Chapter 340: Welcome Ms. Gardner
“Missing? Carter, could you share her details with me?”
“Of course.” Carter promptly forwarded Alice’s details. Since her disappearance had been prolonged, the records were sparse. The attached picture was an old first-grade ID photo, taken years ago. The image lacked sharpness and detail, offering only a faint outline of her features. Her background information was minimal; she had left behind few traces, fitting the profile of an illegitimate child. Wealthy individuals often maintain mistresses, resulting in illegitimate children due to a lack of accountability.
As I examined her family details, my attention paused on the records for Tyler and James White. His features—particularly his face and eyes—were identical to those of the late Sheila! The Whites? His surname is the same as Sheila’s maiden name. I skimmed the file but found no reference to Sheila. It seemed odd—if Sheila was connected to the Whites, why was her name absent from their family records? Had she come from a notable lineage, the Boltons likely wouldn't have scorned her, and perhaps she would have married into their family years earlier.
It felt as though I was nearing the truth, but Whitney’s arrival disrupted everything, like a pebble disturbing the stillness of a serene lake. It sent ripples through the once-calm waters, creating waves that seemed to echo endlessly below the surface. Engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t realize someone had quietly approached from behind. Only when Yael’s voice broke the silence did I notice. “Zoey, what’s got you so captivated?”
Thankfully, the screen had been idle, its display darkened, hiding the information from his view. I slipped my phone into my pocket. “Oh, it’s nothing. There’s just been a lot going on at home lately, and sometimes it gets me down when I dwell on it.”
“What’s been going on?” he asked, his tone warm and concerned. With a sigh, I admitted, “A friend of mine, Sheila, passed away unexpectedly not long ago. The circumstances were horrible, and thinking about it still shakes me.”
“I understand,” he said softly. “The dead can’t return, so try not to dwell on it too much.” His eyes held such genuine sincerity that I couldn’t decide whether he truly didn’t know anything or, unlike Taylor, was honestly innocent.
“Well, I…” I feigned a moment of hesitation.
“Zoey, I might not know what’s happening at home, but as your classmate, I’m here if you ever need support,” he offered sincerely.
I waved it off with a light smile. “Thanks, I’ll be counting on you at school. I’m still new here and clueless about a lot of things.”
“You’re really talented at playing the violin,” he said, changing the subject.
“Appreciate it,” I replied.
“Oh, by the way, it’s getting late. You haven’t been to the school cafeteria yet, have you? Let me show you the way.”
I didn’t shy away from interacting with him, doing my best to blend in as a regular college student. From time to time, I’d ask him questions about academics or campus life. He had a warm and approachable demeanor, steering clear of personal topics. His vast knowledge and easygoing nature made him a lively conversationalist. Spending time with him felt effortless and far from awkward.
“Zoey, why are you staring at me like that?” he asked with a curious smile.
“I’ve seen your brother a few times, and I can’t help but notice how vastly different you are from your brother.”
“Taylor is older than me, and since we didn’t grow up together, it’s only natural we turned out a bit different,” he explained calmly.
I decided to come clean. “Yael, there’s something I wasn’t entirely honest about. On your birthday night, I went up to the fourth floor to check on Whitney.”
He looked startled. “You met Ms. White?”
I admitted, “I actually saw her outside the funeral home once. She seemed distressed, almost like she was trying to run away. I thought she might be in danger or under some kind of threat, so I wanted to help. When you and your brother arrived, I couldn’t shake the feeling she might be mistreated because she’s still so young, so I used the chance to check on her.” I’d taken a page from Anna’s playbook, weaving a mix of truth and lies to make my words harder to read.
“Zoey, you don’t need to worry,” Yael said reassuringly. “My brother genuinely cares for Ms. White. He spoils her with gifts and treasures, but she’s incredibly fragile. Every time she tries to go out on her own, her heart condition flares up. If my brother hadn’t acted quickly to save her, she wouldn’t even be alive now.”
After school, the car from Bolton Residence arrived. I’d arranged for trustworthy bodyguards through Carter, but I was surprised to see Damian driving.
“Mrs. Zoey,” he greeted me as I got in. Damian handed me a small device. “Mrs. Zoey, keep this with you. If there’s any danger, we’ll come to your aid immediately.”
“Got it. While you’re at it, take a look around their villa too. Last time it was too dark to notice anything clearly.”
“Understood.” Damian had prepared some gifts for me, which I carried as I made my way to the door.
The gate of the Carlyn Residence stood tall, featuring a devilish relief I hadn’t noticed before, probably because it was too late last time. Now, as twilight set in, it appeared especially ominous, making it feel like I had stepped into hell. With a loud creak, the gate slowly opened, and in that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had entered the depths of hell. On the other side stood Taylor.
He was dressed in a suit, standing tall and upright, with pale skin that gave him an almost vampire-like appearance. With the same subtle smile playing on his lips, he looked at me and said, “Ms. Gardner, I’ve been waiting for you.”