Sarah raised her hand and invited them to have some tea. "Please, have some tea. This is brewed with spring water from the mountains. It tastes fresher."

Luca felt that Sarah had something on her mind. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and asked in a soft voice, "Ms. Poplar, do you know something?"

"I know a lot. Over these years, Russia hasn't given up searching for me because I know too much. But here I am, hiding out in A City. What else can I do? What surprised me, though, is that while Russia has been quiet, A City has managed to dig up evidence of his crimes.

"Despite the pressure from Russia, they've gone ahead and nabbed him. A City is more progressive than any other country.” Sarah took a sip of the green tea and let out a sigh.

She had dreamed many dreams, all of them scenes of Matysh being arrested.

However, every time she dreamed about it, it happened in Russia and never in A City.

This time, Matysh's arrest was in A City, so her dream had partly come true. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Luke, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Once Matysh is sentenced in A City, Russia will take notice. If there's evidence of his illegal activities in Russia, he'll be extradited back to Russia for further sentencing after he finishes serving his sentence in A City."

Sometimes, it was not that the Russian government was inactive. It was just that they were powerless.

The government needed a breakthrough.

Marcos' family protected Matysh very well. Even if Russia needed a breakthrough, they could not find one.

Luke said this just to tell Sarah that a breakthrough had appeared.

Sarah was lost in thoughts after she heard what Luke said...

Luca and Luke exchanged a glance with each other. Luca called out to her, "Ms. Poplar?"

Sarah came back to her senses and smiled at them. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."

"It's okay, Ms. Poplar. Your tea tastes good," praised Luca as she took another sip of tea.

Luke also took a sip.

"If you like it, feel free to come by often. We can chat, and I can make tea for you," Sarah smiled. She then asked about the situation with Marcos and Matysh. "Mr. Crawford, you're a capable person, you must know a lot. Does Matysh still want to escape?"

She spoke subtly, but the meaning was clear.

Everyone present understood the implication. Matysh wanted to avoid sentencing in A City.

"Yes, Russia is considering it." Luke nodded.

Sarah was startled for a moment. Her face turned pale. "Does that mean my son needs to help?"

"No, Marcos doesn't even know their detailed plans." Luke shook his head. He pondered for a moment and realized he said it wrong.

It was not that Marcos did not know. It was just that he did not find out about it from Ethan's side.

Matysh wanted to escape, but he did not trust Marcos. That was why Ethan had been keeping him in the dark.

Marcos only knew because Rain had been keeping an eye on Ethan's actions and informing Marcos of his detailed plans.

"So, he doesn't need to be involved?" Sarah was slightly surprised. She thought Marcos had been staying in A City on Old Master Abaza’s orders.

However, him not needing to be involved in Matysh’s matter caught her off guard.

"Matysh doesn't trust Marcos," explained Luke.

Sarah nodded. A chill crept into the corners of her mouth as she smiled. "He shouldn’t. Hah, Matysh has done a lot of shameful things. He definitely wouldn't dare to trust Marcos..."

Luca looked at Sarah's cold expression and turned to look at Luke. They exchanged glances with each other.

Luca did not expect to see such a look on Sarah’s face...

Sarah also realized something was off and quickly added, "I'm sorry, I was rude."

"It's okay, Ms. Poplar." Luca shook his head, but she could not help but feel puzzled.

What exactly was Sarah hiding? Why did her smile seem to hold such deep-seated resentment?

What happened in the past to bring Sarah to this point?

Luca increasingly doubted the results of the investigation.

Perhaps it could be a story Matysh’s family spread, claiming Sarah's bloodline was lowly and she was unfit to stay with the family...

Something must have happened in the past.

Luca was deeply absorbed in thought, but she still did not know what had happened back then.

Among those present, perhaps only Sarah and Luke knew.

Yet, Luke had no intention of telling her.

Luca knew Luke's silence was because he did not want her to get involved in this matter.

It indicated that whatever happened in the past was significant.

It also had a very negative impact.

Sarah took a sip of tea and let out a sigh. "Actually, right now, I really hope A City can keep Matysh locked up for life so that he can't go back to Russia and harm others. But I also know he won't be sentenced to life. It'll be just a few years at most.

"Still, even those few years will be enough to teach him a lesson. Now, I just wish Marcos could be safe and sound. Everything else doesn't matter."

"Marcos is working hard. He'll ensure you can appear in public again without any obstacles. At that time, no one will dare to harm you. But this requires your cooperation, Ms. Poplar. You know what I mean," said Luke, looking straight at Sarah’s eyes.

Marcos had shown him photos of Sarah when she was young.

As a nobleman's son, Marcos' father must have found Sarah attractive, even dazzling.

However, the future brought too many hardships to this woman, adding many years to her face.

Now, Luke noticed that Sarah's face also held some hatred when they talked about Matysh.

The centuries-old family hid many secrets, and Sarah knew some of them. Hence, to resolve the family's affairs, she had to reveal everything from the past.

"Let's table those matters for now. At the moment, my only wish is for Marcos to be safe and sound, and for him to marry and start a family soon. That's all I need to feel content," Sarah said with a smile on his face. She understood what Luke meant.

She had considered doing this before, but going against a family that had existed for centuries?

Just thinking about it made her want to give up.

"Marcos won't marry or have children until these matters are resolved. Even if he does get married, it'll be forced and it'll be with someone he doesn't love. You know, if Matysh is abandoned by Russia, Marcos will become their only heir.

"They’ll only tighten their control over him only because he shares your blood.

“So, his marriage partner will also be arranged by the family. His marriage will be aimed at strengthening their control over him.

"You and Marcos' father genuinely loved each other when you got married. Surely, you wouldn't want to see him controlled by the family and get married to someone he doesn't love.

"Matysh will be released eventually. Even if he loses his inheritance rights, he'll still manipulate Marcos and control his life as an elder. Ms. Poplar, is this what you want to see?"