After what felt like an eternity, though it was only about three minutes, he turned to the person in the front row and said, "Check the surveince footage." "Yes, Mr. Haskins."


    Zoey was unaware she was being watched. When she got home, she started to remove her makeup. Her phone rang; it was the school calling. They informed her that the child of a major investor in Zion City had been confirmed to attend their preschool, and they were inviting teachers interested in the opportunity to fill out an application form. The form required a detailed ount of family history up to three generations.


    "Ms. March, you can''t fabricate any of this. The Education Office will cross-check. It''s not easy for anyone to get in here, and I know this is a golden opportunity. I''ve said the same to every teacher-it''s a fairpetition."


    "I''ve sent the form to every teacher''s email. Have it filled out and submitted by nine tonight."


    Zoey wasn''t interested in the first ce, so she quickly replied.


    "I''m sorry, but I was in a car ident four years ago, and I''ve been a bit slower ever since. I''d rather not apply."


    "Ms. March, are you sure? If the investor likes you, they might just gift you a townhouse."


    "I''m sure. I won''t apply. Thanks anyway."


    "Alright then. You wouldn''t believe how fiercely the other teachers are fighting for this opportunity."


    Zoey didn''t respond, managing only a few nomittal words before hanging up.


    That evening, she had ns to go out for dinner with her friend Henry. After applying a face mask, she grabbed her purse and stepped out, only to notice a new, unmistakably expensive luxury car parked not far from her home. She checked the time, waiting for Henry.


    Inside the car, Fitch gripped the steering wheel so tightly his fingertips began to tremble. His mind had been besieged by waves of emotion since the moment his assistant showed him the surveince footage confirming the woman was indeed Zoey. Everything about her was identical.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Further investigation revealed that Zoey had returned to the city four years ago. Exactly four years-a curious coincidence. He had tried to get more information from Greenfield, but Rachel''s contacts were tight-lipped, refusing to divulge any details. He couldn''t believe he had been deceived for four years!


    With a forceful press of the elerator, Fitch''s car screeched to a halt in front of Zoey. Startled, Zoey took a step back as the window rolled down, revealing a familiar face with furrowed brows.


    Fitch''s lips pursed, struggling to


    release a coherent sentence. He wanted to ask why she left him, why she left their child, and why she chose to live alone in this small town. He was yearning to know if she wasfortable here, if she understood the local ent, and just how much pain he had caused her for her to prefer hiding away here rather than returning home.


    Before he could finish, Zoey frowned and said, "Hello, are you lost? Looking for Rainbow Vi? You must be from out of town."


    His silence was immediate; the utter


    strangeness in her eyes wasn''t feigned. She didn''t remember him. Zoey had been asked for directions before Rainbow Vi was a well-known historical district in Zion City popr among tourists. She


    assumed the driver was just another visitor.


    Fitch stepped out of the car and stood before her, causing her to step


    back with caution. Right then, Henry''s car arrived, pulling in behind Fitch''s vehicle. Seeing Henry, Zoey breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to him.


    "Henry."


    Henry nodded, pulling out a tissue to dab at the sweat on her forehead. "Sorry I''m a few minuteste. What''s the matter? Are you hot?"


    Zoey couldn''t exin her unease, only that the sight of the man had triggered a strong sense of rm.


    "I''m fine."


    Henry nced past her at Fitch. They had just met that morning. Nodding politely, he greeted, "Mr. Haskins."


    Fitch watched Henry tend to Zoey, saw how rxed she was with him, and how she seemed like a spiky hedgehog around himself. Suddenly, he found himself speechless, his fingers stiffening at his side. As a major client, Henry felt obliged to offer a few courteous words.


    "Mr. Haskins, there are plenty of fun ces to explore in Zion City. If you need, I could show you around."


    It was a polite offer, one that most would brush off with a chuckle, but Fitch looked up, his gaze sharp and intense.


    "How about right now? Are you two free?"