Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 119: Various Signs

"Are you sure? There was a disk?" Nina Thorne’s knuckles turned white as she gripped her phone.

"The equipment the scenic area used back then would have had memory disks, but it’s hard to say if they were preserved."

Albert Locke said, "I’ve been busy lately, so it might take me a while to look into it. However, the Thorne Family has always been in charge of managing that scenic area."

"As the eldest daughter of the Thorne family, if you wanted to take a look, it would be a piece of cake."

He wasn’t wrong.

Nina Thorne couldn’t hide her excitement. "Thank you, Mr. Albert."

The scenic area had been a joint venture between the Thorne and Kane families.

But the management rights had always been in the hands of the Thorne Family.

The Thorne Group was involved in numerous sectors.

Tourism development was a relatively minor part of their portfolio.

After hanging up, Nina Thorne eagerly called Master Thorne. "Grandpa, there’s something I need to ask you."

"You little rascal. I thought you were calling because you missed your grandpa, but it seems you never call unless you need something."

Master Thorne’s voice was deep and raspy. "Go on, what is it?"

"That’s not true! I’ve been missing you all the time. In my heart, you’re the best and most important person," Nina Thorne wheedled, knowing her grandfather was just teasing her.

Master Thorne chuckled, his mood brightening considerably.

Nina Thorne seized the opportunity to bring up the management of the scenic area, based on what Albert Locke had told her.

But she didn’t mention falling into the water ten years ago, only asking about the storage for the surveillance room.

"Your uncle has always managed the scenic area. The surveillance technology back then wasn’t as advanced, but I believe there were memory disks saved."

"I’d have to ask to know the specifics."

Master Thorne didn’t know the details and grew curious. "My dear girl, why are you suddenly asking about this? What’s this? Taking an interest in the company?"

"No, it’s just a small matter."

Nina Thorne still had no intention of taking over the company, so she quickly deflected.

Before hanging up, she reminded her grandfather to take care of his health.

Thankfully, Mr. Wood frequently updated her on her grandfather’s condition, which was fairly good.

However, she couldn’t ask her uncle about it.

This was something she wanted to investigate on her own.

’It’s been ten years.’

’After missing the truth for a decade, I don’t want any more complications.’

For now, she could only wait.

After filming wrapped up, she would fly back immediately and check the company records in person.

Nina Thorne walked out the gates of the film set.

Just then, a gleaming black luxury car with an imposing, deluxe presence pulled up in front of her.

A moment later, Justin Kane’s tall, upright figure emerged from the car. He strode toward her on long legs.

Sunlight fell on him, making him look like a leading man stepping right out of a television drama. His handsome face was as authoritative as ever, breathtakingly so.

"What are you doing here?"

Nina Thorne’s eyes lit up, sparkling like they were filled with stars.

She was in an exceptionally good mood.

Was it because she would soon discover the identity of her savior?

Or was it because he had come to find her without a word of warning?

"I finished up early to come pick up my Mrs. Kane." Justin Kane’s gaze was tender and doting as always.

He put a hand on her waist and guided her into the car.

After Nina Thorne slipped into the car, Justin Kane got in after her. He raised his wrist to check his watch. "Hungry? Should we get something to eat first?"

"Okay."

Nina Thorne’s gaze fell on his watch, and her eyes darkened slightly.

It was the matching model to the watch he had given her.

’Just as Vanessa Walsh had said, it was the watch he had prepared to give to his sweetheart five years ago.’

’Unfortunately, it was never given to her in the end.’

’Instead, it was re-gifted and ended up in my hands.’

"Justin Kane, are your watch and mine a matching pair?" Nina Thorne couldn’t suppress her curiosity, though she tried to sound casual.

Justin Kane looked into her eyes, a doting smile ever-present. "It seems leaving Cole Kane has made you smarter."

The corner of his lip quirked up. "They are."

Nina Thorne’s heart skipped a beat.

She hadn’t expected him to be so straightforward.

’Then again...’

’He did say last time that it was a gift he failed to give away five years ago.’

Justin Kane’s gaze fell to her wrist, where she wore only a metal bracelet from a luxury brand, its pavé diamonds shimmering faintly.

It perfectly complemented the simple white, subtly patterned long dress she was wearing today.

It gave her a clean, elegant, yet graceful and bright air.

"Why aren’t you wearing the watch? Don’t you like it?"

At Justin Kane’s question, Nina Thorne’s eyes flickered away uncomfortably.

She casually made up an excuse. "It gets in the way when I’m working on my scripts."

’But the truth was, she didn’t like wearing something that wasn’t meant for her.’

Justin Kane didn’t notice the strange look in her eyes.

He reached over and took her hand, lacing their fingers together in a doting and indulgent way. "Alright, I’ll buy you bracelets next time, then..."

’He’s so good to me,’ Nina Thorne thought.

’Patient, gentle.’

’And most importantly, he’s handsome and responsible.’

’And their life as a married couple was... harmonious.’

She forced herself to stop thinking about it and offered him a slight smile. "Okay."

But it was a strained smile, though she herself couldn’t see it.

Justin Kane’s large palm tightened around her small hand, his thumb stroking the back of it with a delicate, loving touch.

It was as if he was madly in love with her.

The thought startled Nina Thorne.

’I must be going crazy,’ she thought, ’to even think he could love me.’

Justin took Nina Thorne to a restaurant known for its local specialties.

It was a trendy fusion spot that blended several types of cuisine.

The restaurant was said to be incredibly popular.

You couldn’t get a table without booking in advance.

After trying the food, Nina Thorne found it delicious, but not particularly amazing.

As they were finishing their meal, Justin Kane’s phone rang.

He answered it openly in front of her. "What is it?"

The voice on the other end was faint, but audible. "Mr. Kane, the test drive for the new electric vehicle system is this afternoon. Will you have time to come by?"

Nina Thorne heard him.

Justin looked up at her and asked softly, "There’s a test drive for the new vehicle system. Interested in watching?"

A lot of resources had been invested into this new system’s technology, from both Vistara and Sylport.

Nina Thorne hadn’t wanted to go.

Mr. Wagner’s voice came through the phone again. "This afternoon’s test drive will include various safety checks, especially the vehicle’s response after a crash and whether the battery is prone to self-combustion..."

The refusal died in Nina Thorne’s throat. "Sure. I’ve got nothing else to do, so let’s go check it out."

Justin Kane gave her a faint smile and said into the phone, "We can make it."

The appointment was for three in the afternoon at a test track in the suburbs.

Nina Thorne went with Justin Kane, and they arrived ten minutes early.

Everything for the test drive was already in place. A row of blue electric vehicles was parked on the right, ready for the demonstration.

Drivers and engineers were all standing by.

The whole setup was not only thorough but also highly professional.

"Mr. Kane, Miss Thorne."

Mr. Wagner approached them respectfully. "Everything is ready. We can begin at any time."

"Are you tired? Want to rest for a bit?" Justin Kane turned to ask Nina Thorne, his tone a gentle one Mr. Wagner had never heard him use.

’To make the decisive and ruthless Mr. Kane act this way... Miss Thorne is clearly no simple woman,’ Mr. Wagner thought.

Mr. Wagner asked obsequiously, "There’s a rest area over there. Miss Thorne, you could go take a break, have some water or fruit."

Nina Thorne, looking serene and bright, smiled. "I’m not tired. Don’t worry about me. You can start whenever you’re ready."

"Spoken like a true ’Energetic Girl.’"

Justin Kane teased, then turned and ordered, "Let’s begin."

Nina Thorne froze, staring at him in astonishment.

In college, Nina Thorne had seemed to possess boundless energy.

She participated in everything from the school’s sports competitions to its social events.

Volleyball matches, relay races—she did them all, and always placed in the top three.

Her dancing at the school galas stunned the entire campus.

Over time, someone had given her the nickname "Energetic Girl."

Back then, in Macy Lynch’s words, she was so dazzlingly bright that she easily attracted jealousy.

But all of that was from her school days.

’Justin Kane was several years ahead of me in school. How would he know about that?’

The test drive had already begun.

Nina Thorne looked at Justin Kane and couldn’t help but ask, "Justin Kane, you seem to know an awful lot about me."

’Thinking about it now, even the fact that he knew about my appointment to get a marriage license with Cole Kane seems too coincidental.’

’So coincidental that I can’t help but overthink it.’

’How could Justin Kane have known that Cole Kane wouldn’t go through with it?’

’It couldn’t be that... he’s been watching me all this time, could it?’

Justin Kane’s gaze shifted from the cars on the track, slowly turning back to land on her fair face.

His warm eyes crinkled with a gentle smile. "You’re only just realizing that now? You silly girl."

With that, he raised a hand and ruffled her hair. "See? Leaving Cole Kane really has made you smarter."

’That gesture is so affectionate,’ Nina Thorne thought.

’Coupled with his words, it’s so easy to misunderstand.’

She had so many questions.

The marriage license, his attitude, the things he’d said to her...

He always seemed to know everything about her.

And then there was the night of Cole Kane’s birthday three years ago.

All these details made Nina Thorne’s heart race.

"Justin Kane... are you in love with me?"

Just as Nina Thorne spoke,

there was a sudden BANG.

A test car slammed into a wall. The front end caved in deeply, and sparks flew.

The sound of the impact completely drowned out the words Nina Thorne had just spoken.

The moment the crash rang out, Justin Kane instinctively covered Nina Thorne’s ears.

Nina Thorne froze, looking up at him, her heart beating even faster at the warm gesture.

"You weren’t scared, were you?" Justin Kane asked with concern.

Nina Thorne shook her head. "No," she said softly.

Justin Kane released his hands and looked toward the crashed vehicle.

Mr. Wagner was aghast, his expression turning grim. He ordered the engineers to check on the problem at once.

Nina Thorne frowned.

’Did the system fail?’

’That’s impossible.’

Just as she was pondering this,

a mocking female voice came from behind them. "So this is the new system you’ve invested in? Doesn’t seem to be working out so well."

At the sound of the voice,

both Nina Thorne and Justin Kane turned to look.

When she saw who it was, Nina Thorne froze. ’What is *she* doing here?’