Chapter 12: Accident

In the car.

Norman Bennett leaned against the seat with his eyes closed, probably because he hadn't slept well last night.

Meanwhile, the little girl next to him kept scrolling through her phone, looking somewhat bored.

"Sigh~" Elliana Lyle sighed softly, pressing the screen off button with her thumb. Last night, she had sent another message to Joy Lyle, but there was still no response, and she had no idea what happened.

"Come here." Norman Bennett raised his arm, leaning back against the seat, signaling with his eyes for her to move closer.

Elliana obediently scooted closer to him, snuggling up against his body.

"Norman, I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since this morning." Elliana lifted her big eyes and looked at Norman pitifully, like a kitten waiting to be fed.

Gently tapping the little girl's nose with his fingertip, Norman Bennett asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Elliana lowered her eyes, glancing sideways as if in thought, but then quickly lifted her gaze and said with a grin, "Fried chicken, and a soda~"

"No." As expected, Norman Bennett refused her without mercy.

She knew this would happen. Norman Bennett was a health-conscious person who hardly ate fried food, so around him, it was best not to think about it.

"Then... can I have winter melon shrimp porridge at least?"

"Sure."

Seeing him nod, Elliana continued, "I also want crab meat dumplings, crab roe soup dumplings, and fish tofu pudding."

"That's too much, remove two." Norman Bennett couldn't help but ruffle her hair. The girl's appetite was always a mystery to him.

Sometimes, a bowl of wontons could fill her up, and even when happy, she didn't eat much, but if in a bad mood, she would binge eat.

What comforted him was that no matter how upset she was, she would never skip a meal.

"Then... let's skip the tofu pudding and soup dumplings."

Arriving at Melody Harmony, Norman Bennett naturally held her hand towards the main entrance. It wasn't deliberate; the two of them together were an eye-catching scene.

"Miss Lyle! Miss Lyle!"

Before Elliana stepped into Melody Harmony's gate, she heard a woman calling from behind, seemingly calling for her.

Instinctively turning back, she saw a middle-aged woman with graying hair, carrying a canvas bag, wearing a floral shirt and black cropped pants, running towards her.

Elliana squinted slightly; this person seemed familiar, like... suddenly, her eyes widened, and she remembered. No wonder she looked familiar: it was Nancy's mother!

"Stop her." Norman Bennett slightly furrowed his brow. Not knowing the woman and seeing her rush over recklessly, his first concern was Elliana's safety.

The security at the gate was already moving towards Nancy's mother, but Elliana quickly called them off, "Don't stop her, I know her," and looked up at Norman Bennett for help.

Norman Bennett raised his hand slightly, and the security guards called off by Elliana sensibly returned to their posts at the gate.

"Auntie Nan." Elliana pulled her hand away from Norman Bennett, rushing to meet Auntie Nan.

"Miss Lyle, I'm finally seeing you." Auntie Nan was happy to see Elliana, but her expression and tone revealed humility.

She wanted to hold Elliana's hand but, seeing Elliana's fair and tender skin, quickly retracted her hand, rough with calluses.

Elliana looked behind Auntie Nan, not seeing Nancy, she asked, "Auntie Nan, where's Nancy? She..."

Before she could finish, upon mentioning Nancy, Auntie Nan excitedly grabbed her arms, the urgency in her voice tinged with a glimmer of hope: "Miss Lyle, do you know where my daughter is?"

This nearly knocked Elliana, unprepared, off balance.

"Careful."

At this moment, Norman Bennett steadied Elliana from behind, casting a glance at Auntie Nan.

Though there was no anger in his eyes, neither was there warmth, this ordinary look intimidated Auntie Nan.

Auntie Nan hurriedly let go of Elliana, taking half a step back, nervously twisting the hem of her shirt: "Miss Lyle, I'm... I'm sorry, I'm... I was just so excited to see you."

"It's okay, it's okay." Elliana quickly waved her hand.

Auntie Nan wiped her tears and continued, "I've been trying to find you, but didn't know where you lived. Yesterday, I happened to see you here but couldn't get into Melody Harmony, so I came early to try my luck."

Auntie Nan didn't know many characters, confusing Harmony for Melody was understandable.

They seemed to have much to talk about. Norman Bennett, looking at Elliana, said gently, "It's hot outside, talk in the reception room. I'll have breakfast sent to you later, I have a meeting today."

"Okay, good." Elliana agreed, reaching out to lead Auntie Nan, smiling warmly: "Auntie Nan, let's talk inside, it's hot out here."

Feeling favored by Elliana's gesture, Auntie Nan was a bit overwhelmed.

Following Elliana into Melody Harmony, Auntie Nan deliberately avoided Norman Bennett. She found this young man intimidating, his gaze like a long-frozen chunk of ice exuding cold air.

In the reception room, Elliana and Auntie Nan sat facing each other. Auntie Nan looked around; she'd never been in a place like this.

The marble floor gleamed bright, making Auntie Nan's feet in military rubber shoes feel uncomfortable.

"Auntie Nan, tell me, what's wrong with Nancy?" This was Elliana's first question after settling in. She was worried about Nancy; from Auntie Nan's earlier agitation, it seemed something had happened to Nancy.

At Elliana's question, Auntie Nan choked up immediately, lowering her eyes, her voice wavering: "My... daughter hasn't been in touch for over two years, no word at all. You're her only friend, Miss Lyle. I thought she might contact you."

"No, I haven't been able to contact Nancy for years either. Auntie Nan, do you know where she went?" Elliana's heart sank; how could there be no news for so long? Could something have happened?

Auntie Nan helplessly shook her head, cautiously took a piece of paper from the table, blew her nose heavily, and squeezed it in her hand.

Self-reproachfully, she lamented, "It's all my fault for being so incapable, unable to earn much money. My daughter said studying doesn't earn money and wanted to go out and find work." At this, Auntie Nan choked up again.

"Auntie Nan, don't cry~" Elliana hurried to hand Auntie Nan a tissue, her own heart wrenching as she urgently pursued: "Then what happened?"

Wiping away her tears, Auntie Nan continued, "At first, my daughter sent back 7,000 yuan every month. After half a year, she texted me saying she was going abroad, and then, nothing else."

Knock, knock.

"Miss Lyle, it's Xiaofang, your breakfast is here." A voice sounded from outside the door, interrupting Elliana's next question.

Elliana said, "Come in."

Xiaofang set down the breakfast, bowed slightly, and left, calming Auntie Nan's emotions somewhat.

"Auntie Nan, have some porridge first, then we'll talk." Elliana pushed the shrimp and winter melon porridge towards Auntie Nan, smiling gently.

She knew Auntie Nan probably hadn't had breakfast yet, having waited here since early morning to see her.

Indeed, Auntie Nan was starving, saying thank you before devouring the porridge ravenously.

"Careful, it's hot!"

Watching Auntie Nan now made Elliana feel sad. She remembered the last time she visited Nancy's home; Auntie Nan was still young then, though her hands were full of calluses, she didn't look old.

Now, Auntie Nan's face was etched with wrinkles, her hair much whiter. In just three years, she had become so haggard.

Nancy's family situation was pitiful, with only a mother farming to support her studies. Nancy was both proud and insecure, never allowing others to assist her, including Elliana.

"Auntie Nan, did Nancy tell you which country she went to?" Elliana asked before taking a bite of the small dumpling.

"I don't know, my daughter wouldn't tell me anything, just left a text message."

Auntie Nan then hurriedly took an old-fashioned button phone from her frayed canvas bag, excitedly showing it to Elliana: "Miss Lyle, look, it's this one."

Taking the phone, Elliana read: Mom, I'm going abroad, I've sent you 100,000 yuan, don't try to find me.

Just a few simple words, no clues. Returning the phone to Auntie Nan, Elliana said, "Auntie Nan, I'll help you look into it, and I'll call you if there's news."

Taking out her phone, she added, "Give me your number."

"Okay, okay, thank you." Auntie Nan trusted Elliana deeply, believing that for wealthy people, everything was easier, which is why she was determined to find Elliana.