The female host, as usual, began with some customary words before glancing at the cue card in her hand.
However, when she saw the name of the performer, she paused momentarily. But she quickly dismissed any doubts, knowing that the performance list had been thoroughly checked and printed out. So, she proceeded to announce according to the script.
"We are all brave children, even if we walk alone in the darkness, we never give up. Now, please give a round of applause for Miss Alessia La Rosa, as she brings us the song 'Dark Walker.'"
As the host finished her words, another beam of white spotlight shone down.
Dominic, who had been expressionless throughout the event, had his pupils constrict as he heard the name announced by the female host. He suddenly turned his head.
He saw the white spotlight shining on the third row, where Chiara La Rosa had been seated just moments ago.
No, Chiara La Rosa wasn't the real name of that woman; her real name should be Alessia La Rosa.
A dangerous glint flashed in Dominic's eyes. No wonder he had always found that woman familiar; it turned out she was the woman who had given birth to Christopher and then irresponsibly abandoned him.
She disappeared for five years, and now suddenly she appeared.
She tried every means to please him, did she still want to be Mrs. Carter?
Who did she think he, Dominic, was?
Dominic's face turned completely cold, a fierce light flashing in his narrow eyes. He made up his mind that he absolutely could not let such a morally bankrupt woman get close to Christopher.
Sisca, standing in the backstage waiting area, realized her name had been replaced. Feeling bewildered and wronged, she saw Dominic, her male companion, stand up and leave the venue without even a glance back.
Her male companion had left her for another woman.
She felt like everyone in the venue was watching her, mocking her.
Who did this widow think she was?
Sisca clenched her lips tightly, her eyes filled with venom.
In the small utility room:
The three little ones looked at each other.
"Hehe, looks like we messed up," Christian apologized sheepishly.
Christopher, the quickest to react, closed the laptop and began packing it into the small backpack, saying, "Let's go check it out now."
"Yeah, Mommy went towards the back door of the warehouse." Eleanor blinked her big eyes and also stood up.
"Why did Mommy run away?" Christian still hadn't figured out all the ins and outs of the conflict between Dominic and Alessia.
Furrowing his brow in confusion, he handed the tablet to Christopher to pack into the backpack, deftly put on his mask, and then handed another mask to Christopher.
...
Alessia walked quickly, head lowered.
She had checked the information on the orphanage last night, including its layout.
At times like these, she definitely couldn't leave through the main gate; the side door was the best choice.
As she hurried along, a middle-aged woman in a gray suit, flat shoes, and short hair rushed towards her.
Alessia furrowed her brows slightly as she brushed past the woman.
The woman suddenly stopped in her tracks, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she called out, "Sia?"
Alessia paused, lifting her head slightly to look at the woman, her voice cold, "Do you... know me?"
As her head rose, the middle-aged woman seemed to finally recognize her face.
Approaching Alessia, she took her hand with a kind smile and said, "Of course, I know you, Sia. You're finally back."
Back?
Alessia pursed her lips, feeling strange about the physical contact from the middle-aged woman. She didn't resist, but instead found it oddly comforting.
Thinking of the familiar camphor tree, Alessia suddenly felt certain that she had a deep connection to this orphanage.
Lifting her gaze, she distanced herself slightly, no longer concealing anything as she spoke in a distant tone, "Sorry, I've lost my memory."
She wanted to figure out her relationship with the orphanage, and withholding the fact that she had amnesia was no longer an option. Besides, she was confident she could discern truth from lies.
"Lost your memory? No wonder we haven't heard from you all these years. I always knew you were a good child. You've suffered these past years," the middle-aged woman spoke in a comforting tone, reaching out to pat Alessia's head.
Alessia instinctively dodged.
The middle-aged woman's hand fell empty, a touch of indulgence in her eyes as she glanced at Alessia.
Alessia pursed her lips and inquired, "Who are you, and what was my relationship with you in the past?"
"I'm Julia Law, the director of the orphanage!" Julia's smile remained gentle as she spoke, "I have some information about you in my office. After you look it over, you'll understand."
Alessia thought for a moment before following Julia to the information room.
On the first floor, in the document room.
Julia opened the computer for her.
Alessia sat in front of the computer.
Just then, Julia's phone rang urgently.
Julia hung up the phone and spoke gently, "Sia, you take a look first. Someone from the event needs me, I'll go over there."
Alessia nodded, her eyes still on the computer screen, fingers sliding the mouse.
Five minutes later, Alessia let out a long sigh, staring blankly at the couple photo she had pulled up on the computer screen.
It turns out she was an orphan, abandoned at the doorstep of the welfare institute as soon as she was born, and only adopted by her grandfather at the age of six.
The couple photo on the computer was taken when her grandfather adopted her at the age of six.
No wonder she found Director Julia so familiar and the camphor tree so recognizable.
It's just strange that there wasn't detailed information about her grandfather on the computer, which didn't seem to comply with adoption regulations. It seems she'll have to wait for Director Julia to come back to know the reason.
Alessia furrowed her brows, and as she looked up, she caught sight of a tall figure with a cold aura, striding in from outside the door.
The man's face was stern, not saying a word, and as soon as he entered, he slammed the door shut behind him.
The document room had an iron door, and when it was forcefully shut, it made a dull sound, sending shivers down one's spine.
Alessia felt amused by Dominic's angry appearance at the moment, like an angry bear ready to bare its teeth and claws at any moment.
Dominic was probably influenced by his upbringing since childhood, although most of the time he wore an impatient expression, like now, venting his emotions by slamming the door directly, she hadn't seen it often.
Since she couldn't avoid it, she wouldn't.
Alessia looked relaxed, greeting him as if he were an old friend she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Mr. Carter, long time no see!"
"Alessia La Rosa... you finally admit it!"
Dominic looked at the face in front of him, which was vastly different from his memory, his poker face contorted into a grim expression.
Alessia remained indifferent and denied, "I never denied that I am Alessia from beginning to end."
Dominic was getting visibly angry, but what she said was true.
He was petty; he couldn't blame her.
A cold smile flickered in Dominic's eyes, and his tall figure approached the computer desk step by step after leaving the iron door.
This woman used to be silent, like a dull background.
Unexpectedly, she was actually a cunning fox at heart, not only scheming but also adept at using sweet words and gestures.
Dominic leaned on the computer desk with both arms, using his superior height of 188cm to lock Alessia in the chair, looking down at her from above.
"Alessia, how do we settle the debts from five years ago?" Dominic's eyes were filled with chilling hostility.
Thinking of five years ago, Alessia naturally remembered that unpleasant night at the hotel.
Alessia sighed. This petty man held a grudge for so long; it seemed he was still fixated on that little money.
Alessia spoke up, "Considering Mr. Carter's technical issues, I can only reluctantly offer one dollar. If Mr. Carter is still unsatisfied with the reward, I can increase it."
Increase it?
Does she really think of him as a bartender in a bar?
Dominic's face darkened, especially since what he asked wasn't about that night.
It seemed that from beginning to end, this woman never truly cared about Christopher.
A woman without a heart, how could she be worthy of being a child's mother?
Her face had become more beautiful, yet he found it a hundred times uglier than before.
"Leave this city."
Dominic suddenly didn't want to pursue the past anymore. He just wanted this face to disappear forever from his world, from Christopher's world. He felt dirty!
***