Chapter 102 Suspicious Video
As the gigantic screen flickered, it began playing an old news report about a fire at the border five years ago. Chloe’s heart clenched at the sight.
The fire had broken out near Cloudrion’s borders. The flames had raged so fiercely that all the local firefighters were brought in, and even reinforcements from neighboring cities came to help. They had battled for a full day and night before the fire was finally contained.
Chloe had paid close attention to the fire back then because Daniel had vanished at Cloudrion’s borders. Yet in the aftermath, his name hadn’t been mentioned at all, neither on the list of casualties nor in any records from nearby hospitals.
She’d joined the military investigators at the border and questioned those involved in putting the fire out, but no one had seen him.
To this day, Chloe had no idea if the fire had anything to do with his disappearance. Perhaps he’d gone missing even before the fire had started, but if he was still alive, why hadn’t he ever shown up? What could possibly be holding him back?
“Why do you look so pale, Sonya? Are you feeling unwell?” Curtis‘ voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
All around them, heads turned to look at Sonya. Chloe followed their gaze, only to see that Sonya’s face was as white as a sheet, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead and rolling down her cheeks.
The banquet hall was comfortably cool, so no one should be sweating. To Chloe, Sonya looked more terrified than unwell. But being frightened by a simple news clip about a fire just didn’t make sense.
“I’m fine. Maybe… just a little tired,” Sonya replied, struggling to suppress her shock.
Who’d played that video? Was it a coincidence or…
“Sonya, isn’t this the fire you helped fight?” Willow suddenly asked.
Sonya stiffened, while Willow boastfully continued as if she’d found a chance to show off, “I remember this was the massive fire at Cloudrion’s borders five years ago. You were still an intern at AeroQuest back
then.
“Instead of running away, you rushed forward to pull people out of danger and help put the fire out. You even coordinated with the police and the local authorities. Not many could stay so calm and brave in a crisis like that.”
She then shot Chloe a provocative glance and added, “No wonder Mr. Green adores you. If I were a man, I’d fall for a woman as righteous and self–sacrificing as you are too!”
As Sonya’s expression grew more strained, people around her began to compliment her.
“I never knew Ms. Miller was that brave!”
Chapter 12 suspicious video
“That’s a true heroine right there! Many men might not even be as brave as her.”
“A toast to Ms. Miller’s courage!”
Wine glasses lifted around the hall. For a moment, Sonya was showered with praise, but her face didn’t show the slightest hint of pride. Instead, sorrow shadowed her features.
“Please turn it off. So many died that day, and firefighters sacrificed their lives to put out the fire. It pains me to see that news report.”
The staff members hurriedly switched off the news report, though they were equally confused about who
could have tampered with the feed on the screen–and that too to show a news report about a tragedy from five years ago.
But Willow wasn’t done. She turned to Chloe and said, “Sonya is a true hero, unlike some people who just
put on an act, talk big, and probably shrink away in real danger.”
Though she never mentioned names, everyone could tell she was referring to Chloe.
Chloe met her eyes and calmly said, “Are you saying that if something like that happens, you’d courageously step forward too? That’s admirable, and the Quall family can be really proud of you. I hope you aren’t one of those who only know how to talk big, Willow.”
The retort rendered Willow speechless. Now that Chloe had said that, if a fire ever broke out in front of Willow, she would be expected to charge right in to save people.
But she knew perfectly well that she’d only been boasting. If a fire did break out, she would be the first to flee. She would never risk herself to save anyone.
“I’m not feeling well, Curtis. I need to leave,” Sonya suddenly said.
“Let me come with you.” Curtis offered.
“It’s fine. I just need to get some rest in the hotel room,” she replied. She was already walking away before he could respond.
Chloe watched her leave hurriedly and frowned. Something about Sonya’s reaction struck her as odd. For a woman who thrived on applause and compliments, Sonya seemed almost desperate to escape it
tonight.
“What’s on your mind?” Brian’s voice rang in Chloe’s ear.
“Sonya’s acting a little strange,” she replied honestly.
“Why do you care so much about her?”
“It’s just strange, but it doesn’t really concern me.” Whether Sonya had been a hero during the fire or not made no difference to Chloe, but…
“I once suspected that the fire at the border might be connected to Daniel’s disappearance, but when I looked through all the reports and footage from that time, I didn’t find any trace of him. His name wasn’t
Chapter 102 Suspicious Video
on the list of deceased people either.
“I just never expected that Sonya was also there to help with the firefighters.”
“That is quite a coincidence,” Brian murmured softly, lowering his eyes in thought.
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