Stranger's Spell: A Tale of Unexpected Love

37. Secrets, Bonds, Trust Shattered?

Many days had passed, and Backy felt the weight of frustration pressing down on her. She had been tirelessly chasing leads, hoping for some breakthrough on Sam, Seng Wichai, or the mysterious Freen Sarocha. But despite her best efforts, the trail remained frustratingly cold.

However, not all her work had been in vain. She had gathered enough evidence to build a strong case against SW Corporation and Mr. Saefan Wichai. It was more than enough to cause them serious trouble. What troubled her, though, was Saefan's continued interference with Phoenix Empire. He wasn't done—he was still pulling strings behind the scenes. Backy's instincts screamed that this wasn't just about business anymore; it was personal for Saefan, and she had no intention of letting him win.

Backy sat at her desk, the dim light of her home office casting shadows across the room. She stared at the screen in front of her, eyes scanning the documents she had spent days compiling. With a sigh, she closed the laptop and reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over Nop's contact. She couldn't risk anyone else knowing—not even her family. This was her battle to fight, and she didn't want to pull them into it unless absolutely necessary.

She pressed the call button. Nop picked up immediately.

"Nop, I need you to keep a close eye on Saefan Wichai. He's up to something, and I don't trust that this quiet period will last. Track Seng Wichai's movements too, and keep tabs on SW Corporation's activity. Anything out of the ordinary, I want to know about it."

Nop's voice was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity. "Will do, Backy. But... are you sure you don't want to bring in the family on this? It sounds bigger than—"

Backy cut him off, her voice firm but weary. "Not yet. I need to handle this alone for now. Trust me, I have a plan."

Nop sighed. "Alright. But you know I've got your back."

"Thanks, Nop," Backy replied softly before hanging up. She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. She had no doubt that Saefan was still scheming, and she wasn't going to let him bring down Phoenix Empire—or her family. Not while she was still standing.

Meanwhile, at Phoenix Hospital, Sam continued to work diligently on the AI project. Day by day, she made progress, quietly impressing everyone around her with her intelligence and skill. Despite Engfa's initial surveillance, Sam hadn't shown any signs of suspicious behavior. Engfa had reported back to Backy with the same phrase each time: "She's clean."

Inside the hospital, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were increasingly impressed by Sam's abilities. The AI project was coming together faster than anyone had expected, and Sam was at the center of it all. She was brilliant, methodical, and never seemed to tire.

But it wasn't just Sam who had caught the Armstrongs' attention. Dr. Fay and Dr. Kate had also become invaluable members of the team, and Mrs. Armstrong, in particular, had grown especially fond of them. Over time, Mrs. Armstrong had begun treating all three women—Sam, Dr. Fay, and Dr. Kate—like daughters.

One afternoon, while Mrs. Armstrong and Dr. Fay shared tea in the hospital's lounge, Sam passed by, her usual quiet focus in place. Mrs. Armstrong smiled warmly at her.

"Sam, dear, come and join us," she called, her voice as welcoming as ever.

Sam hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the files she carried. She wasn't used to these kinds of invitations. "I... I have work to finish," she murmured, her voice soft but polite.