Chapter 404: My Chloe

Zoey’s timing was so perfect that I couldn’t help but wonder if Carter had sent her. The next second, she glanced my way, winking and furrowing her brows in quick succession. Alright, she was here for me. Since Carter couldn’t approach me himself, he sent her instead.

Zoey had always been overly friendly, previously clinging to Whitney like they’d been lifelong friends. As a new person in the circle with no connections, she didn’t raise suspicions. Even if the Carlyn brothers found her suspicious, they couldn’t figure out her motives. To be fair, neither could I.

Still, I had to thank her for the phone she had given Whitney earlier. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to contact Carter so quickly this time. Zoey was my lucky star.

Yael greeted her with a casual wave. “Mrs. Pearson, here to see Whitney again?”

Zoey nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right! There’s a high-end fashion show today, and I invited Whitney to come along. Since she’s getting married soon, she might find an even better dress.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Pearson,” Taylor interjected with a polite smile. “But Whitney’s feeling unwell today and won’t be able to go.”

Of course, Taylor wouldn’t let Whitney leave without permission, so he made up an excuse to decline.

Zoey shot back without missing a beat. “Is that so? Are you her spokesperson? She hasn’t said a word—how would you know she doesn’t want to go?”

I silently gave Zoey a thumbs-up in my mind. Girl, you’re amazing! Taylor’s usual tactics clearly didn’t work on her.

Since her rebirth, Zoey had treated everyone as equals except for me, perhaps. Even Carter had to give her some respect. Watching Zoey radiating joy and confidence under the sunlight like a sunflower, I felt both happy and envious. Even knowing her future held another untimely death, she embraced life to the fullest. Unlike me, I am constantly weighed down by the past and the future.

Whitney’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I want to go.”

She cut him off, meeting his threatening gaze with defiance. “I said, I want to go!”

Whitney knew Zoey and I were on the same side. Perhaps my presence had sparked a change in her—she was beginning to resist. The three of us had faced our tragedies, but through our pain, we slowly awakened and began to change. Zoey, the once-melancholy girl, was the first to recover. Under Carter’s care, I was improving too. Now, Whitney was the priority. Not only did I need to rescue her from this nightmare, but I also had to help her return to a normal girl’s life, to pull her out of the darkness. Her rebellion against Taylor was a significant first step. Taylor, accustomed to her compliance, was momentarily stunned by her sudden defiance.

In his brief hesitation, Zoey darted over and grabbed Whitney’s hand. “I knew you’d say yes! Let’s go!” With the Carlyn brothers watching, Zoey cheerfully led Whitney away without a care in the world. I quickly followed.

“Whitney.”

Zoey’s unpredictable methods had completely caught Taylor off guard. He hurried forward, blocking their path.

Zoey stepped in front of Whitney. “She said she’s going. What’s it to you? If you keep this up, you’ll never find a wife, not even in the most remote village!”

I nearly burst out laughing. I’d told her to stop binge-reading novels late at night, but here she was, adopting the tone of a nagging grandma. Could she at least respect the fact that this man had brutally dismembered me? While I trod carefully around the Carlyns, she barged in, throwing punches left and right. Clearly, she had yet to experience their brand of terror.

Whitney hesitated, then said softly, “I’d like to go to the fashion show, please?” Her pitiful demeanor tugged painfully at my heart.

Taylor finally relented. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

Zoey wasted no time, dragging Whitney to her car and, in one swift motion, pulling me in as well. “We girls will ride together. You can take another car.” Before Taylor could respond, she shut the door and barked at the driver, “Step on it!” Five cars from the Carlyns quickly followed.

Zoey’s eyes sparkled. “That was easier than I thought! Whitney, I’m getting you out of here.”

I knew it wouldn’t be that simple the moment Taylor agreed. Thoughts of Silas and Sheila’s implanted chips crossed my mind. Whitney had been with him for years. She knew too much. There was no way he relied solely on chains to keep her bound.

As I frowned, Whitney murmured, “It’s no use. We can’t escape. There’s a chip implanted in me. It’s not just for tracking—it can detonate. Worse, he has planted bombs at the Sander residence. If I run, my parents and brother will die…”

No wonder she had avoided getting too close to me despite my efforts. After narrowly escaping past incidents, Josh and Kate had been turned into bait to control her. She lived under such threats every day and yet she couldn’t die. She had no choice but to drift through life like a hollow shell.

My fists clenched tightly. Zoey’s smile faltered. “Does the chip have audio surveillance? Can we talk safely?”

Whitney shook her head. “It’s an older implant—it doesn’t have that function.”

I held Whitney’s hand tightly as my heart ached for her. She smiled faintly at me. “It’s okay, Chloe. Just being able to breathe fresh air makes me happy.”

I gestured to ask her where the chip was. She shook her head again. “I don’t know. It was implanted when I was very young.”

Zoey, unable to hide her sorrow, cursed under her breath. “These psychos! Whitney, you’re too pitiful!” Then, turning to me, she smirked. “And you, Chloe. You looked funny with that stranger’s face.”

How could she manage to joke at such times? She’s really carefree!

The next moment, Zoey called Carter. “We’ve got her, but Whitney has a tracking chip. We can’t proceed with the original plan.”

Carter’s calm voice came through the line. “Bring her to the venue.”

“Got it. For now, I’ll stay put. Those Carlyn freaks are relentless.”

Carter’s tone softened. “And her? Is she with you?”

“She is, but she can’t talk. She looks so pitiful—you’ll see for yourself.”

Zoey switched the call to video and handed me the phone. I mouthed, “Carl.” Even without hearing my voice, he understood. Though we’d just seen each other the night before, I felt as if I’d been through a lifetime without him.

“Chloe, don’t be afraid. I’ll find a way to get you all out safely.”

I nodded. When we arrived at the show, the Carlyn brothers and their bodyguards followed closely behind.

Zoey rolled her eyes. “Seriously? I’m not trafficking people here—I just bought Whitney out for some fun. Do you really need to hover this much?”

“Mrs. Pearson, my apologies. My fiancée has a weak heart and fragile health. I’m just protecting her. We appreciate your kindness. Whitney, come here,” Taylor said.

Zoey clung to Whitney’s arm. “She’s sitting with me in the front row. I didn’t buy your ticket, so you can stand in the back!”

Taylor was dumbfounded. I watched anxiously, half expecting Taylor to start imagining a hundred ways to dismember Zoey.

I signed that I needed to use the restroom. Zoey waved casually. “I’ll have someone take you.” She arranged for an escort, with Yael trailing a safe distance behind. He could only wait for me outside.

Entering the last stall as planned, I pushed open the door—and was immediately pulled into a strong embrace. I crashed into his chest, wrapping my arms tightly around him.

“Chloe, my Chloe…”