Chapter 47  The moment she spoke, the whole room went silent, and I felt like a camera capturing every stunned expression around me. I’d been dead for days, something they could’ve easily uncovered with a simple phone call. However, somehow, none of my family–not even my husband-realized I never made it to Cloudville.  If word got out, their neglect would be the neighborhood’s laughingstock Chase’s face turned ghostly palle as he pieced together recent events. He hadn’t seen me once, whether it was the hazy video or Ms. Kennedy’s supposed rental agreement  The video was too blurry, and he stormed off without even bothering to ask the neighbors if they recognized me from a photo Grandma’s revelation broke through their misconceptions; nobody wanted to believe it  “Mom, are you certain Amanda didn’t go to Cloudville?” my father asked, his tone serious  Grandma wasn’t having it. “She’s your daughter. Shouldn’t you know if she went or not? Or do you just not care?”  wer words were like a slap in the face.  “Mom, there’s been too much happening at home. I got sidetracked. Il check right now”  As they talked, Chase had already called his assistant. Three minutes later, the assistant phoned back.  “What’s the news?”  “Mr. Reyes booked a flight to Cloudville but didn’t board. There’s no security check record under her name. I’ve got someone checking if she even went to the airport. Pulling the surveillance footage will take some time.”  Chase’s expression turned even darker. “Check other dates, places, flights–every possible way she could’ve traveled.”  “Yes, Mr. Reyes.”  Chase couldn’t label me as missing now; all he knew for sure was that I never went to Cloudville.  His eyes landed on Nicole, scrutinizing. “Nicole, why did you lie?”  Nicole put on her best hurt expression. “Chase, I didn’t. I only told what I knew. Check my chat history with my cousin if you don’t believe  me.”  She was ready for this moment–the chat showed casual talks where the cousin let slip that I was heading to Cloudville to find a place. “She told me that. I have no clue why Amanda didn’t board the plane  Grandma clearly wasn’t buying it. “You released that video. You led everyone to think badly of Amanda. What are you scheming?” “Grandma, it’s not like that! I saw the video on a high school classmate’s social media. They were in Cloudville recently. It was just a coincidence.”  Tears welled up in Nicole’s eyes as she clung to Chase’s shirt. “Chase, you don’t believe me either? I just wanted to help find her quicker”  Chase’s face was clouded with doubt, and he stayed silent, trying to figure out if Nicole was being truthful.  Nicole dropped to her knees. “Grandma, I know you’ve never liked me, but why would I lie? What do I gain?”  I  Grandma’s face was stern, slamming her hand on the armrest. “I’m curious too. Why did you mess with this, leading everyone astray? What’s your game? Speak!”  “Grandma, I didn’t…  u won’t talk? I’ll make you.” Grandma rolled her wheelchair closer and lifted her cane, bringing it down hard on Nicole.  “You  Chapter 481  Chapter 48