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Chapter 36 - 0036 Tense Family Relationships

After a period of secretive discussions in the sauna room, the group of people came out, and next were some programs that Gap had arranged for them.

As a less famous second-tier small city, Sabin City certainly could not compare to the metropolises in some respects, but in other areas, it was not necessarily much inferior to them.

The choice to discuss matters here was mainly for privacy; a private club combined with the almost nakedness in the sauna room, the steam, and the distorted sounds made it very difficult for anyone to leave behind any traces.

After ending these conversations that might trigger certain problems, the group left here, and they were about to return to their normal nightlife.

The charm of the city lies in its widespread wealth and the colorful nights, something that can never be seen in the countryside. Because of this, vast populations flock towards the cities.

In just a few short years, the population of Bail Federal cities has doubled, tripled, or even more.

Although the club is good, it's limited to discussing some topics or relaxing a bit, without providing any other services. Maintaining status is one of the most important jobs of these private clubs. They would not easily break their own rules.

Sitting in the last car, Gap turned around and glanced at a car following them after being reminded by the driver, frowning suddenly.

If it weren't for the driver's reminder, he wouldn't even sense someone following them.

The concept of a private investigator isn't part of the Bail Federal Judiciary system; it's a spontaneously formed civilian profession. However, as long as they go through registration and record-keeping, the evidence they collect, if it meets judicial standards, can be used in various cases.

There's actually a misconception among the public here: most evidence in a private investigator's hands is not collected through legal means. Yet, they know how to fabricate fake evidence to prove the legality of their evidence, and sometimes the local judiciary even needs their resources to fill in some evidence gaps, so few people seriously verify the origins of evidence from private investigators.

Aside from this, the biggest difference between private investigators and police is that police won't stalk certain people for you, won't sift through trash cans, and won't call you "Boss" just because you paid them.

But private investigators will. They, along with lawyers, accountants, and dentists, have become one of the four most famous professions in Bail Federal, referring specifically to their earning capacity.

Vera has her private fund, as she is a certified public accountant at a CPA firm. Gap also provides an additional sum for daily family expenses every month, so she has saved some money.

She hired a private investigator from an agency that has ties with the firm to investigate this matter. Cases related to infidelity interest not only lawyers but also private investigators.

As long as there are suitable photos, each photo can sell for a high price. Regardless of what the employer wants to do, they must buy these photos and negatives.

The car that was following suddenly turned a corner on the main road, choosing a secluded path, and although he found it a little strange, he followed.

Moments later, the vehicle Gap was riding in emerged from the alley, and he sat in the back seat fiddling with a roll of film, unclear in his thoughts, with an understandably displeased expression on his face.

As for the private investigator, he was lying in the trash heap in a highly undignified manner.

A little past one in the morning, Gap returned home a bit inebriated. He tore off his tie, discarded his jacket, and pushed open the bedroom door.

The bedside lamp in the bedroom was still on, Vera hadn't gone to sleep; she leaned against the bedside, with a complex expression on her face, a mix of resentment and a sliver of hope.

"Back already?" The moment the door opened, Vera snapped back to reality and stood up. She could see that Gap had been drinking; he's been like this lately. She walked to the door to support him, but he brushed her off.

He walked to the chair by the window, pulled a roll of film from his pocket, and slapped it onto the table while looking at Vera deliberately, murmuring softly, "You had someone follow me, take pictures of me!"

He shook his head. "You suspect me, it's despairing, darling, you actually suspect me?"

After a brief silence, Vera raised her head to look into Gap's eyes; within them, she could no longer find that young and outstanding man from before, only endless lies, arrogance, and deceit.

She also suddenly felt a wave of disappointment. Gap treating this matter so earnestly tacitly confirmed Vera's suspicions, causing her to suddenly find it all meaningless.

"Last night, there were lipstick marks on your buttocks..."

With one sentence, the atmosphere in the room changed immediately. The momentum Gap had in wanting to 'criticize' Vera weakened almost instantly, barely visible. An expression of realization flashed briefly in his eyes, followed by him patting his forehead.

"You could have talked to me directly if you had any issues, instead of resorting to this method. Moreover, don't you know me by now?"

He began searching for excuses, "Do you know, when you had that bastard follow me, I was with one of the company's board members. He was very displeased; you almost ruined our future!"

The driver of his car is a company employee, and the board member already knew about this incident. Gap managed to explain and regained the other party's trust after some effort.

The board member smirked as he said to Gap, handle your domestic matters well and don't let personal issues affect the corporation's operations, also warning him that this was the last time.

This also prompted Gap to finally decide to talk with Vera. If Vera continued to hire private investigators, it could potentially worsen the situation; she had to stop!

Vera was utterly disappointed. She looked at Gap and asked back, "Family and your career, which one is more important?" She paused before continuing, "Moreover, this is no justification for your infidelity. If you think your job needs justify messing around, what do you take me for?"

Gap didn't reply, just remained silent. She turned around, grabbed her pillow and blanket, and moved towards the bedroom door. She glanced back at Gap with nothing to say, already opening the door with one hand.

She found herself braver than she imagined. At least facing Gap's infidelity didn't make her feel that intolerable, catastrophic feeling, nor an overly intense anger.

In that instant, Vera even found herself terrifying, or maybe... she didn't know how to express that feeling. As a wife, realizing her husband's infidelity didn't evoke as much rage as expected, she realized she might not love this man as much as she thought.

In fact, most families are like this: as love ferments into kinship through marriage, intense emotions gradually mellow and ultimately transform into something utterly different from love.

Some describe this as kinship, but others believe it is just numbness.

"Now is my critical period..." Gap once again used this reason, "Don't you want it? A bigger house, a higher social status, more money, a better life!"

He spread his arms with a regretful expression, "I'm not doing this just for myself, I'm doing this for the family. Some social engagements are indeed dirty, but they can't be avoided!"

"To integrate with them, I must pay some price, Vera, you're being too serious!"

Vera stood at the door after opening it, the two stared at each other for a moment, and Vera shook her head, "You make me feel sick!"

Watching the door slam shut with a bang, Gap pulled his hair, then swept everything off the bedside table onto the floor.

That damn woman must have deliberately left some marks on his buttocks; now it's too late to say anything, that damned woman!

Damn woman!

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