Chapter 184: Chloe Was Dismembered Here

I was completely shocked when Carter kissed me. I froze, staring at him with wide eyes, so stunned I forgot to breathe. Was this real? Carter actually kissed me.

Seeing my shock, he pulled away, smiling slightly. “Did I scare you?”

I was indeed startled, blinking at him, unsure how to respond. It had been years since anything like this happened. The most memorable kiss I could recall was when I was young—Luke had given me an umbrella in the rain, and then, soaked and awkward, he kissed me. But now, it was Carter.

He gently touched my lips and said, “It’s fine. You’ll get used to it. Familiarity comes with time, darling.” His tone made me blush. I had focused on my career after my rebirth and shut myself off from love. I had sworn not to fall for anyone again.

“I’m hungry. Let’s eat first,” I quickly changed the subject.

“Okay.”

He was as courteous as ever, as if the playful side of him from earlier never existed.

“Carter, can you help me investigate the Carlines?” I asked.

“Which Carlines?”

I bit into a crab puff, frowning before shaking my head. “I’m not sure either.” Grandma had only mentioned the Carlines. Given her condition, I couldn’t ask more.

“It could be the ones who had a grudge with the Sanders many years ago, not anything recent,” he said.

“Got it.” He slid the milk toward me. “Don’t forget to drink your milk.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling he was treating me like a child, reminding me like a father would his daughter.

“Carter, I’m 20 already,” I complained.

“Yes, I know, little girl,” he teased, ruffling my hair.

Chapter 14: Chloe Was Dismembered Here

I was speechless.

“Zoey, what are your plans after the New Year?” he suddenly asked. “If you want to continue your studies, I can transfer your student status, and you could graduate next year. Or, if you’d prefer, you could join Belton Group or start your own business.”

I remembered that Zoey was still in her third year of college but had taken a break because of depression. I had one more year to finish my degree and was focused on internships and preparing my thesis.

“I’ll stick with it for one more year,” I said.

“Good. Think about what you want for the future. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

Having someone backing me was a new experience, and it felt nice.

In my free time, I checked the rumors online. Anna was being torn apart by the public, while Chloe was gaining attention. Patrick and others had shared proof of the charity work I’d done over the years and even gave interviews to reporters. Who said kindness didn’t pay off? The good things I had done would eventually come to light. Evil worked the same way. Back when I was a spirit, I’d been filled with sorrow, questioning why people like Anna didn’t face consequences. Now, she was finally paying the price. Compared to the trouble she would encounter later, it was insignificant. It simply meant she could no longer appear publicly in the media. The Hudsons and the Sanders poured significant resources into public relations to minimize the damage caused by Anna’s humiliating scene.

Lately, Carter had been busy and returned home only late at night. Meanwhile, I stayed at the Bolton Residence to assist Jeffrey with various tasks. As the New Year drew closer, there was a lot to handle around the house. After putting in so much effort for a long time, I finally took some time for myself, which felt refreshing.

While waiting for Carter to come home for dinner, I spent time trimming branches. As the evening darkened and he still hadn’t arrived, I decided to call him.

“Darling, I’ve uncovered something about Chloe. Want to hear about it?”

I immediately put the scissors down, my interest piqued. “What did you find?”

“After leaving the hospital, Anna drove to a service center. I had someone follow her to the car repair shop you asked me to investigate.”

“Did you uncover anything?”

“She vanished shortly after entering and only reappeared much later. I suspect there’s a hidden passage in that shop.” Memories of the dim, windowless place my spirit had visited surfaced in my mind. It had to be underground!

“Where are you? I’m coming right now.”

Carter shared his location, and I rushed out, my nerves on edge. When I arrived, I found his car parked at a distance, likely to avoid drawing attention. We met up, and I immediately asked, “Did you discover anything?”

He handed me a laptop and explained, “This repair shop has been around for over a decade, and everything about it appears legitimate.”

“Who owns it?”

“A man named Fabian Carline.”

I stared at him intently. “The Carlines?” Could it be connected to the Carlines Grandma had mentioned?

“You asked me to look into the Carlines who had issues with the Sanders. There was a family by that name in Westfolk involved in the steel industry. About 30 years ago, they had some business competition with the Sanders, but it was nothing serious. Their company eventually collapsed, and the family’s influence faded.”

I reviewed Fabian’s details. He was in his 30s and someone I had no prior connections with. He wasn’t the one who killed me.

“Is Fabian linked to the Carlines in Westfolk?”

“No, it appears to be a coincidence. The surname Carline is common. Don’t lose hope. We haven’t uncovered much yet because the true culprits haven’t acted. Those who are guilty often stay hidden. We still have time.”

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the distant repair shop. “I need to go inside and see for myself.” If I could locate the underground passage, it might lead me to the stone chamber where my body was dismembered.

“Zoey, is there something you’re not telling me?” Carter’s expression was calm but serious. I hesitated, biting my lip as I wrestled with my thoughts. Taking my hand gently, he said, “Zoey, you can trust me. I won’t hurt you. You’re my wife, and I’ll stand by you in anything you choose to do. I know you’re seeking justice for Chloe, and I feel the same way. We’re on the same side, not against each other.”

Meeting his steady gaze, I recalled…