Chapter 59

Chase pulled Nicole close, holding her gently. “Hey, what’s up, Nicole? What are you talking about?”

Nicole pointed shakily towards the foot of the bed. “There’s… there’s someone there.”

My heart skipped a beat. Could she actually see me now? If so, maybe I could finally get my revenge. Even a scare would suffice.

I quickly ran through every horror movie I’d ever watched, considering how ghosts typically make their entrances. After all, being newly dead, I was still learning the ropes.

When Chase glanced my way, I lunged forward, sticking out my tongue. Was that scary enough?

But he remained calm, oblivious to me. “There’s no one there. You’re imagining things.”

Nicole cautiously peeked up from his embrace. I grinned widely, hoping to truly frighten her.

Her face softened. “Chase, I’m really scared. Can you stay with me tonight?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m your brother-in-law. What would it look like if I stayed in your room?”

Chase offered a few comforting words before suggesting he leave. His shift from anger to complete calm left me disappointed. Nicole couldn’t see me after all. As he left, my parents apologized profusely, blaming me and begging him not to take it to heart, assuring him I’d return once I calmed down.

Outside, rain poured down. I stood in the garden, listening to their painful words. My mother used to love me so much. How had such deep affection turned into this? I tilted my head back, letting the raindrops mix with my tears.

Chase had endured a grueling day. His emotions were volatile, and he looked exhausted from days of poor sleep.

The driver asked quietly, “Mr. Reyes, where to?”

After a moment, he said, “Back to the Reyes family estate.”

Before leaving, he called his assistant, “Look into Amanda and… Derek.”

Hearing that, I chuckled. We were childhood friends, inseparable for years. Yet, he’d let Nicole’s words sway him into doubting me. He actually thought I was involved with his uncle!

When he arrived back at the Reyes family mansion, Derek and Grandpa were playing chess in the tea room. Such a peaceful scene would have been unthinkable before, given Derek’s deep resentment toward Grandpa. Derek’s return seemed to signify more than just business; his attitude had shifted.

Chase felt a significant threat. Unable to speak much in Grandpa’s presence, he simply greeted them, “Grandpa, Uncle Derek.”

Grandpa eyed him with disdain. “Look at you. You don’t even look like the CEO of Reyes Corporation.” His suit was smeared with mud, and his hair and clothes were wet.

Derek gave him a once-over, placed a black chess piece, and casually remarked, “He doesn’t quite have that CEO look.” His hostility toward Chase was unconcealed.

Chase wanted to confront Derek but waited until after freshening up.

When he returned, Grandpa had retired. Derek remained seated at the chessboard.

“Uncle Derek, I have some questions for you.” Though Chase had much on his mind, he seemed to shrink under Derek’s gaze.

Derek wheeled his chair around, his narrow eyes appraising Chase. Even in death, I felt a natural fear of him. His small pupils, partially obscured by his eyelids when he looked down, gave him a cold and commanding presence. His tightly pressed lips exuded authority without anger. A single word, full of authority, made me shiver, even though I couldn’t feel anything.

“I want to know why you were at the hospital when Amanda miscarried. That was the maternity ward, and I saw you with Amanda before our wedding.”

Derek toyed with a black chess piece, letting out a scornful chuckle. “Do you think there’s something secretly going on between me and…”

“Uncle Derek, that’s not what I mean. I just…”

Derek cut him off, his voice cold and firm. “Then let me ask you a few things. Where were you when your wife miscarried? Why did she miscarry? You were at the hospital every day. Why couldn’t you find time to look after her? And yet, here you are, questioning me. What right do you have?”

Those questions silenced Chase. Knowing he was at fault, he defensively retorted, “Are you changing the subject because you’re guilty? You and Amanda have met privately, haven’t you?”

Such a weak tactic was obvious, even to me.

“Yes, I met her years ago,” Derek admitted openly.

Chase’s face lit up, thinking he had the advantage.

Before he could savor it, Derek continued, “Do you want to know when we met?”

Chase’s expression soured.

Derek sipped his coffee, the steam partially obscuring his handsome features. He spoke slowly. “The year you were caught in an earthquake abroad, a foolish woman’s passport was hidden by someone, and she had to be smuggled across the ocean to reach the earthquake zone as quickly as possible. And guess what happened next?”