Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 231: Her Heart Still Longed For Genuine Companionship

Chapter 231: Her Heart Still Longed For Genuine Companionship

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Slowly pushing herself up, Leslie grabbed the remote controller on the bedside table. With a tap, she switched on the main lights to chase the remaining darkness away. She let the rose bouquet flower lamp on.

"Let’s think again..."

Unable to resume sleeping, Leslie decided to dive deeper into Charlene’s past. Her conversation with Calix helped to shed light on the previously obscured memories.

One by one synced with her mind. Some of the memories even gave her massive heartache.

How could she not?

Charlene was terribly mistreated by her family, the ones who shared the same blood as her. Even her parents, Rowan and Bianca were more inclined to please Old Madam Li instead of protecting her, their daughter.

No wonder Charlene stopped begging for Rowan and Bianca’s care and affection. Time and again, the spouses let their eldest daughter down.

’I think... their image is ruined again to me.’

Leslie remembered her first physical meeting with Rowan and Bianca two nights ago.

Initially, she kept her length from them. But, she shrank the distance herself by inviting the spouses to Graceville Manor if they wished for it.

Charlene’s deep despair, helplessness and anger almost influenced Leslie’s mind, blurring the lines between her persona and Charlene’s lingering feelings.

Now that Charlene’s old memories felt so new and raw in her mind, Leslie doubted she could treat Rowan and Bianca better. Without their awareness, they were back to square one.

"Screw that... Let’s focus on this... first..."

Chasing any thoughts about Rowan and Bianca away, Leslie reached out for the topmost drawer of the bedside table. She carefully brought up all diaries, intending to read the unexplored ones as many as she could.

Leslie picked the diary dated two years ago. She flipped to the first page.

’Two years ago, Charlene started her move.’

Through the newly acquired memories, Leslie learned how tyrannical Old Madam Li could be. Because of one of Charlene’s unintended mistakes, the vicious old woman exiled her own granddaughter for over one year and strictly supervised her for almost four years.

As Charlene was afraid of committing any blunder, she kept her movements as discreet and minimal as possible. She wanted to immediately go looking for her missing daughter but, she needed to raise her funds first.

Her goal? To move out of this country, far away from the Li family – including her parents.

’She keeps her collection in the bank’s safe. No one knows about it yet, right?’

Working as a staff in the city library didn’t reward Charlene with a high salary. Yet, she didn’t dare use the monthly allowance she received from the Li family, fearful of getting caught.

Charlene used her small salary to invest here and there, especially in buying gold and stocks. The tiny gold jewelry pieces looked nothing compared to Gladys’ high-end collections but, the accumulation of values was still high.

’Old Madam Li still learned about Charlene buying stocks. It’s great how contradictory she can be.’

Charlene’s action was exposed sometime last year. Thankfully, she managed to stop before her true intention was revealed.

Under Gladys’ instigation, Old Madam Li mocked the former for buying small stocks and jewelry pieces. Both of them assumed Charlene wanted to copy Gladys’ investment habits.

"Don’t shame us by losing money. Keep your new hobby to yourself."

Old Madam Li’s words stung Charlene but, those were nothing compared to the torment she had endured before.

Bowing her head, she simply apologized while displaying her meek persona. She no longer cared about what people thought of her.

"Lucky, she didn’t tell Sarah about her savings and investments. If not..."

Leslie shuddered as she recalled the treacherous of a maid named Sarah. It seemed like Charlene had been using her allowance and a fraction of her savings to help that woman whenever she cried woes.

Closing her eyes, Leslie let out a sigh. She felt no pity toward Sarah who played with Charlene’s sincere feelings. Fortunately, that woman had been shoved behind bars.

’Really... Sarah didn’t deserve Charlene’s genuine sympathy.’

Charlene had been keeping her distance from most people after her exile period ended. She also showed no signs of rebellion as she patiently and quietly planned her moves.

But, Charlene still had soft spots for Irene and Sarah.

Well, there was nothing Charlene could do. Even though she began being distrustful toward most people, her heart still longed for genuine companionship.

Unfortunately, Sarah took advantage of Charlene’s kindness.

"Oh?"

Flipping to the end of the diary, Leslie stumbled on an entry detailing Charlene’s first attempt to locate Calliope. Due to the lack of resources and the need to be discreet, she had to call every orphanage one by one.

"She didn’t get... to find out where her daughter was... until the end."

Depending on Charlene’s memories, Leslie learned of the devastating fact.

"Mimo, where are you?" whispered Leslie, wanting to ask some questions to the crochet fox toy.

|Leslie! I’m here!|

Mimo instantly materialized in front of Leslie, hugging a stalk of a yellow flower. Its loveable appearance earned laughter from her.

"Hehe, did you play... in the garden?" Leslie lifted one hand, letting Mimo nuzzle its nose toward her palm, "Sorry... I have to disturb you... I wanna ask... a few things..."

|Ask me! Come!|

Mimo jumped to Leslie’s lap, giving her the stalk. She thanked the crochet fox toy before smelling the flower.

"It smells good..." Leslie put the flower on her right ear before inquiring, feeling her mood uplifted by Mimo’s small gesture, "The thing is... won’t I get any info... about the original storyline?"

Mimo tilted its head, staring directly at Leslie with its beady eyes.

|What do you want to know, Leslie?|

Mimo was aware something was bothering Leslie. Even though its actions and emotions were limited, it still disliked seeing her worried.

Leslie chuckled, sensing Mimo’s concern despite the lack of physical expression on its crocheted face.

"I want to know... if Poppy and I wouldn’t ever transmigrate here... would Charlene and Calix... eventually find their Calliope later... in the story? When should... it happen?"

Without reading the entire novel, Leslie knew the direction of Charlene and Calix’s story. The truth would be revealed as they found Calliope. But, she lacked details.

|In the story, Charlene woke up from her coma during the Dragon Boat Festival. She secretly looked for Calliope because she didn’t want Calix to know.|

Leslie quietly listened to Mimo as the crochet toy continued telling her about the original storyline.

Charlene’s attempt would be discovered by Calix. Contrary to her expectations, he didn’t get mad at her. He promised to look for the child if that was her wish.

Just like how Calix did to her – Leslie.

|Charlene and Calix created a story about Calliope’s origin. They said they were in a secret relationship and Calliope was their child. But, someone doubted the claims and did a DNA test behind their backs.|

"...what? Who was it? Gladys? Or, some... other random character?"

Flustered by Mimo’s story, Leslie quickly asked.

|You’ve seen him before, Leslie.|

"...who?"

Leslie squinted her eyes, trying to recall every character she had met before. Mimo’s answer turned her speechless.

|The guy you threw stones before[01].|

"..."

That foolish Gerard?!

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