and night, falling for her star-like eyes despite knowing she kept many secrets. He had proposed to her, only for her to leave without a word. Why? They were deeply in love, and she was pregnant with his child.
Over the years, he never stopped searching for Natalie Whittaker, and when news of Amber came, it was accompanied by the revelation that Natalie had been dead for years. That day, his heart had turned to ash, yet he was relieved that Natalie had left him a daughter.
He swore to treat their daughter well, presenting her with the best, hoping to make her a princess to compensate for the nineteen years they lost. But upon meeting Amber, he couldn't feel close to her, even as she sweetly called him "Dad." Amber, though beautiful, bore no resemblance to them except for her eyes, slightly reminiscent of Natalie Whittaker's.
Especially today, after learning of Amber's disgraceful actions in Ensford, he realized she had tarnished her own reputation before seeking refuge in Ashbury. Watching those news reports, he couldn't believe these were acts of his and Natalie Whittaker's daughter. Natalie was noble and kind; her daughter couldn't possibly turn out this way.
So, he had the paternity test rechecked, hoping it was a mistake by Elizabeth, but unfortunately, Amber was indeed his daughter.
"Enough," Annabelle spoke up, silencing the family's debate. "Now that we know she is a Reed, we must not let rumors spread further. Think of a way to restore Amber's reputation." Audrey Woodwind smirked to herself, thinking it impossible to salvage a reputation already ruined at Amber's high school. However, she believed Amber's image in the eyes of the Reed family had significantly worsened. Once Amber returned from Ensford, she would no longer be treated like a star.
"And Jasper, send more people to track down Master Tam," Annabelle added with a sigh. "Since he took the child away, we need to hear it straight from him." She also doubted Amber was really a Reed family child. Given Master Tam's integrity, he wouldn't have raised Natalie Whittaker's daughter this way. He would have entrusted her to someone reliable.
"Mom, don't worry," Jasper Reed reassured, though he intended to find Master Tam anyway, to learn how Natalie Whittaker really died and to seek justice if necessary.
"As for Amber, let her stay in Ensford for now," Annabelle decided. "She wanted to go back there for exams anyway. By the tshe's done, things here might have calmed down." She still felt uneasy and told Jasper Reed, "Make sure Emrys keeps her out of trouble." Audrey Woodwind snorted with laughter. "Grandma, are you sure Emrys will keep an eye on her?" She disliked Emrys, the Reed family's arrogant foster son who looked down on their privileged lives. Considering Emrys's leniency towards Amber, Annabelle suggested, "Perhaps we should send someone else to watch over them?" Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005sfor uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "I'll arrange it," Jasper Reed said, massaging his temples.
"And keep this from your father; his heart hasn't been well," Annabelle added. Old Mr. Reed valued the family's reputation highly, and knowing of Amber's actions would only aggravate his condition. "Understood," everyone agreed, though Audrey Woodwind thought it impossible to keep such secrets from her grandfather.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIndeed, the next second, Jasper Reed's phone rang. It was Old Mr. Reed. Everyone exchanged looks as Jasper sighed and answered, "Dad." "What's this about Amber!" Old Mr. Reed's voice cthrough sharply.
"How didyou find out?" Jasper Reed felt drained; he had made it clear to keep this from Old Mr. Reed.
"Ha! You thought you could hide it from me!" Old Mr. Reed scoffed. "That old man from the Farrell family cto the sanatorium today under the pretense of playing chess, but really, he cto telleverything!" Jasper Reed, "..." He hadn't anticipated Logan Farrell's sudden involvement. As he was pondering this, he heard Old Mr. Reed chuckle coldly, "Didn't you know? Amber's sister is engaged to Jared Farrell!" Jasper Reed, ".." Okay then! Their daughter had crossed paths with someone else's future granddaughter-in-law, and trouble was inevitable.
At Ensford High School.
Jared Farrell stood outside classroom 22D, watching Ting inside as she arranged the study schedule for the students for the remaining half of the month.
"Mr. Farrell, we've checked," Nathan Lehman whispered, relaying the information reported by his om subordinates." The daughter of the man who disappeared after a mission with Everett is here at Ensford High. But which class she's in, we still don't know." Jared Farrell's dark eyes dimmed as he surveyed the students in classroom 22D, lifting his chin slightly to prompt Nathan to continue.
"I've gone through all the student records multiple times," Nathanm added. "Whoever it is has covered their tracks too well. There's nothing that stands out." "Doesn't the child have any distinctive features?" Jared Farrell frowned, his concern evident.