Chapter 36: Tense Family Relations

After some private discussions in the sauna, the group left the room. Next, Gap arranged some entertainment for them.

Sabin City, a lesser-known second-tier city, couldn’t match the advantages of a metropolis in some ways, but in others, it wasn’t far behind.

They chose this place for privacy. The private club, combined with the almost naked meetings in the steam-filled sauna where voices distorted, made it very difficult for anyone to record anything.

After these potentially sensitive talks ended, the group returned to their normal nightlife.

The city’s charm lay in its wealth and dazzling nights, things the countryside could never offer. For this reason, many people flocked to the city.

In just a few years, populations in Baylor Federation cities had at least doubled, sometimes more.

Though clubs were good for talks or relaxation, they offered no other services. Maintaining standards was crucial for private clubs; they never broke their own rules lightly.

Sitting in the last car, Gap glanced back at a car trailing them after the driver’s warning and frowned.

Without the driver’s tip, he wouldn’t have noticed anyone following.

Private detectives weren’t part of the Baylor Federation’s judicial system but were a private profession. Registered detectives could submit evidence admissible in court if it met legal standards.

There was a common misconception: most private detectives obtained evidence illegally but knew how to fabricate plausible legitimacy. Sometimes local courts even relied on them for evidence gathering, so few rigorously questioned their sources.

The biggest difference between detectives and police was that police wouldn’t tail someone for you, search trash, or call you boss for money.

Private detectives would. Along with lawyers, accountants, and dentists, they were one of the Baylor Federation’s four most lucrative professions.

Vera had her own savings. As a certified accountant, she received extra money monthly from Gap for household expenses and had saved some.

She hired a detective connected to an agency affiliated with her firm to investigate the matter. Cases involving infidelity interested both lawyers and detectives.

With the right photos, each could sell for a fortune. Regardless of the employer’s intent, detectives insisted on buying all photos and negatives.

The car tailing them suddenly turned onto a secluded side road. Although suspicious, Gap followed.

After a moment, their car emerged from the alley. Sitting in the back, Gap fiddled with a roll of film, expression dark.

Meanwhile, the detective lay disheveled in a pile of garbage.

Just after one a.m., slightly drunk, Gap returned home. He tore off his tie, took off his jacket, and pushed open the bedroom door.

The bedside lamp was still on. Vera sat against the headboard, wearing a complex expression—part hatred, part hope.

“Back?” she said, standing as he entered. She noticed he had been drinking lately. She approached to support him, but he brushed her off.

He moved to a chair by the window, took out the film roll from his pocket, slapped it on the table, and calmly said, “You had me followed, spied on!”

He shook his head. “You suspect me? It’s hopeless, darling. You actually suspect me?”

Vera was silent for a moment, then looked into his eyes. She no longer saw the outstanding young man she once knew, only endless lies, arrogance, and deceit.

A sudden wave of disappointment hit her. Gap’s serious reaction confirmed her suspicions. She felt a deep emptiness.

“Last night, there were lipstick marks on your backside…”

The room’s atmosphere changed instantly. Gap’s accusatory stance faltered almost completely. His eyes briefly cleared, then he slapped his forehead.

“If you have a problem, talk to me directly. Don’t resort to this. Don’t you know me at all?”

He began making excuses. “Do you know that when you had that bastard follow me, I was with company directors? They were very unhappy. You nearly ruined our future!”

The driver of his car was a company employee. The director already knew and only trusted Gap after some explanation.

The director half-smiled and warned him to handle family matters properly and not let personal issues affect the company’s operations. This was his last warning.

This was why Gap wanted to talk. If Vera continued sending detectives, things could get worse. She had to stop.

Vera, deeply disappointed, asked, “Family or career—which matters more?” She paused. “And that’s no excuse for cheating. If you think your work justifies your affairs, what do you take me for?”

Gap said nothing. She turned, gathered blankets and pillows, and headed for the door. Pausing, she glanced back without speaking and opened it.

She realized she was braver than she thought. Despite confirming her husband’s infidelity, she didn’t feel shattered or overwhelmingly angry.

At that moment, Vera felt strangely frightening. She wasn’t sure how to describe it, but as a wife, her lack of rage made her question if she ever really loved him.

Most families were like this. Love often fades into kinship, and strong emotions mellow into something quite different.

Some call it affection; others call it numbness.

“This is a critical period for me…” Gap repeated his excuse. “Don’t you want a bigger house, higher status, more money, a better life?”

He spread his hands, showing a regretful expression. “I do this not just for myself, but for the family. Some social dealings are dirty but unavoidable!”

“To fit in, I have to pay a price. Vera, you’re too serious!”

Vera stood in the doorway, they locked eyes for a moment. She shook her head. “You disgust me!”

With a bang, she closed the door. Gap tugged his hair and knocked everything off the bedside table.

That damn woman left marks on my ass on purpose. It’s too late now, that damn woman!

Damn her!