Chapter 76

Chase's temper had become increasingly volatile. His sudden outburst nearly knocked Mark off his feet. "She said one word, and you toss Amanda's things aside like that?" Chase demanded.

Mark, visibly shaken and flustered, stammered, "Mr. Reyes, Ms. Nicole has a heart condition, and we were trying to avoid stressing her. So we had to..."

Nicole's heart condition was clearly a convenient excuse; everyone knew Chase's affection for her was the real reason. Chase knew it too. With a dismissive wave, he said, "Just tidy up. We'll put things back when Amanda returns."

"Yes, sir."

Looking exhausted, Chase quickly ate breakfast before resuming work. Nicole then arrived unexpectedly. Seeing her belongings being packed away, her face fell. "Chase, what are you doing?" she asked.

Chase looked up, his gaze shifting noticeably. Nicole, feigning innocence, clung to his arm. "Chase, did I do something wrong? I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me."

Chase had a soft spot for her pleas. Nicole was unlike him; he always sorted right from wrong and never backed down.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, withdrawing his hand, his eyes scrutinizing her.

Nicole's uncertainty flickered before she plastered on a smile. "Chase, you've been upset since Amanda went missing. You look worn out. I baked blueberry muffins. Try them."

Chase took a bite, and Nicole beamed. "Good, aren't they?"

"They're tasty, but you didn't make these, did you? They're from Smith's Bakery."

Nicole looked pitiful. "Chase, I know their muffins are delicious, so I went to learn. I can't compare to Amanda, who made the perfect soup for you. I just wanted to make you happy."

Sipping his almond milk, Chase asked slowly, "Why do you always compare yourself to Amanda?"

Nicole was caught off guard, her gaze meeting his deep, unreadable eyes. Even an outsider like me would be puzzled.

"Chase, why are you acting so strange today?"

"Is it me, or is it your lies?" Chase retorted. "Smith's Bakery and Lee's Soup are different. Lee's is a franchise; anyone can get the recipe. Smith's has been run by the same family for thirty years. Do you know how many people have tried to get their recipes?"

Chase savored the muffins. He continued, "At least ten people have tried. Some offered to franchise, expand the business, or buy the recipes. Recently, with online streaming booming, companies approached the owner for mass production deals. He declined them all, choosing limited daily sales."

"Chase, how do you know all this?" Nicole panicked.

"Because Amanda loved their muffins. I offered a fortune to franchise the bakery, but he wouldn't budge. Over the years, many have tried. What makes you think he'd give the recipe to you so easily?"

"Moreover, making muffins seems simple, but mixing the dough, fermenting it, and filling the muffins—do you know how many steps there are? It takes years to perfect the recipe. What were you going to offer the owner to teach you? Just your charm?"

Chase's words echoed my own thoughts perfectly. Hearing this gave me a sense of satisfaction. Nicole's façade crumbled, tears welling in her eyes. "Chase, I'm sorry. I really wanted to learn. He refused to sell the recipe, so I lied."

Chase watched her, his gaze filled with incomprehension. "Then tell me, even if you said you bought them, wouldn't I have eaten them anyway? Why did you lie?"

"Chase, I'm sorry. I won't lie again. Please forgive me. I really care about you." She clutched her chest, looking heartbreakingly pitiful.

Chase remained unmoved. "I'm curious. If you lie about something so trivial, what else have you lied about?"

Nicole's eyes widened innocently. "Nothing else, Chase."

Chase scoffed, "Nicole, one last question. That day at the coffee shop, what really happened when you fell? Think carefully. Even if the CCTV was broken, I have a witness. Remember, it wasn't just you and Amanda there."

Nicole's face was a mask of panic. She was clearly weighing her options.

"What? Can't answer me?" Chase stood, gripping her chin. "Because that day, you fell on purpose before I arrived!"

Nicole shook her head. "No, Chase, I didn't…"

"Not only that. You hid Amanda's passport, didn't you? She bought a plane ticket but took a boat. Why?"

"It's not like that. It must be a misunderstanding. I don't know anything about the passport!"

Chase lacked concrete evidence, but his suspicions were clear. Nicole remained tight-lipped.

Chase pointed to his office. "Then tell me, if you didn't want to come between me and Amanda, why fill every corner with your personal items? Where did all of Amanda's things go?"

Chapter 77