Lonce believed my death represented the pinnacle of human cruelty, but I've since learned there is no true limit to humanity's capacity for ruthlessness. Humans can be far more vicious than demons, constantly pushing the boundaries of cruelty. What I witnessed was merely a glimpse into the world's deeper darkness. Sheila's brutal and heartbreaking demise is enough to churn anyone's stomach. Who could have imagined her head was the least damaged?

I stepped inside and found her at my feet. Her lifeless eyes, wide open, stared at me, sending a chill down my spine.

“Ugh.” I crouched in the corridor, gagging. Every time I closed my eyes, Sheila's eyes appeared. I recalled the rare peace on her face as we escaped the ward. What was she thinking then? How could she meet her death with such composure, knowing it was coming? Who started that organization? What did they do to these people? Why were they willing to die rather than reveal any information?

“Zoey, are you alright?” Carter's voice broke through my thoughts, and I belatedly turned to him.

“I’m fine.”

“How can you be fine?” His gaze was filled with sympathy. I knew my face was ashen, drenched in cold sweat.

“Let’s leave here first.”

I nodded, stealing a quick glance at the distraught Adam. Once in the car, I fell silent. The scene we witnessed was horrific, leaving a lingering terror in my soul. Or perhaps it was the thought of what preceded Sheila's death. Carter wrapped his arms around me, trying to warm my body and heart.

“Chloe, don’t worry, you’ll be alright,” he whispered, kissing my head. Muffled by his embrace, I spoke softly, “Who could be so heartless, so full of hate, to kill so many?”

“Human nature is like this. There are things that defy logic, and we can’t always apply reason or common sense.”

“Carter, can you tell me the truth about your brother, Oliver?” All the evidence pointed to him, but how could a dead man have Luke as his son? If he was still alive, why didn't he return to the Boltons sooner? Had he been lurking in the shadows, waiting for revenge? Sheila's words also suggested a link between them. This is the source of the turmoil within the Boltons. I couldn't hold back any longer. I had to know the truth.

Carter sighed, his expression calm. He had always been willing to grant my wishes. He said, “I only learned about this recently. Adam isn’t the only son.”

“Is that so?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. “They actually had triplets.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Not just twins? Three children! Even for a rich family, this should have been a reason to celebrate. Any family would treasure such a blessing. So, how did it end up as this tragic story?”

“Dad was overjoyed. He even traveled to Mount Spiritus for a protective charm for his wife. There, he met a master who claimed one of the children was destined to bring harm to the Boltons, possibly even causing their downfall.”

I frowned, instinctively refusing to accept it. “But the children were still in the womb! How can anyone predict the future with just a few words?”

Carter sighed, watching my reaction. “Chloe, do you believe in fate?”

I fell silent, unsure how to respond. In my past life, I would have quickly denied believing in such things. However, my kind-hearted self ultimately met a tragic end. Now, reborn with the Soul-Stabilizing Pendant, I feel as if I’ve already accepted the idea of fate.

“Then, how did Jeffrey respond?” I asked.

“At first, he didn’t believe a word. He scolded the master, calling the predictions foolish. But later, the Boltons fell into a trap, nearly went bankrupt, and a series of disasters struck the family. With his mother’s condition worsening, Jeffrey realized the master’s words were true. He went back to the mountain to seek his guidance.”

“What did the master tell him?” I asked.

“He advised that the pregnancy be terminated to avoid future misfortune.”

“By that time, the children were already five months along, and their movements could be felt clearly. Even if Jeffrey had agreed, his wife’s maternal instincts wouldn’t allow her to harm the innocent children. On the day of the birth, strange omens appeared in the sky, but she managed to deliver two boys and a girl.”

With curiosity, I asked, “So, which one did Jeffrey end up choosing?”

“Adam, the eldest son, was the weakest and smallest of the three. The twins took all the nutrients from their mother’s body, causing Mrs. Bolton to die right after giving birth to the last child. Dad couldn’t determine which of the twins was destined to bring harm to the Boltons, so he left the matter to the bodyguards, secretly choosing to spare only Adam, who was barely alive.”

I said slowly, “I see. So the person outside might not be your second brother, but your sister instead.”

Carter’s gaze darkened. “Perhaps both of them survived.”

“So they returned to the Boltons for revenge. What about your mother…” I gave him a careful look, uncertain if he’d be able to respond.

“Adam is weak. When he was a child, Dad showed him a lot of kindness. But he wasn’t exceptional—incapable of shouldering the responsibility of taking over the Boltons. Dad’s heart belonged solely to his first wife. Even after her passing, he never considered remarriage. I only came into the picture because of my mom’s manipulation. I don’t remember much about her. I stayed with her until I was two, then was taken back to the Boltons. Those two years are a blur.”

“Where is your mom now?”

Carter lowered his head, shaking it. “I’m not sure. Dad said she passed away, and I tried to search for her, but all I came across were reports about her death.”

“Is it because Adam couldn’t handle things that Jeffrey put his hopes on Luke?”

Carter responded, “Yes.”

Perhaps back then, Jeffrey was strong-willed, and with his wife’s death, many eyes were on the position of Mrs. Bolton. One of those people is Carter’s mother. Perhaps she used underhanded methods to get pregnant, so Jeffrey rejected her but only brought the child back. It’s no wonder he despised mistresses, loathed illegitimate children, and treated Carter with such coldness. Carter turned out to be the result of a scheme, a constant reminder of that manipulative woman. If not for later events at the Boltons, and if Luke hadn’t let him down, Jeffrey would never have considered handing over the family to Carter. What an irony. In the end, it was the very illegitimate child he despised most who took over the family. Maybe this is fate, unpredictable and full of twists no one can foresee.

“So, the woman Sheila mentioned is probably your sister? They didn’t go after Jeffrey, perhaps just letting him see the fall of the Boltons and that prophecy come true!”

“No, as long as I’m here, the Boltons will never fall!” Carter remarked.