Chapter 391

Just then, the doctor came out. “It’s just old age catching up with her. I’ve written a prescription—just have her take it as directed. It can only help her feel better, but it won’t cure her completely.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Aubree said. “I think we’ll go in and see her now.”

Aubree quickly shoved Bowen aside and almost bolted inside.

Alvin and Bowen stood outside, neither moving, just staring at each other for a moment.

Bowen’s eyes were smiling, while Alvin’s expression was as cool as ever, though his eyes were clouded with thoughts.

He couldn’t help but wonder, “Did Uncle Bowen really just come here to bring a doctor for Ethel?”

'If it were anyone else, I’d never believe Bowen was the type to be so caring or have that much free time. But if it is about Aubree, maybe it isn’t so impossible after all.'

Alvin looked at Bowen, and Bowen just met his gaze. Alvin said, “I’m going in too. I’m thinking of painting something about the orphanage for a competition. I figured I’d look for some inspiration.”

Bowen didn’t suspect a thing.

But as soon as Bowen turned around, Alvin’s face fell. 'Uncle Bowen, what are you really after?' he thought.

The traffickers responsible for his parents’ deaths had vanished without a trace in Rithol City. Someone had hidden them away. All Alvin had managed to uncover was that the little girl who’d been rescued back then had somehow ended up at this orphanage.

Inside the room, Ethel was holding Aubree’s hand. When she saw Alvin come in, her smile faded a bit. “So this is Alvin?”

Aubree nodded, then turned to him. “Alvin, I’ve already told Ethel about you. If you have anything you want to ask, now’s your chance.”

“Alright. Aubree, could you step out and help me distract Uncle Bowen for a bit? I really don’t want him to know why I’m here,” Alvin said.

Aubree was a bit surprised. 'What exactly is Alvin looking into that he can’t let Bowen find out?' she wondered.

But she didn’t ask any questions.

Bowen didn’t seem like he wanted to get involved either. He just hung out with Aubree outside, watching the kids at the orphanage.

Inside the room, Ethel looked at Alvin with a gentle smile.

Alvin asked, “Ethel, was this orphanage located in Chontan of Telmaur before it moved here?”

Ethel explained, “Yes, it was in Chontan. Things were rough there. Kids were abandoned all the time because their families just couldn’t take care of them.

“So I started this orphanage and took those children in myself. I never expected we’d get government support and be able to move to Rithol City, where even more kind people could help us.”

As she talked about it, her face grew even softer. She was truly grateful for that stroke of luck. Otherwise, she really didn’t know if those kids back in Chontan would’ve made it.

“So, thirteen years ago, did you ever take in any orphans who escaped from traffickers? Or maybe kids whose backgrounds were a total mystery?” Alvin asked.

“Thirteen years ago?” Ethel paused to think, then smiled. “Oh Alvin, you’re funny. Honestly, aren’t all the kids here from unknown backgrounds?

“As for any who actually escaped from traffickers, I don’t think we ever had anyone like that.”

Alvin pressed, not willing to let it go. “So, who were the kids that came here thirteen years ago?”

“There were quite a few,” Ethel replied, “There’s a photo album in the drawer. Can you get it for me?”

When Alvin opened the album, Ethel pointed to a picture. “These are the kids we took in from thirteen years ago.”

There were nine kids in the photo—six girls and three boys. “Do you have any information on these six girls?” Alvin asked.

“I’ll see if I can find something, but I can’t promise anything,” Ethel said.

If Aubree had been there, she would’ve realized with a jolt that she wasn’t in the photo at all.

Yet, she was also one of the kids who arrived at the orphanage thirteen years ago.

“Thank you so much,” Alvin said, his grip on the photo so tight that the veins on the back of his hand popped out.

He thought, 'This photo might not just help me track down that little girl. Maybe, through her, I can finally uncover who those traffickers really are.'