As Tina had predicted, Jasper was released soon. Shortly after his release, the police issued a statement confirming that Jasper had no involvement in Natalie’s death. Regarding Willow, extensive investigations revealed no suspicious activity on her part either. Despite the police announcement,izens remained unconvinced. Many posts circted online, asserting that while Jasper and Willow were not murderers, their affair was real, and Jasper’s betrayal of Natalie was undeniable. The online discussion about this matter remained fervent, causing Jasper and Willow’s reputations to plummet.


    Logan only learned about Lily being Jasper’s daughter the following afternoon. Being older and rarely online, he had spent the previous day on an outdoor excursion with an old friend. The Farrell family members naturally didn’t bother him with the news. By the time he returned, the inte was abuzz with the story, making it impossible for Logan to remain unaware. Furious, he stormed into the nursing home and scolded Muff thoroughly. Muff was so berated that he nearly passed out! Still seething, Logan then returned to Whispering Pines to reprimand Jasper and dered he would not attend Lily’s banquet. After venting his anger, he went back to the nursing home.


    Upon arrival, Logan discovered his room had been ransacked-everything was gone, even the bed! Enraged, Muff roared, “Logan Farrell! You old coot! Why doesn’t lightning strike you down?!”Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Two dayster, the online criticism of Jasper and Willow subsided somewhat. Jasper frequently visited the hospital to see Lily. Except for Juliet, Damian, and Griffin, other members of the Reed family became noticeably less enthusiastic toward Tina; they would only exchange superficial greetings without further conversation. Tina didn’t mind their attitude at all.


    Tina found a teacher for Zackary-Velma! Initially, she nned to ask Professor Lininger for help finding a teacher for Zackary. However, Professor Lininger had gone to personally fetch Amy from the mountains after Carson’s background was rified. Amy was Ethan’s childhood friend and Professor Lininger’s adopted daughter. After graduating, she volunteered to teach in remote areas for twenty years. Given that her teaching location was several thousand kilometers from Ashbury, Professor Lininger felt uneasy letting her travel alone and decided to apany her back.


    Moreover, Carson had left for an academicpetition abroad a month ago and was just preparing to return. With Amy and Carson reuniting with Ethan and Professor Lininger busy with these matters, Tina thought it best to find a kind-hearted teacher to guide Zackary through his psychological trauma from multiple incidents since moving from Ensford to Ashbury. Velma volunteered enthusiastically upon hearing this.


    Tina agreed without hesitation since Velma was not only top of her ss but also had a good temperament. Tina felt reassured having Velma teach Zackary.


    Just as Tina settled Zackary in, Jared called. “Tina, I’ve arrived,” Jared’s warm voice carried a unique charm.


    Tina responded affirmatively and headed out. Jared’s car was parked at Whispering Pines’ entrance-it was still that inconspicuous sedan. She opened the door and was about to fasten her seatbelt when Jared beat her to it.


    As he leaned closer to secure her seatbelt, a faint scent of tobo wafted from him-not unpleasant at all. Tina nced at him sideways, “Has Vivienne arrived?”


    Vivienne had previously invited her to an art exhibition; though Tina wasn’t particrly interested in art exhibitions, she agreed out of respect for Logan. Originally scheduled for a few days ago, the exhibition had been postponed due to unforeseen events.


    “Yes,” Jared replied as he started the car in a neutral tone. “She went with Walter.”


    Tina paused momentarily, “Walter too?”


    “The exhibition is organized by Walter,” Jared exined calmly.


    “He’s quite artistic!” Tina remarked with a smile.


    Jared chuckled softly, “They’ve been restlesstely.”


    Raising an eyebrow, Tina teased, “So Uncle Jared wants me to help you fight monsters?”


    Jared cleared his throat lightly before continuing seriously, “Tina, someone within the Farrell family is still hiding in the shadows; I haven’t identified them yet.”


    Tina’s lips curled slightly upward, “Understood.”


    They fell silent after that.


    Soon enough, they arrived at the art gallery where Vivienne and Walter were already waiting outside.


    Seeing them approach, Vivienne greeted them warmly with a smile, “Jared, Tina! You’re here?”


    Walter merely nced at Jared and Tina with evident impatience and didn’t bother greeting them.


    “Let’s go inside,” Jared responded coolly before leading Tina into the gallery without much expression.


    Watching their retreating figures made Vivienne’s eyes narrow briefly before she quicklyposed herself and followed them inside. Naturally, Walter trailed behind as well.


    Inside the gallery


    The gallery was exquisitely decorated; some paintings on the walls were clearly valuable at first nce. Vivienne soon encountered some acquaintances and went over to greet them while Walter left temporarily to handle some matters as the gallery owner.


    This left only Jared and Tina together.


    As they walked deeper into the gallery ncing at various paintings along their way Tina asked Jared curiously “Are all these painted by him?”


    Had she been out of touch with society for too long? She recognized several paintings on these walls but remembered different artists’ names instead of Walter’s!


    “Some are by artists he’s signed contracts with; a small portion is his own work,” Jared pointed towards a nearby disy case indicating specific pieces “Mostly those over there.”


    Following his direction towards those rather unsophisticated artworks made Tina’s eyebrows twitch slightly in disbelief “That’s definitely his style!”


    Jared smirked “Indeed.”


    Continuing forward without much interest in these less refined pieces suddenly caught someone’s discussion “This painting is truly remarkable; I think it’s worth collecting more than any other here.”


    “Why isn’t there an artist’s name? I wanted tomission another piece from them.”


    “Can we specify which artist? I’d like one too!”


    Intrigued by what could attract such attention amidst these mediocre works Tina walked over followed closely by Jared.


    Stopping before one particr painting, she froze staring intensely radiating an aura of hostility. And noticing something unusual about it, Jared looked up narrowing his eyes too.


    Indeed, its quality stood out among others. Despite being just simple silhouette, the painting conveyed profound solitude through itsposition and colors but what truly shocked them both-the subject depicted within unmistakably resembled Natalie!