Chapter 1099

Skylar suddenly gripped Aiken's arm.

Aiken turned to her. "Can you still hold on?" he asked.

His simple words answered the unspoken question that had weighed on Skylar's heart since leaving the elevator—a question she hadn't wanted to confront. Her eyes welled, and she remained speechless. The morgue's chill permeated her, causing uncontrollable shivers.

Aiken regarded her with sympathy. "Maybe you shouldn't see this," he suggested. "I can explain what I know outside." He'd seen her laughter, her professional confidence, but never this—the stark pallor, the overwhelming fear. He felt a protective instinct, a conviction that she shouldn't have to endure this cruelty.

"I need to see her," Skylar insisted. "Maybe it's not Grandma Viola."

Despite her reddened eyes, her gaze held unwavering resolve. Aiken nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Moments later, Skylar saw Viola. Lifeless, yet peaceful, as if merely asleep. Skylar studied her for a long time, meticulously noting the mole near her eye, another near her ear, the familiar wrinkles. Viola's skin, usually smooth and fair, now showed the passage of time.

Skylar squeezed her eyes shut, a searing pain in her chest. "It's...Grandma Viola," she whispered.

Aiken offered support. "Are you okay? Let's talk outside."

Her eyes bloodshot, Skylar nodded, bravely holding back her tears. They left the morgue and headed for the hospital's first floor, then stepped outside into the sunlight, which offered some relief from the chilling atmosphere.

Skylar remained silent, and Aiken waited patiently. Finally, she spoke. "How did you find her? How did this happen? She was always healthy—just an occasional cold or fever, nothing serious," she asked, her voice filled with bewilderment and grief. The suddenness of Viola's passing was incomprehensible.

"According to the investigation, Madam Viola lived abroad for a time. She returned recently and was found a few days ago on a park bench. She passed away peacefully in her sleep; no signs of poisoning or illness," Aiken explained slowly. "As for why she didn't contact you after returning… I don't know."

Skylar was stunned. "Grandma Viola went abroad?"

Chapter 1099

"Yes, for some time," Aiken confirmed. "I traced her departure and return, but not her whereabouts during that period or her reason for going."

Skylar was utterly bewildered. Viola had never mentioned traveling abroad. She'd claimed to have no remaining family, and despite hearing of foreign lands, had never expressed a desire to emigrate. She'd even stated she wouldn't leave the country unless absolutely necessary, preferring the familiar mountains and rivers of her homeland to any foreign scenery. Why, then, had she gone abroad?

As Skylar grappled with this enigma, Joe's call arrived. The moment she answered, the tears she'd held back finally flowed freely.