It was impossible to know just how deeply Yvonne Clark was involved at this point. After all, following the William Grant case in '99, William Grant was sentenced to death with reprieve, Yvonne Clark received a twenty-year prison term, while Ethan Reed, James Parker, and the others were only sentenced to ten to fifteen years.

Adam Bolton had no idea what changes would occur over the next five years, but at this moment, Yvonne Clark still looked so innocent. The fact that she committed suicide in prison the year after being incarcerated was already heartbreaking enough.

Adam Bolton watched Yvonne Clark and Ethan Reed downstairs. The two of them talked for a while, then Ethan Reed left. The last few photos at the bottom turned out to be group shots of Yvonne Clark and Henry Harris. Henry Harris was wearing a light blue jacket, his chin slightly lowered. No matter how their positions changed in the photos, Henry Harris's gaze was always fixed on Yvonne Clark. Just from these photos, it would be difficult to prove that there was that kind of relationship between Henry Harris and Yvonne Clark, but it was undeniable that Henry Harris harbored desire for Yvonne Clark. Dad must have been well aware of this. Maybe that's why, whenever Mom mentioned Yvonne Clark, Dad's expression would become uncertain.

Although it was hard to find concrete evidence proving an affair between Henry Harris and Yvonne Clark, Yvonne Clark's testimony was crucial. Combined with other evidence, it formed a complete chain, enough to send Henry Harris to prison.

But there was one thing Adam Bolton couldn't understand: why did William Grant set up a trap to frame Henry Harris?

Adam Bolton certainly didn't believe the rumors about fighting over a woman. Yvonne Clark was clearly a pawn in William Grant's scheme to frame Henry Harris. Even if Henry Harris's desire for Yvonne Clark made William Grant uncomfortable, there was no need to resort to such extreme measures.

There had to be other reasons.

Adam Bolton pulled out one photo, folded it, and stuffed it into his back pocket. After making sure there were no traces, he put the rest of the photos back into the envelope and returned it to the corner cabinet, thinking that even if Yvonne Clark noticed a missing photo, she probably wouldn't think much of it.

Yvonne Clark came in, holding a file folder—presumably given to her by Ethan Reed. Adam Bolton asked her, "Was that your boyfriend just now?"

"No," Yvonne Clark smiled, "otherwise, why wouldn't I let him come up?"

Yvonne Clark placed the file folder on the corner cabinet behind the door, pressing it down on the envelope, then turned and went into the bathroom to continue doing laundry, leaving the door ajar. Adam Bolton wanted to open the file folder but didn't get the chance. He stood there, peeking at Yvonne Clark as she stood at the sink washing clothes. He could only see half of her body. Her hair was casually pinned up with a purple clip, falling down to cover her face, revealing only her rounded chin. She was slightly bent over, her full chest pressing against her blouse, outlining an alluring curve.

"What are you peeking at, kid..." Yvonne Clark turned and saw Adam Bolton staring intently at her chest. Her pretty face flushed as she scolded him, and though she turned sideways, she instinctively pulled up her collar, which only accentuated her impressive figure.

Adam Bolton's gaze shifted to Yvonne Clark's slightly embarrassed, feigned-angry face. He wanted to say something, swallowed dryly, but didn't speak. He returned to the living room sofa and casually turned on the TV, just in time to catch a replay of the news about Party Secretary William Grant visiting typhoon-stricken towns. Listening to the sounds of laundry from the bathroom, Adam Bolton said, "Yvonne Clark jie, you're so beautiful—even the Party Secretary of Haizhou City wouldn't be able to resist you..."

The sounds from the bathroom suddenly went quiet. After a long moment, Yvonne Clark finally spoke from inside, "Kids shouldn't talk nonsense..." Then there was silence again.

After waiting a while and hearing nothing, Adam Bolton grew curious and walked to the bathroom door, only to see Yvonne Clark leaning against the sink, silently sobbing. Crystal tears hung on her flawless, beautiful cheeks, making one's heart ache.

Seeing Adam Bolton at the door, Yvonne Clark hurriedly wiped her eyes with her hands, getting soapy water in them and crying out in pain.

"Yvonne Clark jie, tilt your head down a bit and rinse your eyes with water," Adam Bolton quickly turned on the faucet, cupped her cheek with one hand, and scooped clean water over her eyes with the other. "Just open your eyes for a moment..."

Watching Yvonne Clark's long lashes tremble as she blinked, it seemed as if she was hiding boundless fear inside. Adam Bolton gently pulled her mature, voluptuous body into his arms. He felt her tense up, but she didn't resist. Adam Bolton sighed softly and whispered, "Yvonne Clark jie, I won't let anyone hurt you..." The body in his arms suddenly relaxed, but then began to tremble slightly. Tears kept seeping from her tightly shut eyes, sliding down her snow-white cheeks onto the sink.

The sound of each teardrop falling was like a beautiful scene from memory.

After a long time, Yvonne Clark finally stopped crying, straightened up, lowered her head to fix her messy hair, but was too embarrassed to look at Adam Bolton. In a low voice, she said, "Go sit outside for a while. Let me finish the laundry first."

Adam Bolton stood there for a moment. Seeing that Yvonne Clark still wouldn't look at him, he thought to himself: She must have reached her limit, which is why she would pour out her sorrows to a stranger like me.