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.

beneath the bridge, but

In his mental state, how long would it take

old man sitting on the bridge

fifties, but his eyes seemed weathered beyond his years, cloudy like those

approached and crouched before him. "Sir, have

old man simply shook his

you remember me? We met

vacant eyes, giving no indication whether he

from what I hear. How will you ever find him this way?

the old man shook his head more vigorously. "No, my

about his welfare, Lacey said, "Sir, I'm from Harmonia too. If

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

can't rush. First, let me find you somewhere to stay,

some hesitation,

apartment building and rented the single room next door for him. She bought him new clothes and toiletries, and while he bathed which thankfully he could manage himself—she prepared a

finished cooking. She studied him carefully as she set out

clean and wearing decent clothes, he looked completely different. He had regular features he must have been

served him rice, she asked, "Do you

his son, the old man stopped eating, his expression

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when he smiles, it's like this," he explained, setting down

couldn't form a clear picture but smiled awkwardly. "I understand. Please eat now-we need strength to

gathered his old clothes to

bundle

saw

picked it up and examined it,

in his clothes all along. In his confused state, he'd forgotten where he'd put it, causing the

instead of resting was standing by the window,

in his soul. Despite his mental confusion and forgotten memories, his yearning for his

the photo rather than returning it to him, then prepared his bed and encouraged

been living rough, but locals said he'd been searching for some time. He likely hadn't enjoyed a comfortable

eyes, Lacey left the room and headed out with her contract

the company, she successfully negotiated the deal with the person in charge. Leaving the

in the old man, the line went silent

just think you're

her successful contract negotiation

dinner she planned