165 Old Friends, New Faces
Chapter 165 Old Friends, New Faces
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Right now, he actually nodded in agreement with Erin. “You’re right,” Liam said. “Maybe she was just confused for a moment. Maybe she was jealous of how much we care about you, and that’s why she wouldn’t say anything.”
He had grown up with Tracy and knew her proud nature better than anyone.
Of course she was jealous of the attention they gave Erin. That was why she always shed with her. Someone as stubborn as Tracy would never swallow her pride and ask them for money.
Thinking back, Tracy had once loved shopping, but in the past few years, she hadn’t bought anything new.
Liam realized he should have noticed sooner, but it wasn’t until Ronald reminded him that he finally investigated. That was his mistake.
With a sigh, Liam said, “When I get the chance, I’ll go find Tracy and apologize. Even if she doesn’t forgive me, I’ll find a way to make it up to her.”
Maybe, if she saw how sincere he was, she wouldn’t hold a grudge anymore. Maybe it would even ease the tension between her and the rest of the family.
Liam wasn’t the type to sit still. Once the idea struck him, he couldn’t wait another moment. He rushed off to make ns for an apology and some kind ofpensation–so fast he didn’t even say goodbye to Erin.
Erin stood frozen, her cheeks still streaked with tears, watching Liam’s back as he hurried away.
It took her a moment to process what had just happened. Then fury shot through her, twisting her face with rage.
Liam! You’re a jerk!
And Tracy<i>! </i>What <i>a </i><i>bitch</i><b><i>! </i></b>
All these years since she’de back to the family, never once had the Jackmans thought about Tracy in front of her. Yet now<i>, </i>for the first time, they had–and it was as if Erin no longer existed.
Lately she had been exhausted–trying to stop Franklin and Tracy from digging into Walter’s ident while also scrambling to cover Tom’s endless mess. She had barely spared the Jackmans a thought, let alone noticed the shift in their attention.
Erin was too tired to keep track of what had just happened.
But one thing was clear: she couldn’t just sit by. She had to act fast and pull Liam back to her side.
Leaving the vi, Tracy walked quickly.
Only when the vi disappeared from the rearview mirror did she finally rx.
She was terrified of the Jackmans‘ sudden disys of concern.
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<b>08:19 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>10 </b><b>Sept </b>
Chapter 165 Old Friends, New Faces
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Every time, it came dressed up as if they did it for her own good, and it always ended up pushing her closer to the edge.
Liam’s reaction had rattled her–enough that she couldn’t bring herself to return for several days.
Her mind was elsewhere anyway. The thought of Patricia–the girl who might have been the ssmate who leapt from the rooftop years ago–had consumed her attention.
But digging into Patricia’s past wasn’t easy. Someone had deliberately hidden her records, and Tracy tried not to make any reckless moves. She worried that if she pressed too hard, the people behind it would destroy thest pieces of evidence.
Since Patricia’s trail led nowhere, Tracy turned her focus to Winona instead.
She remembered that back in high school, Winona had a constant shadow–a sidekick named Jasmin Norman.
Their families had both worked in the jewelry trade, and the Normans‘ business had relied heavily on the Millers. Back in high school, Jasmin and Winona had practically been twins.
As Tracy’s sworn enemy, Jasmin had often helped Winona make her life miserable. Tracy remembered her vividly.
What she didn’t expect was that in just a few years, everything had changed. The Normans had gone bankrupt, and Jasmin had vanished.
It took Tracy a lot of digging, but she finally tracked Jasmin down in the next city over.
Gone was the girl who used to unt jewelry on her neck and wrists. In her ce stood a tired woman in a grease–stained apron, bussing tables and washing dishes <i>at </i>a diner.
When Jasmin saw Tracy, she froze for a second, clearly recognizing her.
But instead of acknowledging it, she quickly stered on a server’s smile. “Hello, doll. What would you like today? Here’s our menu–we’ve <i>got </i>all kinds of dishes.”
Her voice was warm and professional, just like she was talking to any ordinary customer.
Tracy ignored the script and cut straight to the point. “We’re old friends, Jasmin. It’s been a long time.”
Jasmin’s smile faltered for a moment before she smoothed it back in ce. “You must be joking, Ms. Jackman, You’re Cloudville’s most adored princess. I’m just a waitress drowning in debt. How could we ever be friends?”
When the Normans had gone under<i>, </i>Erin had only just returned to the family. Jasmin had been too busy surviving to follow entertainment news, so she had no idea what had happened to Tracy in those years.
Tracy didn’t bother exining. Instead, after a quick word with the diner’s owner, she took Jasmin across the street to a coffee shop for a private talk.
It seemed Jasmin hadn’t been in one for years. She sat stifly, clutching her cup in both hands, her posture awkward and unsure.
Watching her, <b>Tracy </b>suddenly saw her old self reflected back.
<b>2/3 </b>
<b>08:19 </b>Wed, <b>10 </b><b>Sept </b>
Chapter 165 Old Friends, New Faces
When she had first left the academy, she too had felt small and nervous everywhere she went.
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She’d been afraid of people’s stares, afraid of crowded ces. No matter what she did, she carried herself- like someone who didn’t belong.
<b>08:19 </b>Wed, <b>10 </b><b>Sept</b>!