CHAPTER FOUR- Family Secrets and Pursuit of Truth

Back to Mr. Johnson and Daniel:

"So, you're set on leaving me behind, huh?" Mr. Johnson inquired.

"Dad, I have to go; I've already earned enough to stand on my own," Daniel responded.

"Your mom left me; now you're planning on leaving me too," Mr. Johnson said sadly.

"It's like you care for Mom. If you truly did, you shouldn't have betrayed her," Daniel retorted.

In frustration, Mr. Johnson slapped Daniel and sternly instructed him to refrain from mentioning things he knew little about.

"I'm still your dad, and I have the freedom to do as I like. Is that clear?" He shouted angrily.

In a fit of anger, Daniel stormed off to his room, packed his belongings, and left.

Katherine faced an abrupt termination at her workplace for unknown reasons. A wealthy benefactor had paid for her resignation letter, leaving her perplexed. Thoughts raced through her mind as she pondered, "Who would pay for my resignation, and why?"

Shortly after, her phone rang.

"Yeah! Who am I speaking with?" she asked curiously.

"I'm Harry. I'm here to inform you that you're now employed at D&Co Uni-Sex Company; please report at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. Thank you," Harry conveyed.

"Wait. I'm sorry, I don't understand. Hello..." Katherine started, but before she could finish, Harry interrupted her.

"Have you sent her the appointment letter?" Daniel asked Harry.

"Yes, boss! She will start tomorrow. Boss, this isn't typical for you," Harry replied, displaying confusion and curiosity.

"And what's wrong with being myself?" Daniel inquired.

"She comes from a humble background; her dad passed away when she was young, and her bedridden mom relies on her. Yet, you're hiring her as your guard, and she's a woman," Harry pointed out.

"She's bold, courageous, hardworking, committed, and kind," Daniel explained, a smile forming on his face.

"It's been a while since I saw your bright smile, boss," Harry remarked.

"Yeah!" Daniel chuckled.

"Or could it be that you're in love?" Harry teased.

"What! In love with a servant?" Daniel denied it.

"Hmm, I see," Harry mumbled.

"It seems I've been too lenient lately," Daniel said, and he playfully chased Harry around, both of them laughing.

Mrs. Gwen reprimanded Joseph.

"How could you fail? Even after paying you a substantial ransom, you couldn't eliminate one person."Mrs. Gwen scolded angrily.

"I'm sorry, boss; I underestimated him. The gang I sent was too small," Joseph pleaded.

"Is someone protecting him?" Mrs. Gwen questioned.

"Yeah, the gang mentioned they were overwhelmed by a girl," Joseph admitted, feeling embarrassed.

"What! A girl? How humiliating," Mrs. Gwen expressed, clearly agitated.

"Sorry, boss! Next time, we won't fail," Joseph assured.

"For now, forget about that. I need you to find something for me," Mrs. Gwen said.

"What's that, boss?" Joseph inquired.

"There's this maid who witnessed me drugging Mrs. Johnson. I just got her location; I need you to take care of her. She's the only living witness we need to eliminate, and I want no mistakes," Mrs. Gwen instructed.

"Okay, boss! Send me the location via SMS," Joseph requested.

Mrs. Gwen promptly sent Joseph the location of Joanna, the nurse who had witnessed her tampering with the drip connected to Mrs. Johnson's arm.

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Joanna (Mrs. Johnson's maid), ever since she witnessed the killing of Mrs. Johnson and became an eyewitness, has lived a fugitive life.

Now feeling as if someone is stalking her, she, in addition to being an eyewitness, documented the events of 1999 in her diary.

Joanna was the one who wrote the first anonymous letter Daniel received regarding his mother's death.

In a letter sent anonymously to Daniel, Joanna expressed her sympathy: "I'm so sorry, young master; you're facing a lot of hardship, and all I can do is help you anonymously."

"If by chance I have the opportunity to meet, I have a lot to share with you regarding your mom, but forgive me, I'm being chased down," she lamented to herself.

Shortly afterward, she packed all her belongings and left the house she used as a hideout.

Upon leaving, Joseph and his gang arrived at the house, breaking in to kill her. Unfortunately for them, she was gone.

"Boss! I think she already knew we were coming; she just left," one of the gang members reported to Joseph.

"Shit!" Joseph shouted.

"Boss, what should we do?" Another gang asked.

"Let me call Mrs. Gwen and report to her," Joseph said.

"Boss! I think she sensed that we were coming; she's gone already. What's your command?" Joseph asked.

"She's a sensitive lady; for now, just stalk her and make sure you discover her new location, then finish her off!" Mrs. Gwen said.

"Ok, Boss! Consider it done," Joseph said, assuring Mrs. Gwen.

"Alright, guys, let's move back; only Jack should stalk her and find her new location, then notify me," Joseph said.

"Alright, boss!" Jack said.

The rest of the gang moved out with Joseph and left.

Mr. Johnson sat on a bench in his garden, preoccupied with what Daniel said and how he slapped him. "I shouldn't have laid my hands on him, he said, regretting his action. "But what did he mean by saying he's going through hardship?" Mr. Johnson asked himself.

Just then, Mrs. Gwen came and joined him in the garden.

"There you are, Mrs. Gwen said.

"Yeah!" Mr. Johnson replied.

"I heard Daniel has left, Mrs. Gwen said, dissimulating as if she cared about him.

"Yeah! I think I hurt him. Mr. Johnson said he was looking worried.

"I also felt sad when I heard he had left; he was such a wonderful son. Mrs. Gwen said, dissimulating.

"I distanced myself too much from him, and I regret that." Mr. Johnson said.

"He will surely come back; he's not abandoning you forever." Mrs.Gwen said she was trying to console Mr. Johnson.

"Thanks, dear. I know you've tried your best to care for him like a mother, but I hope you understand him." Mr. Johnson said he was trying to make Mrs. Gwen feel at ease.

Mrs. Gwen rests her head on Mr. Johnson's shoulder, and Mr. Johnson pats her gently.