Chapter 246: Ms. Chloe

At that moment, all the blood in my body seemed to rush to my head, leaving me cold and panicked. Had I been found out? My mind raced, searching for an escape. They wouldn't harm me at the Hudson Residence, but they might have discovered my true identity. What should I do?

Just as I trembled in fear, a figure stepped forward. To my surprise, it was Luke. With a cool expression, he said, “It’s me. What are you two doing here?” He exuded an air of authority, showing no fear, and instead questioned the other two. To anyone watching, it looked like a privileged young man being questioned by staff; his reaction seemed perfectly normal. I seized the opportunity to slip away.

I moved quickly, the cold wind whipping against my face. I didn't dare pause. The fear was overwhelming. Who was backing Anna? Besides that woman and Silas, how many others were working with her? How many were hidden within the Hudson Residence? And what were their intentions?

Carter’s voice broke through my racing thoughts, snapping me back to reality. “What’s wrong?” Not far away, Damian was urging Carter forward. He must have noticed my distressed expression because he gave me a concerned look.

“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “It’s just so cold outside. I wanted to get indoors as fast as possible.” Though he sensed my untruthfulness, he chose not to press me.

The moment I stepped into the living room, the warmth of the heater enveloped me, yet I still felt chilled to the bone. While I had been making my escape, Anna had been doing the same. She had doubted me for some time. It wasn't just rivalry; it was a hidden war. Sadie and Ethan had already become sacrifices in this silent conflict.

Inside, the room buzzed with activity. Freshly cut flowers from the greenhouse filled the vases, their delicate scent lingering in the air. Women dressed in elegant attire, their makeup immaculate, exchanged pleasant smiles—a sharp contrast to the raging snowstorm outside.

Chapter 240: Ms. Chloe

As Carter and I entered, Fiona brought Anna over to greet me. Anna’s sharp eyes immediately fell on my pale face, her expression laced with suspicion. If Carter had noticed something was amiss, surely Anna would too. My habits and mannerisms were no longer the same as Zoey’s. Even if she couldn't imagine something as far-fetched as rebirth, she could still sense that I wasn't who I appeared to be and considered me an enemy.

“Mrs. Bolton, you don’t look well. Are you feeling okay?” Anna asked, seemingly casual yet probing. If Silas had tested me, why wouldn’t Anna do the same?

“I took a wrong turn on my way here,” I explained quickly, “I ended up seeing someone… struggling with a chicken. The blood… it spilled everywhere. It scared me.”

The older women nearby chimed in. “Let’s not talk about bloody things during the New Year.” “It’s just a chicken,” a woman said dismissively, “Why get so frightened?”

My mother approached from where Bill was standing, her expression filled with worry. She wrapped her arms around me and said, “My daughter’s been through a lot, so she’s afraid of blood. Zoey, come sit with me.”

I took a seat beside her, deliberately letting the scars on my wrists show. “Mom, whenever I see blood, it reminds me of the day I almost lost my life. I regret it so much now. I should never have been so reckless…”

“Don’t be scared. I’m here for you,” she replied, holding me close. Her hug was comforting, her embrace soft and warm. She smelled faintly of soap, a clean, natural scent that wasn’t overpowering like perfume. Gradually, her touch eased the chill in my body, helping me feel grounded again.

Carter came over and handed me a cup of tea. “It’s alright,” he said. I cupped my hands around the warm mug, letting the heat seep into my skin. As I took a moment to collect my thoughts, I noticed Kate sitting across the room, her eyes fixed on me. She looked frail and withdrawn, her face thinner than before, and her distant gaze spoke of sorrow. The loss of her son seemed to have taken a heavy toll on her.

Kate’s intense stare was unsettling, as if she were in a trance. Slowly, she rose and walked toward me. “Chloe, I’m here.”

Philippa, always gentle, now acted with firm resolve. She blocked Kate’s hand and said coldly, “Mrs. Sander, this is my daughter. Please keep your composure.”

Anna quickly stepped forward, pulling Kate back. “Mom, have you forgotten? Chloe has been gone for a long time.” Kate blinked as if waking from a dream. Her eyes drifted to my forehead before she spoke again. “Yes, my daughter has been gone for a long time. I’m sorry, I thought you were her.”

“It’s alright,” I replied calmly, without the bitterness or sarcasm I might have shown before. This incident was a reminder—I needed to tread carefully around Anna from now on.

Leaning into Philippa’s embrace, I said softly, “Mom, I’ll never do anything foolish to make you worry again.” “That’s my good girl,” she said, stroking my arm gently. Kate continued to watch me, her thoughts seemingly far away. Maybe she was reliving memories of me and the time we’d spent together. But that had nothing to do with me.

For the rest of the night, I stayed close to my mother—not only to ensure her well-being during her pregnancy but also to keep my mind off Anna. It made sense that Zoey, after her suicide attempt, would change and try to start fresh. Ashley, however, was different. His concern for Anna was an act. What he truly cared about was the child she carried.

Thankfully, Sadie wasn’t here tonight. Her presence would have only caused chaos. The Hudsons were brimming with joy over the upcoming baby. They were already enthusiastically inviting everyone to the wedding after the New Year. Alisa sat close to Luke, serving him with such care and devotion that it was impossible to miss how deeply she loved him. Watching her, I couldn’t help but see a reflection of myself. I had once been like that, living entirely for someone else, as though under a spell. Gratitude for being saved had consumed me, leaving no room for my sense of identity.

And then there was Bill, whose behavior was nothing short of absurd. He deliberately acted overly familiar with my mother in front of Nicholas. I observed them all with cold detachment, silently questioning the authenticity of their smiles. How many of them truly meant what they showed? It felt as if we were all characters in a staged performance, each playing our roles.

As the evening drew to a close, the guests began to leave. After reminding my mother to take care of herself, I stood by and watched her get into the car. Nicholas had been lingering at a distance, silently watching. His expression was… heavy. It wouldn’t be long now. Soon, this chapter would come to a close.

I turned toward the Boltons’ car, ready to leave. But just then, someone called out from behind me.