As Carol spoke, she looped her arm through Arabella’s and they strolled into the flower shop to buy a fresh bouquet of white roses.
While the florist was wrapping up the flowers, Carol whipped out her phone and started tapping away furiously, meanwhile saying,
"Just givea sec."
Arabella nodded, took out her own phone to catch up on swork emails, not prying into what Carol was up to but simply waiting
quietly by her side.
After a short while, the florist handed over the neatly packaged bouquet, and Carol, finished with her task, took the flowers and
linked arms with Arabella as they left the shop.
“Once Katherine gets back, she'll definitely paint a tic picture of what happened to my dad. So, | hacked into the store's
surveillance system and sent the footage to my dad already.”
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Only then did Arabella realize what Carol had been busying herself with. Carol's hacking skills were nothing to scoff at. Arabella
had discovered this firsthand when she and Romeo had tried to break into Carol's computer and found it safeguarded by a firewall.
At that time, Carol had even set up three security questions, all relating to Clark.
Thinking back, it all seemed like a distant memory.
“| told my dad that Katherine started the whole mess, that she threw the flowers I'd bought for Crystal's tribute on the ground and
stomped on them. She even spewed nonsense about my late mom. | simply asked for compensation for the bouquet, and before |
could demand an apology, she threw a fit. The surveillance footage clearly shows they were the ones who kept provoking the
situation.” Carol explained, not forgetting to reassure Arabella, “Don’t worry, | won't let them walk all overin this family.”
She had been groomed to be the successor since she was little. Katherine thought she could take advantage of Carol? Fat chance.
On their drive to pay respects to Crystal, Arabella mentioned, “The Doom gang has been pretty much wiped out. Romeo and Clark
have really stepped up.”
Of course, her aunt and uncle abroad had also been a big help. Hans had lent a hand from the shadows too. Grandpa Eugene and
his friends, along with other beloved elders, had all pitched in.
“You'll finally have a peaceful year,” Arabella said with a gentle glance at Carol.
Carol felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she looked ahead, reflecting, “I don’t even know how | got through those days before.”
The days of running for her life, being on constant alert, were about to be behind her. And it was all thanks to Arabella.
“Bella, thank you.” Carol looked at her gratefully, “If it wasn't for you, Clark might still be looking for me, my brother and | might
still be living in fear, Doom wouldn't have fallen so quickly, and | wouldn't have found my birth family so soon.”
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“If you really want to thank me,” Arabella replied with a smile, “just live a happy and fulfilling life with Clark. That would be the
best thank-you | could ask for. | wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
Carol's heart warmed. She and Clark were so lucky to have such a caring and capable sister.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at Crystal's grave site, where a large bouquet of ice-blue roses had already been placed.
Alger and Celeste had been there earlier, leaving behind an assortment of Crystal's favorite treats.
Carol bowed down and began to share updates about her and Clark's life, as well as how her aunt and uncle were doing.
The girl in the photo on the tombstone wore a blooming smile, seemingly listening to Carol's stories. As Carol spoke, a wave of
emotion hit her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She promised the smiling girl that she would take good care of her aunt and
uncle, and slowly help heal the wounds in their hearts.