Chapter 80
Today, I admired Nicole more than ever. Chase was prepared to sever ties with her, but with a few words, she completely altered his perspective.
Chase was deep in thought, his expression serious. "No wonder I've always felt he was overly interested in Amanda. Was his plan to target me from the start?"
Nicole replied, "Think about it, Chase. He rarely visited the Reyes estate before and never came home. Why the sudden interest in moving his overseas assets here? And why is he spending so much time with Grandpa, drinking tea and playing chess? It's as if he knows Grandpa's health is failing and is trying to appear the perfect grandson. Your issues with Amanda could be the perfect excuse for Grandpa to look down on you. He's already been somewhat miffed with you lately, and there have been setbacks at the company. If you leave now and something goes wrong, it'll give Derek the perfect opportunity."
Chase's face showed clear concern. "Would he really go that far?"
"People will do anything for money," Nicole responded. "The Reyes family fortune is immense; anyone ambitious wouldn't let it slip away. I suspect Amanda's disappearance might be connected to Derek. If you lose focus now, you'll fall right into his trap. Imagine getting caught abroad searching for her. Whether you find her or not, you'd be embroiled in scandal. The media would have a field day, and Grandpa would be livid. He might even remove you from the CEO position."
Chase frowned deeply. "So, are you saying I should just forget about Amanda? We've been close since childhood. If she's truly suffering abroad, how can I just leave her?"
"We have to save her, but you can't go," Nicole said. "Get someone else to do it. Even if it gets out, it won't come back to you."
Chase seemed more receptive. "I'll think it over. You can leave now."
"Okay," Nicole replied.
Nicole left, but Chase clearly took her advice seriously. He instructed his assistant, Mark, to locate Derek.
Mark was puzzled by Chase's sudden interest in Derek but quickly investigated. Soon, he reported back: "Mr. Reyes, he's not in the country."
"Where did he go?" Chase demanded.
"Abroad, to the city where we're about to land," Mark replied.
Chase's face darkened. "Nicole was right."
"What do you mean, Mr. Reyes?" Mark asked, confused.
"Cancel my flight immediately," Chase ordered.
Mark was astonished by the sudden change. Just moments ago, Chase was eager to depart; now, after Nicole's visit, everything had changed.
"You're not going to find your wife? What if she's actually abroad?" Mark questioned.
"I couldn't confirm it before, but now I'm sure Derek's involved," Chase explained. "He's set a trap for me abroad. Amanda is just bait to lure me in."
Mark was more puzzled than ever. "Mr. Reyes, I know you're worried about your wife's disappearance, but you're not thinking clearly. How does this tie into Mr. Derek? I don't understand."
"Exactly," Chase said. "If Nicole hadn't warned me, I might have fallen for it. Derek is definitely plotting to seize the Reyes family legacy by taking me down."