True Love Deserves a Second Chance
Chapter 282 Number 11 Appeared

When Elise heard that, she yanked the hairpin out of her hair. She stared at the tiny camera hidden under the pearl, totally shocked. "What the heck? I just bought this from the mall yesterday. How could someone mess with it already?" Thinking about Joyce finding out the truth, Elise started crying, feeling super guilty.

Seeing her like that, Derek quickly tried to calm her down. "I'm not blaming you, Elise. Think hard, has anyone else touched this hairpin besides you?"

Elise shook her head. "Nope, after I bought it yesterday, I put it in my bag. I was home alone last night; even Leo didn't come back. I have no clue when this camera got put on."

The more she talked, the more upset she got. If she hadn't worn this hairpin to the hearing, Joyce wouldn't have found out the truth.

She shook her head, feeling guilty. "Derek, you gotta believe me. I didn't put the camera there. I really don't know what's going on."

Seeing her guilt and fear, Derek pulled her into his arms. He softly comforted her, "No one's blaming you. It just means the other side is really good at this, and they're targeting you. I think their goal is not just to mess things up between Joyce and Sebastian but also between us. Who do you think would hate to see us together the most?"

Hearing his words, Elise immediately said, "Cordelia. She doesn't want us together, but she's in prison. How could she set all this up?"

Derek frowned. "Maybe there's someone else who hates us being together even more. I'll look into it. Let me take you home first. Don't stress about it. Since it's already happened, we'll deal with it together."

He drove Elise home. As she got out of the car, her eyes were still red. She waved at him. "Be careful on the road."

Derek gave her a reassuring smile. "Go home and get some rest. Don't think about it."

Then he drove off, heading straight to Sebastian's place.

As soon as he walked into the villa's hall, he said, "The camera was on Elise's hairpin. Someone's targeting her."

Sebastian took the hairpin, used a tool to remove the tiny camera, and tossed it into the water. He looked at Derek with a complicated expression. "Our family's too well-guarded, so they targeted someone else. This hairpin is a custom piece. Someone must've installed the camera before Ms. Guise picked it up. She's in danger now, too. I think you should bring her to the Winters Mansion. First, to keep her safe, and second, being at the Winters Mansion might jog her memory." Hearing this, Derek nodded. "This person wants to kill two birds with one stone. First, to let Joyce know the truth, and second, to make me misunderstand Elise and break up with her because they fear that if she stays with me long enough, she'll get her memory back. So, this person must know her secret. They must also know about her past with me."

"Exactly. That's why we need to do the opposite of what they want. But you should talk this over with Leonard. He might not agree."

Derek drove off to find Leonard.

Sebastian sat alone on the sofa. By 7 PM, Joyce still hadn't come out. He looked at Benjamin with concern. "Dad, Joyce hasn't eaten for ten hours. She can't keep this up. Can you make her something to eat? I need to handle some stuff at the company."

Benjamin sighed. "She can't face you right now. Maybe it's best if you leave."

Sebastian grabbed his car keys and headed out. As he reached his car, he glanced up at the upstairs window.

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! There was Joyce, standing quietly by the floor-to-ceiling window. He felt this sudden urge to rush upstairs and hold her, to comfort her. But he didn't. He just stood there, looking at her intensely.

They stayed like that, one on the balcony and one in the yard, staring at each other for over ten minutes. Every minute felt like torture.

Joyce, who had just calmed down, started crying again when she saw Sebastian.

She knew this wasn't Sebastian's fault. She shouldn't take it out on him. She had promised herself she wouldn't let Cordelia's actions affect him. But now, she was just an ordinary person. She couldn't just forget Connie's pain and be with him. Seeing Sebastian reminded her of what Connie must have felt when she was betrayed by someone she trusted. Connie must have been heartbroken.

Connie was so young, loving everyone around her so much, yet she lost her life in her prime. Thinking of this, Joyce's tears flowed even more.

Looking into Sebastian's deep eyes, Joyce couldn't help but say, "Sebastian, what should we do?"

Seeing her lips move, Sebastian felt a sharp pain in his heart. He wanted to rush upstairs, but at that moment, Joyce drew the curtains. He could no longer see her sad face, only her silhouette on the curtain. Sebastian rubbed his sore eyes. He took out his phone and sent Joyce a text: [Joyce, I have to go to the company for a bit. Remember to eat well and get some rest.]

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! After sending the message, he looked at the balcony again. Joyce's silhouette was gone.

Sebastian smoked a cigarette in the yard, then drove off. Not long after, he got a call from Timothy, the butler at the Winters Mansion. "Mr. Winters, a letter just arrived at here. Should I bring it to you now?"

Hearing this, Sebastian frowned slightly, thinking, 'Who still sends letters these days? And to the Winters Mansion. My contact addresses are either my company or my villa. Who would send a letter there? I haven't used that address in over a decade.'

Sensing something was off, Sebastian said, "I'll be there soon."

Ten minutes later, Sebastian took the letter from Timothy. After a careful inspection, finding nothing unusual, he cautiously opened it. Seeing the contents, his eyes widened in surprise.

The letter was one he had written to Number 11, asking her to come to this address after being discharged. But he had waited and searched for seven years with no news.

Sebastian felt that things were happening very suddenly. With the Winters family facing a crisis, he had to be extra cautious.

He carefully examined the letter's contents and found a line of small, neat handwriting on the back: [Number 99, meet me at Riverside Cafe at 8 PM. Don't be late.]

Sebastian checked his watch. It was twenty minutes to eight. He quickly pocketed the letter and drove to Riverside Cafe.

At a window seat, he saw a pretty woman holding a red maple leaf bookmark. Seeing him, the woman smiled and waved.

Just then, his old-fashioned phone buzzed with a message from Number 11.