Chapter 170

Chase looked a little uneasy as he quietly said, "Let's hold off on discussing the wedding house until Amelia's better. I have some business to attend to at the office."

Derek interjected, "How did you end up with a statue like this?"

"Amanda liked it," Chase replied.

Truthfully, Chase hadn't specifically requested my likeness. He assumed the artist was honoring our relationship, so they used my face as the model. Everyone knew we had been childhood sweethearts, so it felt appropriate.

Derek likely remembered my last words to him. My body remains missing, and I bet Derek hasn't stopped searching. Even if what I said sounded improbable, desperation clings to even the faintest hope.

Noticing Derek's intense focus on the statue, Nicole asked, "Uncle Derek, is something wrong with the statue?"

Derek brushed away the snow, revealing a pale pink underneath. Most statues are white, so this skin-like tone, especially with that face, looked unnervingly realistic.

Derek turned to Nicole, his expression unreadable. "It's nothing. I'm heading back."

Panic seized me. Did Derek not believe me? This is my last chance!

Derek, you have to trust me, please!

Nicole seemed relieved. "Chase, didn't you have work at the company?"

Chase glanced at Derek, who replied coolly, "I'll check out the other villas and decide on the wedding house."

"Derek, I won't accompany you then."

Watching them leave, my anxiety intensified. I used to be able to follow Chase, but now I'm trapped in this statue, unable to escape.

Oh God, why are you so cruel? You gave me hope, only to snatch it away.

I huddled inside the statue, hugging my knees and burying my face.

After what felt like an eternity, I heard urgent footsteps approaching. I looked up sharply.

Robert arrived with his team, the man in the wheelchair displaying his usual impassivity. But seeing his face felt like a ray of sunshine cutting through the gloom, and I couldn't help but smile.

Derek, I knew I could count on you.

He had deliberately left to allow Nicole and Chase to relax their guard, preventing Nicole's interference. And I had doubted him only moments ago.

Robert circled the statue. "Mr. Reyes, there have been cases of bodies hidden in cement, but the smell eventually betrays it. I checked last time, and this statue had no odor."

A fierce expression crossed Derek's face as he looked up at me. "That's a common method. A clever criminal could use chemicals to mask the smell."

"Think about it," Robert continued. "Searching for so long without finding the body. If it were hidden in a statue, right under our noses, would anyone notice?"

This revelation struck me forcefully. With Robert's leads drying up, the case was becoming increasingly difficult. Orders from above demanded a swift resolution.

Derek clenched his jaw. "Search!"