Chapter 254: Calculated Moves

Seeing that smile, I instinctively grabbed Carter’s arm. “Carter, I’ve got a bad feeling. Do you think Anna is planning something again?”

Carter’s long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest. “Logically, after all the trouble the Sanders have been through, she shouldn’t act for now. But it’s hard to say. Do you want to follow the Sanders’ car?”

“I’m worried she might try to wipe them all out,” I voiced my unease. After all, Anna wasn’t someone you could judge by common logic.

“Damian, follow the Sanders. And assign extra people to guard Grandma’s place.”

“Yes, sir.”

We tailed the SUV ahead. Even though the Sanders had been cold and cruel to me in my previous life, I wanted them to face retribution. When the truth finally comes to light, I want them to be wracked with regret, living every day in torment and guilt—not like Ethan, who died without understanding a thing. That kind of pain is fleeting. They haven’t yet seen the true face of the daughter they so carefully protected. When her mask comes off, she’s nothing short of a demon.

“Carter, I’ve thought this through. The most dangerous place is often the safest. My rebirth disrupted Anna’s plans, so she’ll definitely change her strategy. Now that Ethan is dead, if all the Sanders die, who do you think stands to gain?”

Carter replied calmly, “She and Ashley didn’t get married, so she’d be the sole heir.”

“Exactly. The Sanders’ shares, their properties, and even everything Grandma owns—it would all become hers. Killing them one by one would be too slow. A clean sweep is risky, but the benefits to her are massive.”

I took a deep breath and continued, “If the Sanders die, she will inherit everything. Then, she could play the poor orphan card and gain the Hudsons’ sympathy. Armed with all that wealth—and her unborn child—the Hudsons would change their attitude towards her. Even the Boltons might offer her support for the sake of her child. She could infiltrate both the Hudsons and Boltons step by step. In other words…”

Carter finished my thought, “The Sanders are no longer of use to her. They can die.”

The idea made my chest tighten. She wasn’t just cruel to me—she was a true monster.

“If we’re right, then someone’s definitely tampered with that car. Ethan’s death was just the beginning.”

My heart raced. “Carter, I think I know what’s wrong. It’s the road back to the Sanders’ residence! Something must have been done to it. We have to stop them.”

“Alright, don’t worry.” Carter took out his phone and made a call. Judging by the conversation, it was to Josh’s business partner.

Sure enough, the SUV turned at the next intersection. As I started to relax, I noticed something about the intersection. “Oh no, the brakes are failing!”

From across the street, we watched the vehicle suddenly pick up speed. I could only imagine how terrified the people inside were. Luckily, it was a cold night with few pedestrians and cars on the road. The conditions were relatively safe. The driver made a snap decision and swerved the car into the guardrail and flowerbed. The vehicle scraped violently against the rocks, the sound sharp even from where we stood. Finally, the car came to a stop.

The Sanders scrambled out, panicked but unharmed. They didn’t even need an ambulance.

“Let’s go home.” I withdrew my gaze indifferently. If they hadn’t changed their route at the last minute, the next stretch of road would have been where the accident happened. That place had no such safety conditions. It was also where Ethan had died.

“Anna is ruthless, wanting to kill the Sanders in the same way and at the same place.” This was true psychological torment—killing someone’s heart and mind.

Carter held my hand tightly, his palm damp with sweat. It was clear he was scared, too. But I knew he wasn’t worried about the Sanders—he was worried about me.

I turned my hand to grip his in return. “It’s okay. They say what goes around comes around. The worst has already happened. From now on, it’s my turn to enjoy life.”

He didn’t say anything, just pulled me into a firm embrace. Resting my head against his chest, I listened to his heart’s strong, steady beat, and I finally felt calm.

I couldn’t help but think about that fateful night. If I had called Carter instead, would the outcome have been different?

His deep voice broke my thoughts. “What are you thinking?”

“I was thinking… if my last call had been to you, even if you couldn’t save me, you’d have uncovered the truth sooner. I wouldn’t have been dismembered, leaving no trace behind.”

Carter’s voice turned somber. “If you had chosen me in your last life, do you think I would have let you be in such danger? Chloe, I’ll always protect you in this life or the last.”

He was right. Suddenly, a sense of relief washed over me. Without the suffering of the past, how could I have the sweetness of today?

Back then, he clearly cared for me so deeply, saving me again and again. Yet he kept his feelings locked away, never saying a word.

I couldn’t help but ask, “That time I was stranded at sea and met you—was that really an accident or just a coincidence?”

A low chuckle escaped him. “Chloe, in the same city, two people could live their entire lives without crossing paths. Do you really think it was a coincidence that I found you in the middle of the vast ocean?”

“So…”

“I heard about the earthquake where Luke was and guessed you’d fly there to find him. The area was the epicenter—isolated, dangerous, and prone to aftershocks. I arranged for someone to protect you, but you didn’t show up. Instead, Anna did. I knew something was off and started investigating.”

I looked up, meeting his gentle gaze. “That’s when I found out you’d recklessly stowed away on a ship, trying to cross the ocean. The ship ran into trouble, and I came for you myself. Chloe, do you know how scared I was?”

I had been floating on a plank, barely conscious, when I felt a pair of strong hands pulling me up.

“It was you who saved me!” I had thought he was disabled and chalked it up to a hallucination. I never expected he had personally dived in to rescue me.

“Chloe, there’s no such thing as accidents or coincidences. Just like Anna, everything was planned.”

Thinking back to how cold and distant he had seemed back on the ship, I had been too intimidated to talk to him.

“If only you’d been kinder to me earlier, we wouldn’t have taken so long to end up together.”

Carter chuckled helplessly. “I thought you were hopelessly in love with Luke. It took all my strength just to hide my feelings for you.”

“Carter.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning in to kiss him.

But before I could, a phone rang. Carter glanced at me apologetically—it was the bodyguard calling.

“Boss, Anna is making her move.”