From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 394

From Betrayal to Brilliance: Her Rise to a New Life

Chapter 394 The Search Begins

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I wasn’t around for your past, but I must take responsibility for your present and your future.

He paused, his tone shifting to one of calm decisiveness. “As for Lewis and Nina, and that other person who might have hurt you, they will all pay the price they deserve for what they did.”

“But right now, the most important thing is to find that child.”

His words were like a ray of light breaking through the fog in Athena’s heart.

All the fear, shame, and uncertainty that had weighed on her for years suddenly didn’t feel so terrifying anymore, not with his calm strength and unwavering support by her side.

The priority now was finding her child. Everything else could wait.

She turned her hand over and tightly gripped Zaden’s. Her eyes shone again, filled with hope and determination. For the first time in a long while, she had both direction and someone to lean on.

“Alright,” she said, her voice a little hoarse but full of strength.

Then she repeated even more firmly, “We’ll find her together.”

Sunlight broke through the clouds and fell over their joined hands, melting the darkness that had haunted Athena’s heart for years.

The path ahead might still be difficult, but at this moment, she was no longer alone.

Zaden’s office sat on the top floor, with an unbeatable view of the city’s skyline stretching out through floor–to–ceiling windows.

But at that moment, neither he nor Athena had the mood to admire the symbol of power and success outside.

In the meeting area, the atmosphere was heavy.

A large map was spread across the table, several towns circled in different colors. Two men in suits stood by.

The leader of the search team Zaden had hired, Rowan, and his assistant were both studying the map with serious faces.

“Based on the limited information Lewis gave us,” Rowan said as he pointed his laser pen at a state in the southwest region, “There are towns called Bluestone Town or Clearbrooke Town. After checking, we found seven places with matching or similar names.”

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Chapter 394 The Search Begins

Athena’s heart clenched slightly.

Her eyes closely followed the small red light of the laser pointer in Rowan’s hand.

Seven locations.

While it was a lot, at least it wasn’t the entire wide world anymore.

At the same time, Rowan continued.

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His tone was cautious and didn’t offer too much hope. “We started a different line of investigation, checking the staff from that hospital back then, especially in the obstetrics and gynecology department.”

“But, seven years have passed, and there’s been a lot of staff turnover. The key person you mentioned, Ms. Rhett, filed for early retirement right before we started our investigation. The timing is very suspicious, right after you gave birth.”

Athena’s fingers curled up unconsciously.

Zaden silently placed his hand over hers, the warm palm offering a bit of comfort.

We are doing our best to track down Ms. Rhett’s retirement destination and contact information, but this will take time, Rowan’s assistant added. “We are trying to reach out to the nurses and caregivers from that time that we can contact, but so far, no one has provided any directly useful information.”

“It’s been too long. Many people can’t remember clearly anymore.”

Hope was like a weak flame, starting to flicker right after being lit, battered by the cold wind of reality.

Zaden’s low voice cut through the silence. “What’s the priority order?”

Based on population movement, remoteness, and cross–referencing with Lewis’s possible social network, Rowan pointed to three points circled in red. “These three are slightly more likely.

“Especially this Bluestone Town. It’s in the mountains, and transport is relatively inconvenient. The possibility of someone moving there from outside exists, but it’s just a guess.”

“Then start with the most likely ones!”

Zaden ordered decisively. “Send people to visit the sites. Don’t miss any clue, especially whether there were any outsiders who moved in around seven years ago, or if any family suddenly adopted a child, or if anyone used to work in the medical field.”

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