Chapter 179

I found it strange; we’d only spent a day together. Why was he so agitated? Perhaps he’d had too much to drink. I didn't dwell on it, gently patting his back. "Mr. Reyes," I began, "about what happened earlier…"

He pushed himself up from where he was leaning on me, studying me intently until his gaze landed on my forehead. The sadness in his eyes vanished instantly. For a fleeting moment, his eyes turned cold, tinged with disappointment and loneliness.

"Sorry," he said, his tone icy, as he moved aside. He sat on the ground, his long legs stretched out. His usual commanding presence was replaced by a profound melancholy.

In my mind, Derek, despite his disabilities, had always been a warrior—mature, composed, aloof, and defiant. Never before had he shown such vulnerability, especially not in such a disheveled state. He seemed unconcerned with how others perceived him, simply sitting there, motionless.

In the eerie silence, I was unsure what to say.

"Uh…"

"You…"

We both spoke simultaneously. I quickly fell silent, letting him continue.

After a pause, he asked, "Did you see her?"

I tilted my head, unsure who he meant.

Derek picked up a wine bottle, his fingers tracing its surface. His voice was rough. "How did you find out about the statue's secret?"

Given Derek's sharp mind, his curiosity was understandable. Fortunately, the situation was shrouded in mystery, defying rational explanation.

"Well, when I saw the statue yesterday, I felt something was amiss, as if it were drawing me in. Before I knew it, I saw a woman in a white dress inside. She resembled me, except she lacked the mole on my forehead."

Derek's grip tightened, veins bulging on his hand, his long lashes concealing his emotions. His voice was low. "And then?"

"I fainted. While unconscious, I heard a gentle voice. She said her name was Amanda and asked for my help."

Derek quickly looked up and grasped my uninjured hand firmly. This body was younger and more delicate than my original one; even a gentle touch could leave a mark.

Ignoring the pain, I looked at him, confused.

Derek swallowed hard, looking anxious. "What did she say to you?"

I didn't understand his intense interest. We'd barely interacted. Perhaps he simply felt sorry for my predicament.

"She said she was trapped in the sculpture, unnoticed, and wanted to escape… Mr. Reyes, I remember Chase's wife was named Amanda, wasn't she? Could the woman in the statue be his wife?"

Derek closed his eyes, struggling to accept the truth. "Yes."

I offered my sympathy. "That's tragic—to be turned into a statue and placed at her own home's entrance after death. Who could hate her so much? It's unbelievably cruel!"

So far, I only suspected Nicole, but lacked solid evidence. This time, I needed to investigate my own death and uncover Nicole's true intentions.

Chapter 180