Chapter 104

I’d overheard whispers that Derek had harbored a long-held affection for some girl, and I couldn't help but wonder how someone as unassuming as I could ever be considered his equal. Even with Derek's power and wealth, I knew neither the Reyes nor Kennedy families would ever approve. To them, he was merely an illegitimate child with a disability.

But I never saw him that way. He could be distant, certainly, but Derek was a dependable man, someone you could count on. After my passing, viewing things with a broader perspective, it became crystal clear which of the Reyes brothers possessed true integrity. I was rooting for Derek’s success; if Chase remained in control, the Reyes family was destined to lose everything.

Derek gave Nicole a long, hard look. "I'm not dropping this investigation," he said. "If I find out you're involved…"

Chase, frustrated by Derek's persistence, snapped, "What are you going to do?"

Derek smirked. "I'll take care of you first, then her," he declared before the entire Kennedy family. "Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, I'll be on my way."

My father quickly added, "It's slippery out there. Please be careful."

As Derek reached the door, he turned, his gaze falling where I stood. My heart leaped at his intense stare. For a moment, I thought he’d seen me. Then I realized he was looking at the orchid on the windowsill.

"Mr. Kennedy," he asked, "I like this orchid. May I have it?" My father, slightly bewildered but ever gracious, handed it over.

The bodyguard accepted it. "Thank you," Derek said.

Watching him leave, I wondered about the orchid's significance. My father had brought it earlier, explaining it was Grandma's favorite and might cheer her up in the hospital.

"Mom, Dad," Chase said, "Derek can be a bit self-absorbed. Please don't take his words to heart."

My mother disagreed. "He's not just eccentric; he's thoughtless! Why did he have to say such things? What did my daughter ever do to him?"

Nicole relaxed once Derek was gone, offering a gentle smile. "Mom, it's fine. Derek's never liked me, and since I'm close with Chase, it's only natural he'd be antagonistic."

"But speaking of which," Marian, who had been silent until now, interjected, "when I went to the kitchen, the soup pot was shattered, and the place was a mess. I spent ages cleaning up and preparing a replacement. I'd asked the maids to stay with Grandma, so why was Ms. Nicole the only one there when it happened? That was a high-quality clay pot. How could it simply break like that? It's too coincidental."

All eyes turned to Nicole. Tears welling, she exclaimed, "Marian, do you think I would harm Grandma? I've explained this repeatedly. Why would you believe someone else over me? She's my grandmother; why would I hurt her?" She clutched her chest dramatically. "If none of you believe me, I might as well be dead."