CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 166: MEMORIES (66)

She hired a private detective to check Ethan Harper’s flight details, only to find out that on that day, two hours after he replied to her message, he bought a ticket to return to France.

Florence Fuller quickly booked a flight to France, but realized a serious problem.

Where would Ethan Harper be in France, a country so vast, without replying to her messages or answering calls? How would she find him?

She tried calling Abigail Monrose but got no answer.

She then sent a message to Abigail Monrose. Just one day before losing contact with Ethan, Abigail told her that France’s climate was not like Cloudsea’s, and she preferred staying in Cloudsea.

"Aunt Monrose, I can’t reach Ethan Harper."

"He didn’t even tell me where he’s gone, and these three days of waiting have been agonizing."

"It seems like he went back to France, but why wouldn’t he let me know?"

"I want to find him, but I don’t know where in France he is."

Little did she know that her messages would be like stones sinking into the sea.

She spent a large sum on a private detective to track down Ethan Harper in France, but after two days, the detective refunded her money, admitting his inability to help.

Meanwhile, Michael Fuller anxiously made a call, urging her to return to the Fuller Family home.

Florence Fuller held onto the slim hope of news about Ethan Harper, but upon arriving home and seeing Michael flattering an old man, her hope dissipated.

Florence Fuller felt as if she knew the old man but couldn’t recall. He stayed for a meal at the Fuller home, and Michael along with Laura Yates flattered him excessively, but the old man mainly talked to Florence Fuller.

Despite her concern about Ethan Harper, Florence Fuller remained calm outwardly, treating the old man with polite attentiveness.

The old man’s surname was Gardiner.

He was from SJ.

After dinner, before leaving, Old Mr. Gardiner took out a carved wooden box to give to Florence Fuller.

"Child, open it and take a look."

Michael Fuller couldn’t conceal his joy, though he said, "Old Mr. Gardiner, what’s this for?"

Florence Fuller shook her head, her expression serious rather than of mock refusal: "Sorry, sir, I cannot accept it."

"It’s alright, miss, you can open it and have a look," a person next to Old Mr. Gardiner encouraged.

The Gardiner Family from SJ, whom wouldn’t rush to curry favor with them?

Florence Fuller shook her head.

"The child is shy, forgive her." Michael Fuller stepped forward to take the carved box from Old Mr. Gardiner: "I’ll accept it on her behalf."

The implication was understood between them.

Old Mr. Gardiner glanced at Florence Fuller; despite her thoughtful and considerate demeanor tonight, he could sense she was somewhat distracted.

He was quite satisfied with her, though her family background did not match the prestigious elite. She possessed a graceful elegance and low-profile humility. Very few in the circle knew much about her. Despite being away for fifteen years, now she had the poise of a noble daughter.

Not ostentatious, not false, yet with substance.

The Gardiner Family needed a daughter-in-law like her.

As Old Mr. Gardiner drove away, Florence Fuller turned and headed into the house, planning to grab her bag and leave. Michael Fuller stopped her: "It’s late, just stay here. It’s not like there’s no room for you in the house."

"I have things to do."

"At least take a look at what Old Mr. Gardiner gave you," said Michael.

"I don’t want it."

Florence Fuller wasn’t in the mood to think about anything else; she was pondering how to find Ethan Harper.

"What do you mean you don’t want it?" Michael Fuller frowned: "You already accepted it, just take it."

Florence Fuller ignored him, stepped over him, and left briskly.

Laura Yates hesitated to call Florence Fuller to stay, but remained silent when she saw Michael’s cold gaze, lowering her head.

"She’s just thinking about finding Ethan Harper, like she can find him just because she says she can."

Laura Yates picked up the conversation: "So what now? What to do next?"

Michael Fuller opened the carved box, inside was a green emperor diamond pendant, smooth and full, clear and delicate.

Laura Yates and Clara Fuller both turned red-eyed at its magnificence; how generous the Gardiner Family was to give such expensive gifts!

"So beautiful." Clara Fuller stepped forward, reaching out: "Dad, let me try it."

"Try what? It’s only for Florence!" Michael Fuller packed it away, now they must hold tightly to the Gardiner Family tree without any mistakes. He looked at Clara: "Behave yourself! If Old Mr. Gardiner liked you, then it would be yours. Until Florence Fuller marries into the Gardiner Family, there must be absolutely no mistakes, or I’ll hold you accountable."

Clara withdrew her hand sulkily, pouting.

What good is marrying a playboy?

"We must secretly keep a close watch on Florence Fuller." Michael Fuller spoke seriously to Laura: "Don’t let her run off."

Laura Yates nodded.

-

Florence Fuller heading to France was destined to be hopeless, even though she didn’t know where Ethan Harper might be, she chose to fly over and search slowly. She had to find out clearly why he left so quietly!

Couldn’t he just say something?

But she was destined to be disappointed.

While waiting to check-in, she was directly taken away by bodyguards sent by Michael Fuller and locked back at the Fuller home.

Michael Fuller looked at her: "Don’t go looking for the Harper Family man anymore, I have found you a good family."

Florence Fuller instantly understood, she replied coldly: "I will not marry."

"Florence, you have no choice now. The Gardiner Family’s messages have come through; in a couple of days, we’ll have a meal and finalize the marriage."

"I don’t understand what you’re saying."

"You think you can find him by going to France, with the Harper Family type, they didn’t want you to find them, you wouldn’t even hear a whisper, Florence, daddy’s doing this for your good."

Florence Fuller felt nauseated: "I’ve said, I won’t marry, and you’re not just with one daughter, isn’t Clara Fuller still here?"

"Old Mr. Gardiner isn’t interested in Clara, I know you don’t like her either, so I’ve already sent her abroad." He replied.

Florence Fuller ignored him, standing up and walking out.

"Your foster mother is still hospitalized in Southtown’s hospital, isn’t she?"

Florence Fuller’s body stiffened.

Michael Fuller had a thick stack of photos, laying them out on the table.

There were photos of Evelyn Shaw attending school while working part-time, along with Charles Shaw working part-time, and Amelia Linney weak on the hospital bed.

Florence Fuller’s fingertips curled as she looked at Michael Fuller: "What have you done?"

"I haven’t done anything for now, it’s all on you." Michael Fuller looked at her, full of threat: "You don’t want their lives to get any harder, do you?"

"You choose for yourself."

Michael Fuller picked up one of Amelia Linney’s frail photos: "Florence, you’re really worried about your foster mother’s family, aren’t you? Hasn’t the Fuller Family treated you well?"

He pretended to sigh sadly, holding up Amelia Linney’s photo: "Never mind, I won’t argue. You just need to tell me, will you marry or not!"

Florence Fuller clenched her fists tightly, looking at Michael Fuller with disgust.

Michael Fuller looked at the daughter in front of him: "Perhaps I should let them bear some cost first so you can wake up, you wait for the news then."

Michael Fuller stood up to leave.

"No!" Florence Fuller didn’t know how she managed to say those two words:

"I will marry!"