Chapter 2

Only a terrifying, hollow shell remained.

I froze, stunned. It was a photo of a tragically murdered fifteen-year-old Liam.

Serena’s voice was cold and filled with disgust as she pressed me.

“Are you suggesting that you, Miss Brooks, would use the death of your own family member to frame a drug dealer?”

“Julian, you and Chloe dated for four years in college, and were married for three. You know what kind of person she was…”

“I beg you…”

In despair, I collapsed to my knees.

The sun was setting fast. If I missed today, I’d have to wait until next year.

But I wouldn’t live to see next year.

This specific method of communing with the dead to uncover grievances was incredibly dangerous, requiring perfect conditions: the deceased’s death anniversary, the place where their deepest regrets lingered, and their bones.

The most crucial condition was the remaining lifespan of the practitioner.

I had gambled all my remaining life on this day, solely to prove Chloe’s innocence.

“Shut up! Are you even human?!”

Julian was beside himself with rage, kicking me repeatedly.

“You evil person who killed my uncle! Get out of my house!”

Leo, Julian and Serena’s son, charged at me, swinging a wooden sword.

A dizzying blow, and I realized it had drawn blood.

But he was an illegitimate child, the product of an affair.

How dare he tell me to leave, living in a house Chloe had paid half the price for?

“Hello, is this Grandma Joyce’s family?”

“She’s in trouble, come quick.”

I suddenly received a call and rushed back to the neighborhood in a panic.

A group of thugs had overturned Grandma Joyce’s snack cart.

Taking advantage of her blindness, they pushed her into a dirty ditch, surrounding her, cursing, and throwing stones.

“The drug dealer’s grandma deserves to die!”

“Kill that old blind hag!”

“Her food must be poisoned!”

Grandma Joyce was covered in mud, blood streaming from her forehead.

She fumbled to climb out, stumbling and falling three times, while the thugs on the bank laughed even more brazenly.

They used a bamboo pole to push her back down, maliciously poking her blind eyes.

Her face, full of wrinkles and age spots, was soon streaked with bloody tears.

“Mr. Si and Serena said this was just a small lesson. If you dare cause trouble at the Si mansion again, she won't be the only one losing her sight.”

The leader lightly patted my face with a sneer.

My eyes burned, and my fists clenched.

Julian and Serena, these animals!

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

I was furious, screaming and fighting off the thugs.

It took all my strength to get Grandma Joyce back up.

She didn't say a word, just slapped me hard.

“You give me back my Chloe! Why wasn’t it you who died?! Why?!”

She bit at me like a madwoman, wailing and telling me to get lost.

I suddenly remembered the day my brother was tortured to death by drug dealers.

Mom collapsed, weeping hysterically, and when she finally came to, all she wanted was to divorce Dad.

At first, the choice was made to take Chloe away, but I cried and screamed, demanding to stay, effectively stealing the life that should have been hers.

“There are only three hours left until sunset. Dark energy will be strongest at night, and this grievance-seeking ritual could spiral completely out of control.”

“Get over to the Si mansion, now!”

“Also, I’ve brought Captain Miller back from Country D. He can prove Chloe’s identity as a police informant.”

Hearing Samuel’s words, a glimmer of hope finally rose in my withered heart.

This time, I was smarter. I didn’t go through the main entrance to clash with them, choosing to sneak in through a less obvious entrance.

But dogs have an unusually keen sense of smell. As soon as they caught my scent, they started barking.

Everyone in the yard became alert.

Just then, Samuel knocked on the Si mansion door.

“Uncle Samuel, what brings you here?”

Julian was utterly respectful, not daring to breathe loudly.

The Si family members all rushed to the front yard to greet him, even the dogs followed.

This was because my Master, Samuel, was the scion of two of the wealthiest, most influential families in the region, the Si and Song clans, bound by marriage.

He was, in effect, the joint head of both their empires.

Samuel didn't even spare a glance at them, leading Captain Miller into the courtyard.

“I’m here today for one reason only: to clear Chloe’s name.”