Substitute Marriage: Reborn As The Top Big-Shot

He immediately closed the door of the study.

At that moment, Edward Thompson happened to pass by the corridor and saw Viola Thompson standing in Mandel’s study, followed by Mandel closing the door.

He frowned in silence.

Normally, when he was alone with Sylvia Thompson, Mandel would scold him loudly and put on the airs of an older brother.

Now what?

Why could he be alone with Viola, but not with Sylvia?

The atmosphere in the house was becoming more and more oppressive.

In the study.

Mandel looked at Viola.

“Little sister, you’re not joking, are you?”

“No,” Viola said seriously, “although I don’t have any solid evidence right now, I think my guess is very likely to be correct.”

For someone as intelligent as Mandel,

if Sylvia were really Aunt Zhang’s biological child, he couldn’t imagine how terrifying the situation would be!

Mandel slightly furrowed his brows, his tone low, “If Aunt Zhang is really Sylvia’s biological mother, then your disappearance might not be an accident! It might be a long-planned setup.”

After all,

when Viola disappeared, the birthmark on her arm had been brutally cut off.

At this point,

Cold sweat broke out on Mandel’s forehead.

He couldn’t believe that their family had been living with a human trafficker and his daughter all these years.

One incident after another,

If Aunt Zhang was really Sylvia’s biological mother, it would all make sense.

Mandel continued to ask, “Viola, how did you figure it out?”

“Big brother, haven’t you noticed that Aunt Zhang’s facial features are actually very similar to Sylvia’s?”

As she spoke, Viola took out a photocopy of A4 paper with the photos of the two people and handed it to Mandel.

Mandel took the A4 paper and carefully observed the similarities between the two.

He had never noticed these details before, but now that he looked closely, not only were their facial features alike, but their eyes were also somewhat similar.

As she finished speaking, Viola continued, “Actually, I’ve always felt there is a special connection between Aunt Zhang and Sylvia. Even though they don’t talk much, the vibe they give off is strange, as if they’re deliberately trying to avoid something.”

Why would they deliberately avoid each other when they hadn’t done anything wrong?

When others were around, Aunt Zhang didn’t even dare to look Sylvia in the eye.

If the two were really mother and daughter, it would explain everything.

Mandel turned to Viola, “If your guess is true, then your disappearance, grandma’s fall from the stairs, your ID card being stolen by Iris White, and now Brandon’s incident are not accidents. They are all the doing of this mother-daughter duo!”

Viola nodded slightly, “Yes, there must be a connection.”

That’s why she came to talk to Mandel as soon as she discovered this.

Because she knew Mandel was a wise person and a responsible brother.

“Now all we need is a parent-child identification report to confirm whether they are truly mother and daughter.”

Mandel narrowed his eyes slightly, “I’ll have someone prepare it right away. Viola, can hair be analyzed as well as blood for identification?”

“Yes,” Viola nodded lightly, “but the hair must have the follicle attached. Saliva and even clipped fingernails can also be used for parent-child identification.”

“Alright,” Mandel continued, “leave this to me, you just wait for the results.”

Viola gave a faint smile, “Okay.”

“Also,” Mandel instructed, “you must not let anyone else know about this for now. Don’t even tell our parents.”

The fewer people who knew about it before the parent-child identification results were out,

the more accurate the results would be.

If others found out and the news leaked, someone might tamper with the test report.

Especially the clueless Edward Thompson.

“Alright, big brother.”

Mandel looked at Viola, suddenly feeling extremely guilty.

If Aunt Zhang was really Sylvia’s biological mother, he simply couldn’t face Viola!

If they had discovered the truth earlier, they could have found Viola sooner.

“Little sister, you’ve suffered a lot over the years.”

Viola looked up slightly and smiled, “It’s all in the past.”

Her tone was light, as if she didn’t care about anything.

It’s all in the past.

It seemed like just four simple words,

But Mandel understood that for Viola, it wasn’t just words, but the reality of eighteen long years.

A moment later,

Viola walked out of the study.

Mandel followed her out.

Edward approached from the other side, ignoring Viola. He walked up to Mandel and said, “Big brother.”

“What’s the matter?” Mandel raised his head slightly, his face solemn, “If there’s something you want to say, come inside.”

Edward followed Mandel’s footsteps into the study.

“What were you two talking about in the study just now?”

“Is it any of your business?” Mandel furrowed his brow slightly.

Edward snorted coldly, “I don’t need you to tell me. She must have been badmouthing Sylvia again! Why can’t she say it to her face? Why does she have to talk behind her back? Big brother, have you forgotten how we were taught growing up?”