Chapter 558: Chapter 556: 556 Playing Charades_1

April’s sunlight was warm and pleasant.

Outside the coffee shop’s glass showcase, clusters of tulips were displayed. Bathed in sunlight, their vibrant beauty demanded attention, a vivid splash of color.

Nathaniel Summers sat quietly at his table, occasionally glancing down at his watch.

He was already a quarter of an hour past the agreed time.

Growing a bit restless, he began to wonder if he had been played for a fool. Just as he was about to stand up and leave, a striking woman with a wide-brimmed hat entered the café.

The woman spotted Nathaniel at a glance. Her lips, as red as rubies, curled into a slight smile as she approached him.

“Mr. Summers,” she greeted, sitting down opposite Nathaniel and removing her hat along with the sunglasses covering her face.

With the sunglasses on, Nathaniel thought she looked to be around thirty. However, once she took them off, the deep wrinkles around her eyes and the fatigue of sleepless nights revealed her true age.

This must be Jade Carlson’s mother.

“How should I address you?” Nathaniel watched her with cold detachment.

“My surname is Willard, Evelyn Willard,” she replied with a smile, adjusting the hair that had been flattened by her hat. “I apologize for being late.”

Nathaniel had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with her. He frowned slightly and spoke directly, “Ms. Willard, let’s cut to the chase. What information are you planning to sell me? And how can you be sure of its value to me?”

“So eager…” Evelyn Willard flipped through the elegantly framed menu of the coffee shop, “I have only just sat down.”

Nathaniel’s expression grew slightly darker as he pursed his lips and kept silent. However, the impatience in his eyes was unmistakable.

Evelyn Willard understood that Jade had exhausted all her goodwill with Nathaniel, to the point that he was filled with distrust and impatience regarding anything associated with her.

“Since Mr. Summers is in a hurry, I’ll get straight to the point,” Evelyn Willard said. “Please don’t take offense if my words are too direct and make you uncomfortable.”

Nathaniel looked calm, all ears for what she had to say.

“The illness you suffer from was supposedly cured after treatment, as the doctor claimed you were no longer in any danger. Yet, you were still…incapacitated, so you began psychotherapy,” she paused, eyeing Nathaniel before continuing, “Psychotherapy required the assistance of a female friend. You turned to Jade, undergoing therapy with her every week, and you improved significantly. But strangely enough, aside from Jade, you feel nothing for any other woman.”

Nathaniel’s face was expressionless, “You seem to be very well informed.”

“I am her mother,” Evelyn Willard said with a chuckle, “Even though we don’t get along well, she’s still my daughter. I know a thing or two about her affairs.”

Nathaniel said indifferently, “If you’re using this to blackmail me, I’m afraid you will be disappointed. This news is neither here nor there; it will only stir up gossip at most. I can come forward to clarify anytime. And I believe the Summers Family’s legal consultant would be quite interested in this.”

“You misunderstand me, Mr. Summers. As I said over the phone, I am looking for money, not trouble,” Evelyn Willard retrieved a book from her bag, gently placing it on the table and pushing it toward Nathaniel. “Don’t you find it strange? Without any psychological trauma, why would your body fail you?”

The title on the book clearly suggested it was about psychotherapy and psychological suggestion.

Frowning, Nathaniel said, “Ms. Willard, I don’t have time to engage in riddles with you here.”

Evelyn Willard smiled, “Mr. Summers, don’t you understand yet? You have been deceived! Someone hypnotized you; that’s why you’re struggling! Jade used to have many books like this one. She would read them every day, even asking me how she could make a man happier!”

Nathaniel’s face changed color, incredulous, “What evidence do you have?”