Stark Contrast (2)
Adrienne spent the following days in peace by focusing on her routine. Most of her days were spent with an early morning run, and she would proceed to school and visit her mother late in the afternoons. In her free time, she checks the news for relevant events that she might be able to take advantage of while concocting a plan to proceed with her agreement with Lennox Qin.
She had to say that Gavin Si was a capable man. He collected the information she needed about Nova Chen in just three days. As expected, it wasn't the first time the nurse had committed such a blunder on her patients. Some of her patients had passed away for some reason, although their illnesses were easily curable.
She was also involved in missing prescription drugs three years ago but easily avoided being questioned because of her long tenure, which Adrienne found ridiculous. In the end, the nurse managed to escape punishment, but Adrienne would ensure she wouldn't get away easily this time.
The report also told her that the card the nurse handed her previously was released in her father's name, and the payments to keep her mother in a coma came from Cayden. He didn't even try to hide it and sent it under his name.
Adrienne felt sick. She closed her eyes to rein her emotions towards her father and older brother, but she couldn't stop herself from trembling with rage. She couldn't wait to see the look on their faces when she finally took everything from them in the future.
"Addie, just what happened for you to make such a face?" Myrtle asked as she placed a cup of americano on the table. There weren't many customers then, giving Myrtle some free time to join her friend at the corner.
Adrienne had dropped by the coffee shop where Myrtle worked part-time to finish her assignments before returning home. She didn't want to see her father or the rest of the Jiang family and was considering staying in Myrtle's place in the meantime. She had changed into a pair of casual clothes after school and went there after giving her mother a quick visit.
"I'm to visit my maternal family this weekend. My father isn't pleased with the news." She replied before opening her textbook and started scribbling on her notes.
"Of course, he wouldn't be." Myrtle took the seat across from Adrienne and scoffed. She patted the invisible lint on her uniform and eyed Adrienne curiously. She felt that Adrienne had changed drastically in a short period of time and that made her worry.
"Addie, don't do anything reckless, okay? I know you're mad at your father, but I fear Camilla would only make it difficult for you."
Adrienne lifted her head and saw the worry in her friend's eyes. She sighed and sat up straight. In the past, she would keep arguing with Myrtle, but now, Adrienne only wanted to spend more quality time with her.
"I'll be more careful, Myrtle. You worry too much. Also, don't you think it's time the Zhao family intervened, considering my mother's condition? I cannot let them take away everything my mother owns."
Myrtle nodded in understanding. She had seen the difference between Camilla and Elise when Adrienne's father remarried. The two easily got used to the luxurious lifestyle, and Elise acted like a Cinderella, finally living the life she deserved at the expense of Adrienne's. She thought that the mother-and-daughter pair were intent on taking everything from Adrienne, and Myrtle feared that if they were cornered, they might make an attempt on Adrienne's life.
Adrienne stayed at the coffee shop and busied herself with her homework, with headphones on her ears to block unnecessary distractions. The owner of the coffee shop knew her and gladly allowed her to take the corner table at the back that eventually became her usual spot.
She only stopped scribbling in her notebook when Myrtle came to her for the second time, ready to leave as her shift had just ended. Adrienne tidied up her things at the table and put them in
her bag before following her best friend outside.
As they took the road leading to Myrtle's apartment complex, they saw a couple of middle school students on the opposite side of the street, reminding Adrienne of her deal with Lennox.
"Myrtle, do you know anyone from Summerville Middle School? I'm looking for someone." She told Myrtle.
Myrtle, who was busy munching on her burger, turned her head to look at Adrienne curiously.
"I do. My neighbor has a son and daughter attending that school. Who are you looking for anyway?" Myrtle asked.
"I met a patient at the hospital where Mom is confined. He's looking for his siblings and is willing to pay me a hefty amount for finding them." Adrienne answered nonchalantly, oblivious to how Myrtle narrowed her eyes on her. Myrtle wasn't oblivious to what kind of patients could be found at the level where Rosemary Zhao was staying.
"Addie…"
"I know, Myrtle. Don't worry too much. I'm not doing anything illegal. It's clean money and a win-win for both parties, don't you think? He finds his siblings, I get the money I need for mom's bills." Adrienne said in defense. She was starting to rack her brain to figure out how she'd find Lennox's half-sister, who was attending Summerville Middle School.
The moment she and Myrtle took a turn on the right street, they were greeted by a group of middle school girls beating someone in a nearby alley. This wasn't the first time Adrienne had seen something like this. Previously, she would only lower her head and pretend not to see it. However, now that she was reborn, Adrienne's mindset had turned 180 degrees. These middle school girls were still young but harbored wicked minds. She stepped forward and called out after the bullies.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?"
The four girls stepped back from the poor girl, revealing Samantha Qin's face to Adrienne.