Patrick came over to fiddle with the laptop. Next, a few photos popped up.
The photos were very clear, but Genevieve did not recognize the people in them except for a single woman. A side view of her upper body could be seen in the photos, and this woman was talking to a younger woman opposite her.
“This is Maria, isn’t it?” Patrick pointed at the middle-aged woman, whose upper body was revealed in the photos.
“When I checked the footage of the surveillance cameras, I found out Samantha’s driver has been in touch with the young woman in front of Maria. Genev, has Maria done anything to you when you were at home?” Patrick asked.
After a brief pause, he added, “For instance, did you feel unwell? Or, did she tamper with your phone or laptop?”
Genevieve recalled how terrible she felt when she learned she had been used as a tool by that man. However, she felt much worse after Patrick showed her the photos.
Genevieve typed on her phone: That’s Maria… When my mother got married, Maria moved into the Rachford residence with her. She raised me up, and she was my wet nurse.
Genevieve tried to convince herself by saying that Maria treated her kindly and that Patrick must be mistaken.
Soon, however, she recalled seeing Maria cry when she came home one day. Maria told her that her grandson accidentally broke his leg. Genevieve even sent Maria to the airport. Nevertheless, Maria came back after two days.
There was something fishy about Maria ever since her return. Sometimes, she would say some strange things to Genevieve.
When she realized she had been betrayed by the only person she relied on, Genevieve felt a stab of pain in her chest. Tears began to blur her vision, and her fingers quivered. Eventually, she failed to type a response on her phone.
“Genev, she might be the housekeeper who raised you up, but she’s still human. Humans are complicated and unpredictable.” Holding Genevieve’s wrists, Patrick allowed her to feel the warmth from his hands so that her hands would stop trembling.
He went on, “You’re just the daughter of her former employer. Once this relationship is broken off, you’re just a stranger in her eyes.”
Genevieve remembered how Maria secretly helped her to pack her belongings after what happened to the Rachford family, and how the housekeeper broke her leg after getting shoved by a worker. She also thought of Maria’s laughter and the delicious food made by her.
Why is this happening?
Genevieve was overwhelmed by these harsh truths, and she could hardly breathe due to a lack of oxygen.
Genevieve had always been a beautiful woman to Patrick. Aside from possessing a charming smile, she was also intelligent and calm. Yet, a young woman like her was constantly manipulated and betrayed by her loved ones.
Patrick felt really bad for her.
He wished he had met her sooner so that he could protect her.
“Listen to me, Genev.” Patrick approached Genevieve. “I can choose to keep these things from you. I think it’s good enough if you’re happy and live a peaceful life. However, I chose to tell you because I want you to be vigilant. You must make them regret and pay for what they have done to you. You mustn’t show mercy to them just because they are close to you and were nice to you in the past.”
He continued, “Genev, you’re an individual, and you’ll feel angry and sad. You don’t owe anyone anything, either, so you don’t have to take them into consideration whenever you do something. When someone threatens you, you have to pick up the gun and pull the trigger without hesitation, regardless of who that person is.”
Slowly, Patrick’s voice took on a softer tone as he consoled Genevieve, “A person who truly loves you won’t lie to you, and they won’t make up excuses to put you in harm’s way. They’d rather be the ones who get hurt.”
Genevieve could feel the warmth from his palm. Every word uttered by Patrick was unusually clear.
Gradually, the fog in her mind began to clear up, and the dullness in her eyes vanished.
