Jack was halfway to his destination when he realized he had forgotten some documents. He returned home, only to witness a scene he didn't expect.
He caught a glimpse from a distance, unsure if it was Elizabeth he saw.
Filled with conflicting emotions, Jack returned home. As he walked through the door, he immediately asked Sophia, "Mom, is Elizabeth at home?"
Sophia replied, "Elizabeth went out just now. I initially wanted to accompany her, but she didn't seem too keen."
She sighed inwardly, thinking Elizabeth still wasn't close enough to them.
Jack's face darkened immediately. So, he hadn't been mistaken earlier?
Whose car was that? Had Elizabeth been deceived?
Or...?
Seeing his disturbed expression, Sophia asked, "Why are you wearing this expression?"
Jack hesitated for a moment before brushing her off, "I was thinking about work."
Sophia was not interested in Jack's work and was about to turn her attention back to her soap opera when Jack spoke again.
"Mom, you can't always indulge Elizabeth. There are things that you should regulate."
Sophia took a sip of her lemon water to cool down before leisurely saying, "You know, Jack, I've been thinking. It's okay if you don't come back."
Jack was speechless and confused.
He was being disapproved of, not only by his sister but now by his own mother.
At a loss for words, he muttered softly, "I wish Elizabeth could learn a thing or two from Linda."
Sophia frowned, wanting to say something but realizing her strong-willed eldest son might not take it in.
"Elizabeth is a good girl. I know you're concerned and want the best for her, but you also have to consider whether your methods are appropriate."
"Don't worry, I know my limits."
Jack was noncommittal as he turned to go upstairs for his forgotten documents.
Sophia sighed, realizing that Jack had not taken her words to heart.
When Elizabeth first went missing, Sophia was devastated. Despite a long search, she couldn't find her.
Later, for various reasons, Sophia adopted Linda, but she never gave up looking for Elizabeth.
After finally finding her, Jack couldn't stop meddling.
Sophia understood Jack's concerns. After all, Elizabeth had not grown up with him, so misunderstandings were inevitable. However, sometimes even Sophia felt that Jack was too prejudiced.
Compared to Jack's high expectations for Elizabeth, Sophia just wanted Elizabeth to be happy.
Jack went upstairs, just as Linda was coming out of her room.
Upon seeing Jack, Linda paused and then quickly looked down as if afraid he might notice something.
"Are you sick? You look pale. Have you seen a doctor?" Jack inquired.
"I'm not sick. I'm just a bit tired," Linda responded and her tone was laced with guilt.
She had originally planned to teach Elizabeth a lesson, nothing serious—just to scare her off a bit.
Unfortunately, the ringleader of the scheme, Eric, was taken away by the police. His accomplices contacted Linda, demanding three hundred thousand dollars for emotional damages.
Otherwise, they would expose her.
Linda Wilson was terrified; she had never done anything wrong in her life, save for a few minor manipulations.
In her panicked state, she could only agree to give the extortionist the money.
Thinking about all her assets being taken away infuriated her. That was her spending money; how was she supposed to maintain her dignity when going out in the future?
She couldn't ask her parents for more money, afraid they would question where it had gone.
Jack didn't press further, simply reminding her to take care of herself.
Linda nodded guiltily, afraid to meet Jack's eyes lest he discover something.
She certainly didn't want to be kicked out of the Wilson family; if anyone should leave, it should be Elizabeth.
The young troublemakers who had received the compensation from Linda were nervously handing over the money to their behind-the-scenes instigator.
