The Plot
"Are you saying that their plan wasn't to trick you but to deceive the public and spark outrage?"
The truth finally dawned on Freda.
"They know how strong your relationship with Mr. Giblo is and the fact that you're an intelligent and sharp-witted person. Therefore, there was no way they could've fooled you with an impostor for long.
"Consequently, they leaked Mr. Giblo's return to the press, announcing to the world that he isn't dead and that he was sent to the hospital after suffering injuries in the fire.
"Now that they've spread rumors of you holding Mr. Giblo captive to seize the Giblo family assets, no one will believe you if you accuse him of being an impostor."
"Exactly." Carla's brows remained tightly knitted.
"What do we do now?" Freda was worried. "What should we do? This feels like a lost cause."
"Let's verify his identity first, " Carla asserted. "If he is real, everything would be worth it. Otherwise, we'll play along and use the situation to our advantage."
"Play along?" Freda was baffled as to what she meant.
"No matter what, we can't alert them yet. All of you should treat him the same way as before and pretend that you know nothing."
"Understood." Freda nodded. "But… will you… be in danger?"
Too embarrassed to be candid, she phrased her question vaguely. She could see that "Zayn" liked to be intimate with Carla. Even though he might not harm her for the sake of his plan, he might
somehow take advantage of her, complicating matters when the real Zayn returned.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Carla was not concerned at all.
Soon, their car arrived at Northridge.
Ever since the fire at Southridge, everyone had moved to Northridge. As for then, Southridge remained sealed.
Initially, Thompson suggested for it to be renovated soon, but Carla forbade anyone from doing so. Firstly, it would be convenient for the police to collect evidence. Secondly, it served as a reminder for her to learn her lesson.
"Mrs. Giblo, you're back!"
When Vela saw Carla, she rushed toward her. "Mr. Giblo doesn't seem to be feeling well, as he didn't eat the food that I have prepared for him. What should I do?"
"Thanks for your effort, Mrs. Bolistin. What did you cook him?" Carla asked.
"His favorite beef stroganoff, vegetable broth, and some other snacks." Vela was extremely troubled. "Thinking that his appetite wasn't good, I boiled some medicinal broth for him. Even then, he refused to have any."
"Cook some vegetable beef soup then. He likes that." Carla smiled slightly. "Coincidentally, I feel like having some too."
"Okay, I'll get right to it." Vela headed back to the kitchen and busied herself.
After walking upstairs, Carla headed to the study instead of returning to the bedroom.
Turning on her computer, she went through all sorts of folders containing the news articles Mosa had compiled. Some of them even had annotations made by the latter.
When Carla clicked into one of the articles, she saw how ridiculous the discussions had become. There were all sorts of wild speculations. Some even went as far as saying that she would soon be brought to justice.
Just as she was reading it, the police called and urged her to assist in their investigations as soon as possible. Otherwise, they would have to pick her up from Northridge.
Carla was about to reply when a familiar figure entered the study. The moment she looked up, their eyes met. His gaze was as gentle as it had always been.
For a split second, she was shaken, thinking that he was the real Zayn.
"Ms. Lierger, Ms. Lierger…"
The police officer's voice interrupted her train of thought, pulling her back from being overwhelmed by her emotions. Very quickly, her rationality returned. "All right. I understand. I'll be there at six."
After ending the call, she raised her head to look at "Zayn." "The police are urging me to assist in their investigations."
"Ignore them." "Zayn" walked over and hugged her from behind. "With me around, no one can bully my wife."
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