Yvette set down her coffee cup, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. Her fingers were long and well-defined. Her voice, low and deep, was exceptionally pleasing as she said, “What did you find out? Was my mother’s disappearance related to Nellie? Or to the Smith family?”
Zachary fell silent, lost in memory, his eyes filled with regret and pain. After a long moment, he scoffed and said, “You’re right; the past was complicated. When I met your mother, she appeared in Seacrity seemingly out of nowhere, without parents or relatives. Our love was intense and passionate, but fraught with obstacles. Your grandfather vehemently opposed someone with Lilian’s unknown past marrying into the Chambers family. I was prepared to leave the Chambers family to be with her, planning to settle down elsewhere. But the day before our departure, Lilian told me she was pregnant. I thought that with a child on the way, your grandfather would finally agree to our marriage, but he didn't. He tricked me back home and confined me for half a month. Lilian and I lost contact. Later, he inexplicably released me and agreed to our marriage, stipulating we could be together after the child’s birth. Overjoyed, I failed to notice something was amiss with Lilian.”
Zachary buried his face in his hands, his eyes red, temples bulging with agitation. “If I hadn’t been so naive, or trusted my father… Lilian wouldn’t have disappeared so mysteriously, ending up dead in a foreign land.”
He looked up at Yvette, who remained expressionless, and then calmed himself. He gave a wry smile. “I was too ecstatic. I didn’t notice the unease and determination in Lilian’s eyes. Your grandfather only required that I join Chambers Group for us to marry. After joining, I worked day and night, seeing her less and less. Her pregnancy progressed. Now I think about it, he probably did it on purpose, to tie me down with work. In her fifth month, she vanished without a trace, leaving no note. I searched frantically for half a year, finding nothing. I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. You know what happened next. Nellie used drugs to seduce me and tricked your grandfather into marrying her, presenting another man's child. He was wise, yet made that one mistake. I knew long ago Zeke and Winona weren't my children. I’d decided against more children after Lilian’s pregnancy, secretly undergoing a vasectomy without telling anyone, not even Lilian. I originally suspected your grandfather had sent Lilian away.”
Yvette’s expression changed. Her eyes darkened as she said, “What happened next?”
Zachary shook his head. “It wasn’t your grandfather. After Nellie married into the family, I found a piece of paper with a distinctive mark among your mother’s belongings. It took me a long time to trace its origin.”
Yvette’s dark gaze intensified. “Where?”
Zachary hesitated. He didn't want Yvette involved, but knew she would investigate regardless. After a struggle, he revealed his years-long investigation. “Yvette, are you aware of the country’s three major labs? The physics labs are the most secretive, under the highest national security, holding the nation’s top secrets. This symbol is from a physics lab. They once had a branch in Seacrity. I suspect Lilian’s disappearance is connected to this lab. Your mother was always enigmatic, seemingly burdened by secrets. Nellie used a child to marry into the Chambers family. I opposed it initially, but overheard her mentioning Lilian’s name on a call to a stranger. I only caught fragments, but I’m sure Nellie was involved. Few know that the head of the physics lab, Rashad Pollard, was close comrades with Nellie’s father, Dennis. The Smith family invested in a project at the lab, undisclosed and highly classified. I couldn’t find any information. That’s why I married Nellie, hoping for clues, but found none.”
Zachary’s face was grim. State-owned labs were inaccessible to them. “If someone could access one of the major labs, maybe the truth could be uncovered… why would Lilian leave Seacrity five months pregnant?”
Yvette lowered her eyes, a chilling aura surrounding her. “I will find out.” She stood and left.
Zachary watched her go, motionless.
Back in her dorm, Yvette went to the balcony, casually dialing a number. “Move the company to Betrico in the second half of the year.” She hung up without waiting for a reply.
Looking out at the city traffic, her eyes blazed with rebellious defiance. A physics lab… this is getting interesting.
The next day, newspapers were filled with headlines about the previous night's events at the Chambers residence. Winona’s scandal, Yvette’s identity as Cyanbird, and Zachary’s divorce from Nellie were public knowledge. At school, Yvette was met with furtive glances and whispers.
The revelation that Yvette was Cyanbird was shocking. Even those unfamiliar with her quickly learned of her influence in the art world. A renowned artist attending Argrol University, eating in the cafeteria, seemed surreal. Someone of her stature should be at five-star restaurants, not a college campus.
The university forum buzzed with activity, threads about Yvette overflowing with compliments. Yvette remained unfazed. She went to the cafeteria, bought bread and orange juice, and attended class. Unbeknownst to her, her simple breakfast items sold out instantly, dubbed “the big shot’s meal.”