Chapter 180
If she was only after Chase, she could’ve just stopped after I died. Since coming back, the Kennedy family has already given her plenty of wealth. So, why is she still pushing Grandma to hand over her shares? And those things she said to Grandma–it’s like she despises me, but her hatred for Grandma runs even deeper. There’s got to be a bigger plot here!
Derek’s eyes flickered with anger. “The police are on it now, and I’m sure we’ll have answers soon.” He sighed, “Though, even if we catch the real culprit, it won’t bring back the dead. It all feels so meaningless.”
“How can you say that? Ms. Kennedy was brutally murdered. If we don’t find who did it, she’ll never find peace! Catching the real killer will let her rest easy in the afterlife.”
Maybe I was too worked up because Derek was giving me this curious look, “You and Amanda didn’t know each other. Why are you so invested?”
See, apart from that momentary lapse, he’s always sharp and level–headed, unlike that gullible Chase. Whatever tall tale Nicole spins, Chase buys it without a second thought.
Derek’s probing gaze made me uneasy, and for a split second, I almost blurted out that I was Amanda. The words were right there, but I swallowed them back down. Even though being reborn has given me a leg up, with Nicole in the open and me in the shadows, I can’t risk my plan by talking too much. Derek never hurt me before, but he’s still an outsider. One slip, and it’s game over for me.
I kept my face steady, showing nothing but righteous anger. “Ms. Kennedy died so horribly. I want to help find her real killer too.”
Derek looked like he wanted to say more, but we were interrupted by a knock at the door. Jack’s voice came through, “Sir, the butler is here.”
Was
Derek a mess and probably didn’t want anyone to see him like this, so I took the lead. “I’ll handle it.”
He tried to stop me, but I squeezed his hand, “I’m going to be your wife soon. Let me take care of this.”
He gave me a
e a long look, then nodded with a resigned sigh, “Alright.”
I got up, straightened my clothes, and opened the door with a smile. There stood the ever–serious butler. “Derek’s freshening up. I’ll pass on any messages.”
“Tonight is Amanda’s funeral. She was part of the Reyes family, after all. Young Master Derek is known for being reserved and didn’t really know Ms. Kennedy, but the old gentleman hopes he’ll attend to prevent any gossip.”
To the outside world, Derek is seen as cold and distant, so skipping the funeral wouldn’t surprise anyone. I nodded quickly, “Don’t worry. Derek and I will be there on time to pay our respects to Ms. Kennedy.”
“Thank you.”
The butler left, and I closed the door, my heart pounding. I turned to Derek, who was still on the floor. “You heard that, right?”
He kept his head down, lost in thought, and finally said softly, “Don’t worry, I’ll go… to see her off one last time…”
I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but his voice seemed to tremble on those last words. And me? I couldn’t wait to see how the Kennedy family would react. They always used to say they’d be happy if I died. Now that I’m dead,’ will they really feel that way?
I held Derek’s hand tightly, “I’ll go to Ms. Kennedy’s funeral with you, alright?”
