Chapter 102

Zoey asked, "Do you think Hugh treats you well?"

"He's alright," Olivia replied.

Zoey added, "Are you happier than your friends?"

"I... I don't know..."

"Do you think your parents lied to you?"

Olivia was on the verge of breaking down from Zoey's rapid-fire questions. "I don't know..."

Seeing her tears about to fall, Robert quickly stepped in, "Hey, don't cry. Just tell us what you know about Evan and Janet."

"Them? I don't know much. I don't know why he liked Janet, but he came back insisting on marrying her."

Zoey said, "He stays home all the time. How did he even meet Janet?"

"He does go out. Evan's mom takes him around, visiting neighbors or going to the factory. Because of Hugh, no one dares to speak ill of him at the factory."

"After that day, he kept bugging his mom to arrange the marriage with Janet. I heard Janet's mom agreed right away, and they set the wedding date that same day. His mom went home and started looking for a good date to throw a big wedding for Evan and Janet."

"I was happy at the time. I had met Janet a few times and she seemed nice and kind. I thought we would get along well..." Olivia's eyes showed a hint of regret. "It's such a shame, at such a young age... I can't believe someone could be so cruel! How could anyone harm such a good girl?"

Robert added, "Was Janet home when they went to her house? What was her attitude?"

"No, she was out."

"Do you know Janet refuses to marry Evan?"

Olivia looked confused. "I know she didn't, but her mom had already agreed."

Zoey said, "So she didn't agree herself."

Olivia replied, "Her parents agreed."

Zoey added, "So, her parents are the ones getting married?"

Olivia looked at Zoey, not understanding why she was being so confrontational.

Zoey didn't want to make it hard for her. "Forget it. How's the relationship between Hugh and Evan?"

"They get along great. Even though Hugh is busy with the factory, Evan's needs are always taken care of."After asking all the necessary questions, they let Olivia go.

Robert watched Olivia's frail figure as she left, reflecting on the conversation. "I wonder when people in these mountains will stop thinking this way."

Zoey sighed. "Officer Davis, this is a huge task. It won't be solved overnight. Their outdated beliefs have been passed down for generations. Changing that requires uprooting the entire system!"

It also required them to have incredible willpower.

Robert sighed deeply. He lit a cigarette because of the annoying case, something he rarely did.

"Bring in Hugh's mom," Robert ordered.

"Got it."

When Hugh's mom walked in, she still carried an air of superiority.

She looked at others with scrutiny, disdain, and condescension.

Robert followed protocol. "Name."

"Ava Davis."

"Age."

"Sixty."

Hugh was forty-four, so Ava had him when she was sixteen?

Zoey didn't like Ava, but now she felt a bit of sympathy.

"Ms. Davis, you look quite young. I wouldn't have guessed you're sixty." Robert looked at Ava, feeling conflicted.

Generations of passing down outdated beliefs made them think their way was the only right way.

It was terrifying.

Ava didn't catch the sympathy in Robert's words and proudly responded, "Of course. When life is good, with no worries, I naturally stay young."

"So, your sons are very grateful?"

"Absolutely. Isn't it obvious? Hugh runs a big factory with hundreds of employees. Evan is very obedient, and Olivia is very sensible. Life is great."

"Sounds like a good life." Robert squinted, smiling at her. "I heard Hugh has been married several times."

"Yes, Hugh is so outstanding that no matter how many times he divorces, there's always someone willing to marry him. He's just too excellent. And each wife is prettier than the last!"

Zoey said, "Hugh is forty-four, and Evan is only thirty-one. Why such a big age gap?"

"I didn't want a second child, but my mother said one child would be too lonely. Whether it's a boy or a girl, they could take care of each other when we're gone."

"So, you had Evan thirteen years later?"

"Not exactly. I had several pregnancies that were girls, and I terminated them. After several times, the doctor said I might not be able to have more children, so I had it."

Robert added, "So you had Evan?"

"No, it was still a girl. I had to abandon her. But the doctor was wrong. I got pregnant again, and that was Evan. He wasn't easy to come by."

Taking three lives for Evan, which wasn't easy indeed.

Zoey found it laughable. "Your business is doing well, and you have a son. Why not keep a daughter? Can't you afford to raise them?"

Ava's shrewish demeanor came out. "Miss, you're wrong. Just because we have money doesn't mean we should spend it recklessly. Besides, girls are a burden here. They grow up to belong to someone else. It's not worth the investment."

"You already have a son. If you had a daughter, most people would be happy about it! You make it sound so reasonable to take lives!"

"It isn't that serious. It's just valuing boys over girls." Ava was indifferent. "Who doesn't want a son? Don't you? Sons can inherit the family business, but daughters can only bear children for other families."