Part 3I Went to the Car Wash to Pick Up My Car, but My Face Turned Red When I Saw What Was Under the Windshield Wiper. I Had to Call the Police!

"No, not at all," she replied right away.

I nodded, already pretty sure about the answer. If she hadn't seen anyone suspicious, then it had to be someone she knew.

I glanced over at Luke, then took out my phone and showed her a photo.

"I found these in the car when I picked it up earlier. Do you know who left them there?"

I stared at her, watching her reaction. She froze for a second, instinctively looking toward Luke. Then she looked away, her eyes shifting nervously, and after a long pause, she muttered, "I don't know, but I'll wash your car again right away, Ava. Please don't be mad."

She gave me a pleading look, and I didn't say anything more. I just nodded and stood by, watching her work. The water from the gun soaked her through, her clothes completely drenched.

Her eyes earlier had already given it away. It was Luke who did it. As for why she was covering for him, I could guess. She probably didn't want to make a scene and mess with the business.

Confronting someone like Luke head-on was definitely risky, so I thought for a while before coming up with a better way to get back at him.

I posted his QR code on a bunch of different platforms. Study abroad, insurance, renting houses, loans, male infertility treatment, funeral services.

Not long after, Luke's angry voice echoed from the back. "You bastard, who the hell's dying in my family? Get the hell away from me!

"I told you, don't post any funeral stuff, you dumbasses!"

He hung up, only for the phone to ring again a moment later. "Study abroad? You think I'm paying for that? Get the hell out!"

Watching him rage like that, I finally felt some satisfaction.

A while later, there was some noise at the door.

A middle-aged woman was carrying a drunken man inside. The man was mumbling nonsense as they stumbled in.

Isabella rushed forward. "Mom, you just got out of the hospital, and your wound isn't even healed yet! How can you be carrying Dad like this? Put him down now, or your wound will tear open again!"

I understood immediately. Isabella's mother had just been discharged from the hospital, but her father was one of those unreliable men, drunk again and needing his sick wife to drag him back.

Chloe smiled and patted her daughter's head. "The wound's healed, sweetie. I know I was in the hospital for a while, and you had to take care of the car wash shop on your own. You must be exhausted. Now that I'm back, I'll help you out."

Isabella's eyes glistened with tears. She shook her head and said, "Mom, just focus on taking care of yourself."

Chloe Mason sighed, "I'm getting old, not as useful anymore. I'm in and out of the hospital, dragging the family down. And it's wearing you out."

Earlier, I had been wondering why Isabella put up with her brother's bullying and didn't leave her family. Now, I understood, it was because of her mother.

I pretended to play with my phone, but I was secretly keeping an eye on them.

Henry was holding a bottle of liquor in his right hand, stumbling along with Isabella's support.

As they passed me, Henry shoved Isabella aside. "Who's this gorgeous lady? Heh, let me touch."