Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife (Eveline)

Chapter 397 397: There is something you need to know.

"They let go ofjust like that. And do you know what they said?" She muttered, her eyes fixed intently on her man.

"Her father must be waiting for her," she disclosed, hoping those words might stir schange in his expression.

But she was wrong.

Kaden didn't react at all.

"I know," he said suddenly, and that was enough to send a jolt through Sherlyn.

A strange feeling twisted in her gut-something wasn't right. What had happened to her didn't feel like a random incident. It felt planned.

As if she had been kidnapped for a reason.

Kaden had never wanted to keep anything from Sherlyn. But now, the truth hovered between them like a blade ready to drop. Because whatever had happened... her father had been part of it too.

"Listen to me, Sherlyn. There's something you need to know," Kaden said, his voice low but steady. He had made up his mind-it was tto confess everything.

*** [Jedrick's Mansion] Michelle remained in her room until she heard the unmistakable sound of Jedrick's car pulling away from the driveway. Only then did she allow herself to exhale. The silence that followed was heavy-unnatural, almost—as if the house itself was holding its breath.

It still surprised her how busy Jedrick had beclately, especially ever since that woman moved in.

But none of that mattered now.

All she cared about was finding a way to sneak out of the room and finally meet the mysterious woman everyone seemed so eager to forget.

She had already told Ella everything she knew about Valeria. But what Ella revealed in return had shaken her to the core.

Valeria had been emotionally abused for years and was now battling Alzheimer's. And yet, despite her fragile state, she was also the one person everyone seemed determined to remove from the house-quietly.

Why? That question had been haunting Mischelle ever since. The truth had to be worse than she imagined.

The old wooden floor creaked softly beneath her as she crossed the room, careful to avoid the loud spot near the dresser. She paused by the door and placed a hand on the handle. Her palm was sweating.

She opened the door slowly-inch by inch-until the latch gave way with a soft click. Holding her breath, she peeked into the hallway.

Dim yellow light from the wall sconces flickered just enough to cast long shadows across the corridor. The house was silent, save for the distant ticking of the grandfather clock downstairs. No voices. No footsteps. Just stillness.

Michelle stepped out.

The cool marble floor sent a chill up her spine, and she clutched the edge of her shawl tighter around her shoulders. She moved quietly, her ears straining for any sign of life. The scent of old wood polish lingered in the air, mixed faintly with lavender-Valeria's scent, if Ella was right.

She already knew where Valeria was being kept. A room at the far end of the west wing. Always locked. Always guarded-until now.

As she passed the corner near the staircase, Mischelle paused, pressing her back to the wall as a soft gust of wind fluttered the curtains in a nearby window. Her heart thudded in her chest. For a moment, she thought she heard something-a shuffle? A door creak? But nothing followed.

Steeling herself, she moved forward.

She was close now.

She had to meet the woman. No matter what secrets were buried here, no matter the risk-Mischelle needed answers.

And she had a feeling Valeria was the only one who could give them.

Just as Mischelle finally reached the door, her fingers brushing the knob in anticipation, a voice sliced through the silence and jolted her.

"What are you doing here?" She spun around, her heart leaping to her throat. Her wide, shocked eyes met Jedrick's as he stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable and his presence as imposing as ever.

Cold sweat trickled down her back, but she forced herself to appear calm.

"I-I was heading to the kitchen," she said, barely managing to string the excuse together. The kitchen, thankfully, was just a few steps away from Valeria's door.

Jedrick's eyes narrowed.

He took a slow step toward her, then another, until he stood directly in front of her-tall, unyielding, and silent for a beat too long.

"Then why were you standing in front of this door?" he asked coldly. "Are you trying to act smart with me, Mischelle?" His gaze pierced her, sharp enough to cut through lies.

Michelle swallowed hard. She knew it was no use trying to lie-not to Jedrick. He had already caught on.

Still, she had to try.

"That woman from earlier... why is she here? And... who is she?" She asked, her tone as calm and subtle as she could manage, playing the part of curious rather than accusatory.

She pretended not to know-even though she already had a good idea about Valeria's connection to him. But nothing could have prepared her for what he said next.

"That's my mother," Jedrick said flatly.

Michelle blinked. The words landed like a slap.

"And she'll be staying here with us for stime," he added, his voice devoid of warmth.

Michelle didn't speak-she couldn't. Her mind raced with questions, confusion, and a growing sense that whatever was happening in this house was far darker than she'd first believed.

"Did you get what you cfor? Now go and get your job done in the kitchen," Jedrick said, his tone turning cold and sharp-each word landing like a blow.

Michelle stiffened. She didn't reply. Instead, she turned on her heels and walked past him, her jaw clenched and eyes fixed forward.

Jedrick's gaze followed her retreating figure, his expression unreadable.

Once she disappeared around the corner, he exhaled slowly, then turned toward the door she had been standing in front of.

Without another moment's hesitation, Jedrick stepped forward and opened the door to check on his mother.

***

Meanwhile, inside the Miller Mansion, the news of Sherlyn's abduction had left everyone in shock But once they found out she was back, a new wave of questions stirred among them-questions that even the children couldn't help but wonder about.

"I remember Rick once tellingthat Jedrick and Jeremy used to work together," Jonathan said thoughtfully. "But that was before Rick started to En work for Jedrick. After that, there was nothing suspicious between them. So why would Jedrick suddenly target his friend's daughter?" Eveline, seated at the head of the table, spoke up-her voice calm but resolute.

"There are two possible reasons," she said clearly. "First, Jedrick wants his business to run smoothly, especially now that Jeremy is the mayor. If he has Jeremy's support, everything stays under control." She paused, glancing around at the others.

"Second," she continued, "he might want revenge-though I doubt that's the case. Jedrick isn't careless. He wouldn't make a move like this unless it served a larger purpose." Her words hung in the air, heavy and unsettling, as the rest of the family sat in silence-each of them now wondering what gJedrick was really playing.

"In a way, both of them are trying to hide their heinous acts from coming to light," Eveline said, her vace low but firm, as her thoughts drifted toward something clearer-something that felt dangerously close to the truth.