Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 299 Taking in the Elderly

After searching around the restaurant and nearby streets without finding the old man, Jason and Lacey asked passersby and local shopkeepers about him.

Many recognized the disheveled Harmonian elder, saying he'd been in the area for quite some time. Some had tried to help him, learning he was searching for his son. Due to his mental confusion, he couldn't provide his son's name or whereabouts, though people mentioned seeing him with a photo of a Harmonian boy about ten years old.

Unable to locate him, they eventually gave up the search.

As Jason walked Lacey back to her accommodation, he remained unusually quiet. "Do you know that old man?" she finally asked.

After a long pause, Jason replied, "No."

Lacey trusted her intuition, though. Jason's reaction to the old man seemed strange not like how one would respond to a stranger. He was typically compassionate, yet his coldness toward the poor old man seemed out of character.

What connection could he possibly have with the old man? And if there was one, why would he deny knowing him? These questions remained unanswered.

After dropping Lacey off, Jason left.

Back at her apartment, just after showering and getting into bed, Lacey received a call from Richard.

"I'm sorry I haven't had time to discuss the business matters yet," she apologized before Richard could speak.

She always took her work seriously, never treating her position differently because her boss was her brother.

To her surprise, Richard said there was no rush and asked if she'd met Jason.

When she confirmed she had, Richard laughed. "Good. Don't worry bout work; enjoy yourself first."

Lacey understood Richard had ulterior motives in sending her here, but she always kept her professional and personal lives separate, maintaining her composure and rationality at work.

"I'm not that unreliable. Don't worry, I'll take care of business tomorrow," she assured him.

"I want you to be happy," Richard said. "Nothing is more important than your happiness."

Lacey felt touched. Richard rarely expressed such sentiments to her. Though she always knew he cared for her, he had never stated it so directly.

His growing ability to express himself showed he had matured and understood the value of family bonds.

The next morning, Lacey left with her prepared documents, intending to finalize the contract her primary reason for coming abroad.

Passing the overpass where they'd encountered the old man the previous night, she thought about him again and paused.

raggedly dressed beggars sat beneath the bridge, but the

his mental state, how long would it

Lacey suddenly spotted the old man sitting on

to be in his fifties, but his eyes seemed weathered beyond his years, cloudy like

approached and crouched before him. "Sir, have you

his head, wringing his

sympathy, she asked, "Do you remember

vacant eyes, giving no indication whether

from what I hear. How will you ever

his head more vigorously. "No, my son is

Harmonia too. If you trust me, I can help you search for your son. What do

blinked twice, showing a spark of excitement. "Really? You'll help find

but we can't rush. First, let me

some hesitation,

brought him to her apartment building and rented the single room next door for him. She bought him new clothes and toiletries, and while he

had finished cooking. She studied him

wearing decent clothes, he looked completely different. He had regular features he

him rice, she asked, "Do you remember what your son looks

his son, the old man stopped eating, his expression

you might be missing out on the complete story. Head over there

this big, and when he smiles, it's like this," he explained,

awkwardly. "I understand. Please eat now-we need strength

she washed the dishes and gathered his old clothes to throw away, as they were too dirty and

he take an afternoon nap, she carried the bundle of clothes toward the

saw it

and examined it,

in his clothes all along. In his confused state,

was standing by the window, gazing outside with longing, nostalgia, and

mental confusion and forgotten memories, his

him, then prepared his bed

but locals said he'd been searching for some time. He likely hadn't enjoyed

eyes, Lacey left the room and headed out

the person in charge. Leaving the building,

man, the

you're too kind," Jason replied

contract negotiation and invited him to celebrate

special dinner she planned to