Carla was so confused. Who on earth would spread such a rumor?

Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind.

Could it be... Trina Zhuo?!

Yes, it must be her!

When they were at Steven's art exhibit, Trina saw her and Steven. He even stood up for her when Trina started to attack her. She guessed that the rumor was Trina's way of avenging herself.

With this thought in mind, Carla stood up.

"Debra, Brian, I have to go now."

Carla bid them goodbye and made her way out of the tea house.

"Mrs. An, where are you going?" Carol asked as she saw Carla rush out of the tea house.

After getting in the car, Carla called Terence.

"Terence, I need to investigate on a person. Her name is Trina Zhuo. She used to be a painter. Now, she is helping people hold their art exhibitions."

On the other side of the line, Terence paused before he admitted, "I have already sent people to investigate on her. But Trina seems to have known that we are looking for her. She has been hiding ever since. But luckily, we were able to trace her."

"So you knew about the rumors?"

Carla realized that she was talking nonsense. Of course, Terence would know.

"Yes. Trina has been using her own connections to spread rumors around JA City. I've already filed a case against her for intentional slander and malicious defamation,"

Terence answered slowly. It seemed like he knew everything and that he was on top of them, too.

But rumors had a way of exaggerating themselves. Try as he might to keep them from spreading, Terence knew he could only do so much to contain the rumors.

"Terence, do you trust me?" Carla was silent on the other line for a while, thinking over Terence's revelations.

"Yes. I trust you,"

Terence replied without hesitation.

Even if he didn't know the situation, he wouldn't suspect her of such a thing. He trusted her unconditionally.

But more than that, he knew everything about Carla.

Carla had only been out with Steven in BH City once. He knew because he followed her that one time. And for the rest, he had sent people to secretly protect her. So he knew better than anyone what she had been doing and who she was with.

Carla looked out at the street. Traffic had begun to pile up. The world went on spinning. And here she was with her husband, discussing her alleged affair with a friend. With a bitter smile, she asked, "What if I ask you to help Steven? Would you help him?"

She knew she had to keep Steven at arm's length, especially given the situation they were in.

But she couldn't just stand aside and let

years."

"We don't know that. Accidents happen all the time.

Mom, what are you afraid of? It has been so many years since you left. Yu Sea City is your hometown. You never talk about it to anyone. Have you really never thought of it all these years?"

Carla visited her mother to find out the truth.

It had been a long time since she came back and her mother had never given her any explanation.

Things had obviously come to a fever pitch that it could not be kept a secret anymore.

"Callie, you must be hungry. Let me make you something..." Andrea placed her sleeping grandson on the bed and walked out without looking up.

Every time Carla came for a visit, Andrea would cook for her.

Carla sighed. Her mother was avoiding the question again.

It seemed like it would take some time to persuade her.

Meanwhile

In Yu Sea City, thousands of miles away from HA City

The door could be locked from outside and someone just opened it.

"Hey, you. You know how to paint, don't you? Our lady has asked you to paint for her! She said she would allow you to walk around if she was satisfied with your painting.

You should take the opportunity to paint something beautiful!"

A maid came in and said to Steven who was sitting on the blanket.

A ray of sunlight pierced through Steven's amber eyes. He raised his head to look at the maid and asked, "Did she say anything about the painting?"

"No. Just go ahead and do it. Anyway, what other options do you have?" The maid walked over him, crossing her arms.

"Take your tools and come with me,"

She said, pointing to the courtyard outside.

Steven stood up. He prepared his paint set and tools before he followed the maid out.