Chapter 80: Erin Whittaker’s Scheme is Exposed

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Erin Whittaker’s Scheme is Exposed

After my little outburst, I actually felt a sense of release. After all, the Cecilia Caldwell of the past was already dead.

I wasn’t Cecilia Caldwell anymore.

I would no longer be manipulated by Julian Fletcher.

Whether it was for the nightmares he gave me or the kindness he once showed, I had repaid my debt in full.

I had long since stopped owing him anything. He was the one who owed me.

He owed me a life—the life of my unborn child.

As I was leaving, my phone rang.

It was Madeline Quinn.

"Silvia, the police have... have repaired Cece’s phone. The recording of her last call before she died has been... recovered."

I had recorded my entire phone call with Erin Whittaker before I went to Street Alley.

It was the smartest thing I ever did.

I didn’t trust Erin Whittaker. I hadn’t trusted her ever since she framed me for pushing her down the stairs.

Thank goodness I recorded it.

"I’ve already notified Julian Fletcher. Do you want to come listen?" Madeline Quinn asked.

"Yes, of course. I want to savor the look on Julian Fletcher’s face." I said the words through gritted teeth, a testament to how my hatred for him had reached its absolute peak.

I could finally understand why women who were once so gentle and meek turn into Vengeful Spirits after death. It’s because hatred only compounds with death; it never disappears.

My hatred for him now was as deep as the love I once had, as profound as the hope I’d clung to that he would come and save me as I died.

"Too bad. Erin Whittaker claimed she had a stomachache and went to the hospital. It would’ve been a real show if she were here," Madeline Quinn said, her voice low.

’Aside from me, Madeline Quinn was probably the person who hated Julian Fletcher and Erin Whittaker the most.’

I chuckled, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Her? We’ve all heard the story of the boy who cried wolf. Who’s to say if it’s a stomachache or just an excuse to run and hide?"

’But it didn’t matter. It wasn’t important anymore. Just seeing the look on Julian Fletcher’s face would be fun enough.’

"Time to watch the show." I hung up and smiled at Sebastian Lancaster.

He froze for a moment, then asked stiffly, "Do you... still hate him?"

’I knew he was talking about Julian Fletcher.’

’Of course I do.’

"I do," I answered truthfully.

But for some reason, Sebastian Lancaster seemed displeased.

His hand, which had been holding mine, slowly loosened its grip. He turned to stare petulantly out the car window.

’What was that about?’

’I didn’t get it.’

’But how could I possibly not hate him?’

"He’s not a good person..." After a long, sulky silence, Sebastian Lancaster muttered, still staring out the window. "He doesn’t deserve you."

I shot Sebastian Lancaster a baffled look. ’Has he really managed to fool himself into thinking I’m Cecilia Caldwell?’ "Oh," I replied.

’I didn’t believe Sebastian Lancaster had truly recognized me. At most, he was just using me as a stand-in because of my appearance.’

My perfunctory reply seemed to anger him.

He turned back to face me, his sulky expression like that of a big, nettled dog. "But I’m... more obedient."

I stared at Sebastian Lancaster, momentarily stunned.

’He said *he* was more obedient.’

I couldn’t help but laugh. He was so well-dressed today, which only accentuated his handsome features, making him look even more refined and aristocratic.

Seeing him now, "Sebastian Lancaster" was the only name that seemed to fit. Calling him "Asher" just didn’t suit this face anymore.

’Good looks really are an asset.’

For such a distinguished man to look at me with such earnestness, insisting that he was the more obedient one...

But it was a pity... I would never trust anyone again. Julian Fletcher had treated Cecilia Caldwell like a possession he’d labeled his own. He didn’t love her, yet he’d hurt her all the same. As for Sebastian Lancaster, he wasn’t any different. He was stubbornly trying to label Silvia Lynch as his, forcing her to live as Cecilia Caldwell, frantically insisting that I *was* Cecilia, not Silvia.

So, I wouldn’t let my heart be moved by anyone.

I admit it: I was scared.

"Why are you... so dressed up all of a sudden?" I looked away, changing the subject.

Sebastian Lancaster’s eyes fell, a flicker of disappointment on his face. He knew I was avoiding the subject.

"I was afraid you’d get bullied. Since you’re going as Silvia Lynch, you’re a stranger to them. If they give you a hard time, I’ll get angry," he murmured, no longer looking at me.

I quietly looked out the window, saying nothing more.

’He said he was afraid I’d get bullied...’

...

「The Police Station」

Sebastian Lancaster and I didn’t say another word to each other until the car stopped.

He followed quietly behind me.

Just as I was about to enter the station, I stopped in my tracks. My heart clenched as I stared in terror at a corner of the building.

There was a figure there.

It was only a fleeting glimpse, but I was certain it was the murderer who was staying in my house.

’I wondered if Madeline Quinn had told Zeke Shaw about the murderer, or if Zeke had him under surveillance...’

Overcome with fear, I instinctively clung to Sebastian Lancaster’s arm. Only after feeling the warmth from his body did I slowly begin to calm down.

Sebastian Lancaster stiffened, likely sensing my fear. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

Sebastian Lancaster and I headed for the interview room. On the way, a female police officer spotted him, her eyes widening in surprise. A blush crept up her cheeks and ears. "Well, look at you! You’re finally wearing some decent clothes."

’The Asher I’d seen before was always in ill-fitting clothes.’

’I was curious, too. The Lancaster family had gotten Sebastian plenty of clothes, so why did he always insist on wearing that same tattered, faded-out sweatshirt that was much too small for him, and pants that were far too short?’

’They looked like they were from years ago, something he would have worn before he grew so tall.’

"You look so handsome like this." The officer had a very pretty, sweet smile.

Sebastian Lancaster instinctively glanced at me, then lowered his head.

Only then did the officer notice me. "And you are...?"

"I’m his guardian." For some reason, I felt a pang of annoyance.

’It felt like someone was eyeing my man...’

’But I wasn’t supposed to feel anything for anyone.’

’I suddenly understood why Julian Fletcher hated it when people coveted his possessions. It really was annoying.’

Sebastian Lancaster’s gaze was burning as he looked at me, and he introduced me in a proud whisper. "This is my wife."

The officer stared, her face a mask of shock. "You’re actually..."

’Married?’

’And he was out playing vagrant just before this?’

"Over here," Madeline Quinn called out from down the hall.

I took Asher’s hand and walked toward the interview room.

Zeke Shaw’s expression was grim as he looked at Julian Fletcher, who was sitting across from him.

Julian Fletcher was growing impatient. "How much longer do we have to wait?"

"Until all parties have arrived," Zeke Shaw replied gravely.

Only after Sebastian Lancaster arrived did Zeke Shaw take out a digital recorder and play the backed-up phone recording.

"Technically, Erin Whittaker should be here for this," Madeline Quinn remarked, sitting beside Zeke Shaw. "What a pity."

"I’d love to see her try and talk her way out of this," Madeline Quinn added in a low voice.

Julian Fletcher frowned but said nothing.

’He was already starting to waver.’

"What are those two doing here?" Julian Fletcher demanded, displeased to see Sebastian Lancaster and me sitting nearby.

"He’s one of the involved parties." Zeke Shaw was referring to the fact that Asher had previously turned himself in.

He had been released due to insufficient evidence and after the Lancaster family posted his bail.

"Cece, Julian wants you to wear that red dress again tonight. But you’re not going to Hollow-tree Alley, you’re going to Street Alley."

The voice on the recording was Erin Whittaker’s.

"Can... can I not go?" That timid voice belonged to the old me.

’How ironic it was, hearing my own voice now.’

"Cece, Julian said this is the last time. If you just go tonight, the two of you will be even, and you’ll never have to go again. After all, Julian is still furious that you pushed me down the stairs."

"I never pushed you! Why are you framing me?" My voice was trembling on the recording.

On the other end of the line, Erin Whittaker laughed. "But he’s more willing to believe me, isn’t he?"