Chapter 11

The Davis family was still trying to find a way to contact Blanch, but it was as if she had disappeared; they couldn't locate her at all.

"This dead girl, she never helps the family, and now that we need her, we can't find her. She's just a jinx, only adding to our troubles," Blanch's father said.

"Not just adding to our troubles; I think she's too blind to see the greatness before her. She has a handsome and wealthy guy like Allen, and she still runs off elsewhere. Has she lost her mind?" Blanch's mother scolded.

"You all keep complaining, but it won't help. Hurry up and find her; I still want to leverage my sister's connection with Allen to find a good job," another family member chimed in.

"Yes, yes, our family's hopes rest on her. Hurry and find her!"

Laisley walked in and heard these words, her face filled with disdain. Poor people truly lacked ambition, forever thinking of sucking the blood of others.

"Do you really think that finding Blanch will save the Davis family?"

Laisley was elegantly dressed, and wherever she went, she looked like a proud princess. Her brilliance made the impoverished Davis household appear even more desolate.

"Who are you?" Blanch's mother asked, hands on her hips.

Seeing her crude demeanor, Laisley's contempt deepened. "You have no right to ask who I am. Your daughter seduced my husband, and it's already generous of me not to teach you a lesson."

Hearing her words, Blanch's father realized this was Laisley and quickly bowed his head, saying, "Oh, Miss Laisley, my wife is blind to the greatness before her. I hope you don't hold it against us."

"There's more than just her who is blind to greatness. Blanch has stolen my husband; isn't that a greater sin?"

Blanch's father looked awkward. "Miss Laisley, this… this is a matter for the young people, and I have no way to intervene, especially with someone as important as Mr. Allen. I don't even have the right to speak in front of him…"

"No need to say more," Laisley interrupted, taking out a stack of cash and slapping it down in front of him. "This is for you. As long as you keep quiet and don't interfere with Blanch's affairs, the Davis family will be fine and can get through this crisis."

Blanch's father understood; Laisley was trying to bribe them.

But how could Laisley know how greedy people could be?

Just one Blanch could bring Allen over and also get Laisley to hand over money. This showed just how valuable she was. Blanch's father wanted more than just to help the Davis family through this crisis.

"Alright…" Blanch's father took the money and casually placed it in a drawer. "Whatever Miss Laisley says goes; we will follow your orders. However, Blanch is still my daughter. If Miss Laisley knows her whereabouts, please let me know."

"Hmph," Laisley scoffed, "Don't worry about your daughter. She's already been tossed into the sea to feed the fish. She offended Allen and crossed my line; if she gets to keep her body intact, that would be lucky. Consider this money compensation."

Blanch's father bowed his head submissively, "Yes, yes…"

Seeing the pitiful expression on Blanch's father's face, Laisley felt an inexplicable disgust. Truly, like father, like daughter.

Laisley left in disdain, as if staying even a second longer would taint her elevated status.

Blanch's mother counted the money, feeling unsatisfied. "They only gave us this little bit and expect us to keep our mouths shut? Dream on!"

The whole family knew Blanch's value; it went without saying that being the daughter-in-law of the Smith family was worth more than this money.

"What should we do now?" Blanch's mother asked.

Blanch's father stuffed the money into his pocket and said, "Call Allen. Didn't you hear Laisley say she tossed our daughter into the sea to feed the fish? She must know where Blanch is; let Allen go teach her a lesson."

"Right, exactly! I'll call Allen right now."

Allen looked at the vast landscape before him, feeling increasingly heavy-hearted. The world was so big; where could Blanch have run off to?

No matter where she was, he had to pull her back!

"Sir, this is the information you requested," his assistant, Matthew, said as he handed over the documents.

Allen flipped through the pages. He had a good memory and could read quickly, absorbing information at a glance.

"Is this all?" Allen asked.

"Yes," Matthew replied. "This is the list from the past few days."

"What about the matter I assigned you?"

Matthew brought over a tablet and laid it on the table. "This is what I had someone record."

On the screen, Laisley was just leaving the Davis household. Allen's gaze sharpened; it was just as he suspected.

Allen was indeed anxious. He wanted to find Blanch quickly and didn't want to miss any leads. However, urgency didn't mean he would lose his rationality.

Laisley claimed Blanch had gone abroad. How could someone like Allen, who had a powerful intelligence network, not have received news of Blanch going overseas? After all, once he learned that Blanch was missing, he had immediately contacted the airport. What did Laisley mean by leading him in the wrong direction?

"Sir, Laisley went to the Davis household as soon as you boarded the plane, but she only stayed for a short while before coming out."

Allen nodded. Matthew had seen the president remain calm even in the face of disaster, but in reality, he had long lost his patience. Laisley must know something…

"Investigate. I want everyone below to find out everything, including their daily movements. I want to know who dares to show off in front of me, who overestimates their abilities."

"Understood."

Allen hated betrayal the most. Because of past betrayals, he had lost the most important person in his life…

He closed his eyes, engulfed by darkness, and was transported back to those years…

Two years ago, Allen was just a poor kid with no background or money. He didn't want to go back and inherit the Smith family; he wanted to protect the only softness in his heart for the rest of his life. But what he faced was Blanch's cold rejection and her resolute departure.

"I can give you the life you want!" Allen shouted, his voice filled with pain from the struggle.

He couldn't see Blanch's expression, only noticed her shoulders shaking, unsure if she was crying or laughing.

"Do you know what kind of life I want?" Blanch asked.

"Money," Allen said, pursing his lips. "I can give you money. Whatever you need, I'll provide."

At that time, Blanch didn't understand the meaning behind Allen's words. She let out a soft, sorrowful laugh. "Then how long do I have to wait? I… can't afford to wait any longer."

"Why can't I afford it?!" Allen shouted, almost frantically. All he could think about was not letting Blanch leave.

"Because I want too much, and you can't give it to me," Blanch replied.

A flicker of hatred crossed Allen's lowered gaze. He never expected Blanch to say something like that. Could he really not provide for her?

Allen let out a cold sneer. "Blanch, you will regret this."

A man stood beside her, and without looking back, Blanch followed him away. After that, Allen fell mostly silent, shutting himself away for a long time.

When the Smith family finally found him, Allen had become cold and proud. He had once never wanted to return to the Smith family, but because of Blanch's departure, he had come to understand the importance of power and wealth. Yet… now that he had it, Blanch was still gone…

Allen suddenly jolted awake, his brow furrowed with deep hatred and anger. Blanch, I have everything now. Why are you still running away from me? What do you really want?!

Blanch was having dinner with Jason when she suddenly felt a chill run through her, making her shiver involuntarily.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Jason asked.

"Nothing," Blanch replied, putting down her fork and knife. "Mommy is just going to get a glass of water."

Blanch shook her head, trying to clear her mind. What was that just now? Why did she suddenly feel uneasy? Could it be that Allen had found her?

She quickly glanced around; it shouldn't be possible… The ship had been sailing for many days. Even if Allen wanted to come, it would take time. She shook her head, reassuring herself not to scare herself; Allen wouldn't come after her.

"Is the food here to your liking?" Felix's voice suddenly rang in her ear.

Blanch, already on guard, was startled by the unexpected voice, and the water cup nearly slipped from her hands.

Felix reacted quickly and helped her catch the cup, and as Blanch reached for it too, their hands intertwined for a moment.

But just for a second, Blanch quickly withdrew her hand.

"Sorry," Blanch apologized.