Chapter 23: Stop Playing Mind Games with Me (4)

Isabel Smith promptly replied, "Raymond Thompson, weren't you going to bed? Sleep early, we can chat tomorrow, good night."

Kids have a short attention span. Seeing the words "good night", Raymond Thompson felt a warmth inside him. He replied, "Sister Isabel, you should also go to bed early. Good night" and clutched his mobile phone as he drifted to sleep in no time.

...

Percy Stanton stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his study room, gazing at the myriad lights outside. He was far from feeling tired; he could only relieve his inner pressure by incessantly smoking.

It wasn't until his cigarette case was empty that he, feeling restless, raised his hand, pushed through his hair, and tossed the lighter on the table nearby. Sitting at his desk, he opened his computer, but couldn't concentrate on anything. Finally, he stood up, grabbed his car keys, and departed his study room.

Before leaving, Percy Stanton visited his son's bedroom. Seeing that Raymond Thompson was fast asleep, holding a mobile phone, Percy Stanton frowned, and took the mobile phone from his son's hand with an unhappy look. Intending to throw it on the table near the Ultraman figure before he left, Percy became curious thinking about the text conversation between Raymond and Isabel. He pressed the unlock button of his son's mobile phone, then came across a prompt asking for the entry of a numerical password for unlocking.

Percy Stanton, filled with confidence, entered passwords twice. The first attempt was his birthday and the second one his son's. Both were incorrect and Percy's face darkened again.

He wondered from whom his son had inherited his annoyingly stubborn trait of protecting his privacy from invasion.

Did Raymond inherit this trait from his mother?

However, who was his mother?

This was a puzzle that had been unsolved for a full five years.

With this thought, Percy Stanton's eyes turned somewhat gloomy. He turned around and left his son's room silently.

Before leaving his house, he inspected the doors and windows one more time, then took his car keys and went downstairs.

...

At 10:30 pm, the wine party of the Maxwell Group ended.

When Henry Maxwell came out of the party scene, Isabel Smith was already waiting for him on the street outside the Great Hall.

"Isabel." Upon seeing Isabel Smith, a gleam sparkled at the bottom of Henry Maxwell's eyes. After bidding his companions farewell, he strode towards Isabel Smith.

"Mr. Maxwell." Isabel Smith's lips curved into a smile, making her eyes lively. Under the lamp light of the glass building, she looked exceptionally charming.

As he gazed at Isabel Smith's face, Henry Maxwell was momentarily lost for words.

Isabel Smith lowered her eyelashes, her expression unchanged. She kept her polite and friendly smile and broke the silence, "Though it's getting late, Mr. Maxwell, maybe we can exchange contact information and arrange a meeting for tomorrow?"

Upon returning to his senses, Henry inspected his watch. "There is a private club not far from here. It's very quiet, and there are private compartments there. We could go there to discuss the matter. Can we?"

Isabel Smith nodded in agreement, not refusing his request.

Hearing no dispute, Henry's face lit up. He said, "I parked my car over there, let me drive it here, please wait here for a moment."

"Sure." responded Isabel Smith. Henry then turned around and left.

After Henry departed, Isabel slowly turned her head to look at the dimly lit night not far off, portraying a mirage-like image. She was completely oblivious to the familiar car parked right across the street.

Percy sat in his car, his gaze focused on Isabel Smith across the street. He grabbed the steering wheel tightly, applying more and more force as if he wanted to shatter it. His knuckles were white due to this pressure.