Chapter 416: Whitney Meeting Carter

I shoved him away, staring at the smug smile on his lips. He looked particularly cheerful. “Chloe, I knew you’d come back,” he said.

I gestured. “You lied to me.”

A fleeting expression of guilt crossed his face, and he adopted a pitiful look, even feigning grievance. “Chloe, I’m sorry. If I hadn’t lied, you wouldn’t have obediently taken the medicine. If I hadn’t poisoned you, you would’ve left me. I’ve seen Whitney chained up before. Day after day, the light in her eyes dimmed. Taylor regretted it, but it was too late to fix things. I don’t want you to end up like that.”

I extended my hand toward him for the antidote.

“Chloe, just wait a couple more days.”

He took my hand and led me toward Bloom Valley. “It’s beautiful inside. You’ll love it.”

I shook off his hand and pointed at my face. “It’s fine. Taylor already knows who you are. With that person gone, you’re safe. Come on.” I rejected his touch, but he didn’t seem bothered. It was as if my mere return was enough to make him happy.

The whole way, he chirped and chattered excitedly in my ear. “Chloe, I was so miserable after you left. Every day, I thought about what I could do to bring you back. In the end, I had to threaten you with someone else’s life. Don’t you have even a bit of feeling for me in your heart?”

I shot him a cold look. Did he really expect me to care about someone who poisoned me?

Sensing my silent resentment, he softened his tone. “Chloe, don’t be mad at me, okay?” He bent his tall frame, gently shaking my arm like a child. “I’m sorry. I won’t hurt you again.”

In the distance, Zoey’s voice echoed. “Whitney, look at all the butterflies!” Whitney had finished her wedding photoshoot and changed back into her own clothes. Her makeup remained flawless, accentuating her delicate features. She turned toward Zoey’s direction, and a white butterfly landed on her fingertip. Startled, she froze, holding her breath. She then silently studied the butterfly curiously.

Not far away, Taylor stood in a pristine white suit, watching Whitney with affection. He didn’t interrupt the peaceful moment. On appearances alone, they were a perfect match. However, the deep-rooted feud between the Sanders and the Carlyns destined them to never truly be together.

Taylor could keep Whitney’s body but not her heart. If she had her way, Whitney wouldn’t hesitate to drive a dagger straight into Taylor’s chest.

The moment Zoey turned and saw me, her smile froze instantly. Her mind raced as she processed my unexpected presence. Despite her curiosity, her relationship with me wasn’t close enough to warrant further inquiry. Suppressing the urge to greet me, she failed to conceal the worry in her eyes.

Whitney followed Zoey’s gaze and spotted me. Without hesitation, she lifted her dress and ran toward me, scattering a cloud of butterflies in her wake. Like a fierce mother hen, she shielded me from Yael while glaring at him angrily. “What are you trying to do to Chloe?”

“Whitney, don’t misunderstand. I just invited Chloe as a guest. I haven’t done anything,” Yael replied, spreading his hands in a display of innocence.

Zoey feigned surprise. “Mrs. Bolton, what brings you here? What’s going on?” I gestured, indicating I couldn’t speak.

“Mrs. Pearson, Mrs. Bolton is my guest. By the way, Mr. Pearson should be here to pick you up soon. Thank you for accompanying Whitney today; she seems much happier.” Yael exuded a gentlemanly demeanor, playing the role of the perfect host. His polite dismissal, however, wasn’t lost on Zoey—he had actually summoned Harlan! Zoey also caught on to the hidden meaning behind his words; he was trying to send her away by calling Harlan over.

I shot Zoey a glance, signaling her to leave. Otherwise, who knew what this lunatic might do? Zoey departed reluctantly. She couldn’t risk exposing our connection. Whitney remained wary, keeping her eyes on Yael, while Taylor appeared to be the calmest of them all. He barely glanced at me, showing no particular reaction to my arrival. As I suspected, he’d already figured out my identity.

Seeing Whitney’s agitation, Taylor stepped back, giving us space. “Catch up with your sister. We’ll stay at Bloom Valley tonight,” he said. After that, he dragged Yael away to prevent him from getting too close to me. Compared to before, Taylor had granted Whitney more freedom, but it was freedom within his control. He probably hoped I could lift her spirits.

Whitney grabbed my hand, her eyes reddening. “Chloe, you already left. Why did you come back?”

I pointed to my throat. To avoid making her feel guilty, I didn’t mention that it was because of her and Zoey.

“Can’t Carter cure you?” she asked.

I shook my head and mouthed, “Not for now.” Figuring out what kind of poison I had been exposed to and finding an antidote within a few days was no easy task. Prolonging it would affect other bodily functions, which was why Carter hadn’t insisted on keeping me by his side. Neither of us could afford to take that gamble.

But truthfully, I had my reasons for coming back. Even if I encountered Amber, I wasn’t afraid anymore. I now knew about her blood relation to Carter. Everything she did was for him. If I told her that Carter and I had already exchanged fates, harming me would be hurting him. Would she still dare to target me? Carter had become my best shield. The Carlyn brothers wouldn’t hurt me either, which meant I was safe in their territory. My goals were clear—get the antidote and rescue Whitney.

I took out my phone and shared my plan with Whitney. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. “Chloe, you’ll be okay, right?”

I nodded. Then, I made a video call to Carter. He picked up quickly. The screen showed both me and Whitney. When Whitney saw his cold, stern face, she stammered, “H-hello, C-Carter. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Chloe.” Her stammering brought a trace of helplessness to Carter’s otherwise icy expression. He responded with a simple, “Hello.” Whitney, flustered and socially awkward, hurriedly retreated out of the camera’s view after her greeting. Carter’s gaze softened as it lingered on me. He spoke gently, “Chloe, don’t push yourself too hard.”

I nodded.

“Don’t cut off contact with me.”

I nodded again.

“Hurry and get the antidote.”

“Don’t hang up yet. Let me see where you are.”

I turned the camera around to show him my surroundings, explaining my current situation. The Carlyn brothers hadn’t forced me into anything, which seemed to put him at ease. We chatted a little longer, but I had to hang up when my phone’s battery was about to die.

From a distance, Yael walked over, his gaze landing on my phone. I calmly put it away. There was no need to hide anything anymore—the truth was already out. He stopped in front of me, holding a beautifully crafted flower crown in his hands. Bending down, he placed it gently on my head. “Chloe, you look so beautiful.”