His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 347: Searching for Evidence

Harper had a kind heart and was good at picking up on how people were feeling. He quickly tried to comfort the man. "Don't cry, Uncle. I remember you."

Brandon managed a smile. "Good. Then make sure you remember what I look like, alright? Don't forget your uncle."

Harper wiped his nose and eyes. "Okay."

In the kitchen, Julian could hear the conversation drifting in from the living room.

All those mentions of "uncle" settled something inside him, like a soothing pill had been swallowed.

So they were calling each other brother and sister.

He'd gotten the wrong idea.

But were they sworn siblings, or actual family?

The thought made Julian's heart skip uneasily.

If Brandon really was Iris' blood brother, that would make him Julian's brotherinlaw.

If he wanted to marry Iris someday, he'd have to get through him first.

Not good. Not good at all.

Julian mentally kicked himself.

When breakfast was ready, Julian took off his apron. "Iris, Brandon—come eat."

He said "Brandon" with deliberate warmth.

Both Brandon and Iris glanced up, surprised.

They rose and made their way to the table.

Julian pulled out a chair for Iris and sat down beside her. Brandon took the seat across the table, glanced at the plate of hearty savory stuffed pastries, and commented, "Savory pastries filled with seafood and meat... You certainly have an interesting palate, Mr. Everhart."

Julian smiled, filled a bowl for Iris, and set it gently in front of her. "Iris likes them," he replied evenly.

Brandon shot Iris a knowing halfsmile.

Iris returned it, a little sheepishly.

The mood around the table stayed relaxed.

After they finished, Iris stood to clear the dishes, but Julian immediately took them from her hands. "Don't worry about it. Sit—I'll wash up."

Brandon got to his feet, stacked the remaining bowls, and reached for them. "You cooked. Least I can do is clean."

"Really, it's no trouble," Julian said politely.

"I'd rather do it. I don't like feeling indebted." Brandon took the stack firmly and headed toward the kitchen.

Iris pressed her lips together, hiding a small smile. She glanced from Julian to Brandon, sensing the tension between them had eased slightly.

When Brandon returned from the kitchen, Iris had already slipped back into her room to pack. Julian approached him. "You have a minute to talk?"

Brandon raised an eyebrow. "What, going to warn me to stay away from Iris?"

Julian gave a tired, somewhat helpless smile. "No. There's something important I need to ask you."

Brandon looked around. "Balcony work?"

They made their way outside.

The morning sun was bright, the sky clear.

A crisp autumn breeze drifted past, cool and comfortable.

Brandon stood with one hand in his pocket, his back against the railing.

Julian leaned forward on his elbows, facing the opposite direction.

"I didn't know what happened three years ago—not back then," Julian began, his voice heavy. "Thank you. For saving Harper. And for saving Iris."

Brandon replied calmly, "Don't thank me. I would've done the same for anyone in that situation. Besides... it was Iris."

"Three years is a long time. Security footage is gone. It's a tough case to dig into now. I'm hoping you can give me something to go on."

Brandon let out a dry laugh. "What's left to investigate? It was obviously your childhood friend."

"I need proof."

"You still don't want to believe it was her?" Brandon's tone edged toward disappointment.

"It's not that. I do believe it was her." Julian's expression turned cold, anger darkening his eyes. "But I need evidence to put her behind bars—to make sure she pays for it."

Brandon turned to look at him, surprised. "You're serious about sending her to prison?"

Julian nodded without hesitation.

A faint smile touched Brandon's lips. "Alright then. If I can help, I will."

"Who was supposed to perform Iris' surgery that day?"

"I don't know. Whoever it was never showed."

"Do you remember who pushed you into the operating room?"

"It's been too long. I don't recall."

"Why didn't you look into it back then?"

"Didn't have the time. I had to get Iris settled somewhere safe and take care of her. Couldn't spare the energy. Besides, whoever set it up covered their tracks well. Wasn't easy to dig around."

Julian frowned, frustration tightening his features. "So there's really no trail left?"

Brandon stayed quiet for a long moment, thinking. Then he met Julian's gaze. "Actually, hospitals keep logs. Surgeries are recorded—doctors' and nurses' names, OR usage times. I'd just had surgery myself, so I made a point of checking the schedule. That's why I remember the time so clearly. If those old records are still in the system, you might be able to trace which doctor was assigned to that operating room at that hour."

Julian's expression softened slightly, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Just give me the exact time. I'll take care of the rest."

Brandon looked puzzled. "You plan on hacking into the hospital's system?"

Julian turned and leaned back against the railing. "Money opens doors. I don't need to handle the legwork myself—I can pay someone. Plenty of people at the hospital would be willing to look it up for the right price."

Brandon gave a slow nod of understanding.

"Arden's been dealt with, and things here are wrapped up. Are we all flying back together?" Julian asked.

"Of course," Brandon said. "No reason for me to stay."

"What about your company?"

"I'm just a shareholder." Brandon slid both hands into his pockets and began walking slowly back inside, tossing one last remark over his shoulder. "I didn't even want to run my dad's corporation. Why would I bother with Iris' little startup?"

Julian watched him disappear into the apartment.

Then he turned again, gaze drifting toward the horizon, lost in thought.

*****

The plane lifted off from Edulet City and touched down at Suncrest International Airport.