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“Okay, I understand,” Lina said softly, “Keep following her. If anything unusual happens, inform us immediately.”
“Understood. About this… Should Ms. Renee be informed?”
Lina had kept these people silent from the beginning of the investigation, fearing it might strain their relationship.
The leader appeared troubled. “Ms. Thompson, um… Ms. Renee has spotted us. We encountered her following
Kaitlyn as we tracked her…”
Zuko replied seriously, “You must ensure her safety. If Kaitlyn is genuinely a threat, she might target her own
daughter without hesitation.”
“Yes!”
With a bow, the men left the room, leaving only Zuko and Lina.
Both of them carried heavy concerns and worries.
“Zuko, I have something to tell you.”
“Same here, I want to discuss something too.” Zuko smiled at her. “Is it about Kaitlyn?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s say it together.”
“I suspect…” Lina’s eyebrows knitted a bit.
In unison, they uttered, “She’s not Kaitlyn!”
After speaking, they gazed into each other’s eyes and softly chuckled.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I thought you might think I’m overreaching,” Lina said softly as she leaned against him. “I didn’t expect you to
share the same view.”
“How could a person’s demeanor and character change so dramatically?” Zuko gently stroked her hair. “There’s
only one possibility—she’s not the real Kaitlyn.”
He recounted the story from Zephyr and Cordelia’s youth.
“My dad married my mom with someone else’s identity in the past, and that man was a thug who had been in fights
and prison. Just because he looked like my dad, my uncles used him in an attempt to seize the Hamertons’ assets.
Luckily, my parents were prepared, and their scheme failed.
“I suspect Kaitlyn has a twin sister.” Zuko lowered his head to look at Lina. “But Uncle Ian’s men said that Kaitlyn
goes into that old house for a while then comes out, and there’s no one in the old house… That does seem a bit
hard to explain.”
“Anyway, our views are aligned.” Lina said firmly, “This woman is definitely not Renee’s birth mother! But where is
the real Aunt Kaitlyn… and has she suffered a lot?”
“If I recall correctly, Renee mentioned that Kaitlyn started acting strange after the surgery?”
“Yes!”
Zuko blinked. “Then we should ask Professor Adam about it!”
–
Renee had noticed that Kaitlyn would always leave mysteriously on Saturday afternoons. At first, Kaitlyn would say
she was going for a walk, and Renee would kindly offer to go with her. But each time, Kaitlyn coldly declined.
Sensing something odd, Renee decided to secretly follow her that day.
Kaitlyn wore a black cloak with the hood covering most of her face, moving briskly. Renee wore a sunhat and a
mask to avoid notice, staying a couple of meters away.
They used buses and subways, arriving at the old city area. Under the gray sky, the place seemed desolate. The
once busy streets were quiet now, except for the colorful graffiti on the walls, which held a trace of the area’s past
liveliness.
With few people around, Renee kept her distance. She stayed back, not wanting to get too close. Eventually, Kaitlyn
halted in front of an old house.
Renee quickly hid behind a large tree, observing as Kaitlyn scanned the surroundings. After that, Kaitlyn hastily
pushed the door open and went inside.
Renee wanted to follow, but she did not dare approach. However, Kaitlyn came out not long after, pacing at the
entrance and muttering something.
Suddenly, she crouched down, clutching her head and emitting painful low growls.
Renee’s heart clenched, and she could not care to stay hidden any longer. She rushed over to help her mother.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Renee?” Kaitlyn widened her eyes, her gaze filled with an unusual fear.
“Mom, are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Renee nervously inquired, “And what… What is this place? Is there a
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmbed inside? Let me help you lie down…”
Suddenly, Kaitlyn grabbed Renee’s delicate wrist!
“Ah…”
“Renee, you’re truly my good girl!” Kaitlyn revealed an eerie smile.
Renee was startled. Before she could react, Kaitlyn forcefully dragged her into the house.
Kaitlyn’s strong grip caused Renee to stumble and hit the wall forcefully. Still recovering from the shock, Renee
glanced around the room. It appeared run-down, with few furnishings and peeling walls.
Renee had no idea what her mother intended to do.
Kaitlyn reminded her of those evil stepmothers in fairy tales who wanted to harm the female lead.
“Mom, what… What are you doing?” Renee’s voice carried a hint of sob. “I’m Renee…”
Kaitlyn grinned and pounced on her. Just as she was about to reach Renee, she suddenly stiffened. Her eyes rolled
back, and she trembled for a moment before collapsing to her knees.
“Mom!”
“Renee…” Kaitlyn’s gaze was pained when she looked at her daughter again. She struggled to grasp Renee’s hand.
“Renee, hurry, run!”
“What?”
“Leave!” Kaitlyn was hysterical. “She’ll kill you! Leave now!”
“Mom, what are you talking about?” Renee was terrified. “Who is she?”
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