Why the constant absence of both Theodore and Holden at the same time? Masks hiding faces, a fabricated fire story; something didn’t add up!
The more Ariana mulled over it, the more her expression darkened, suspicions becoming convictions.
Holden asked, “Back then, did I meet you as Holden?”
Ariana nodded, saying, “Yeah, but you had a mask on, playing the mysterious card. It was a real head-scratcher.”
Holden awkwardly cleared his throat. “So, you never got a good look at Holden back then?”
Ariana nodded, and Holden understood something.
No wonder Devin had said he had met Ariana as Holden five years ago.
But Ariana still was perplexed and did not seem to understand the whole thing.
Holden explained, “I think there was a reason I couldn’t reveal both identities back then. So, I got close to you as Holden.”
Ariana, processing the information, queried, “What’s your mother’s name again?”
“Aimee Wallace. Grandfather told me she was his only daughter who had passed away ages ago from some illness,” Holden replied.
‘s
This answer made Ariana pause. Perhaps Holden’s grandfather had spun that tale for Holden’s benefit. She let it slide, nodding in acceptance.
Simultaneously, she pieced together more of the puzzle.
Aimee must have kept her identity as a member of the Fredrick family a secret at the time. Otherwise, Darian would never have treated her that way, given his nature.
It was plausible that Theodore had known her mother’s identity, which would account for his vicious revenge against the Anderson family and his part in the company’s bankruptcy. He had most likely planned Adrian’s acquisition of the Anderson Group in secret to guarantee the Anderson family’s irreversible decline.
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It also looked like Theodore’s vendetta against the Anderson family had deep Fredrick roots. Maybe he had never told her the Holden secret to prevent tipping his hand.
As the two of them were engrossed in conversation, the door to the hospital room swung open with a sudden burst, and in barged Sonia with brisk movements of urgency. She carried some equipment in her arms, and her clothes were covered in specks of dust. It seemed like she had received the news and rushed over immediately.
“Aria, you… Ah!” Sonia’s voice faltered as her gaze fell upon Holden and Ariana, holding hands. The initial concern in her expression shifted to sheer shock. With a sharp scream that broke the room’s calm, she raised her equipment defensively as if to fend Holden off, her eyes as wide as saucers as she stared at Holden in disbelief. “Theodore! Are you a human or a ghost?”
Holden, taken aback, opened his mouth to respond but found himself momentarily speechless. Ariana turned to the bewildered Sonia and, wearing a resigned smile, explained, “He’s a human. He survived the car accident five years ago but lost his memory.”
“What? This is crazy!” Sonia still couldn’t believe it. She circled around Holden, her wide eyes fixed on him as she approached Ariana.