Chapter 27
Kate appeared out of nowhere when I couldn’t grasp what Claude was saying
“Claude!” She jogged over and threw herself into Claude’s arms, her shoulders shaking as she cried X
“Why are you here by yourself so late at night?” asked Claude.
Claude had just seen her home, yet Kate showed up alone, which made Claude furrow his brow as he gently stroked her hair!
Kate sobbed. “A friend rang me up saying you were down at the bar and in big trouble, so I got concerned and rushed over.”
Suddenly, Claude turned serious and looked at Kate. “Kate, is there something you’re not telling me?”
Caught off guard, Kate shook her shoulders, unable to speak, only to cry.
“Kate, you can tell me. I’m here to help,” Claude said, kissing her forehead tenderly.
Kate managed to calm her tears and said, “Claude, the Scar Men, and his men, I saw them when Claire and I were hiking. I’m thinking. could they be the same ones behind my kidnapping? Maybe they were following me for revenge because their buddies are dead, and I survived.
Claude’s brow furrowed. “Does anyone else know about this?”
Kate shook her head. “No, Tve been too scared to say anything. I fear retaliation.”
Claude sighed and looked toward the fiery ruins, “Well, their deaths aren’t innocent then. With them gone, you won’t have to live in fear anymore.”
Kate nodded obediently in his embrace.
But the next day, Kate received a call from the police to go to the interrogation room for this matter. Surveillance footage had shown Scar Men and his buddies appearing near the Goodwin Mansion multiple times.&
With a neck brace and a stern expression, Ronald asked, “Kate, do you recognize these suspects?
He showed her pictures of the Scar Men, but Kate just shook her head quick and denied it. I don’t know them.”
Ronald brought up the surveillance footage. “Yet, it seems they’ve followed you frequently.”
Kate burst into tears. “I didn’t know they were always behind me
Seeing he couldn’t pry anything from her, Ronald changed the subject. “How well do you get along with Claire?*%
Kate hesitated before answering, ‘Not very well. She’s always messing with me behind the scenes. I’ve been hospitalized a few times because of her. And this time, I got kidnapped while hiking with her. Plus, running away from home isn’t new for her.“8
I
I was standing there, feeling utterly wronged. I started to see Kate’s true colors, twisting the truth.
“Why didn’t you report her when she hurt you?” asked Ronald.
Kate shook her head. “Claire’s parents died trying to save Claude, and the Hart family owes her a life debt. Mrs. Hart protects her, which has led to her unruly behavior, either running away from home or attempting suicide. It’s pretty extreme.“?!
As she spoke, Kate added. “But it’s also ‘cause she was raised in an orphanage with a messed up set of values. She’s an who hasn’t grown up yet. That’s why I keep forgiving her,“%
My spint got so worked up that it lost an arm, which had dissipated into thin airl
immature kid
There she was, playing the saint. What an ultimate deceiver! Kate was a perfect match for Claude, the heartbreaker, a pair made in heaven I
After recording everything, Ronald left the interrogation room and let Kate go.
I grabbed at Ronald’s sleeve, shouting, “Ronald, don’t believe her. She’s lying. She’s hiding something!!
But Ronald couldn’t hear me i
The detective told Ronald, “Flawless, no evidence or leads, and by their accounts, Claire sounds like the real sociopath. The trouble seems more her doing
Ronald gulped his coffee and muttered. “But my gut tells me there’s more to this. Who survived the fire yesterday?”
“Two dead, one critically injured in ICU. Doctors say there’s not much hope he’ll wake up.”
Bang! Ronald slammed his fist on the table in frustration.E
