Free Web NovelChapter 231: Chapter 234: Wavering
"I don’t want to."
Renee Sinclair’s reply was direct and firm.
The mechanical female voice was very patient. Even so, it had no intention of giving up. [Host, Charlotte Shaw is already missing. You no longer need to feign being a good person.]
[You said before that the most direct way to earn affection points was to be good to Charlotte Shaw. But Charlotte Shaw is missing. No matter how much goodwill you show, you won’t get a single affection point in return. Why not take this opportunity to rise to the top? You can complete the mission and become the mistress of Volition Tech.]
"...Hmph." Renee Sinclair chuckled. "Guess why Felix Preston’s studio is called Volition Tech."
The mechanical female voice: [I don’t want to guess, because it’s not important at all.]
"It is important!" Renee Sinclair retorted sharply. "Volition Tech is where it is today because of Charlotte Shaw. If Charlotte Shaw is gone, then Volition Tech is finished. And if Volition Tech is finished, Felix Preston will be finished too."
"At that point, forget completing the mission—I won’t even be able to make up for these negative affection points."
The mechanical female voice: [Oh, Host, humans aren’t as fragile as you imagine. If a wife dies, she can be replaced. That’s what most men in the world do. Do you really think Felix Preston will be the exception?]
"..." Renee Sinclair suddenly fell silent.
The mechanical female voice: [Host, don’t hesitate any longer. Fate has delivered this opportunity to you, not for you to dawdle. If you continue to be so indecisive, this chance will slip right through your fingers.]
[You’ve worked so hard in this world for so long. How can you be willing to just be erased by the system? You’re so young. With just a little effort, you can have a bright and brilliant future!]
"..."
Renee Sinclair remained silent, but her tightly clenched fists showed a hint of loosening.
The mechanical female voice paused, then suddenly changed its angle of persuasion. [Host, I know what you’re worried about. You don’t need to be afraid. Charlotte Shaw’s disappearance has nothing to do with you. Even if she dies out there somewhere, you don’t need to feel any guilt.]
[You climbed to Felix Preston’s side by seizing an opportunity, not by stepping on Charlotte Shaw’s life to get there. If Charlotte Shaw wants to blame someone, she can blame her own bad luck. You were ready to sacrifice yourself to protect her, but she was so useless—she managed to get herself lost just by chasing a cat into an alley.]
"..." Renee Sinclair’s fists loosened bit by bit. Her desire to live was beginning to shake her convictions.
The mechanical female voice: [You’ve been good enough to Charlotte Shaw. Now that she’s missing, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for that meager friendship anymore.]
[Just give it a try. Just get close to Felix Preston and see what happens. If Felix Preston refuses to accept you, you can simply find another way. In any case, you won’t lose anything by trying.]
[Host, Felix Preston is vulnerable right now. Just give it a try... ]
The system’s words were like a magic spell. Once Renee Sinclair’s heart began to waver, they floated around and around in her mind, unconsciously luring her toward the idea of "giving it a try."
Renee Sinclair stood alone in the corner as all the sounds around her receded like the tide, leaving only a single, cold, lingering phrase: "Give it a try."
...
By the time they left the Aethelburg Police Department, it was already close to five in the morning.
Felix Preston supported Brianna Bell, walking numbly toward the parking lot.
Brianna Bell had been crying at the police department for hours, to the point of nearly fainting. If Felix Preston hadn’t been supporting her, she might not have even been able to walk out of the building today.
The Aethelburg Police Department wasn’t far from the Shaw Villa. The morning rush hour hadn’t started yet when they headed back, and only a few scattered cars were on the road.
The snow had stopped, but the city had not yet awakened.
The night was like a thick, heavy cloth, clamped firmly over the city. Shrouded beneath this dark fabric, Felix Preston even found it difficult to breathe.
"Willow Quincy is still recovering from serious injuries. He’s currently recuperating in Veridia."
Kevin Collins’s words echoed lightly in his ears.
"Our officers just got in touch with him. He’s recovering in a private hospital in Veridia and hasn’t been back to Aethelburg in months. The doctors and nurses at the hospital can all vouch for him."
"Just because he hasn’t been back to Aethelburg doesn’t mean he couldn’t have done it," Felix Preston heard himself reply. "Willow Quincy has connections all over Aethelburg. Even lying motionless in a hospital bed, he could have found a way to abduct Charlotte Shaw."
"Investigating him alone is useless. You have to investigate his trusted subordinates as well."
Kevin Collins: "Our officers are already on it. I’m sure we’ll have news soon."
Felix Preston: "Willow Quincy is an extremely cunning man. If you don’t arrest him preemptively, by the time your slow investigation gets anywhere, he’ll have already wiped away all the clues."
"..." Kevin Collins sighed. "Felix Preston, I understand how you feel, but police work has always been about evidence. Without evidence, no one can arrest Willow Quincy."
"You’re Shaw’s son-in-law. I’ve already done my best to give you special clearance."
Felix Preston didn’t want to hear it. He just said, "The one who abducted Charlotte Shaw can only be Willow Quincy. If there’s still no news by tomorrow, then I’ll have to take matters into my own hands."
"Felix Preston, don’t be rash!" Kevin Collins slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, glaring at him. "Since Willow Quincy is in love with his own sister, it proves he’s extremely mentally unstable. If you rashly go to him and provoke him, the one in danger will be Charlotte Shaw..."
Kevin Collins’s words echoed over and over in his mind as Felix Preston replayed the conversation the entire way home. By the time he came back to his senses, he was already standing in the living room of the Shaw Villa.
"WAAH..."
"WAAH... WAAH..."
Wilder Preston was still crying. The maternity nurse’s eyes were red from staying up all night, but she still hadn’t been able to soothe him.
Felix Preston stood woodenly to the side, his unfocused gaze slowly sharpening at the sound of his son’s young, hoarse cries.
His Adam’s apple bobbed with difficulty as he walked forward with stiff steps.
"Let me take Sandy," he said, holding his arms out to the maternity nurse and forcing his lips into a pained smile.
The maternity nurse placed Sandy in his arms and reminded him in a hoarse voice, "He’s been crying nonstop. He’s crying so much he won’t even drink his milk."
"It’s all right." Felix Preston carried Sandy upstairs. "You go get some rest. I’ll feed him."
"Felix..." Mrs. Preston watched his retreating back, her heart aching so much she could hardly breathe.
"Let him be with Sandy for a while," Brianna Bell said, taking Mrs. Preston’s arm and pulling her down to sit on the sofa.
With red-rimmed eyes, she watched Felix Preston go upstairs, saw him trying to soothe the baby while wiping away his own tears.
Such a tall, imposing man, yet right now he looked as if his soul had been stolen away.
Mrs. Preston frowned, her eyes filled with worry. "That boy, Felix... the quieter he is, the more dangerous it is. He’s bottling everything up right now. I’m worried..."
