Everything settled into a steady rhythm.
For seven years, Ethan and I enjoyed a peaceful life.
Then one day Ethan told me that Susan and Monica had died.
There was a fire at Norton Manor and they could not escape. Only Felix survived.
Ethan said that Felix was probably around seven or eight years old and that the 47,XYY syndrome's negative traits were already manifesting.
He had scalded Susan with boiling water, causing disfigurement, pushed Monica down the stairs twice, leading to her hospitalization in intensive care, abused stray cats, and even blinded a classmate.
The fire, it turned out, was also set by Felix.
After blinding a classmate, Susan had lost a significant amount of money and had reprimanded him, which led Felix to hold a grudge.
At this young age, he faced the police without any sign of panic and even stated that Susan and Monica deserved their fate.
Such a child couldn't be placed in an orphanage due to his criminal actions. However, because of Felix's age, he couldn't be sentenced and was instead sent to an institution.
Nevertheless, I was certain that individuals like him would eventually face the consequences of their actions one day.
Indeed, it took me a decade of persistence to win Jean Spencer's heart before she finally agreed to be with me.
When we tied the knot, she was thirty-five, and I was thirty-eight.
Jean was truly the most remarkable woman I had ever encountered.
She was intelligent, a genius, and if I was to be honest, her talents were far greater than my own.
Being an orphan who began with nothing, she managed to skillfully navigate the world of the affluent.
It seemed as though she had been bestowed with impeccable emotional intelligence, which, ironically, might have come at the expense of her romantic life.
Our paths crossed in college where she was a well-known figure in our class.
Attractive, academically gifted, outgoing, and competent, she was universally liked.
She often took part-time jobs and lived a frugal life.
At that time, I assumed a girl like her must have been astute and competent, but it turned out she was completely oblivious to recognizing deceitful individuals.
I'd met Monica Lloyd a few times and could tell she wasn't a genuine friend to Jean.
Jean, however, was insistent on considering Monica as family.
Back then, I had a wealthy roommate who was quite into Jean. He sought Monica's help in his pursuit of Jean.