Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 265

"We haven't found her yet. Actually, when we left the police station at noon, Alan already started his search, but we were still a step behind. She's already on the run."

Ines' eyes held a hint of scorn. "She sure knows how to make a quick escape."

"The police have pulled the surveillance footage from the neighborhood. She left at around seven, and there was a man waiting for her not far off."

"Who?"

"Ines, you know him too. You and Phoebe have had your eye on him before. It's Shirley's ex- husband, Carlos." Ethan stated casually.

Ines scoffed. Of all people, Shirley had to team up with a desperado like Carlos. This was definitely not going to end well for her.

Emma's lips trembled slightly as she hesitantly asked, "Isn't he still in jail? How could they have gotten back in touch? My mom has always hated that man, saying he ruined her happiness. How could she possibly be involved with him again?"

Seeing Emma's reaction, Ines realized that Shirley hadn't told her. "Shirley didn't tell you, did she? Carlos was out of jail a long time ago. They've been in contact multiple times secretly. We wouldn't have even reopened the investigation into your background if their meeting hadn't been discovered."

Emma lowered her head in anguish, and Ines decided not to press on.

Picking up where he left off, Ethan said, "The police have thoroughly checked all exits and entrances of A City, but they haven't found any trace of them. There are three possibilities: one,

they used someone else's ID; two, they bought bus tickets to the countryside, which don't require ID; or three, they're still in A City."

Emma interjected, "Could they have bought tickets to my hometown?"

Ethan shook his head. "They wouldn't be that reckless. Going back to their hometown would just expose them."

Ines frowned, also thinking that Emma's guess was unlikely. How could Shirley possibly choose to go back to her hometown at this time? It’s still managable if she was still in A City, but the countryside was too vast. If she found a secluded place, it would be really hard to find her.

Seeing Ines' worry, Ethan reassured her, "Don't worry. She's used to her cushy life in A City, she would never accept going back to her old life. Plus, she took a lot of money. If she started splurging in the countryside, it would raise suspicions quickly. The police have issued a nationwide warrant and distributed all her information to all points of entry and exit. She can't leave the country; we're just waiting for her to walk into our trap."

Ines sighed, "I never thought we'd encounter such an overbearing and shameless woman."

"The bank also sent us an update. Shirley took Emma's ID and all valid documents. The money withdrawal process was all legal, and the money that's already been taken out cannot be retrieved. The bank doesn't take responsibility for this. But they've frozen Shirley's account based on evidence provided by the police. There's only a few bucks left in it, and the rest has been withdrew by her." Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Emma felt a cold chill in her heart. She never thought she'd be betrayed by her own mother like this.

Seeing Emma's reaction, Ines couldn't help asking, "Do you still have money?"

Emma didn't respond, prompting Ines to press harder, "Be honest, you can't hide it from me."

Emma didn't deny it, and simply said, "I only have money in my salary card right now. But it's almost the start of the month. The rent from the shops dad left me will come in soon. I can support myself."

Ines knew that the locations of Hunter's shops were all prime real estate, and they could generate a significant income every month. Emma should be able to get by, just not as lavishly as before. Knowing Emma's pride, she wouldn't accept her help, so Ines didn't offer, simply saying, "Once I'm done with some of my business, I'll transfer 10% of my shares back to you."

Emma looked at Ines in surprise, not expecting her to so generously give back the shares she'd already acquired. But under the current circumstances, she couldn't bring herself to accept, "I don't want them. I can support myself."

"It's not me giving them to you. It's what dad's latest will says. It's for Jasmine. I don't want to take advantage of you. You can hold onto them for her. But you need to keep it a secret. Don't let anyone from the Ramos family know, or it might cause a fight. And don't touch the properties and shops in your name easily. A City is only so big; the appreciation potential for real estate is still huge."

As long as the Galeana Group didn't go bankrupt and can distribute dividends normally every year, 15% of the shares was already a lot. Even if she fell out with Aiden in the future, this would be enough for her and her daughter to live on.

This must have been what dad originally intended. He left Emma a bunch of properties and shops that would appreciate in value without any effort, and gave most of the shares to Ines, but also left Emma some. This was all to ensure her livelihood. She hadn't thought about it deeply these past few days, but now that she thought about it, this arrangement was really meticulous. Fatherly love was so vast and deep, he'd considered everything so carefully.

Listening to Ines' words, despite her harsh tone, Emma could feel her concern and felt a bit of warmth in her heart. She felt a bitter taste in her nose. At this moment, the ones by her side were

the people she once despised the most. It was them who rushed to her side the moment they heard about her misfortune, planning for her future. In contrast, her husband hadn't even shown up yet.

Busy, could he be busier than Ethan and Ines? It was just that he didn't care enough. Emma didn't say a word. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she wouldn't be able to stop the tears. It was only now that she realized how deeply she'd misunderstood them before.