Chapter 53: Julian Fletcher Takes Erin Whittaker for a Prenatal Checkup

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Julian Fletcher Takes Erin Whittaker for a Prenatal Checkup

I’ve been trapped in the Lancaster family’s villa for about thirteen days, and I spend every moment thinking—about the killer’s motive, movements, methods, and every other possibility.

I vaguely overheard from the Lancaster family’s staff that the murder case was already closed. Asher had apparently confessed, but the Lancasters had him released on bail due to his mental instability and were now keeping him confined at home.

I know Asher isn’t the only killer. At the very least, the person who killed me was someone else.

I’m certain that Asher and my killer have some kind of connection.

But after all this time, I still haven’t found any leads on him.

Perhaps his act is just too good. Every day, all he does is stare into space or watch me. There’s no other activity whatsoever.

...

I drew diagrams on a piece of paper, analyzing the killer’s motive and everything suspicious I could recall from my memories.

’I have to catch the killer. At the very least, I have to help Zeke Shaw catch him.’

If the killer is targeting the girls who were adopted from the orphanage all those years ago, then among the survivors of the "red-dress girls," Erin Whittaker is the only one left.

"Miss Lynch, the master wishes to see you." A housekeeper knocked on my door and told me I was summoned.

This morning, I gave the positive pregnancy test to the housekeeper. Dylan Lancaster must be here because of that.

’Asher was right. As long as I’m pregnant, I can get out.’

They gave me a change of clothes and waited for me outside the door.

As I was leaving, Asher didn’t say a single word.

"You..." I started, glancing back at him from the doorway.

’Never mind. Until I find out the truth, it’s safer for him to be locked up by the Lancasters. What if he goes out and kills again...’

’I could never bring myself to truly trust him.’

As I stepped outside, I faintly heard Asher’s voice. "I’ll come find you."

When I turned to look, the housekeeper had already closed the door and was fastening several large locks on the outside.

"Is all that really necessary?" I asked.

The housekeeper muttered under her breath, "Miss Lynch, you’re really something else, being able to stay in there with him for so long. You have no idea how terrifying he is... He’s a killer!"

The housekeeper glanced around nervously, then hesitated. "It’s not like Master Lancaster hasn’t found other women for him before. You’re the luckiest one... All the others were scared out of their minds."

I paid her no mind. I couldn’t care less about the Lancaster family’s plans to produce an heir.

In the first-floor living room, Dylan Lancaster was sitting on the sofa. Master Lancaster was there as well.

"She’s pregnant?" Master Lancaster spoke first.

"It seems so..." The housekeeper presented the positive pregnancy test.

Master Lancaster didn’t even look at it. "Take her for a blood test. Have Dr. Carter give her a thorough examination."

I kept my head down and said nothing. In a situation like this, the more you say, the more you risk messing up.

"Dr. Carter says she needs a blood test to check her HCG levels first, and then an ultrasound... The facilities here at home are limited. It would be best to go to the hospital."

’I breathed a sigh of relief. Once I get to the hospital, I’ll have a chance to escape.’

Master Lancaster seemed to be in a good mood. He glanced at me. "Go on, then. Be safe."

I nodded, still not saying a word.

"This girl from the Lynn family... she brings good fortune," Master Lancaster said, looking at Dylan Lancaster. "Now that the Lancaster family has an heir on the way, you are to treat this child as your very own."

Dylan Lancaster smiled and nodded. "Of course, Father."

’I kept my head down and sneered inwardly. As if Dylan Lancaster could ever treat someone else’s child as his own.’

"Everyone, take good care of her. Silvia is the heroine of our family now," Master Lancaster said with a smile.

"What about the Lynn family...?" I asked tentatively, afraid they would become suspicious if I didn’t act like Silvia Lynch.

The whole reason Silvia Lynch came to the Lancaster family was to get them to help the Lynn Group through its financial crisis. If I didn’t ask about it, that old fox, Master Lancaster, would definitely grow suspicious.

Master Lancaster said nothing, but Dylan Lancaster spoke up, annoyed. "That’s not your concern. Once the child is born safe and sound, the Lynn family will naturally get what’s coming to them."

I nodded and left with the housekeeper.

’Until this child is born, it will be my Life-saving Talisman, and the key to my revenge.’

I arrived at Meridia Hospital with the housekeeper and driver. After getting out of the car, I just stood there, stunned, for a long time.

The same familiar hospital, the same familiar sunlight.

’I’m not dreaming.’

’I’m back.’

’I’ve returned in a new identity.’

"The autopsy report is out... Cecilia Caldwell was indeed pregnant at the time of her death... She was pregnant." In the hospital corridor, I saw two familiar figures: Zeke Shaw and Madeline Quinn.

My feet froze to the spot. My breath caught in my throat, hot and tight. My eyes burned, turning red. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

’I wanted so badly... so badly to run over, hug Madeline, and tell her, ’Madeline, it’s me! It’s Cece!’’

’But as long as I’m living as Silvia Lynch, I’m destined to never be like I was before.’

"Julian Fletcher... It was Julian Fletcher! I’m going to kill him! Let me go! Let me go kill him!" Madeline Quinn was on the verge of a breakdown, losing control as she tried to go after Julian Fletcher.

Zeke Shaw held her back, stopping her with all his might, his face grim and silent.

"Let me go! Let me at him! Why do they get to live?! Why?! It was obviously Erin Whittaker and Julian Fletcher who killed Cece! You’re a police officer, why aren’t you arresting them? Go arrest them!" Madeline Quinn screamed, crying and struggling desperately.

Zeke Shaw continued to hold her back in silence. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

My legs felt numb as I tried to walk over, but my feet were as heavy as lead. "Made—"

"Miss Lynch, this way." The housekeeper came trotting back and pulled me toward the doctor’s office.

I looked back at Madeline Quinn, and she seemed to see me too.

"Cece..." She shoved Zeke Shaw aside and began searching for me in the crowd.

I stood in the doorway, watching her pass right by me.

’I almost forgot. I’m not the old Cecilia Caldwell anymore. At best, Silvia Lynch’s face just bears a resemblance to mine.’

"Madeline Quinn." Zeke Shaw caught up to her, grabbing her by the wrist. "Let’s go home for now."

"Zeke, you’re a police officer! You know there are still so many suspicious things about this case! That guy, Asher... how could he possibly be the killer? He must be taking the fall for someone. The real murderer is still out there, and Erin Whittaker... she’s highly suspicious! Why did all the other red-dress girls die, while she’s the only one still alive?" Madeline Quinn stared at Zeke Shaw, pleading with him to solve the case quickly.

Zeke Shaw lowered his eyes and nodded. "I’ll get to the bottom of it..."

’He’ll get to the bottom of it, he says. But there are too many powerful forces involved in this case...’

"Did you know that Asher... wasn’t always mentally ill? He was the child genius of that orphanage. And do you know why the orphanage was later renamed the Twin Star Orphanage? Twin Star... one of those stars was Asher. The orphanage produced two prodigies back then. One was Asher, and the other was Charlie, who died in a fire years ago." Madeline Quinn told Zeke what she had discovered.

I stood in the doorway, listening in silence.

’Twin Star Orphanage... That sounds so familiar.’

A sharp pain shot through my head again. Fragments of memories flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t piece together the full picture of what I’d lost.

"But how does a genius just... fall like that?" Madeline Quinn didn’t understand how Asher had gone from a prodigy to a madman.

That was something I didn’t understand either.

Asher would never tell me, and I didn’t press him on it, afraid I might scare him.

"Let’s go," Zeke told Madeline, urging her to leave.

"No..." Madeline looked around. "Just now... I thought I saw Cece."

Zeke Shaw took a deep breath and dragged Madeline Quinn away.

I hid in the doorway and watched them go. Only then did I turn and enter the consultation room.

"Dr. Carter, is my baby developing normally?"

There was another patient in the consultation room...

That voice made every muscle in my body tense up. It was Erin Whittaker.

I snapped my head up and looked at the person sitting beside the doctor... Sure enough, it was Erin Whittaker.

And the man accompanying her to the prenatal checkup was Julian Fletcher.

*Heh.* I let out a cold laugh. ’Look at the two of them, living so... happily ever after.’