Chapter 557


    Fidelia''s eyes held abyrinth of emotions as she gazed at me, a mixture of doubt and confusion swirling within them as if


    questioning my words yet cloaked in bewilderment.


    | hastened to reassure her, "Fidelia, you don''t have to be afraid. Whatever you tell me today, | promise it won''t leave this room.


    Hannah can vouch for that."


    She nced at Hannah, who nodded solemnly, affirming, "I''ll vouch. We can both keep a secret."


    | added, "And if you''re in any trouble, I''ll help you out. Who''s there to fear?"


    With my words, Fidelia suddenly threw herself into my arms, sobbing uncontrobly.


    It was clear that a weight had been bearing down on her heart for quite some time, exining her usually somber demeanor.


    This wasn''t her nature after all.


    | didn''t say anything more, just held her tightly and gently patted her back, offering encouragement andfort.


    After a long while, she had cried herself out and, sniffing, shyly confessed to me, "I didn''t dare speak up because | was afraid


    they''d hit me."


    Her admission took me aback, and Hannah furrowed her brow in concern as she met my gaze.


    | immediately asked with grave seriousness, "Hit you? Who''s been hitting you? Did they really hit you?"


    Fidelia nodded through her tears, "Yes, they hit me on the head."


    Anger red in Hannah as she snapped, "Who did this? Tell me, and | will handle it."


    Fidelia looked at Hannah, still sniffling.


    "Don''t just look at me and | can throw a punch, ask Aaliyah if you don''t believe me." She gestured towards me, seeking my


    confirmation.


    | quickly nodded, "Absolutely, Hannah has got your back."


    Then, eager for more details, | pressed on, "When did this happen? Where? And who did it?"This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    My barrage of questions seemed to assure Fidelia that | was genuinely upset about her being hit, and she felt safe enough to


    divulge a shocking secret.


    | never would''ve guessed that a casual outing for a bite to eat with Fidelia could unravel so many mysteries I''d longed to solve.


    After hearing Hannah''s and my assurances, Fidelia looked at me with determination and said, " Uncle Jesper had someone hit


    me.


    "Uncle Jesper?" | echoed in disbelief, "You mean Jesper Dawson?"


    She nodded firmly, "Yes, him."


    "Why would he do that? When did this happen?"


    "It was back in Silverdale City. Uncle Jesper called me out of the blue. He asked me to take photos of your house, Oldtown


    Avenue, the little courtyard, and the Wood Manor. He wanted detailed shots."


    | suddenly understood; the photos in Fidelia''s phone were requested by Jesper.


    Fidelia continued with a frown, "| asked him why, and he said he just wanted to see what your ce looked like and told me not


    to tell anyone, not Monique, and Probert."


    “Are you sure it was Jesper?" | asked, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.


    It seemed he was indeed up to no good.


    Unable to wait, Hannah prodded, "And then what happened?"


    "Then he told me to go to the


    backyard and gave me a little button


    to ce in Grand a ales stud).


    askedyiatit inte and that''s when


    they hit me on the head for asking


    questions." Fidelia''s face paled as


    she recounted the event, evidently


    still terrified. Please read the original


    content at .


    "What kind of button?" Hannah inquired further.


    Fidelia mimed the size, "Like this, round and about this big."


    Hannah and | exchanged knowing looks, both surprised and indignant.


    With a scowl, Hannah mmed her


    hand on the table, "| kn st Woehihe


    owed upan silierddte ity, he was


    upto no good, using a child to nt a


    bug." Please read the original content


    at .


    Fidelia quickly interjected, her voice


    laced with anxiety, "At first, | sel


    want to do it, butyale esper found


    day araalthheatened to send someone


    to Grandpa Galen''s house to do it


    themselves. | got scared and just did


    it." Please read the original content at


    .


    "Where did you put it?" | asked, studying her closely.


    She fidgeted with her fingers, unable to meet my eyes, and murmured, "I hid it in the sofa cushion in the living room."


    She stepped forward, eager to exin, "Auntie Aaliyah, | didn''t want to do it, but | was scared they''d hit you, they were so


    menacing."


    "| understand. You''re not to me, Fidelia. You did the right thing protecting us." | praised her.


    But inside, a quiet rm bell was ringing.