chapter 3

The car rolled to a stop at the new location. One by one, everyone stepped out.

Staring at the worn-down building in front of them, Anthony frowned.

"Why is it a welfare home?"

Mom's face twisted with annoyance. "What the hell is Abigail up to now?"

Even Alison's usual sweet expression cracked—her eyes full of disdain.

Only Gordon stood silently, staring at the entrance of the welfare home. His expression shifted, growing distant.

"Why here?" he murmured.

"What did you say, Gordon?" Alison turned to him, confused.

"Nothing," Gordon said quietly before stepping through the gates.

Their arrival did not go unnoticed.

The elderly stopped their morning exercises, while the children paused mid-slide to watch them.

I watched from the side, my heart tightening at the familiar sight.

Hallie Macan had been taking such good care of them.

Then a figure stepped out from the building.

The moment I saw her, a wave of emotion surged through me.

I rushed forward. "Hallie! I missed you so much!"

I circled around her, beaming.

However, of course, she could not see me.

Her gaze, however, was locked on Gordon.

"Well, well ... Look who it is," she said with a raised brow. "Didn't think a big star like you would show up here."

"Long time no see, Hallie," Gordon replied, a crease between his brows.

"You two know each other?" Alison asked, puzzled again.

"Yeah," Gordon said flatly, clearly not in the mood to explain.

Hallie crossed her arms. "So? Why are you here? What's so important that you all had to show up in person?"

"We're looking for my sister, Abigail Valdez," Alison replied.

"I'm Alison. That's my mom and brother over there."

She introduced them like it was some formal event.

However, when Hallie heard that, her expression completely changed.

"Leave!" she shouted.

"All of you, just leave!"

Her voice was full of anger, and everyone was clearly shaken.

Alison stepped forward, trying to stay calm.

"Please don't be mad, Hallie," she said.

"I don't know what my sister did that upset you so much ...

"But if she's wronged you, I'll say sorry for her.

"I really am sorry."

Then she bowed deeply in front of Hallie.

In the livestream, comments flew in, [Ugh! Poor Ali, she doesn't deserve this!]

[Abigail must've seriously messed up—how many people must've hate her?]

[And why is Gordon even friends with someone like that?]

Hallie let out a cold laugh. "Cut it out already! This is a welfare home, not a movie shoot!"

"Watch your tone, Hallie," Gordon said, frowning.

Before things got tense, Alison gently stopped him and shook her head. Then, pulling a thick wad of cash from her purse, she handed it over.

"This is from our family. It's to make up for whatever my sister did. Could you at least tell me what happened?"

Hallie did not answer. Her face was still cold.

Alison gasped. "Don't tell me it's something worse than borrowing shady money or hooking up with creepy old men?"

Hallie's fists clenched. "Who told you that crap?" she asked angrily.

"My sister's old landlord," Alison replied, looking serious.

"You actually believed that?" Hallie turned to Gordon, giving him a sharp look.

Gordon paused, eyes shifting, then finally nodded. "Abigail did cross the line too many times."

Hallie snapped. "You heartless jerk!" she yelled, pointing at him.

"Gordon, how could you say that about Abby?

"If it wasn't for her, you'd still be mute!"