His Obsession Began After Losing Her-Chapter 26: A Year of Shadows

One year later.

Roy entered the high-end restaurant, where a waiter quickly approached him.

Recognizing Roy, the waiter led him through the elegantly decorated space, past tables draped in pristine white linens and patrons indulging in gourmet cuisine, to a private room with the door slightly ajar.

The waiter opened it fully, revealing an elegantly beautiful lady seated at the table.

Her classic features were striking: long, straight blonde hair cascading down her back, and light blue eyes that seemed almost familiar.

Stepping inside, he saw it was indeed Beatrice Kingston, Noran's younger sister.

Beatrice looked up as he entered and smiled gently. "Mr. Roy, thank you for being willing to meet with me."

Roy nodded as he took a seat. "Beatrice, it's been a while. I was surprised by your message."

He paused and gestured for the waiter to leave without placing an order.

He didn't come here to dine with Beatrice. He wanted to get to the main topic quickly.

The waiter nodded, taking note before quietly exiting the room.

"Your brother, where is he?"

Noran had been missing for a year, and like Shuri, no matter how Roy tried to look for him, he remained untraceable.

"I don't know, but I didn't lie to you. He did contact me."

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not suspecting you. But I wonder why he'd reach out to you instead of me when both of you aren't even on good terms."

"Because he needed my help," Beatrice answered vaguely.

"Your help?"

"My parents went missing after we talked," Beatrice dropped the bomb.

"What?"

Roy couldn't help but exclaim, almost shooting up from his seat.

It took him a few seconds to realize where he was before he sat down and asked in a much softer tone, "Do you mean he kidnapped your parents? Is that why you asked me to meet you today?"

Beatrice's expression turned solemn, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke. "I asked you out to help cover for my brother, Mr. Roy."

"Huh?"

Roy widened his eyes, each of Beatrice's revelations hitting him like a new wave of shock.

"I told everyone that my parents went on a trip. I even planned for them to board the plane and arranged everything to make it appear like they are currently away, so no one will suspect they had gone missing," Beatrice began explaining as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Just so you know, my brother didn't ask me to do this. He just wanted to know our parents' schedule. I offered to help him cover up and make sure no one knows he's involved."

Roy's mind raced, trying to process her words.

"Why are you going so far for Noran? Both of you aren't even close."

Beatrice's smile was a mix of bitterness and irony, her eyes reflecting a deep-seated resentment.

"People assume I dislike my brother, but that's not the truth. The ones I hate the most are my parents. Since my brother is willing to remove them from my life, I should help him a bit, shouldn't I?"

Roy's shock deepened, but before he could respond, Beatrice continued, her tone shifting to one of earnest urgency.

"I asked you here today because I know you're my brother's most trusted friend. In case someone discovers my parents are missing, I need you to create an alibi for my brother so no one will suspect him. Will you do that?"

Roy took a deep breath, his face showing concern.

"I can only help if I know where he is."

"Sorry, I really don't know where my brother is. He doesn't trust me enough to tell me," Beatrice answered, sounding honest.

"Perhaps you could ask around, especially those who personally know him."

Roy nodded, considering her words.

After their conversation ended, he left the restaurant, his mind already racing, and he suddenly thought of Karlene.

It wasn't just because of Noran that he thought of Karlene; he had been thinking of her rather frequently for the past year.

After Karlene had lost her sister, Roy had been visiting her regularly despite not being welcomed.

He wanted to make sure she was alright and hoped to help her during her most difficult time.

The next day, Roy made his way to Karlene's apartment as usual.

When he arrived, he reached out to ring the bell but noticed her front door was left ajar.

A sense of worry washed over him.

He pushed open the door and stepped inside.

"Karlene?"

As he entered, he was taken aback by the sight before him.

Her apartment, usually so lively, was now filled with stacked boxes.

In the middle of the room, Karlene was squatting down, packing her belongings.

"Karlene, what's going on?"

Karlene, with her back still facing him, was quiet at first before she replied in a monotone, "I'm moving out."

Roy was shocked.

"Moving out? Why? Where are you moving to?"

"None of your business," she replied coldly, still not facing him.

For the past year, she had been rejecting his help and being cold to him.

Roy was used to that.

He thought he deserved it for how he treated her back then.

As long as she didn't do anything reckless to harm herself, he wouldn't mind how she treated him.

However, now she was moving out, and he couldn't ignore this.

"What about your café? What about your sister? Aren't you going to wait for her to come back?" Roy asked, knowing exactly what to say to make Karlene talk.

As expected, Karlene stopped packing, pausing for a second before her hands started moving again. "Everyone tells me she's dead, and I've come to accept it."

Roy was silent for a while as he stared at Karlene's back.

He'd rather she vent her anger and express herself openly like how he had known her, unlike how she was acting now—difficult and unapproachable.

"You're lying," Roy said, his voice steady but firm.

"Think what you like," Karlene replied uncaringly as she closed and sealed the box with tape.

Then she stood up and turned to face him, her expression indifferent.

"I'm selling this place. The money will go towards paying Ethan's lawyer fees. I'll also transfer you some money for the help you've offered over the past year. That way, I won't owe anyone anything."

"Are you cutting ties with me?" Roy frowned.

"I don't believe we ever had any real relationship to begin with."

Roy's face fell, her words cutting deep.

"You know how I feel about you, Karlene. I don't expect you to answer my feelings, but please don't push me away..."

He hoped Karlene would soften and accept having him around, even if it was only as an acquaintance, but she remained resolute.

"You were never part of my life, Roy," she said firmly.

"The reason I let you and Ethan help me this past year is because my sister told me before she left that I should be more friendly with both of you. My sister is the only one I need in my life. I don't need anyone else."

With that, Karlene turned away and resumed packing as she picked up another box.

Roy watched her with a sad expression. "Karlene, Miss Shuri wouldn't want you to be alone. She wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."

"If you're worried that I would do something silly after I leave, you don't have to worry. I promised my sister that I'd take care of Snowball for her. I don't plan to break that promise," Karlene replied as she placed her belongings inside another box.

"If there's nothing else, please leave. I'm busy here."

"At least tell me where you're moving to."

Roy was persistent, and Karlene knew he wouldn't leave until she answered him.

"I'm moving back to Midori Town," she finally said.

It was the place she and Shuri had lived with Noran for more than a decade before they moved to New Valley.

"Anything else?" Karlene sounded impatient, indirectly asking him to leave.

Roy didn't hesitate and went straight to the point, "Do you know where Noran is?"

"Someone who can't even protect my sister... How would I know where that useless guy is?" Karlene answered with a hint of disdain.

"Karlene, it's not Noran's fault..."

"Enough! Don't mention his name to me!" Karlene snapped, her voice rising.

She turned her back to him, aggressively shoving items into a box. "Leave. You're bothering me."

Seeing that Karlene's mood was getting worse, Roy decided it was best to leave.

"Alright, let me know when you're flying, and I'll send you off," he said softly, hoping to offer some support despite her resistance.

Karlene didn't respond, her focus entirely on packing.

Roy took one last look at her before quietly exiting the apartment, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

A moment later, Karlene stopped what she was doing and went to look out of the window, watching Roy get into his luxurious car and leave.

Then, she took out her phone and typed a message, "I'm coming over tonight."

After hitting send, Karlene retrieved her coat and went to her car.

She drove out of her apartment complex and made a quick stop at a convenience store to pick up some dinner and snacks.

With her provisions packed, she continued her drive out of the city.

The journey took over an hour, leading her deep into the woods. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

The road became narrower and less maintained, the trees closing in around her as she drove further into the secluded area.

Eventually, she arrived at a rundown villa, its appearance reflecting years of neglect.

The area was completely isolated, with no signs of other people or activity.

Karlene parked her car and sent another message, "I'm here."

She walked up to the front door, her footsteps crunching on the overgrown gravel path.

She waited there for a moment before the tightly closed door creaked open.

A man, appearing as pale as a corpse, stood in the gap of the open door.

It was Noran.