Samuel's fingers froze but soon continued to tap dance on the keyboard. The steady beat filled the
room as well as Nicole's heart.
Before she could speak her thoughts, Samuel beat her to it.
"Sit down and get yourself a hot cup of water to warm your hands. Other things can wait."
"Alright."
She did exactly as she was told.
She was anxious but knew she had to wait. She had used all her connections to search for Olivia, but it
was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Samuel finished his code and gave the computer commands. However, he found nothing useful.
There wasn't even a misdemeanor in the Kents' files, which feels kind of weird.
"How is it?"
Nicole couldn't help but run over and ask.
"Be careful."
He frowned slightly, and worry crept up on his face.
Nicole got alert and picked her steps. Then she saw the Kents' profiles.
"These are...."
"I have no dirt on them. I got through the Hacker Union's firewalls for this. But do you think it needs that
kind of firewalls?"
She sensed something fishy from his sharp question.
"Are you saying the Kents are hiding something?"
"Yes, maybe they have offended someone important. That's what I'm most afraid of. We shouldn't be
looking for Olivia blindly. I know you're worried about her. Given how close you guys are, she must not
want to get you into trouble or be found. Don't act rashly. We'll try our best."
Samuel turned off the computer.
Nicole nodded and didn't know what else to say.
He looked at her and said softly, "Is there something you want to get off your chest?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have suspected you."
She knew she should tell him that now.
He pulled her to the bed and sat her down, sighing, "I know you. I understand how you must have felt
when you saw Olivia and me in that room. But Nicole, I didn't cheat on you."
"I know. I also know why Olivia did that. I am just a little upset."
"I will give that crazy girl what for when I find her. What has she done to cover your ass? Did she ever
think about how I would feel?"
A quiet smile flashed on his face, but then it clouded over.
Olivia was Nicole's bestie. She would do anything to keep Nicole out of trouble but would never hurt
her feelings.
She knew better than anyone how much Nicole loved Samuel. Nicole had gone through so much for
him. Even if Nicole knew the truth now, she couldn't pretend none of this never happened. Then why
had Olivia done that?
Was she trying to end their friendship and push Nicole away?
Why?
Was Samuel somewhat involved in this drastic turn of the Kents?
He exerted himself to recall anything that would tie him to the Kents, but realized he never even did
business with them. So, what was Olivia's motive?
Noticing Samuel was deep in thought, Nicole figured he had something, so she did not disturb him and
waited.
It only lasted for a few seconds. When he came out of his contemplation, he saw her staring at him. He
shook off his worries and whispered, "Let's go back first. We are done here."
"Alright, let's go to your family house. I fear Mom and Grandfather will be worried."
"Okay."
They left the clubhouse.
It was drizzling. He quickly took off his coat to shield her head. She was a little blue.
"Olivia is most afraid of rainy days. I wonder if there will be thunder tonight."
Nicole reminisced about old times. She and Olivia had been friends for so many years. How could
Nicole not be worried?
Samuel's eyes flashed, and he whispered, "Let's go back. I hope we can find them soon."
She nodded.
They got into the car and did not notice Olivia was staring at them in the alley not far away.
Tears and rain were stinging Olivia's face. Her hands and feet were a little cold, but her eyes were
warm with gratitude.
She watched as Nicole and Samuel got into the car. Then she left the alley.
Olivia didn't even notice the raging lightning and thunder.
She remembered how thunder used to make her blood freeze, as if her soul could have shattered in its
wrath. Now she found that ridiculous and juvenile.
She complained about how harshly fate had been treating her, wallowing in despair for the unfairness
that was her life. However, recent events taught her it could get worse.
She trailed into a dilapidated alley and snaked her way to a house. She looked around and made sure
she was alone. Then she pushed open the door and swung it shut after walking in.
"Who is it?"
The room was in total darkness, but a familiar voice sounded.
"It's me."
Olivia quickly replied and walked over.
"Olivia?"
There was a short silence before the voice asked. Then its owner let down his guard.
Olivia did not turn on the light, afraid it would draw attention.
If not for the dark clouds, they could have seen each other's faces in the moonlight. But now there were
only flashes of lightning.
Booth vaguely knew where his sister was standing when he heard her voice.
"Olivia, how is it?"
"Not good. Everyone who did business with us refused to see me. And those who are close with us are
in trouble."
She whispered as she handed him the roast chicken she had been protecting.
"Have some chicken. I just bought it. It's raining, but I didn't have an umbrella. So, it might be a little
cold."
She sounded calm, but Booth smelt something salty.
"Are you crying?"
"No, it's just the rain."
She put on a smile, but he couldn't see it.
He took the roast chicken and said after a while, "Leave at dawn, Olivia. Don't worry about me."
"What are you talking about? You're my brother. Who else is going to look after you?"
She would never give up on him.
Booth looked down at his legs and smiled bitterly, "We are in deep trouble. I am a cripple and weighing
you down. I know you don't want to drag Nicole or anyone else into our mess. Olivia, I understand how
you must feel. In fact, I am already like this, so what else can they do to hurt me even if they catch
me?"
"Stop talking about yourself like that. I will get you the treatment you need. There must be a way. I
heard Morgan was in the Seapolis City. I'll...."
"Morgan is at the Bush's with Samuel. Do you really think you can get a chance to talk to her? Besides,
the doctor said my legs couldn't be cured. Their bones have been shattered. You should give up, too."
His voice was toneless, but Olivia was still racked with guilt.
He was crippled because he tried to save her at the border. How could she give up hope?
"Keep talking nonsense, and you will lose your only sister."
"Then so be it. It might do you good. You can start over as someone else, and those monsters wouldn't
find you. Even if they do, they might let you go when they know you haven't been a Kent for long and
know nothing about the family secrets. Olivia, you don't need to waste your time with me."
He said that for her own good.
He didn't want to see Olivia suffer or waste her life for him.
She cried even harder.
"Booth, you are all I have now. Can't you just stop talking like that? We don't know if Mom and Dad are
safe. If you push me away, I will be all alone again."
Booth choked in sorrow.
"But this isn't your fight."
"I'm a Kent. Even though I have just reunited with you, you will always be my family. I'll find news about
Mom and Dad and have your legs cured. There is always a solution. I won't have peace until you are
healed."
She was speaking her heart.
Booth and Nicole had just met. He was like this because he went to the border with Olivia fearing she
might get hurt.
Olivia and Nicole were close, but Olivia was grateful and guilty for Booth's sacrifice.
Booth could only sigh when he knew Olivia had made up her mind. He tore off a piece of chicken and
put it on Olivia's hand, whispering, "You should eat first. You don't have to save it for me. I know we are
short of money, but you must not starve. After all, you are doing all the heavy lifting here."
She giggled through her tears and took the chicken. They ate in the darkness.
Booth sighed as a plan matured in his mind.
He couldn't walk anymore. So, he made peace with death. Olivia had been trafficked as a child. How
unfair for her to go through all this after she had just reunited with her family. She never got a chance to
enjoy life.
Perhaps only Nicole could save Olivia.
Booth made up his mind and looked at Olivia's profile. A bolt of lightning shone down on it, and he saw
how gaunt she was. His heart lurches.
"The chicken is a bit greasy. Can you buy me some fruits?"
He whispered.
She froze for a moment and said, "Be patient. I'll buy some for you tomorrow morning. I might get tailed
if I go now."
"But I have a craving for it."
He didn't raise his voice, and it didn't even sound like a plea, but Olivia's heart broke.
He used to have whatever he wanted, but now he couldn't even eat a proper dinner.
It killed Olivia that he had to live in this dump. So, she couldn't bear to refuse him now.
"Wait here. I will buy some for you. Be careful, okay? Don't turn on the lights."
She instructed, and he nodded. He watched as she left the room. Then he took out his phone, his eyes
flickering with hesitation.
He whispered.
She froze for a moment and said, "Be patient. I'll buy some for you tomorrow morning. | might get tailed
if | go now."
"But | have a craving for it."
He didn't raise his voice, and it didn't even sound like a plea, but Olivia's heart broke.
He used to have whatever he wanted, but now he couldn't even eat a proper dinner.
It killed Olivia that he had to live in this dump. So, she couldn't bear to refuse him now.
"Wait here. | will buy some for you. Be careful, okay? Don't turn on the lights."
She instructed, and he nodded. He watched as she left the room. Then he took out his phone, his eyes
flickering with hesitation.
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