Chapter 30

"I remember when I was in elementary school, I fell down the stairs because someone pushed me. At that time, you even went to check the surveillance footage with the police..." Shirley continued, speaking earnestly.

As Shirley spoke, she became more serious. Mr. Yates realized that if he continued to pretend not to remember, he might reveal more. So he followed her lead, feigning realization, "Are you talking about Cynthia?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Shirley was ecstatic.

"You're that Cynthia?" Mr. Yates asked Cynthia standing next to Joshua, seeking confirmation of her identity.

Cynthia had not expected the two of them to be such good actors. She responded with a faint, "Mhm."

"Cynthia, is that really you?!" Shirley was thrilled, not giving away any hints of deception. "I'm Shirley, the little girl with short hair who fell into the pond, and you saved me when we were kids. Do you remember?"

"I remember." Cynthia nodded.

How could she forget? That rascal had snuck away to pic