He paused for a while and then explained to her, "I suspect that the man who wanted to kill us in South Africa had something to do with Shirley."
"How could that be possible? She..."
"It's Belle. She took the initiative to get in contact with her." He said indifferently.
Irish tried to make sense of things with her brain running at full speed. She suddenly understood why Belle was dismissed.
Belle was not only Joseph's assistant but also an important administrative staff member for the Runestone Group in South Africa, so it wasn't difficult for her to get in contact with Shirley. Now it turned out that she had underestimated Shirley; she never expected her to be such a vicious woman. Perhaps Belle had helped her to recruit people to kill them in South Africa.
"When did you begin to suspect her?"
She tried her best to recall everything related to Belle, but she couldn't find any clue.
"When she was opposed to me going shopping with you in Johannesburg, I noticed it was unusual."
Irish thought for a minute and then remembered.
"Perhaps it's because she loved you so deeply...so she hates me."
I'm afraid Shirley's intention was not that simple; she wanted to kill two birds with one stone."
"You may be in danger when you get back!" Irish was stunned.
Joseph raised his hands and said, "Don't worry. She won't act as rashly when we get back. Of course, I still don't have any evidence."
But Irish was still worried. She knew everyone's mind in the Lake family; perhaps there was still danger waiting for them.
****
When Jay was still asleep, Mary got into his house and went to his bedroom, pinching his ears to wake him up. Jay woke up from the sudden pain and opened his eyes. When he found his mother standing beside his bed, he couldn't help wailing. "Mom! What are you doing? I'm really exhausted, and I need to sleep. Can you let me sleep, please?"
"You have slept for seven hours, and that is enough. Your dad only sleeps five hours each day."
Jay sat up in bed with his eyes closed while Mary patted his head. He couldn't help shouting, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
"Your sister is coming back from Hong Kong. Get up soon to pick her up!"
Jay was speechless and replied, "She will call me if she needs me to pick her up."
"You have to bring her back now, I have something to ask her."
"You can ask me whatever you want to know, I know everything about her." After finishing his words, he buried himself in the quilt again.
"I want to know something about her relationship with Joseph."
"Mom, she has nothing to do with him anymore."
"But I heard that Joseph is also coming back from Hong Kong today."
"How do you know that?"
Mary sat down on the bed but accidentally sat on Jay's feet which made him yelp with pain. The pain completely awakened him while Mary just looked at him quietly and said, "I'm worried Joseph was in contact with Irish again, so I called the Runestone Group pretending to be a client, and they told me Joseph is traveling on official business."
Hearing this, Jay sighed at her and said, "Why don't you become a detective?"
"Don't joke with me. I am serious. You have to go pick up your sister today. What's more, I have to make some delicious food for her. Oh, go and buy a king crab as well."
"King crab? Mom, you don't even cook that for me."
Mary glared at him and said, "She is my niece, and I must treat her well. I would dive into the ocean and catch a shark for her, as long as she would start a new relationship. You got it?"
"But why have you never cooked king crab for me whenever I come back after being away?" Jay shook his head and pouted his lips.
"You are a man, but your sister is an effeminate woman. And she has suffered more hardships than you, so I have to comfort her and persuade her to get married soon. I will hold myself accountable to her dead parents if she lives an unhappy life."
"Mom, I have to go back to work later, I will call her as soon as she gets off the plane. I will bring her back tonight, okay?
Mary thought for a few seconds and said, "Okay. I won't delay your work, but the main thing is that you bring her back tonight.
"That's alright."
Then Mary stood up since she knew her son well, and she knew he wouldn't go back on his words as long as he promised it to her. But when she stood up, something occurred to her, and her eyes suddenly filled with excitement. "Well, you should bring your girlfriend back as well."
Jay stretched and replied slowly, "Mom, I said I would bring her to meet you next week. Don't be so hasty."
"I'm really eager to see her, I want to have a grandchild soon."
Jay was speechless as Mary continued, "Well, you have to at least let me know how old she is."
"Twenty-three."
Mary was so pleased she slapped her own thigh and said, "That's a perfect age for a woman to have a baby!"
Jay felt so helpless and did not reply.
"Okay, okay. I will go to buy the king crab now." Mary took her bag and left cheerfully.
Jay was at a loss and shouted after her, "Mom, do you even know how to cook crab?"
"That has nothing to do with you." She slammed the door a few seconds later.
Jay fell on the bed again in exasperation.
****
It was at noon when they arrived in New York while the sunlight poured over the airport. Irish strolled in the crowd with her sunglasses on while her eyesight was fixed on the man who was ahead of her. He was walking under the golden sunlight, which made her feel like he was just a dream.
But now, she had to wake up from that dream.
She brought back many gifts and souvenirs for her family and friends, so she checked her luggage and had to wait for it at the carousel. Joseph only had a small suitcase, so he didn't check it. He stood five meters away from her but didn't look at her.