"But anyone who''s been through domestic abuse knows-it never stops at just


    one incident. It always happens again. He hit me several more times. Eventually, I realized I couldn''t go on like this. So, I secretly installed cameras around the house. When our child was seven months old, he beat me so badly my ribs were broken and I had to be rushed to the hospital. That time, between the medical report and the footage from the cameras, I finally had what I needed to break free."


    Briony pressed her lips together, pausing for a moment before she spoke. "Being a mother should be your strength, not your weakness."


    Karen froze.


    "Your ex-husband is intentionally hiding your child, and from the way you talk about him, it''s clear he''s a violent man. It''s possible he could hurt your child just tosh out. That means you need to find your child as soon as possible."


    "But I..." Karen''s voice trembled. Regret welled up in her eyes. "I don''t even know where to start. I called the police, but there''s still no news."


    "If you trust me, I can help."


    "You''ll help me?" Karen stared at Briony, disbelief written all over her face. "Why would you do that?"


    "I have my reasons, of course."


    Briony pulled a contract from her bag. "You were once one of the most popr action actresses in Riverview. After your marriage, you suffered abuse, and after your divorce, your son was taken by your ex-husband and hidden away. In other words, your story is already in the spotlight. I''m producing a documentary for the Women''s Coalition, focusing on mothers like you who feel helpless. When it''s released, it should attract public attention."


    Karen looked at Briony. "Will it even help? I''ve joined some support groups... but there are women in the Women''s Coalition who''ve been searching for their kids for years and still haven''t found them..."


    "That''s because no one''s really paying attention to these families." Briony slid the contract across the table. "Take a couple of days to think it over. Let me know if you decide to join."


    Karen stared at the contract, her expression conflicted.


    Briony stood up. "I''ve already paid the bill. Ms. Smith, call me anytime if you make a decision."


    ...


    Briony returned to her studio just after four-thirty in the afternoon.


    Her phone rang. It was Crystal.


    Crystal had been keeping an eye on little Nina at Southcreek Manor these past two days, always quietly staying nearby.


    Usually, unless something was urgent, Crystal wouldn''t call Briony while she was working.


    Briony answered, her voice tight with worry. "Crystal, is something wrong?"


    "Bryn, don''t stress, the kids are fine."


    Briony felt her tension ease at those words.


    Crystal continued, "Actually, the reason I called is—I think that Lorna Riley isn''t so bad after all."


    Briony paused. "What makes you say that?"


    "Just now, Carol was outside with the kids, and some little brat started picking on Mario. Little Nina


    marched right over and gave then et


    bully a good thrashing. That girl is strong and quick-she finished him off and dragged Mario away before anyone could react. I was nearby, keeping an eye on things, so I didn''t step in since they seemed okay. But then the bully''s grandmother showed up and tried to hit both


    Mario and Nina. Carol stood between them, but the woman wouldn''t back off. Lorna was on the phone a little ways away. As soon as she heard themotion, she hung up and came over."


    "Lorna didn''t hesitate-she knocked the old woman to the ground with one kick. And trust me, Bryn, it was precise she avoided anything serious. You could tell she''s had professional training. There''s more to Lorna than meets the eye!"


    Briony frowned. "You mean she knows martial arts?"


    "I''d say not just a little-she might even be better than me!"


    Briony fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Were the kids frightened?"


    "Frightened? Not at all!" Crystalughed. "They were cheering her on! Especially Nina-if Carol hadn''t held her back, I think she would''ve jumped in for another round!"


    Briony: "..."


    "In the end, the security staff


    showed up the old woman imed she''d broken a bone-clearly just trying to getpensation. Lorna


    told the staff to call the police, then sent Carol and the kids home while she went to the station with the woman to sort things out."


    Briony listened, saying nothing for a moment.


    "Oh, by the way, I think I saw Cedric rke here this morning-he was carrying


    his emergency kit and looked like he was in a hurry. But as far as I know, only Stewart Wentworth lives in Southcreek Manor. Do you think Stewart might be sick?"


    A crease formed between Briony''s brows. She couldn''t help but recall the things James had said that night.


    Could it be that Stewart really is having health problems?