Clara kept her gaze fixed on his, her eyes unwavering, awaiting his answer.
Seeing her expression, Jonathan Goldsmiths broke into a broad, almost unsettling smile. "Because the young lady of the Haughan family is even more vicious than the monsters from the other night."
Clara frowned. Then she stood up. "I'm finished eating. If you'll excuse me, I'll withdraw first."
She walked straight to the extensive ornamental gardens, a lavish expanse fitting a wealthy estate. There, she approached Butler Reid. "Butler Reid," Clara began, her voice soft but direct, "I've been a daughter-in-law in the Goldsmiths family for three months now. Though not a long time, I've noticed that you seem to manage most of the household affairs, and Mr. Goldsmiths is far too busy for family matters. Back at the Haughan estate, I always had many things to occupy my time." Clara punctuated her words by plucking a flower.
"Madam! This servant regrets that you've been bored. Is there anything special you require?" Butler Reid asked, her tone gentle yet firm.
"I wish to visit my parents' home," Clara said, stopping her flower arranging. Her eyes, now determined, met Butler Reid's.
"Madam... this matter... needs to be discussed with Mr. Goldsmiths. Though he has met your parents before." Butler Reid hesitated slightly.
"Then please inform Jonathan Goldsmiths of this. Tell him I miss my parents' home and wish to visit for a few weeks. If he's uneasy, he can follow protocol and send someone to accompany me." Clara's implication of being "supervised" was clear.
"Understood," Butler Reid responded calmly, then gracefully withdrew, vanishing in a moment.
Clara was left alone amidst the beautiful, silent scenery. From the moment she had revived in this girl's body, Anna had never felt at ease. She realized Jonathan already knew of her intentions from the day she intruded into the East Wing. If she continued to feign ignorance of what had happened to him, it would be no different than pretending to be naive to deal with him. But he had said, "The young lady of the Haughan family is even more vicious than the monsters from the other night."
Perhaps she should return to the Haughan estate to investigate more information about the original Clara's past. Anna recalled having heard reviews that the novel's ending was very tragic.
Later, Clara returned to the Goldsmiths family living room. She observed her surroundings, noticing only a few representative photos of previous Goldsmiths generations, and one large portrait: a middle-aged man and a noble-looking woman seated on a sofa. Below it was a note: Mr. Jonathan Goldsmiths Sr. and Madam Olivia Goldsmiths (1975)
Clara then looked at her phone and searched for information about the Goldsmiths family, but only found news about business dealings, their legitimate corporate history, the family's philanthropic contributions to society... There was no mention of the family's dark crimes, no information about the monsters or the gene project. Clara then searched for information on the Haughan family and... Miss Haughan. But again, there was only generic information, such as: the Haughan family's restaurant business went bankrupt, Miss Haughan and the current head of the Goldsmiths family were soon to be married...
And yet, there was no more information about Clara Haughan herself. If there had been anything truly scandalous about her, it would have been splashed all over the news. So, where was the missing piece?
That evening, Jonathan Goldsmiths had an urgent engagement, so Clara dined alone. Midway through her meal, Butler Reid approached to announce:
"Madam, Mr. Goldsmiths has sent a gift to compensate for his absence these past times."
Initially, Clara imagined it would be something lavishly expensive, but when she opened the gift box, she was quite surprised. Inside was a simple grass bracelet adorned with a dull, silver-colored stone; it didn't appear to be an item of monetary value.
"Please don't be disheartened, Madam. This stone was a protective amulet for Mr. Goldsmiths throughout his childhood, right up to now. It was a stone Madam Olivia herself made for Mr. Goldsmiths as a lesson in resilience. While it may not hold material value, it carries immense sentimental worth. It is the driving force that has allowed Mr. Goldsmiths to uphold the Goldsmiths family's legacy to this day."
Clara couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. Her own impoverished life in her previous existence had taught her to cherish the smallest things. But if what Butler Reid said was true, it seemed Jonathan cherished his mother deeply. So why was she so rarely mentioned? Why did the media not clearly report on the mysterious disappearance of Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmiths Sr.? Was it possible that no one suspected anything?
Furthermore, Jonathan was now giving her this precious gift. Did this truly mean he temporarily had no intention of killing her? If so, it further solidified the idea that Clara Haughan was definitely connected to the Goldsmiths family's past or... their secrets. Otherwise, why would he choose the daughter of a restaurant merchant on the brink of bankruptcy instead of other young ladies from more prominent families?
"And also, Mr. Goldsmiths has agreed to allow you to visit your parents, Mr. and Mrs. Haughan. If you wish, you may depart at any time. However, the Goldsmiths family is wealthy and has many enemies, so Madam will be escorted by the Goldsmiths' guards."
"I will depart tomorrow. And there's no need for a grand send-off; I'm merely visiting my parents for a few weeks."
"Yes, Madam," Butler Reid bowed and then quietly vanished into the shadows.
The next morning, a Cadillac awaited at the grand gate of the Goldsmiths' mansion. Beside it, another black car was parked a short distance away. A total of nine guards would escort her this time.
The car slowly rolled forward. Clara looked back, and the Goldsmiths mansion gradually disappeared behind the distant tree line. The vehicle embarked on a journey that led through a dense forest, then wound around another valley. Here, the landscape transformed into a breathtaking expanse of rolling hills covered in vibrant wildflowers. Fields of lavender stretched as far as the eye could see, interspersed with splashes of brilliant buttercups and delicate Dutch irises, painting the valley in hues of purple, gold, and sapphire.
In her previous life, Clara had rarely witnessed such exquisite scenery, and she remained captivated, gazing intently out the car window. After some time, the convoy emerged from the forest and began to approach a town. It was a remarkably peaceful place, with lively coffee shops and quaint stores welcoming customers. She felt a sense of beauty here that surpassed even her real world. Though they had only traveled a few hours, she perceived this world as stunning as any setting she had ever seen in films. But it seemed the Haughan estate was farther than she thought, for the motorcade soon left the tranquil town to begin its ascent into the city.
The city was a stark contrast, brimming with towering skyscrapers that pierced the sky and numerous magnificent tourist attractions. She even caught glimpses of the government's powerful congressional building. The car finally arrived at a mansion located in the western part of the city. This was the Haughan family estate.