Chapter 227: Darling, Do You Want To?

After suffering consecutive setbacks, the Samiler family had quieted considerably. The moment Nelson appeared, Kate became visibly agitated and rushed over. Hill, unaware of the situation, frowned and said, “You must be mistaken. My daughter and Fabian have never interacted.” Kate nodded in agreement, her skepticism evident. “That’s what I’m saying! What’s changed to make it murder?”

“We need Ms. Gardner to cooperate with our investigation before we can conclude anything. Ms. Gardner, please come with us!”

Sadie, panicked, turned to Bill and said, “Dad, I’ve been framed! I didn’t kill anyone! I don’t even know Ethan.” But Nelson took her away without delay. Sadie had likely envisioned a triumphant moment, not this sudden and devastating downfall. Hill’s banquet had been forcefully turned into a joke. Honestly, I felt bad for him. But then again, it’s his fault for having an affair and spoiling Sadie to this degree. A child spoiled rotten eventually learns to disregard even human lives. Back when she was studying abroad, she enjoyed bullying her classmates. If something went wrong, the Gardners would throw their influence and money around to settle things. Her entire life had been smooth sailing. But, of course, the wheel of fortune turns for everyone. Sadie had no idea she was up against someone as ruthless as Anna.

All Anna needed was a small nudge, and Sadie reached the end of her rope. Sadie probably still didn’t know what hit her by the time Anna had utterly destroyed her. As I watched Sadie being taken away, Anna supported Kate, whose face was pale. Kate nervously asked, “Captain Tucker, what do you mean? Are you saying my son didn’t die in an accident?” Anna, calm as ever, reassured her, “Mom, we don’t know anything yet. Let’s wait for the police investigation results.”

Ethan and Sadie—these two people were completely unrelated, from entirely separate worlds. Now both families were utterly bewildered. Naturally, the banquet couldn’t continue. When Anna passed by, she shot me a meaningful glare, a warning.

If I interfered in her affairs again, Sadie’s fate would be my own. I lowered my gaze, pretending to be afraid, wanting her to think I was still traumatized from the last time she pulled a knife on me. Anna led Kate away.

I wanted to stay behind to take care of my mom, but Carter received a call from Jeffrey, summoning us back to the Bolton Residence.

“Don’t worry, Zoey. You should head back. You’re married now, and it wouldn’t look good to keep staying at your maternal home—it would invite gossip.”

“Mom, if anything happens, call me. I can be here in twenty minutes, tops.”

“Alright, don’t worry. There are house staff at home. I’m in my first trimester; everything should be fine.”

“I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Mom is still the one who needs taking care of. She’s only ten years older than I was in my past life, more like an older sister than a mother. Bill helped her into the car, his face full of worry for Sadie. Reluctantly, I got into the car, and Carter clasped my hand. His palm was warm and reassuring.

“There are house staff to look after her; she will be fine.”

“Mm.”

Meeting his calm gaze, I asked, “What about Sadie? What consequences will she face this time?”

“If the evidence against her is solid and proves she hired someone to kill, even the best lawyer won’t be able to get her off. She’ll serve several years at least. If the crime is severe, her sentence could be much harsher.”

“She deserves it! Zoey was driven to death by her! Let her rot in prison and reflect on her sins.”

“Alright, don’t let people like her upset you. It’s not worth it.” Carter gently patted my shoulder.

I rested my hand on his, a small smile playing on my lips. “It’s been years, but it’s surprising how in sync we still are.”

“How could I forget something that’s etched into my memory? But you… have you been practicing in secret all these years?”

Embarrassed, I nodded. “Sometimes, just a little. I wouldn’t have gotten here without you. But…”

“When you play the piano, what are you thinking about?”

Leaning in slowly, he kissed my lips, softly uttering just one word, “You.”

The car stopped at the Bolton Residence. Reluctantly, I pulled away from him, my ears burning red. Ever the gentleman, he handed me his coat. Bundled in my thick down jacket, I wheeled him back into the Bolton Residence. Jeffrey was seated on the living room couch. Luke sat silently beside him. Seeing him, I felt a little nervous and called out softly, “Hi, Jeffrey…”

Jeffrey looked up. His tone was relatively mild as he said, “You’re back.”

“Mm.”

“New Year’s is around the corner. There’s a lot to take care of at the Boltons. I know your mother is pregnant, but since you’ve married into this family, your focus should still be on the Boltons.”

I nodded. “I got it.”

“It’s late. Go and rest.” Luke looked like he wanted to say something as I walked away but ultimately held his tongue.

In the elevator, Carter reassured me in a low voice, “He’s just getting on in years. With the New Year approaching, he probably just wants the family close.”

“He didn’t mean anything else by it.”

“I understand.”

Once back in our room, I called my mom. She told me that after Bill dropped her off, he immediately left, likely to figure out a way to help Sadie. I reminded her not to get involved and to focus on her pregnancy. All we needed to do was sit back and watch things unfold. Sadie brought this on herself.

After hanging up, I stood there, debating whether to sleep in the guest room or share the master bedroom with Carter. But then I realized he wasn’t in the room. My eyes lit up as I immediately guessed where he had gone. The villa was warm, but I still threw on a shawl and padded barefoot in my slippers toward the attic.

Back in the day, Carter’s position in the Boltons was so low that Jeffrey had even disdained him. As a result, his room had been assigned to the attic. The space was large but cold and lonely.

As I climbed the staircase, holding onto the railing, the faint sound of piano music drifted down to me. It was the very piece we had played together earlier. Nostalgia must have overtaken Carter, and now he was playing it again. It was as though time had turned back twenty years. I could almost see myself, holding up my skirt with one hand as I pushed the door open with the other. The familiar figure came into view. The once thin and youthful back had grown broader and steadier with age. Quietly closing the door behind me, I walked over to him and sat down beside him. He had already left room for me as if he knew I’d come.

The familiar melody of “A Canon in the Canyon” filled the room, transporting me back twenty years to our first duet. My fingers instinctively joined his on the keys, our rhythm merging seamlessly. When the song ended, his hand rested over mine. Our eyes met, and he softly said just one word, “Chloe.”

Thinking of the kiss we hadn’t finished in the car earlier, I straddled his lap, one leg on either side. It was strange—he was paralyzed, yet his thighs were anything but weak. Instead, they were firm and strong. At that moment, I didn’t care about anything else. I hooked my arms around Carter’s neck and asked, timidly, “Can I… kiss you?”

Before the words fully left my lips, Carter leaned in and kissed me. My back pressed against the piano keys, producing scattered notes as he held me with one arm around my waist, the other intertwining his fingers with mine. His fiery, urgent kiss left no room for hesitation. The strapless gown I was wearing exposed my slender, snow-white shoulders and neck. Unable to hold back, Carter left a wet trail of kisses down my neck. I arched against him, accidentally pressing more keys and creating a discordant melody that drowned out his slow, husky breathing.

“Darling,” he whispered against my skin, his voice deep and tantalizing, “do you want to…”