Chapter 173: Suspecting Something Unclean

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Suspecting Something Unclean

’This is probably more suitable for someone who has to drink all the time, or maybe someone who makes money by drinking!’

Physical System: [Host, this is a great reward! In the future, if you have to attend any drinking parties or situations where you need to drink, you won’t get drunk no matter what. This is a skill many people would kill for, and only you have it!]

"That’s true!" Before the system put it that way, she hadn’t really considered it a reward.

But she remembered how in her previous world, she sometimes had to drink while negotiating contracts. She was far from being able to hold her liquor—in fact, she was a three-drink lightweight. She couldn’t predict what the future held, so maybe being unable to get drunk was a good thing after all.

"Alright then. For this reward, I’ll work hard to complete the task."

After saying that, Chloe York immediately started doing squats to complete the task. Day one, check-in successful.

Meanwhile, Ethan Prescott remained on the athletic field until it was completely dark.

He lifted his gaze, looking in the direction Chloe York had gone when she helped Evan Shaw leave earlier today.

He had actually been fantasizing that Chloe York would come back. But it was clear now that she truly didn’t care about him at all and wanted nothing more to do with him.

In the end, he left, utterly dejected.

The days went on. During this time, Brooke York didn’t cause her any trouble, and Chloe went to class every day, coming back to diligently complete the tasks her Physical System assigned.

Day by day, time passed, and Chloe York persisted in completing her Physical System tasks.

Soon, the six days were up, and Chloe York obtained the skill of being unable to get drunk.

Unbeknownst to her, Brooke York was growing increasingly suspicious of her. So, she decided to talk to Alice Cole about her concerns.

"Mom, I really feel like something is off with Chloe York." Brooke York had Alice Cole sit down, planning to have a serious talk with her.

"What do you mean?" Alice Cole didn’t quite understand what Brooke York meant by "off."

’Hasn’t she always been a little off? Like there’s something wrong with her head.’

"That bitch, Chloe York!" The mere mention of Chloe York’s name filled Brooke York’s voice with hatred. "Don’t you think she’s been especially strange lately? She’s like a completely different person from before."

Alice Cole looked puzzled. "Strange? How is she strange? Isn’t she the same as always?"

’Just as annoying as ever. If there’s anything "off" about her, it’s that she’s so annoying I wish she would just disappear from the face of the earth.’

"The same as always?" Brooke York shot to her feet, her voice rising to a shrill, piercing volume. "She’s nothing like she was before! Have you forgotten? How could the old Chloe York possibly be as smart as she is now? Her scores went from zero to the level of a top college entrance exam scorer! After I came back, she was even trying to suck up to me. And now?"

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became. As she replayed Chloe York’s recent behavior in her mind, the more she felt that something was seriously wrong.

"But look at her now! She’s so smart, she defies me, she’s making Dad value her more and more, and even the Prescott Family values her now! And Ethan Prescott! He’s supposed to like me, but now he’s been drawn in by Chloe York! That never happened before, so why is it happening now?"

Listening to Brooke York’s words, Alice Cole’s brow gradually furrowed. She began to carefully recall Chloe York’s behavior during this period.

’It really does seem that way. The old Chloe York, after finding out she was the fake daughter, was indeed stupid and timid, living cautiously in the York Family home.’

’No matter how wronged she felt, she never dared to make a peep and even tried to curry favor with Brooke. But the Chloe of today is decisive, clever, and has such good grades. It’s like she’s getting stronger and stronger, a completely different person from before.’

"Brooke, you know, now that you mention it, I think you’re right. Her transformation has been huge, even bigger than the changes before you came back."

Seeing that Alice Cole finally agreed with her, Brooke York felt a sense of satisfaction. She sat down and took Alice Cole’s hand. "See! Mom, you feel it too, right? Something is wrong. How could a person change so drastically all of a sudden? It’s completely illogical. There has to be something going on!"

Convinced by Brooke York’s words, Alice Cole became certain. "You’re right. There’s definitely something wrong with Chloe York. It’s normal for a person to change, but things like intelligence and stupidity don’t just transform so dramatically. But... how did she do it?"

This was what Alice Cole couldn’t understand.

Seeing Alice Cole’s confusion, Brooke York knew it was time to reveal her suspicion. "Mom, in my opinion... could Chloe York have been possessed by something... unclean?"

"Something unclean?" Hearing Brooke York’s words, Alice Cole shivered from head to toe. Her face instantly turned deathly pale as she stared at Brooke York in terror. "D-don’t talk nonsense! How could that be possible..."

’Chloe York was still at home when she started acting abnormally. If she was possessed by something unclean, it must have happened during her time at home.’

’But this house is clean. There’s nothing unclean here.’

"Why not? If that’s not it, then how do you explain such a huge change in her?"

Alice Cole was frightened by her words, but... she wasn’t wrong.

’If Chloe York was really possessed by something unclean, then that means this house isn’t clean!’

"Then... then what do we do? If she’s possessed by that kind of thing, is it bad luck? Will it affect us?" Alice Cole was in a panic.

’Should we move? When they first bought this house, she didn’t even have Miles York investigate whether it was clean or not.’

’Well, great. Still, it’s not the worst-case scenario. After all, it hasn’t possessed them yet, only Chloe York.’

Seeing Alice Cole like this, Brooke York was satisfied. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

’In her mind, a "system" was just another kind of dirty thing. She didn’t have the means to investigate this herself right now, but Alice Cole did. And if Alice couldn’t do it, she could always tell Miles York.’

’It would be best if Chloe York really did have a system, and then everyone would see her as a monster.’

"Mom, don’t panic. We can figure something out slowly. We could just stay away from her so it doesn’t latch onto us. Or... we could have someone investigate?"

"Have someone investigate?" Alice Cole was confused. ’Investigate an unclean thing? Shouldn’t we be finding a way to perform a ritual and drive the dirty thing away?’

’After all, Chloe York isn’t living here anymore. Who knows if the dirty thing followed her or if it’s still here!’

"Yes. If there really is a dirty thing, she’s bound to slip up eventually. We can have someone watch her. They’re sure to find some clues."

"Right, you’re right. We’ll have someone watch her." Alice Cole agreed with Brooke York’s idea. She would handle both fronts at once—the house and Chloe York both needed to be watched.

A smirk played on Brooke York’s lips. ’Chloe York, as long as you have a system, then so do I. I won’t be any worse off than you.’