Jessie shook her head helplessly. "Auntie, it's not that I don't want to help you, but Al specifically said that she doesn't want to be disturbed before the show starts. If you want to meet Al, you can come over on the day of the big show."
Talented people always have some quirks in life, and Ava thought about it and didn't force it anymore. She agreed, "Okay, then I'll wait until the day of the big show."
"Thank you for understanding, Auntie," Jessie said. She suddenly thought that if her aunt knew that the famous Al was actually the daughter she treated indifferently, what kind of expression would she have?
However, this was also a chance she was giving her aunt. Let her aunt see clearly in advance that her cousin wasn't what they thought she was-a useless divorced woman from the countryside with two children. By dispelling any thoughts of using her cousin, she could repair the relationship between mother and daughter in time.
...
The stars twinkled in the sky.
In the courtyard, Margaret watched Jessie being taken away by Ava, feeling even more frustrated.
She vented her anger in the courtyard, scolding a few servants, and finally managed to attract the attention of Harrison, who was in the study.
Perhaps Harrison had already been alerted but didn't bother with this trivial matter. Now that Ava had caused such a big commotion, he had to intervene.
Closing the study door, Margaret seemed reluctant.
Harrison paced angrily in place for a few moments before pointing at Margaret's nose and cursing, "You foolish woman! All you know is to cause trouble every day. Besides making a mess of the house, what else can you do?"
Margaret was a bit stunned by the scolding, then immediately became indignant, moving her mouth and flushing red as she retorted. "Harrison, be clear about who's causing trouble in the house. It's your sister! She brought her illegitimate daughter here, intending to put an end to our Ramirez family."
"I say you're a foolish woman, and you're still not convinced. Sending Nolan abroad is just temporary. He's living a good life overseas. How have we mistreated him? Wait a while, and when he comes back, everything will be as before. Do you know what kind of trouble you're causing our Ramirez family by making a fuss for a while?" Harrison said, hands on hips, his old face flushed from scolding Margaret excessively.
Margaret disdainfully pursed her lips. "What can Alessia do for our family? Even she couldn't fix someone like Mr. Patel."
"Mr. Patel, huh? Do you even know that Alessia is Gordon Laroux's daughter?" Harrison was so angry that he grabbed the files on the desk and threw them at Margaret.
Margaret was hit on the head by the files, but this time, she remained calm as if nothing had happened.
After a moment of daze, she spoke again, confirming. "What did you say? Gordon Laroux? Are you referring to the second richest man in Toronto?"
"Otherwise, who else in Toronto is called Gordon Laroux?" Harrison was so angry, he sighed heavily.
Margaret was even more puzzled, full of questions. "When did Ava have a romantic involvement with Gordon? How come I didn't know? Isn't Alessia the illegitimate daughter Ava gave birth to in the mental hospital?"
Harrison said, "When Ava was involved with Gordon, you took Nolan out of Toronto. This matter doesn't need to be mentioned, and you don't need to understand it. Anyway, today I'm warning you with this bottom line, hoping you won't cause any more trouble, especially at the recognition banquet. You and I should behave ourselves."
After Harrison's reminder, Margaret seemed to have an epiphany, finally understanding Harrison's intentions.
"So you're backing down to Alessia everywhere to win her over, hoping to introduce Alessia's identity prominently at the recognition banquet, prompting Gordon to come to her and recognize Alessia. With this relationship with Alessia, we can facilitate business dealings between the Laroux and the Ramirez?"
"Yeah, this is just a small part. Alessia may have grown up in the countryside, but after the incident with Nolan, it's clear she's hard to control. Our most important thing is to use Alessia as a springboard, prompting Ava to become Mrs. Laroux." Harrison said ambitiously.
Margaret was startled. "But Gordon has a wife."
"Even if he has a wife, he can still divorce her. You don't need to worry about Ava in this matter. Just remember not to cause any more trouble in the future." Harrison warned sternly in the end.
Margaret sniffled, feeling embarrassed and aggrieved. After all, she was over fifty years old, but she still leaned over to Harrison like a young girl, trying to coax him. "You're annoying! This can't be blamed on me. You didn't tell me anything, so of course, I would think more. Besides, you're about to divorce me. How could I not make a fuss?"
...
Two days passed quickly, and Riley was also discharged from the hospital, moving into Forest Hill just like Bianca.
When Riley learned that Dominic would be conducting tests for Alessia, he approached Dominic expressing his desire to participate and insisting on being involved in Eleanor's situation as well.
At that moment, in Dominic's study.
Dominic, possibly having just taken a shower, sat in a chair wearing only a white shirt, with the top button undone and the sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong, smooth arms.
He didn't immediately respond to Riley's words.
Riley said, "Mr. Carter, the fact that you invited me to treat Christopher proves that you know my medical skills. Moreover, I am Elle's uncle and will naturally be more dedicated than others."
"Uncle?" Dominic played with the pen in his hand, then suddenly looked at Riley. "You and Alessia don't look alike, and Alessia is Ava's daughter."
It was only when Alessia replaced Riley to take care of Christopher that he realized he knew nothing about Alessia.
Although he was indifferent to everything about her, this feeling of being out of control still made him very unhappy.
Riley responded to Dominic's inquiry without showing any emotion. His demeanor was elegant and his attitude gentle as he said, "Alessia and I were adopted from the orphanage by our Master. We grew up together since childhood. We are not siblings, but our relationship is even stronger than siblings."
"Your Master? Victor Laroux!" Dominic affirmed.
For some reason, when Dominic mentioned the name Victor Laroux, an unusual expression appeared on his usually impassive face-a rare expression of disgust.
It was a deep-seated disgust that emanated from the depths of his bones.
Riley was taken aback but didn't miss Dominic's expression. He simply pretended not to notice and continued, "That's correct. Victor Laroux A.K.A Victor La Rosa is indeed our master. Both Alessia and I inherited our medical skills from him. Alessia's medical skills surpass mine. After studying for so many years, Alessia still hasn't completely resolved Elle's fetal poison. I think it's necessary to find him. After all, when Alessia lost her memory, she was with him. He would definitely have a better understanding of this poison."
Dominic didn't immediately answer whether he would help find Victor but instead asked, "You don't even know where your own Master is?"
"I and Alessia have been searching for many years but haven't found any clues about his whereabouts. Mr. Carter, you have a wide network of connections. If you could help us find him, it would certainly be much more efficient." Riley calmly disregarded Dominic's impolite tone and said slowly.
"Heh, this elder is really irresponsible! Even his own grandchildren don't know his whereabouts," Dominic sneered.
At this moment, Dominic was acting unusually, like a hedgehog. Every time Riley said something, he would respond with a prick.
...
Downstairs in the Carter's living room.
Alessia sat on the sofa and approached Riley as he came downstairs. "How did it go? Did he agree?"
"He agreed to let me participate for Elle's fetal poison research, but he didn't make a clear statement about finding Master." Riley reported.
Alessia breathed a sigh of relief, her beautiful almond eyes flickering.
"It's alright. If he doesn't agree, we'll find him ourselves. The sooner we resolve the poison on Elle's body, the better. There's probably no one in Toronto with better resources than Dominic. With him, at least the equipment will be advanced, and there will be enough manpower to speed up the research."
Speaking of which, she also felt that she owed Elle these years. Although she had studied the poison on Elle's body, she had neglected it somewhat due to looking for Chris.
"Yeah." Riley nodded in agreement with Alessia's words. Then, he furrowed his brows and finally spoke out the troubling thought in his heart. "Alessia, I feel like Dominic really dislikes Master."
"He hates Grandfather?" Alessia was stunned, and as she raised her head inadvertently, her gaze met Dominic's at the staircase on the second floor.
***