Chapter 258: The Reckoning

Nelson’s expression was grave. “Although life is full of uncertainties, anything is possible.”

Josh reacted, his voice trembling with anger and desperation. “Who is it? Who could be so cruel? My son and daughter died without reason, and now someone’s trying to destroy the entire Sanders family! Captain Tucker, you have to help us! Find out who’s behind all this!”

“Mr. Sander, please calm down. From the clues we’ve uncovered, the person who killed your daughter is likely the same one orchestrating everything behind the scenes. That’s why we need your full cooperation.”

“Yes, of course, we’ll cooperate completely,” Josh replied hastily. “Whatever you need, we’ll do.”

“I’ll need all of you to come down to the station to assist with the investigation,” Nelson said firmly.

Nelson then turned to me. “Mr. Bolton, why are you here?”

“I heard about what happened to the Sanders and came to see if I could help. But I won’t get in the way of the investigation,” I said, starting to leave.

But just as I was about to step away, Kate rushed toward me, grabbing my hand tightly. “Chloe, don’t go! Stay here—I will protect you! Someone’s trying to kill you!”

Her wild, unfocused eyes stared at me, filled with panic. It was clear she had lost her grip on reality.

“Mrs. Sander, you’re mistaken,” I said quietly. “Chloe is long dead.”

“Dead? No, that’s impossible! How could my daughter be dead?”

Her gaze landed on the red birthmark at the center of my forehead. Her face twisted with realization. “Oh, right, you’re not my daughter. But where’s Chloe? Where is she?”

She bolted for the door, screaming, “Chloe! My daughter, where are you? Mommy misses you so much!”

“Stop her! Someone stop her!”

The nurses caught her and quickly administered a sedative. Her body slumped, finally quieting down.

I quietly slipped away, returning to the car with a heavy heart. Her current state was the consequence of her own choices. Yet, seeing her gray hair and transformation from a dignified socialite to a raving lunatic in such a short time was sobering.

So be it. As Carter had said, everyone has their own fate. The wheel of destiny keeps turning, unstoppable. And next in line to face retribution is Anna.

I drove back to Philippa’s house. Before I even stepped inside, I could hear lively chatter coming from within. The Wilchers were here again.

They greeted me enthusiastically. “Zoey’s back home!”

I had no fondness for them, so I didn’t bother pretending to be polite. With a cold expression, I asked, “What are you all doing here?”

“What kind of question is that? It’s Christmas! Of course, we’re here for a family dinner. By the way, where’s Carter? Why isn’t he here yet?”

“That’s right, Zoey. I might have misunderstood you before. Let me apologize for that.”

Their attitudes had improved, but I wasn’t fooled. I knew their nature well—people like them don’t change. They were only pretending to be kind because they wanted something.

Philippa, on the other hand, looked much better. Her morning sickness seemed to have subsided, and she ate adequately again. Her complexion was healthier, and her spirits were clearly improved.

She took my coat as I walked in, her voice gentle. “It must be cold outside, huh?”

“Not too bad,” I replied, unwrapping my scarf and removing my gloves, ignoring the others entirely. “Have you been eating well?”

“I managed to eat a little, thank goodness. I’m finally done with all that nausea,” she said with a small smile.

“That’s good to hear.”

Just as I was about to settle in, Linette spoke up, her tone ingratiating. “You know, Snowville really lives up to its name. I haven’t seen a single sunny day since I’ve been here! Honestly, why did Bill choose this place to settle down? If you ask me, it’s better to be back home—perfect weather all year round, which is great for caring for a pregnancy. Philippa, why don’t you come back and care for yourself there?”

Philippa gave her a quick, icy glance. “Zoey is here, so I’m not going anywhere. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with snow. It’ll all melt when spring comes.”

“You’re right, of course. Silly me for speaking without thinking,” Linette said, forcing a laugh. Then she leaned in closer, her tone shifting. “But seriously, Bill’s been treating you well lately, hasn’t he? It would help if you took advantage of that. Now that you’re pregnant with a son, you’d better hold onto his heart tightly. Don’t let that vixen outside take advantage of the situation.”

Philippa chuckled coldly. “Oh, my dear Linette, you must have remarkable insight. I don’t know the baby’s gender yet, but somehow you do? Or is it just that you want me to have a son?”

Benjamin, sitting silently, finally spoke, his face stern. “What’s wrong with having a son? Bill wants an heir, plain and simple. Heaven must be smiling down on you because that vixen outside only gave him a daughter. If she’d had a son, you’d have been thrown out ages ago.”

“Umph. I’d welcome that,” Philippa said, her tone a stark contrast to how she’d dealt with the Wilchers. “If I could divorce him, I’d be overjoyed. This marriage was never something I had a choice in, to begin with.”

“You ungrateful girl!” Benjamin’s voice rose in anger. “How dare you talk about divorce at a time like this? Have you forgotten that your mother is still under my control?”

As Benjamin raised his hand to strike my mother, I quickly grabbed his arm. “You old bastard, are you out of your mind? My mom is pregnant!”

“Zoey, is this how you talk to your grandfather? You two are out of control! No respect for your elders. Today, I will teach you both a lesson!”

Harper stepped forward, ready to join in. The bodyguards Carter had stationed were outside, far enough away that they wouldn’t hear the commotion.

The housekeeper panicked, pleading, “What are you all doing? Stop this! The madam is pregnant!”

I shouted back, “Auntie, protect my mom!”

Realizing that my pregnant mother was their precious moneymaker, they shifted all their fury onto me. I had insulted Linette earlier, and she seized this opportunity for revenge. While I was holding Benjamin back, Harper struck me across the face. Though Austin didn’t join in physically, he stood to the side, yelling, “Teach that disrespectful brat a lesson!”

My mother, terrified for me, tried to come to my defense, but I motioned for the housekeeper to take her to safety. “Get her out of here! Go call someone!”

I knocked over a vase in the chaos, hoping the noise would draw attention. Linette, however, used the distraction to dig her nails into my arm, her voice a low snarl. “You little brat! Just because you’re married, you think you can look down on us? You think you’re so special? Married or not, you’re still part of the Wilchers! You and your mother want to defy us? Dream on!”

“Dream all you want, but you’ll never escape our control. Not in this lifetime!”

Ah, there it was. Their true faces lay bare.

I didn’t hesitate. I kicked Linette in the stomach, sending her reeling backward. Harper lunged at me, grabbed a shard of the broken vase, and pressed it against Linette’s face.

“Go on, touch me again, and see what happens!”

“Zoey, that’s your aunt! If you hurt her, I’ll kill you!”

Before his threat could sink in, the door slammed open with a loud crash. An icy, bone-chilling voice rang out. “Whose life are you planning to take?”