The True Lady Strikes Back by Susanna Lucius - Season 3 Episode 5

Charlie was only five when he was taken away.

Although he already had memories at that time, 23 years later, those memories had long become

blurred.

He could only recall the general layout of the Shaw residence, but many of the finer details had faded

away.

Besides, the Shaw residence had undergone significant changes over the years, with the most

dramatic transformations occurring in the back garden.

In the past, the garden had been primarily adorned with flowers and plants, along with a small training

area.

Charlie remembered how he used to take a very young Evan, who could barely walk steadily, with him

into the garden, a venture that often reduced the little guy to tears.

When Aiden found out about those escapades, he reprimanded Charlie and even subjected him to an

ear–pulling punishment, forcing him to squat as a form of discipline.

These memories brought a nostalgic smile to Charlie’s face.

However, in the next moment, his gaze turned icy.

If it weren’t for the insatiable greed of the Wolf Killer, he might have led a life of service to his country,

much like Aiden and Evan.

Instead, his existence had been reduced to that of a mere childhood friend.

Yet, it would be unfair to say he had not reaped any benefits from his experiences.

After all, he had managed to survive the harrowing trial of Wolf Killer, not only outlasting his captors but

eventually rising to become their new leader.

He had been the ideal pawn to infiltrate the Wolf Killer.

The Wolf Killer was the notorious group responsible for Charlie’s abduction. Their primary allegiance

was to money, and they were involved in a plethora of lucrative and nefarious enterprises, ranging from

pornography and gambling to drug trafficking and organ trade.

The last two businesses necessitated secure transportation routes, where

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George and now Aiden played significant roles in overseeing overseas operations and border control.

This was the main reason why the Wolf Killer had initially set their sights on the Shaw family.

Evan had been their original target, but due to a fateful mix–up, they had inadvertently kidnapped

Charlie instead.

The target was now Cecilia, who was considered the darling of the Shaw family.

With Cecilia’s true identity exposed, the Wolf Killer had an additional motive to kidnap her.

Besides, her rare Rh–negative blood type made her organs exceptionally valuable.

This realization weighed heavily on Charlie. His scarred face revealed a deep sense of sorrow.

Despite being the leader of the Wolf Killer, Charlie was, in reality, more like a “CEO,” with the

organization’s “Four Shareholders” holding the true

power.

His assistant, John, appeared to assist him but was, in fact, a spy sent by the Four Shareholders.

Charlie had been in his leadership role for over three years, yet he had never seen the faces of these

mysterious individuals.

To gain the trust of the Four Shareholders, Cecilia was the ideal candidate.

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However, he wondered if Cecilia would be willing to cooperate with him.

As Charlie contemplated the level of trust Cecilia had in him, he heard footsteps approaching from

behind.

Charlie quickly composed himself and put on the facade of enjoying the view in the back garden.

Summer days were longer, with the sun setting around seven o’clock.

In the early evening, the garden was bathed in the soft, orange hues of the sunset, creating a serene

and tranquil atmosphere.

Standing beneath an orange tree twice his height, Charlie reached up to play with the small green

fruits.

Cecilia observed him silently, contemplating the drastic transformation in his demeanor.

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Could time truly change someone to this extent?

In his childhood, Zachary had been incredibly lively, never staying still for even a moment.

Yet here he was, standing like a statue for over ten minutes.

In fact, Cecilia had been in the garden for quite some time, discreetly watching “Zachary” from the

garden’s archway.

She had the distinct feeling that if she had not approached him herself, he would have remained in that

exact spot indefinitely.

“What has got you so engrossed?”

Charlie’s gaze remained fixed on the fruits and vegetables scattered around as he replied, “I’m

observing the changes that have taken place here.”

Cecilia’s recollection of the back garden upon her first arrival at the Shaw Residence was hazy. At that

time, she was indifferent and remained apathetic toward everything.

Even when Elaine sought Cecilia’s assistance to transform the garden into a vegetable plot, she did not

pay much attention.

However, over time, her heart began to open up, and she started to genuinely care about the people

and every aspect of the Shaw family.

“What have you observed?”

Charlie chuckled. “I can see that the Shaw family holds you in high regard, and you’ve become very

dear to their hearts.”

He gestured with his hand, indicating a specific corner.

“That used to be a training area. I used to run around there, and I’d often fall and end up with a

bleeding head.”

He then shifted his finger about 30 degrees to the east.

“Mrs. Yates‘ favorite gardenia was planted there before this. When the flowers bloomed in summer, I

would pluck them, and Charlie would chase and beat me.”

As he spoke, his fingers shifted direction once more.

“Over there, there used to be a cluster of roses that bloomed all year round and had a strong

fragrance. My mother loved them the most. She’d often cut several branches and put them in a vase.”

With “Zachary’s” vivid descriptions, memories that had faded in Cecilia’s mind were rekindled.

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The training area had been dismantled when she was ten, as it was no longer needed.

Gardenia flowers were given away by Aiden after Amelia’s passing to prevent George from being

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reminded of her whenever he saw them.

Elaine had ordered to uproot the roses after Cecilia fell into the bush and sustained injuries.

She murmured softly, “I didn’t expect you to remember the Shaw Residence so well.”

Charlie turned to look at Cecilia, bathed in the soft, golden glow of the setting sun, and replied with a

smile, “That’s because I spent much more time at the Shaw Residence during my childhood than I did

at my own home.”

Zachary’s parents were often preoccupied with their work, leaving him with little company. As a result,

he had practically resided at the Shaw Residence when he was not at school.

In fact, Charlie had intentionally caused trouble to seek the attention of his parents.

However, it only resulted in him being labeled a troublesome child despised by everyone.

It wasn’t until he was kidnapped by the traffickers that his parents deeply regretted their negligence.

Cecilia and “Zachary” were not particularly close, and Cecilia was not one to engage in casual

conversation. After exchanging a few words, she got straight to the point.

“The military hospital has an excellent burn unit, but your facial wound is old, so they can only perform

a procedure involving skin removal and grafting. This operation is better suited for a cosmetic surgery

hospital. You run a pharmaceutical company, don’t you know this?”

Everything Cecilia said was accurate, and Charlie could not refute it.

He approached Cecilia with a hint of a smile in his eyes and said, “You’re right. I came back to

Acocester for another reason.”

Cecilia met his gaze with a cold and unwavering look.

“What exactly do you intend to do? If you have any malicious intentions toward the Shaw family, I won’t

let you get away with it.”

Charlie moved closer, a playful glint in his eyes. “I might have developed Stockholm Syndrome. I’ve

thought about you all these years, Cecilia, so I

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returned during your summer break.”

Charlie had prepared this explanation in advance.

Since Zachary and Cecilia had not had a close childhood relationship, he needed an excuse to keep in

touch with Cecilia frequently, and using

their shared feelings seemed like a viable option.

Cecilia did not believe a word he said.

She was on the verge of sneering at his words, but then Charlie pulled down his earlobe to reveal a

small, dark red scar.

This scar was from when the Wolf Killer implanted a tracking chip in him.

Cecilia was all too familiar with such scars, and the sight left her shocked and puzzled.

Unsure of what “Zachary” was trying to convey and how to respond, Cecilia hesitated.

Her lack of trust in the man before her was evident, but she also felt a strong desire to understand his

intentions.

Charlie tapped his ears and lips, indicating that their conversation was being monitored as he motioned

for her to continue.

The chip not only allowed eavesdropping but also monitored his physiological data.

Fortunately, years of practicing restraint and maintaining his facade had equipped him with the ability to

control his emotions.

If Cecilia believed his story and agreed to cooperate, he was confident he could keep his true

intentions hidden from the Wolf Killer.