Chapter 1316


    Phelps paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.


    "What do you mean?"


    "The Sanders family''s youngest daughter is an imposter. Augus entrusted Ian to help find the real girl,


    and now that Ian''s gone, the job of finding this little princess has fallen to me."


    He looked down, casually pulling out a cigarette and offering it to Phelps.


    As Phelps reached out to take it, Fitch narrowed his eyes slightly.


    "Phelps, we''ve known each other for years, and I never knew you smoked."


    Phelps chuckled, lighting the cigarette with a practiced ease and cing it between his lips.


    "Picked up the habit overseas, just an asional thing since the surgery."


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    Fitch lit one up himself, his gaze heavy with concern.


    "Being a doctor is indeed exhausting. Seems like you barely get any break, and when a patient dies on


    the operating table, their family can cause quite a scene at the hospital. Hassle."


    "Have you picked up any leads on the Sanders family''s girl?"


    "Tough as nails. It''s a two-decade-old case. Thedy of the house was pregnant and got separated


    from Augus. When she showed up again, she was cradling a daughter and immediately headed back


    to North America with Augus. All records, gone. I can''t shake the feeling that she''s at the heart of this,


    but Augus doesn''t seem keen on stirring the pot."


    Phelps'' expression remained neutral. As a doctor, high society gossip was the least of his concerns.


    Fitch shared with him because they were friends, and Phelps was tight-lipped by nature. His social


    media was squeaky clean, reserved for his close friends.


    Phelps flicked his cigarette into the trash.


    Fitch still wasn''tfortable seeing him smoke and offered another one.


    "Have another. I''ll have a word with Tyler about your smokingter."


    Phelps pushed the cigarette back.


    "One''s enough. I''ll be at the hospital if you need me for anything."


    Fitch nodded, finishing his smoke and taking his leave.


    His subordinate followed closely. As they sat in the car outside the hospital, Fitch considered calling


    Ian''s team.


    But it had been less than three days since Ian and Eric were forced abroad. The higher-ups were still


    monitoring hismunications.


    Rubbing his temples, Fitch felt the weight of an unprecedented challenge.


    Looking at the cigarette pack, he suddenly ordered, "Investigate all hospitals within a 300-mile radius


    where the Sandersdy wasst seen."


    The subordinate circled a region on theputer.


    "Sir, the area is marked. It covers several towns."


    Fitch leaned back, gazing through the sunroof.


    "Dig deeper. Check for any mass resignations within the hospitals around two decades ago. Narrow


    down our search."


    "Right away, sir."


    Fitch''s eyes held a steely determination. Whether twenty years ago or today, a doctor''s job was seen


    as a secure lifeline. Mass resignations without major mishaps would be unusual unless someone


    wanted to cover something up.


    No matter who wanted to bury the past, Fitch was determined to unearth any remaining clues.


    "Sir, we''ve identified a key hospital. It''s the Solstice Hospital, over a hundred miles from Greenfield


    City."


    Fitch thought he misheard, his brow furrowing. "Where?"


    "Solstice Hospital. Two decades ago, eight people resigned on the same day, all from the same


    department. We''ve already reached out to those former employees."


    Fitch''s eyes narrowed, a coldugh escaping him.


    "Head to Crystalbrook Valley."


    The car steered towards Crystalbrook Valley as Fitch pulled up the files on Dn and Beck, scrutinizing


    their faces.


    Truth be told, the brothers didn''t look all that simr. They weren''t twins, each with distinct features.


    He zoomed in on Beck''s face, first covering everything below the eyes with his hand.


    For a long stretch, Fitch studied those eyes, his brow tightening.


    Then he covered the eyes, examining the lower half of the face.


    After erging Dn''s photo, he applied the same method, meticulously observing each feature.


    Their resemnce was subtle, more apparent when viewed closely. Together, they exuded an


    inexplicable harmony.


    After a half-hour, Fitch mmed theptop shut, his mind a tangled mess.


    Just then, Tyler called, asking where he was and why he wasn''t at the vi.


    "On the way to Crystalbrook Valley."


    "Damn, what''s with you all flocking to Crystalbrook Valley, that tiny ce? Ian''s been a few times, now


    you, and then there''s Maja, a local. Is it a ma or what?"


    A spark ignited in Fitch''s mind as he gripped the phone.


    Tyler awaited a response. "What''s up?"


    "Tyler, a story just crossed my mind."


    "What story?"


    "Nothing much. Should be back by next week."


    After hanging up, he was about to question the driver when suddenly, an immense collision came out of


    nowhere, sending their car tumbling down a nearby cliff.


    At the edge of the road, two figures emerged from another vehicle, exchanged a nce, and then


    watched as mes erupted from below.


    They retreated, pushing their car off the edge as well.


    Another burst of fire followed.


    With their taskplete, they vanished into the night, leaving no trace behind.