After Silver told him everything, Charlie hugged her tightly, his eyes blazing with fury. He wanted to kill that bastard.
''Don't worry. We will arrest him,'' Charlie said, his voice resolute.
Silver shook her head, her brow furrowed with worry. ''How? He hasn't done anything to us yet.''
Charlie's grip on her tightened, frustration evident in his tone. ''What? You're going to wait until he does something? No, I won't let him harm you or your family.''
''I know,'' Silver replied, her voice trembling with fear and frustration. ''I want that man gone too, but we don't have any evidence to put him behind bars.''
''Then we'll look for evidence,'' Charlie said, his tone darkening with resolve. ''And if we don't find any, I'll personally deal with him.''
Silver stared at him in shock. ''What?''
Before Charlie could respond, the bartender interrupted, sliding a drink toward Silver. ''Miss, a drink for you,'' the bartender said politely.
Silver frowned, glancing at the drink. ''From who?''
The bartender pointed to their left. There, Charlie noticed an old man sitting with a drink. When the man noticed Silver looking his way, he raised his glass in a silent toast.
Charlie's eyes narrowed with suspicion. ''Do you know him?'' he asked, glaring at the old man.
Silver shook her head. ''No.'' She raised her glass in return but didn't drink. Instead, she handed it back to the bartender. ''Dispose of this, please.''
Charlie's concern deepened as he turned back to Silver. ''What's your plan? Are you going to tell your family about him?''
Silver sighed, a mix of exhaustion and determination in her eyes. ''No, I don't want them to know about the first life. Help me find everything about him—his past, his present, his family. And more importantly, find out why he has a grudge against my family. Maybe that could be evidence for his arrest.''
Charlie nodded, his expression serious. ''It'll be done.''
''Thank you.'' Silver hugged him, grateful for his support.
Charlie gently pulled back, his gaze filled with concern. ''Let's go home. It's late. Can you drive back?''
Silver nodded. ''I can,'' she replied, and they left the bar together. Charlie paid for their drinks, his mind already racing with plans to protect her.
Silver felt a hand lightly shaking her shoulder. ''Silver… Silver,'' a familiar voice called.
''Huh?'' Silver turned around to see her mother staring at her with raised eyebrows. Her heart skipped a beat—she'd been caught daydreaming.
''What are you dreaming about that you forgot you're at work?'' her mother asked, her tone stern but not unkind.
Silver lowered her head, feeling guilty. ''Sorry, Ma.''
Her mother's expression softened slightly. ''It's okay. Now get back to work. The show starts in two hours.''
''Yes, Ma,'' Silver replied quietly. Her mother smiled and walked away.
Today was a big day for her mother—a new collection of clothes was being introduced to the world.
Silver sighed, the weight of her thoughts heavy on her mind. Three days had passed since she met their murderer. Charlie was working hard to find information on him, but it was as if he had erased everything about himself. Only his current details were known—his name, date of birth, the fact that his parents died when he was young, that he grew up in an orphanage, and that he was currently a professor at the university.
A voice broke through her thoughts. ''Silver, model Amber needs your assistance with her clothes.''
Silver nodded, pushing her worries aside for the moment. ''I'm on it.'' She followed the female worker to the green room, where all the models were getting ready.
As they entered, Mrs. Miller's voice resonated through the room. ''Today is not only an important day for me but for all of you as well, so I want you to give your best. Show the world who you are and what you want to be.''
The models responded with enthusiastic cheers, their excitement palpable. They were proud to be part of this company and to work under Silver's mother.
''Amber, do you need my help?'' Silver asked as she approached a girl with short black hair.
''Yes, Miss Silver,'' Amber replied, her voice a bit nervous. ''This dress got stuck when I tried it on during practice.''
Silver examined the dress with a practiced eye. ''Oh, something wrong with the zipper?''
Amber nodded, biting her lip. ''Yes.''
Silver gave her a reassuring smile. ''Don't worry. I'll fix it.'' As she worked on the dress's zipper, she asked, ''Are you new here?'' The dress had a zipper running down the back, which had jammed.
''Yes,'' Amber answered, her voice soft. ''I joined three days ago.''
''Are you liking it so far?'' Silver asked, trying to put her at ease.
''Yes,'' Amber replied, her voice warming up. ''It's my dream to work with Mrs. Miller. I'm a huge fan of hers.''
Silver felt a surge of pride for her mother. ''Why?''
''Mrs. Miller started her company when she was only 18 and worked very hard to grow her business,'' Amber said, admiration clear in her voice. ''She's won numerous awards and accolades over the years. All her clothes are beautifully designed and sell out within two days. And she's gorgeous, kind, and smart. She's my perfect role model.''
Silver smiled, touched by Amber's words. She turned to Amber, looking her in the eye. ''Thank you for being a true fan of my mother.''
Amber's eyes widened as she noticed the zipper was already fixed. ''You fixed the dress so fast?''
Silver shrugged, her smile modest. ''It was an easy fix.''
As Silver turned to leave, ''I'm a fan of yours too,'' Amber whispered, though Silver didn't hear her. Amber watched Silver walk away, admiration shining in her eyes.
As evening fell, Silver was checking the last details when a familiar voice whispered close to her ear, making her shiver. ''Silver, you look beautiful,'' Jayden said.
Silver turned and glared at him with a cold look. Jayden smiled, not bothered by her anger. He wore a dark blue suit that matched his dark blue hair. Silver, on the other hand, was dressed in a beautiful purple gown with a fitted top and a flowing skirt. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and her makeup was elegant.
''Jayden, you're here,'' her mother said as she approached, dressed in a beautiful black gown with detailed beadwork. Her hair was styled in an elegant bun, and her makeup was perfectly done.
''Yes, Mrs. Miller,'' Jayden replied politely.
''Where's Parel?'' Mrs. Miller asked, looking around.
''I'm here, Mom,'' Parel called out as she arrived with Ruby and their father. She wore a dark blue gown, her hair styled in loose waves, and her makeup was soft and natural. Ruby, who was 8, wore a forest green dress with her hair in a cute ponytail and a touch of makeup. Their father was in a classic black suit, and his hair was neatly combed.
Mrs. Miller turned to her husband with a smile. ''Husband, you look handsome,'' she said, her voice filled with affection.
''And you look beautiful, my wife,'' Mr. Miller replied, kissing her on the lips.
Ruby groaned, hiding her face in her hands, embarrassed by her parents' public display of affection. ''Mom, Dad, please, not here.''
''Alright, alright, let's go sit. The show will start soon,'' Mrs. Miller said, leading them inside. Jayden motioned for Silver to go in first like a gentleman, but Silver ignored him, following her parents and sisters inside.
At the end of the show, Mrs. Miller walked out with the lead model, signaling the event's conclusion. There was an after-party for the models and some guests—no media allowed.
Silver stood at the bar, sipping her wine as she surveyed the room. Her parents were engaged in conversation with some VIP guests. Ruby was laughing and playing with children her age, while Parel and Jayden were chatting with some models.
Silver's gaze briefly met Jayden's before he looked away. As her phone vibrated, she slipped out to the terrace to take the call. ''Hello?'' Silver answered, her voice soft as she looked up at the night sky.
''Silver, how are you doing?'' Charlie's familiar voice brought a sense of comfort.
''I'm good. And you?'' she asked, her tone warming.
''Fine. I found something,'' Charlie replied, his voice serious.
Silver's interest piqued. ''I'm listening.''
''His real last name isn't Nellon,'' Charlie revealed.
Silver's eyes widened in surprise. ''What? What do you mean?''
Charlie continued, his tone cautious. ''His last name is Gill.''
Silver frowned, confusion clouding her thoughts. ''Why does he use a fake last name, then?''
''Maybe it's related to your family. Do you know anything about the Gill family?'' Charlie asked.
''No, I've never heard of them. Maybe my parents know something,'' Silver said thoughtfully.
''Ask them, then let me know,'' Charlie advised.
''Okay, I'll ask them tomorrow,'' Silver said. ''By the way, have you had dinner?''
''Not yet. You?'' Charlie asked, his voice lightening.
''Same,'' Silver replied with a small smile.
''Go eat, my Angel. We'll meet tomorrow,'' Charlie said affectionately.
''Yes, my Lion. See you tomorrow. Don't be late!'' Silver teased.
''I should be telling you that, my Angel,'' Charlie chuckled.
''I know. Bye,'' Silver said, ending the call with a smile.
Charlie's revelation had stirred a mix of curiosity and worry in Silver. She made her way back inside, determined to uncover the truth and protect her family.