Chapter 107

“Just in time,” Derek said urgently.

Chase licked his dry lips, unease creeping in. “Derek, what is it?”

Derek tossed a report across the table. I leaned in, seeing an image of an orchid. “Take a look.”

Derek had sent the orchid for testing; the results were shocking—it was poisonous.

Chase looked stunned. “Poison? How can an orchid be poisonous?”

“Think, genius,” Derek retorted. “Someone poisoned the water used to water it. As the orchid's fragrance spread, so did the poison. Now, who do you think the target was?”

My mind raced. Grandma! It had to be Nicole.

Since Marian always watched Grandma, Nicole had cleverly used Dad to deliver the orchid. The plan was for Grandma to die quietly in her sleep.

What a cunning woman. Her plan was both twisted and meticulous.

I clenched my fists, realizing my fate was no coincidence. Nicole wasn't the sweet girl everyone thought she was; she was a ruthless schemer. Her sights were set on me, Grandma, and perhaps others in the Kennedy family.

Chase caught on quickly. “It’s Grandma.”

“Looks like you’re not entirely hopeless,” Derek noted dryly.

“So, Grandma's sudden illness wasn't just bad luck. Someone's out to get her.”

Chase's face clouded as he considered Nicole. “But why? Nicole didn’t have any beef with Grandma.”

“I think she’s involved in Amanda’s disappearance,” Derek replied.

Chase turned sharply, disbelief and relief warring on his face. “So, Amanda’s really not with you?”

A heavy silence filled the room, highlighting Chase's naiveté.

Derek sighed, a rare crack in his usual stoicism. “What would I gain from hiding her? You’re here for answers, right?” He rubbed his temples, frustration evident. “I thought you’d have figured it out by now.”

Chase’s face hardened. “You…”

“Let me be clear. Amanda has two possible fates.”

Chase straightened, the gravity of the situation dawning on him. “And those are?”

“She’s either dead, or she’s alive, and it’s somehow connected to Nicole.”

Derek continued grimly. “I wasn’t sure before, but Nicole was alone with Mrs. Kennedy when she fell ill, and conveniently, everyone else was away. This orchid poison is deadly, even in small doses. Mixed into the water daily, in the stagnant winter air, Mrs. Kennedy's frail condition would have sealed her fate silently within weeks.”

Chase’s lips twitched.

“Nicole has the motive. She’s interested in you and wants to separate you and Amanda. From the moment she called you to cancel the wedding, she’s been manipulating everyone.”

I was thankful for Derek's intelligence, though surprised by it.

“I don’t care what you think of me, but if you want to find Amanda, you’ll need my help.”

Chase seemed convinced Derek genuinely wanted to find me and, perhaps against his better judgment, agreed to an alliance.

“What do you need me to do?”

“Don’t tip her off. Right now, Nicole trusts you most. I had people tail her, but they found nothing. I don’t care how you do it, but you’ve got to get Amanda’s whereabouts out of her.”

Chase’s brows knitted in irritation. “Derek, what do you take me for?”

Derek let out a harsh laugh. “You already slept with her. Let’s not pretend you’re all that pure.”

Chapter 108