Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 75: The Male Lead’s Influence on CEO Xu

Chapter 75: The Male Lead’s Influence on CEO Xu

Apart from the slight disturbance from Xander and Violet on Saturday, Calix was able to have his relaxing weekend until Sunday evening. He happily spent most of his time being a salted fish.

As for Leslie, she finally finished the thriller book when night arrived. Aside from reading some diaries, she also frequently took strolls around the yard and lay on the lounge chair by the poolside.

All in all, both of them had a good weekend.

"Really, I didn’t expect the grandmother to be the kidnapper. No wonder she acted so suspiciously in the beginning. I simply thought she was hostile to her daughter-in-law."

Leslie narrated her opinions about the novel during their ride to Xu International on Monday morning. Calix brought her along, saying her day would be boring if she stayed at Graceville Manor until he returned.

Calix laughed gleefully, affected by Leslie’s enthusiasm. While focusing on driving, he replied.

"The book is interesting, right? Actually, the mystery is quite simpler than most books. But, I like the author’s writing style and how she expands the ideas."

Calix enjoyed reading books but, he didn’t think of himself as an avid reader who followed every new release of his favorite authors.

"Thank goodness the evil grandmother got what she deserved," Leslie scowled. She was still mad at the character of the book, "I can’t imagine how the girl would live if her plan was a success."

Turned out that the wicked grandmother was involved with a slave trader. After failing to pay a huge debt, she ended up trying to sell her own granddaughter off to him.

Fortunately, her vicious plan was thwarted by the mother. Even though the latter broke her limbs during the process, she successfully rescued her little girl.

"I think most mothers are like that," Leslie lowered her voice. She threw her gaze out the window, watching the busy morning traffic, "They’re willing to sacrifice even their lives to keep their children safe."

If someone did that to Calliope, Leslie wouldn’t hesitate to sell her soul to the devil just to exact revenge. Her daughter was her heart and soul – her everything.

Calix understood what Leslie wanted to convey but, the early parts of her opinions piqued his interest.

Shifting his gaze to her for a moment, Calix asked, "You said, most mothers. Does it mean not all mothers, or parents will do that? Sacrificing their all to their children?"

Leslie blinked, not expecting that question. Peeling her gaze away from the outside, she looked at Calix’s side profile. He slowed down before eventually stopping at the red light.

Exhaling a soft sigh, Leslie fiddled with her thumbs. She replied, "It’s a beautiful vision but, unfortunately not realistic. Not every parent will do that. They would rather abandon their children in the face of inconvenience or danger."

For example, her birth parents. They greatly favored her brother while extorting everything they could from her. Not once they looked at her with a shred of affection.

Leslie bit her lower lip. She took a deep breath, trying to stabilize her turbulent emotions.

That was all in the past. She didn’t need to face them anymore.

Even though this was a world inside a book, Leslie admitted that she was more comfortable here. Once she found Calliope, her life would be complete once again yet, happier.

Calix let out a hum before nodding slightly, unaware of the chaos terrorizing Leslie’s mind. What she had just said held the facts.

"It’s sad but, it’s the truth," Calix sighed, "Not everyone has parents or family who will be their rock when something bad happens."

"Yeah..."

Calix took a brief look at Leslie before starting to drive again. She leaned against the cushion, looking slightly downcast.

Did she get too affected by the book and the topic they were talking about just now?

Calix pursed his lips. While driving, he racked his brain to think of something else to change the gloomy vibe in the car.

A soul like Leslie shouldn’t feel Monday blues ah.

"Let’s head to Irene’s school at four. I think the traffic wouldn’t be bad yet."

Calix’s sudden change of topic lured Leslie’s attention away from her heavy mind. Once again, she looked at the young man dressed in a three-piece navy blue suit.

"We’re really going there?" Leslie recalled Calix’s suggestion to meet Irene during dinner the other night, "I think talking to her on the phone is sufficed."

Calix contacted Rowan because he didn’t have Irene’s phone number. At first, his father-in-law hesitated before he eventually agreed.

Irene also had been informed of Calix fetching her up on Monday. The teenager agreed. She asked him to treat her to some ice cream after school.

"Nah. It’s better to talk to her directly," Calix shook his head, disagreeing with Leslie’s plan, "Let’s explain to her before we arrive at the Li family home. You actually have a suspect in mind, don’t you?"

Startled, Leslie inadvertently widened her eyes.

"...you can tell?"

"Hah! Who do you think I am?" Calix replied in a proud tone, smiling smugly at Leslie for a brief moment, "I wanted to ask you but, you seem not ready to tell me yet. Well, you can wait until we meet Irene."

This matter sounded insignificant but, Calix knew how important it was for Leslie.

She couldn’t remember anything that happened during the incident. Her mind suppressed the horrifying memory.

Leslie chuckled before her laughter became louder. Shaking her head in helplessness, she said, "I want Irene to bring up the pendant when the suspect is there. I want to see her reaction."

"Who is it?" Calix raised his brows, wondering who Leslie had been doubting so far, "Someone within the Li family? Or..."

"Sarah. I think it’s the maid. You know, the one who tried to steal the perfume?"

Calix sighed once again. He recalled the night when he stayed at the Li family’s ancestral home.

If Leslie hadn’t wandered into her bedroom, she would have missed the scene of the maid stealing her belongings. It might not be the latter’s first attempt.

"It’s actually not surprising. She might be the perpetrator. Let’s see if we can find something from her. I think your sister will be glad to help us."

Leslie guessed the maid Sarah as the suspect but, it didn’t mean the latter really was the one who pushed her down the stairs. Still, Calix thought that this was better than nothing.

"Yes," Leslie nodded. She stared at the moving vehicles in front, "I want the pendant back. It’s my maternal grandmother’s memento."

Leslie hadn’t remembered the second thing Charlene wanted her to find. Perhaps, she would recall it after retrieving the pendant.

"It’s an important heirloom from her. We’ll get it back," Calix’s voice was full of confidence. His lips had a hint of a smirk, "But, we should punish the wrongdoer too. Don’t worry, Leslie. We’ll get both."

Leslie blinked.

Why did his words sound like what a domineering male lead would say?

Well, it might be Xander’s influence. They were best of friends after all.

None of them spoke anymore. In a few minutes more, Leslie saw the towering building of Xu International.