Chapter 657

'Bentley even had a kid. What's really going on between him and Melanie?' She sensed a mix of curiosity and deep affection.

For someone like Melanie, who's never been in love, Bentley is a big deal-the second heir of the Jenkins family in Veridiania.

That night, after going through all the Blanchet family's financial reports, Winnie found a way to help Melanie and then called Bentley, asking him to come over with his daughter.

"Is she really Melanie's kid?"

Bentley took a drag from his cigarette. "She is."

"But Melanie keeps denying it," Winnie replied.

Bentley stubbed out his cigarette, his lips twitching. "I figured she would. If she remembered even a little, she wouldn't treat me like a stranger and wouldn't dare come near me."

"Melanie said she was studying abroad four years ago and never dated anyone. Did you force her?"

"Ms. Anderson, what do you think of me?" Bentley looked frustrated. "We had a real relationship, okay? I'm not a monster. Why else would she have my child?"

"Then why doesn't she remember anything? When she was at ST Company, she clearly didn't recognize you."

Bentley rubbed his temples, his eyes dark. "I want to know that too. The only thing that stands out is her trip abroad with Ishara that year. Lately, I've noticed you and Lawrence have been looking into Ishara."

Winnie frowned. 'Could Melanie's situation be tied to Ishara? She seems to be involved in everything.'

"I can't ask Melanie now, you know why. She calls me Mr. Jenkins. But look, my daughter really looks like her, doesn't she?"

Winnie glanced at the little girl, Anna, and couldn't deny it.

As Bentley was about to leave with Anna, Winnie gritted her teeth. "So you want me to ask Melanie for you, no matter what?"

"If you're willing, that'd be great!"

Winnie frowned and shook her head. "No way. Melanie's in a good place now. Plus, I'm not that close to her. Digging into her past isn't right."

Bentley's brows furrowed. 'Women always stick together,' he thought. His tone dropped. "If you won't help me, I'll find a way to make you willing to."

"What are you going to do?" Winnie asked coldly, but Bentley had already left with Anna.

She organized all the company documents until almost dawn.

Winnie called a driver to take her back to the Dazzling Estate villa. She was so exhausted she fell asleep on the sofa.

After a long sleep, she woke up groggily, finding herself moved to the bed.

A little head popped up above her. "Mommy, you're finally awake. Do you know how long you've been sleeping?"

Winnie rubbed her temples, feeling a bit feverish. "How long?"

"Two whole days!"

Sidney pouted, genuinely worried. "You had a fever and kept sleeping. I was so scared. If you didn't wake up, I was about to call Oscar back."

That explained why she felt like she tried to wake up several times but couldn't.

At that moment, Elliott walked over, patting Sidney's head, and looked at Winnie. "Feeling better? The doctor said you were exhausted. You were already weak after coming back from the island, and you didn't rest before going to the Blanchet family. Should I call Rock?"

Winnie shook her head. "Don't worry him. What time is it now?"

Sidney replied, "Four in the afternoon."

Winnie stared blankly for a moment, her mind slowly clearing. She noticed Mia with red eyes outside the door and asked, "Uncle Elliott, has Olivia come home?"

Elliott and Lena exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting slightly as they shook their heads.

Elliott said, "Winnie, Sidney mentioned you promised Mia that Olivia would come home that night. We wanted to ask if you found her. There's a bit of a situation now."

"What situation?" Winnie asked urgently.

Lena snorted. "Isn't Lynn Olivia's cousin? She came from Lymington to cause trouble. Mr. DeRoss is missing, right? Lynn, claiming to be his fiancée, came to our house yesterday, demanding we hand over Olivia. She said Olivia seduced Mr. DeRoss and wanted Mia to reveal his whereabouts. In short, Lynn is bad news."

Winnie's heart sank. She knew Lynn's type from her time in Lymington. Lynn, along with Darcy, bullied Olivia for three years. Since becoming Jeremy's fiancée, she's been insufferable.

Winnie couldn't rest. She picked up her phone and saw Olivia hadn't called her. 'Why didn't she come home? Or did Lynn already block her?'

She changed her clothes, comforted the kids, and quickly went downstairs, ready to drive out and find Olivia.

At the gate of the Dazzling Estate villa, Lynn and a few bodyguards blocked Winnie. "Ms. Anderson, I suggest you hand over Olivia. She seduced my fiancé in Trento City, and I haven't settled that score. Now Mr. DeRoss is missing, and Olivia might know something. Make her come out! If she doesn't, I'll notify Sam to take her and Mia back to Lymington!"

"How dare you." Winnie flung her arm away, her eyes cold. "If you bring Sam here to harm Olivia, you'll regret it, Lynn."

"This is beyond your control."

Lynn smiled slyly. "Mr. DeRoss is the ninth-generation heir of the DeRoss family. You probably don't know how deep their roots go. If Mr. Rodriguez makes Jeremy lose, even he won't escape. Do you believe it?"

Winnie didn't buy it. "You keep making threats."

From what Winnie knew, even if the DeRoss family was powerful, they were still just the underworld of Lymington. Could they come to Trento City to punish Lawrence? She'd never heard of the DeRoss family having any hidden power.

"Where are you going? To find Olivia?" Lynn rudely followed.

Winnie had the Dazzling Estate security stop them and immediately got into her car to drive off.

She frowned deeply. 'Olivia isn't in Lynn's hands? Then, could she still be with Lawrence? Did Lawrence change his mind and not release Olivia?'

Winnie gripped the steering wheel tightly. She didn't want to see Lawrence but angrily dialed his number.

Lawrence didn't answer. 'Was he doing it on purpose, forcing her to see him?'

With Lynn causing trouble for Olivia, she had to find her quickly.

With no other choice, Winnie changed her route, heading straight to the Rodriguez Group's office.