“Darleen was divorced and her daughter carried her surname, but what about her ex-husband?" Seraphina couldn't help but be curious.
Patrick shook his head, "As for him, I haven't really kept up."
Seraphina smiled slightly, "That makes sense. After all, we all have only so much energy to go around. But you've given me a lot of info today, which is a big help."
Patrick gave her a sideways glance, "Now, can you tell me what you need all this information for?"
Seraphina pursed her lips, meeting his gaze, "What if I don't want to tell you?"
"Well, I can't force you to do anything," Patrick said with a raised eyebrow, "but next time you come looking for info, I can't promise I'll be as open."
His words sounded harsh, but his tone was gentle, and Seraphina knew he was joking. She laughed, "Let's just say I want to know everything about the Martin family."
"Is that because..." Patrick paused, "you're Simon's daughter?"
Seraphina turned swiftly to him, a smile playing on her lips, "Word travels fast, huh? All the way to Moonhaven?"
Indeed, since the Martin family dinner, rumors about Seraphina's connection to the Martins had spread like wildfire. With many in the know, it didn't take long for the gossip to reach every nook and cranny, including the far-off Starhaven where Patrick kept a keen eye on the Martin family's dealings.
After a moment, Seraphina added, "So, did you find out just recently, or did you already know when you gave me that painting of the jasmine flowers?"
The painting of jasmine flowers, a lost piece by Carney meant for Adelina, had been delivered to Seraphina by Patrick. It was that painting that had led her to question her own origins and investigate further, unraveling the series of events that followed.
"I'm not as omniscient as you think," Patrick admitted, "The jasmine painting was just a coincidence."
Seraphina shrugged, "It would have been easier if you'd done it on purpose."
"Why's that?"
"Then I could blame you for dragging my peaceful life into a whirlwind. But since it wasn't intentional, what can I say? It's probably all just fate."
Patrick fell silent for a moment before asking, "So, are you planning to go back to the Martin family?"
"If I do, wouldn't that make us enemies?" Seraphina responded with a playful smile.
Patrick gave her a long look, "The Martin family is large; not everyone is my enemy."
With a slight tilt of her head, Seraphina smiled, "Then I trust there are still friends of yours within the Martin family."
Being the rival of the Martin family, Patrick was incredibly well-informed about their affairs, which suggested he had insiders helping him. Whether through money or loyalty, there were people within the Martin family working for him.
"And you?" Patrick asked, "If you return to the Martin family, can we still be friends?"
Seraphina laughed softly, "Unless you choose to stand against me, friends are for a lifetime."
"But I'm not sure which side you're on, Sera," Patrick said.
"You'll find out," she replied with a smile.
Once she bid Patrick farewell, Seraphina headed home to attend to documentation for an imminent art exhibition. In a spontaneous decision, she found herself delving into the background of Renee's biological father.
She had assumed that since Lionel had adopted Renee, her biological father must be deceased.
But to her surprise, Renee's father was very much alive and living in Sunburst City.
Named Chuck, the 40-year-old was working at an upscale private club called Hot Summer as a Customer Service Manager. His age and position in such a venue were somewhat unusual, as such roles were typically filled by men in their twenties.
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