My Mute Bride

Amber answered, “Somerset Mountain. Why?”

“Hudson Pharmaceuticals has funded children from Somerset Mountain?”

“Yes, we have been doing it for more than 20 years.”

“How could it be? I remember there wasn’t anyone left after the fire.”

“The fire?” She was slightly stunned. “Justin, how did you know there was a fire in Somerset Mountain?”

A frown came to Justin’s face as he feigned indifference. “It was on the news. I happened to watch it.”

Amber nodded. “Yes, it was exactly because of the fire that the whole mountain was reduced to ashes. I heard someone almost died too. My dad said that there was a hidden village in Somerset Mountain and it was home to some human traffickers. They were trying to escape security checks, so when the fire happened, they couldn’t be rescued on time.”

Justin clenched his fists tighter. “That’s what your father told you?”

“Yes, those traffickers hid in a ditch and the firemen didn’t even know there were people there. They managed to find them in the end, but a little girl almost died in the process.”

“Almost died?”

His expression changed.

“She was burned badly, but she managed to survive. My dad did everything he could to save her by sending her to hospitals all over the country. In the end, she was even sent abroad to receive treatment.”

Amber didn’t manage to finish her words before Justin grabbed her hand to interrogate her, “Where is she now?”

“She… she’s still out of the country.”

“What’s her name?”

“Justin, what came over you?”

“What’s her name?” he repeated.

“Katherine Cooper.” Amber’s features were distorted in pain. “Justin, let me go! What happened to you?”

Justin’s cold face was stiff as he struggled to believe his ears.

Katherine…

Katie…

He was taken back to the Burton Family after the fire twenty years ago. He didn’t have the ability to investigate the matter at first and when he finally rose to position as the president of Burton Group, the landscape had already changed beyond recognition.

had sent people to search all over Somerset Mountain, but he never succeeded in finding even a scrap of

she was

even thought she died in the fire to

see her.” Justin grabbed Amber’s arm, his cold eyes burning with determination. “Where

charity event this Saturday. If… if you want to see her, you can attend with me this Saturday. However, Justin,

long while for him to calm himself. “I’ll attend the event this Saturday

you.”

on the other side of the car window, signaling that night had fallen over Riverdale like a humongous black cloth that stretched across the

at the bruise on her wrist-a result of

had

seen in more than 20 years was enough

was that very girl from all those years ago, the consequences would be

chill in Amber’s cold eyes

at the investigation bureau,

“Officer Hawkins.”

that. I’ve been stripped of my

can’t do that. The position issue is temporary and I’ve already acknowledged you as my only

pulled up a chair and sat on it. Beneath her short haircut, her features were bright and

Mountain. If I were one second late, they would’ve been destroyed since these

box of files

the box had already yellowed and

what are you going to do with these

“To save someone.”

her eyes betrayed a

and also the confidentiality period, she would’ve given those files to Rachel long ago. Perhaps if

Amber had taken Justin away from the hospital, he never appeared again for

in the ward. Even though she had gone

occasions, but Jennifer had always pulled her back to the

the door

food on the tray was

“Miss Jennifer.”

voice rang

Burton has warned me before; if I allow you to meet Mrs. Burton one more time,

don’t mean

“Then…”

she these

as much as she used to, but it’s way better than when she refused to put anything in

folder in Miss Jennifer’s hands. “Please pass this to Rae