Chapter 241

I suddenly understood what the old butler meant when he said, “the Old Master and the wife… Didn’t… Actually…” He wanted to tell me that my parents were still alive! I hugged the middle-aged man before me tightly, not willing to let go for a moment as I was afraid that he would disappear the moment I did. A surprised voice came from behind, “Carol.” I looked up in surprise. “Mom!” I exclaimed. “Come. Come in and have a seat.” The living room was clean and tidy. There was even an old fashioned piano in the corner. I imagined how my mother would perform there every day. I held tightly onto my mother’s rough hands and heard her calm voice. “We’re sorry for leaving you.” I suppressed my feelings and asked, “Why did you do that?” Why did they disappear and leave me behind when I was 14?! “Your father and I had grown tired of the financial scene, and someone threatened us… Carol, I’m very sorry.” Nine years. They had been hiding from me for nine full years! Who was it that threa