Chapter 5%
The rosary on my wrist snapped, scattering to the floor one by one with a soft, rhythmic clatter.”
A chill ran through me.
“What kind of sick joke is this?” I asked in a hollow voice.}
Roy let out a quiet sigh. “After we took her to the hospital, the doctors said she’d lost too much blood due to her old injuries and new wounds. She didn’t even make it through the ER doors. She was gone before they could do anything.”
Alexis’s POV
“I called you right away at the time,” Roy said. “But you said you were busy taking care of Miss Brewer and told us not to mention Madam Halle.”
“You’re blaming me now?” My voice suddenly rose in anger. “Book me a flight right now. I’m heading back to the capital!“?
Just then, Janice walked through the door. She caught that last part and immediately clung to my arm, pouting.”
“Alexis, why are you suddenly going back to the capital? I thought you promised to stay here and help me recover?”
Despite that, I ignored her and barked into the phone instead. “If there are no flights, charter me a private jet! What do I even pay you people for if I have to teach you how to do your jobs?“}
Once the call ended, I finally turned to notice Janice standing beside me. I forced down the unease in my chest, trying to steady my voice.
“Janice… Halle is dead. I need to go back and handle things. You stay here and rest. I’ll have another team of bodyguards sent over. Don’t worry–you’ll be safe.“}
Looking concerned, she asked, “What happened to Miss Halle? How could she just suddenly… die? Are you sure it’s not a trick? Maybe she’s pretending, trying to lure you back?“}
However, I didn’t answer. I just turned and walked out, got into the car, and didn’t look back. Not even when she called out my name./ On the plane, my hands trembled as they rested on my knees. I couldn’t wrap my head around how had Halle just died like that?!
I had seen the ravine before I left. It was barely five meters deep. At worst, she should have suffered a few broken bones–not death. Closing my eyes, I muttered under my breath, “Halle… this better be a joke. You promised me you’d stay with me forever. How could you break that promise without a word?“}
At the funeral home, I walked straight to her body and pulled back the white sheet with trembling fingers.”
She hadn’t been cleaned or prepared yet. Her white dress was soaked in blood, especially around the abdomen, the stain stretching all the way down to her knees. The sight was heartbreaking.}
“Why didn’t anyone clean her up?” I demanded, my voice sharp with rage.}]
No one dared respond. They all kept their heads down, except Roy, who stepped forward hesitantly.}]
“Mr. Stanley… without your instructions, we didn’t dare…”
Before he could finish, I slapped him hard across the face.”
My eyes burned with fury as I glared to him. “She died and you didn’t tell me. Now you’re just leaving her like this? She was my wife! What the hell have you people been doing? How could you treat her like this?!”
My voice then started to falter as guilt washed over me. I suddenly realized–ever since Janice came back, I had been completely wrapped up in her. I had even publicly declared that Janice would be treated as my wife.!
No wonder the staff thought it was okay to ignore Halle. They were just following my lead.”
My eyes turned red as regret flooded my chest.
“Bring a clean set of clothes,” I said quietly. “I’ll take care of her myself. She doesn’t deserve to be seen like this.“@
But when I removed her clothes to begin cleaning her body, I noticed something.”
The scar from the gunshot wound that should have been on her chest…. it was gone.!!
“This isn’t Halle!” I said, voice full of disbelief.
Realizing the body had been faked, I immediately pulled every string I had, launching a full–scale search for her.”
But three days passed with no sign of her.
In frustration, I slammed my fist against the table. Blood dripped through my fingers onto the floor.
“Where’s her assistant?” I growled. “She must know where Halle went!”
Roy didn’t dare lift his head. “Sir, the day of the incident, Maggie disappeared too. Security footage caught her leaving the church and getting into a car, but the plates were fake. We couldn’t track it.“%
7:02 AM
Alexis’s POV
