She went straight from the hospital to Sinclair & Klein to work overtime, organizing Mark’s case materials in preparation for filing a workplace injury claim when the Department for Work and Pensions opened on Monday. After working all afternoon, she’d completely forgotten her promise to see Asher in the evening. When Asher called, Kimberly was still reviewing case documents.

“Kimmy, where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”

“What?” Kimberly snapped back to reality. “Oh! I forgot to tell you, I’m working late at the office.”

“Working late?” Asher sounded puzzled. “Weren’t you shopping with Charlotte and Victoria?”

Kimberly tilted her head, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear while typing. “No. I received an urgent case and had to rush back to work.”

“Have you eaten?” Asher asked.

“Not yet.”

“I’ll come pick you up for dinner. The work can wait until tomorrow—it’s getting quite late.”

Kimberly glanced at the time in the corner of her computer screen. “All right, I’m at the firm. You can come directly here.”

Asher replied, “Good. Wait for me. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

“Mmm.”

After hanging up, Kimberly leaned back in her office chair, staring absently at the case materials on her screen. Mark’s case wasn’t particularly complex, and the chances of winning were high. But judging by the factory’s attitude, they would certainly be reluctant to pay compensation. This was a labor dispute, which meant the first step was labor arbitration. After arbitration, if the factory contested the decision, they could still file a lawsuit. The litigation process was complicated and lengthy. Although the final outcome would most likely be favorable, Mark couldn’t afford to wait. He needed the money for treatment, and Teresa needed it too. Today Kimberly had covered their medical expenses, but that was far from enough. Given the siblings’ current situation, even their basic daily needs were an issue.

She rubbed her temples and called the person in charge of a charitable foundation. She donated fifty thousand pounds to the foundation, instructing them to focus on helping the Bormen siblings. Then she transferred another sum to Lucy, asking her to find a cook specifically responsible for preparing three meals a day for the siblings.

Lucy excitedly called back.

“Twenty thousand pounds! That’s twenty thousand! Ms. Jordan! Not two thousand, but twenty thousand!” Lucy exclaimed. “Hiring a cook doesn’t require nearly that much!”

Kimberly’s tone remained even. “Their three daily meals and the cook’s salary from this money. I’ve already taken care of their medical expenses. You can use the rest to buy them clothes, shoes, and daily necessities. In any case, thank you for your help.”

Lucy was nearly crying with excitement. “Ms. Jordan, you’re truly an angel! Thank you on their behalf. You must be a saint!”

Kimberly felt a pang in her heart and sighed. “This is all I can do.”

Lucy quickly replied, “It’s more than enough! You’ve already done so much!”

“I hope it helps them…

Meanwhile, Asher had driven barely five minutes toward the law firm when he received a call from the manager at his facility.

“Sir, there’s an emergency! Something’s happened to Vanessa!”

Asher frowned, his tone cold. “What’s happened?”

Kimberly finished organizing the case materials and shut down her computer. By the time she went downstairs, it was already half past eight. She waited for a while before Asher called. Kimberly answered.

“Where are you?”

“I’m sorry, Kimmy. I can’t pick you up tonight. Please go home first—I have an urgent matter to handle.”

Kimberly asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s difficult to explain quickly. I’ll tell you in person when I come to see you after I’ve dealt with this.”

“All right then.”

After hanging up, Kimberly went to the underground car park. She still hadn’t had dinner and was feeling quite hungry. She drove to a nearby restaurant and had a quick meal before returning to her building at around ten o’clock. Kimberly parked her car and pressed the lift button. At her door, just as she unlocked it with her fingerprint, she heard someone call her name from behind.

“Kimberly.”

It was Drake. He stood in the hallway wearing a dark gray coat, his features handsome, with a faint smile on his face. Looking rather presentable, actually.

Seeing Drake suddenly appear, Kimberly frowned. “Drake, what are you doing here?”

Instead of answering, Drake asked, “Where were you today? Why are you coming home so late?”

Kimberly’s frown deepened. “How is that any of your business?”

Drake shrugged. “Just concerned about you.”

“Not necessary.”

Kimberly didn’t want to say another word to him and pushed open her door to enter.

“Kimberly, do you know where Asher is tonight?”

Kimberly paused mid-step.

Drake’s voice continued from behind her: “He’s with Vanessa Miller right now.”

Seeing Kimberly stop, a triumphant gleam flashed in Drake’s eyes. He continued slowly: “He didn’t tell you? Well, of course not. How could he possibly tell you he was meeting Vanessa?”

Kimberly turned around, looking up at him. “Drake, did you come here just to stir up trouble with these absurd insinuations? Do you honestly think I’d believe you?”

Drake curved his lips into a smile, appearing quite pleased with himself.

“I know you won’t believe me.” He took out his phone and opened a recording. “Listen to this before you decide.”

“Asher, I truly nearly gave up on living. Do you know that throughout this terrible month, you were my only hope for survival? Just thinking of you gave me the courage to go on. Every day I told myself I had to persevere. I had to live to escape that place. Only by living could I see you again. If I died, I would never see you again. Asher, please, I beg you, stay with me a little while. I’m nearly mad with it all. Every time I close my eyes, I see those monsters violating me. The pain in my heart is a thousand times worse than any physical pain… Won’t you talk with me a bit longer? Even if you just scold me… Don’t go, don’t leave me, don’t… I truly… truly wanted to see you so badly… You are the only light in my life!”

It was Vanessa’s voice. The more Kimberly listened, the tighter her chest felt. She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white, her expression shifting noticeably.

Drake moved closer, bending slightly to meet her eyes. “Asher never told you that Vanessa was abducted over a month ago, did he? You probably thought she was still in detention awaiting trial?”

“What did you say?” Kimberly’s eyes widened in disbelief, her voice rising.

Her reaction satisfied Drake. He’d guessed correctly. The Blackwood family had indeed suppressed the news, and Kimberly knew nothing about Vanessa being abducted. Drake felt quite pleased. He straightened up, his tall frame of over six feet looming over Kimberly imposingly.

Drake’s eyes held a mocking light. “Come on, you really think that woman chased after Asher for ten years and he felt absolutely nothing? Ha! Kimberly, you’re still so naive. You…