Flash Marriage: Slow Down Mister
Chpater 82 The Truth

Clara went back to her office after the meeting finally ended in her anxiety. She wondered whether she should investigate the kidnap case. After hesitation, she decided to ask Stephanie for help. "Stephanie," she asked, "Can you do me a favor?"

Stephanie had been a reporter for more than ten years. She used to work in a newspaper office before she quit the job because she found it tiring to conduct interviews all over the country, and then she worked here as an exclusive editor.

"Yes, go ahead." Stephanie and Clara were friends, so she did not refuse her.

Clara slightly bit her lower lips and said, "I want to know about the kidnapping that happened to the second young master of the Kirkland family ten years ago."

This request was obviously unexpected for Stephanie. She paused for a few seconds and said in a slight panic, "Clara, why do you want to know about this case?" Stephanie was the only one Clara could turn to.

Since the kidnap case happened ten years ago, she was sure that, except for the Kirkland family, only the policemen and reporters who had followed the case could tell her the truth. Therefore, she decided to try her luck with Stephanie.

"Well..." embarrassed, Clara took a deep breath, "I am just curious."

"If it is only out of your curiosity, then you had better stop your investigation." Stephanie answered in a solemn and serious tone, "Not everyone can pry into Kirkland's history."

After her words, Stephanie continued her work. Her attitude towards this case increased Clara's curiosity.

Stephanie must have known some details.

"Stephanie," Clara quickly drew up a chair and sat down, "I really want to know the details. I can't tell you the reason, but I do need to know."

It was lunch time and everyone, except for Stephanie and Clara, was having their lunch in the canteen.

Stephanie raised her head and stared at Clara with a profound look. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly said, "Clara, I can tell you some details. But you must tell me the truth. Did you ask this because of your husband?"

This question startled Clara, "Stephanie, how did you..."

"Well, I have known that a long time ago." Stephanie sighed, "Your husband is Horace, right? What's more, he was exactly the second young master of the Kirkland family- the protagonist of the kidnap case." Stephanie's words shocked Clara completely.

She thought that she had hidden her marriage well enough, but Stephanie still knew the real identity of her husband. What's more, Stephanie also knew the relationship between Horace and the Kirkland family Although Clara did not give an answer and tried to conceal her feelings, her facial expression betrayed her, which told Stephanie that she was right.

Stephanie sighed again with an I-know-l-am-right expression and said, "You are shocked that I knew his identity, right? Actually, I've realized that Horace is the Kirkland's second young master since my first interview with him. And my suspicion about your relationship was raised when I saw the ring, so I asked you a tentative question."

Now Clara admired Stephanie to a greater extent.

As an experienced reporter who had worked hard in the news circle for more than ten years, Stephanie had a keen eye for details which was truly incomparable.

Now that Stephanie had known the real identity of her husband, Clara decided to tell her the truth. Anyway, she hid their marriage not because it was a shame, but because she wanted to avoid gossip. "Yes, Stephanie, you are right." Clara admitted in a low voice, "Then can you tell me more about the kidnap?"

Clara was afraid that Stephanie would still refuse her request. Yet Stephanie, looking her in the eyes, said seriously, "Clara, I know that you are a good girl. Although there has been a lot of gossips and rumors recently, I still believe that you are not a gold digger."

Hearing that, Clara was touched and her eyes turned red, "Thank you, Stephanie."

She had been misunderstood and despised for nearly two years. At the very beginning, she would always try to defend herself. However, later, she gave in since she knew that no one would trust her. Therefore, Stephanie's trust was quite touching to her.

"Well, I was shocked when I found out about your marriage with Horace." Stephanie stared at Clara with a shade of pity in her eyes, "Although Horace is outstanding, what he has done during these two years can't make me believe that he can be a good husband."

Clara turned a little pale, "Stephanie, tell me everything you know."

Stephanie sighed and said, "You are lucky that you asked the right person. Ten years ago, I still worked in a newspaper office and I was the one who took charge of the case. I worked very hard to replace out the truth. However, before I could publish this story, I was threatened by the Kirkland family not to divulge any details about it. I am clearly aware of what the Kirkland family would do to me if I betray them, so I keep the secret as if I knew nothing about it."

Now Clara realized why Stephanie would know the real identity of Horace. If she truly had had an in-depth investigation into the case, she would already know Horace's name and appearance. Yet the tone of Stephanie scared her, "What happened?"

"At that time, Horace was still a university student. Originally, the Kirkland family was to send him to study abroad, but he decided to stay home for a girl, who was his girlfriend at that time. Well, if I remember correctly, the name of the girl was Laura..."

"Laura Hutchinson," Clara interrupted.

Clara's interruption startled Stephanie a little, "What? You know her name? Yes, indeed, her name was Laura Hutchinson. They were close to each other. They might be each other's first love, I guess. Anyway, Horace didn't study abroad because of the girl."

Stephanie's words reminded Clara of the photos in the drawer.

In the photo, they were both young and smiling happily. They must have been so deep in love with each other.

Just like she and Darren before.

"When they were freshmen, Horace and Laura got rid of the bodyguards sent by the Kirkland family and went to a small town for fun. It was unexpected that they would have been kidnapped." "They were both kidnapped?" Clara was shocked by the information and could not help interrupting Stephanie again, "You mean that not only Horace, but also that girl was involved ten years ago?" "Yes," Stephanie said seriously, "The Kirkland family suppressed the news, so no one noticed the disappearance of the girl and everyone believed that Horace was the only victim."

"Then?"

"At that time, the kidnappers asked for a sky-high ransom. After all, Horace was Russell Kirkland's grandson, so the ransom was paid. However, after receiving the money, those kidnappers still planned to kill the victims. It might be because their identities had been known by the Kirkland family. They locked Horace and Laura in a warehouse and set a fire."