Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Summer cracked her neck, ready to tackle the hackers on the site.
Just then, Phoebe knocked on the door. “Ms. Hartford, are you still napping?”
Summer shut her computer and went to open the door. As soon as it opened, the warm, sweet aroma of chestnut cake wafted in.
“Chestnut cake!” Her eyes lit up immediately, and she happily took the cake from Phoebe.
Phoebe chuckled and said, “Ms. Hartford, you’re such a slave to chestnut cake! Is it really that good?”
Chestnut cake was Summer’s absolute favorite treat. On second thought, she realized she hadn’t had any for three years–not since her time in that dreadful psychiatric hospital.
Summer set the cake down and hugged Phoebe. Phoebe, how did you know I was craving this?”
Oh, Summer… How big of a fool were you in your past life to have lost someone like Phoebe?
“The pastry chef noticed you’ve been in a bad mood and made one for you,” Phoebe explained. “Hurry up and try it. It smells amazing!”
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“Okay!”
Summer took a bite of the chestnut cake, and her face beamed with joy.
It was every bit as fragrant and sweet as it smelled,
even more delicious than she remembered. Or perhaps it was just that she hadn’t tasted it in so long.
Phoebe watched her eat with a mix of delight and unease. “Ms. Hartford, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Go ahead.” Summer nodded.
“Last night, I watched that… uh, film involving Ms. Sanderson, and I noticed something.” Phoebe’s brows furrowed as she inquired, “She wore the same outfit from two days ago when she took you out, am I right?”
Summer’s smile faded.
Even though her rebirth had changed some things, certain events still seemed to follow the same trajectory. Like now, Phoebe was starting to suspect
Rose.
“I remember that outfit. She’d just bought it the day before and said it was a custom piece. I’d never seen her wear it before!” Phoebe’s expression grew increasingly uneasy. “Ms. Hartford, where exactly
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did she take you that night? Did you not inform Mr. and Mrs. Hartford?”
“Phoebe.” Summer set the cake down and gently held Phoebe’s hand. “You don’t need to worry. I’ve got this under control.”
Phoebe stared at her in shock. “I knew my instincts were right! What exactly happened?”
“Nothing happened. At least, nothing happened to me,” Summer replied after a pause. She realized she needed a reliable ally in the family, and Phoebe was the perfect choice.
There was no point in keeping her in the dark.
“Phoebe, you were right all along. Rose is scheming against me. That night, she did try to pull something, but I was lucky and avoided it.”
Phoebe’s face paled. “My God! I knew she was a snake! Let’s tell Mr. Hartford Senior right now!”
“No!” Summer grabbed Phoebe’s hand.
“Ms. Hartford, you can’t cover for her! People like her are heartless. If you let her off once, she’ll just come after you again!” Phoebe said anxiously.
“I don’t have any proof,” Summer responded. You’ve seen how she acts in this house. Even I was fooled by her before. Mom treats her like her own. If I accuse her without evidence, especially when
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she’s playing victim, do you think they’ll believe me?”
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