Chapter 295
Latham just stared, completely at a loss for words. “When did you figure it out p>
“Three years ago, when you came back home to get that tattoo p>
Scott tried to look casual, but the truth was, he’d never been as unfazed as he pretended.
Seven years ago, Latham had nearly lost his legs in a car accident. Out of nowhere, he decided to go abroad for rehab. Even when Scott and their father wanted to visit him, Latham shut them down flat. Scott could still remember how their dad’s hair went gray almost overnight from all the worry.
Scott himself couldn’t just hop on a plane. That kind of travel wasn’t exactly easy, not with his identity, so he had to rely on his people overseas to keep an eye on Latham.
That was the first time Scott ever heard the name Dorothea. Latham mentioned her but never gave any real details. Scott wasn’t sure what to make of it until Latham finally recovered and came back. When Scott saw that fresh red tattoo, he realized Latham had fallen, and he’d fallen hard.
“Relax. I didn’t go digging into your life on purpose. I just didn’t want you to get taken advantage of. But the more I looked, the more it seemed like you were the one doing the deceiving. Back then, Dorothea was just a kid. Don’t you think that’s a little… predatory p>
Latham pressed his lips together, rolling his eyes. “Don’t twist it. Albert got the wrong idea all on his own. I didn’t lead him on. He’s just clueless p>
He was pretty much done with all this back and forth. “Alright, Scott, your secret’s safe with me. Happy p>
Scott’s lips curled into a sly grin. “Honestly, I think your secret is a lot juicier than mine p>
Albert had been trying to dig up dirt on Latham for a while now, but he kept running into dead ends. He was starting to think he’d been barking up the wrong tree.
Then, as luck would have it, a prestigious school sent him an invitation to come visit. He figured, why not.
“Albert, check this out. This braille smartwatch was designed by our sixth graders. It just won a silver medal at the International Invention Expo. The labs you invested in gave these kids access to the best tech. They’re going to be grateful to you for years to come p>
Albert barely heard the flattery. His eyes landed on a photo hanging on the school’s announcement board. Something about it looked familiar.
“What’s this photo from p>
The principal smiled, clearly proud. “That was the day Ladd brought his son for a tour. All of us school
four.
leaders took a group picture with them See, that’s Ladd and his sortin
the middle Albert, do you know them p>
Of course Albert recognized Latham. The date on the photo was from over a decade ago, and Latham already looked like a grown man. What was he doing touring an elementary school back then?
Albert’s gaze drifted to the bottom
left corner of the picture. There was a blurry shape in a red dress. Even though it was just the side of her face, Albert knew right away it was Dorothea.
Did Dorothea go to this elementary school?
“Perry, can you get me a list of all the students enrolled here thirteen years ago? I need to track someone down p>
Perry hesitated. “We didn’t have a digital system back then. I’m not sure the records still exist, but I’ll have our staff look into it p>
“Thank you p>
Dorothea couldn’t help but notice that Latham had been acting super weird lately.
He started wearing a pink hair tie on his wrist. His car was suddenly full
of cute plush toys, and he’d
swapped out the seat covers net
ones bright pink. Even their
matchin
phone cases had been
replaced with pink versions.
“What’s going on? Latham, if you keep this up, I’m seriously going to start thinking
you’re switching sides,” Dorothea said, giving him a look.
Latham didn’t think there was anything strange about it. “Babe, out of everyone, you should know exactly where I stand p>