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“Three days from now is your eighty–eighth birthday. Invite him here under the pretense of a birthday celebration When the tare comes him reunite with you. I promise, Rachel won’t be able to say a word.”
After Caitlin finished, Timothy looked thoughtful, as if weighing whether her plan could really work.
Seeing his hesitation, Caitlin added, “Timothy, if you’re worried Rachel might make a scene, we can play it by ear. If the reacts too strongly.
the reunion doesn’t have to happen right away. Just say he’s a guest here to celebrate your birthday. How about that?”
With a backup plan in place, Timothy finally agreed. “Alright. We’ll go with your idea. I’ll have someone send him an invitation
“Great. Then rest up, Timothy. I’ll go make the arrangements.”
After wrapping up their discussion, Caitlin left the main residence and returned to her own room.
When she reached her door, she flipped on the switch by the wall.
Click.
The room lit up instantly.
But the next second, Caitlin was jolted by what she saw.
“Ah! Zahra!”
Zahra was lying on the floor, a knife stabbed into her chest. Blood had pooled beneath her, staining the floor in dark, horrifying patterns.
Caitlin’s scalp tingled at the sight. She immediately pulled out her phone to call Sebastian and the others.
But before the call could connect, voices and footsteps came from outside. A group of people rushed in, shouting.
“Still haven’t found Zahra? How can a grown woman just vanish? Go check every room!”
It was Carmen’s voice!
Caitlin instantly realized something was wrong. She stepped out of the room just as Carmen arrived with her group.
Carmen saw her and asked, “Caitlin, have you seen Zahra?”
“Why are you looking for Zahra?”
Caitlin stared at her. Now calm, she saw through the situation clearly.
Zahra had been murdered–and her body was placed in Caitlin’s room. Carmen had come in at just the right moment, searching for her. If the body was discovered here, it would be easy to frame Caitlin for murder.
What a cheap, pathetic trap.
“She was supposed to help me check on the preparations for Grandpa’s birthday. Then she just disappeared. Where the hell did she go ?”
Carmen turned to her people. “Search every room. We need to find Zahra–now!”
The servants moved like a search squad, barging into each room. Caitlin’s door was wide open. One of them walked in and let out a shriek.
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“ Aaaah!”
Philip, the servant, came running out, pale as a sheet. “Something’s wrong! Something’s very wrong! In Caitin’s room–und one
“What did you find? Speak!”
“Zahra’s dead! Someone killed her!”
“What?! Zahra’s been killed?!”
Carmen gasped, then rushed into Caitlin’s room with her people. When they saw the scene inside, they were all visibly shaken
Carmen staggered back out and pointed at Caitlin in horror. “Caitlin, you… you killed her?!”
Caitlin replied coldly, “Carmen, which of your eyes saw me do it?”
“You’re denying it? Then why is Zahra’s body in your room?” Carmen demanded.
“I don’t know. I just got back.”
“Oh please. You expect us to believe that?”
Carmen didn’t even hesitate to paint her as the murderer. “You! Go alert everyone–call the police!”
The servants bolted to deliver the message, while Carmen and two others stayed behind, watching Caitlin.
“You’re a murder suspect now, Caitlin. Don’t even think about running before the cops arrive.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I want to stay and find out who really killed Zahra.”
Caitlin met Carmen’s gaze head–on. She hadn’t killed anyone. She had nothing to hide. Let them try to frame her–she wasn’t afraid.
News of Zahra’s death spread quickly. Beatrice Rachel arrived at the scene, bringing many members of the Yuncey family with her.
Men and women alike gathered around the side house. Rachel approached Carmen and asked, “Carmen, what happened? Is it true? is Zahra really…?”
“Yes. Zahra’s been murdered,” Carmen said gravely, supporting Rachel.
Greta looked stunned. “How could this happen? She was fine at dinner just now!”
Douglas and Randall were just as shocked. “Where’s the body?”
“In that room. We just found it.”
Carmen pointed to Caitlin’s room. Douglas looked alarmed. “Isn’t that Caitlin’s room? How…”
Everyone turned to look at Caitlin in disbelief. Rachel frowned and walked over, leaning on her cane.
Seeing that they were all eager to get a look inside, Caitlin warned, “Until the real killer is found, I suggest none of you go in there. You’ll just contaminate the scene and leave footprints–and good luck proving your innocence if you do.”
Her word’s stopped them in their tracks. Rachel and the rest stayed at the doorway, only peeking inside.
Everyone could see the body. Faces turned pale with shock.
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“It really is Zahra… how did the end up dead in here?”
Greta covered her mouth with a handkerchief, looking distressed.
Rachel turned to Caitlin, her expression stern. “Caitlin, what’s going on? Why is Zahra’s body in your room? Did you kill her?
“Rachel, I didn’t kill Zahra.”
“If you didn’t, then how did she end up here?” Rachel was clearly skeptical.
Douglas tried to be more diplomatic. “Caitlin, is there a misunderstanding here?”
Caitlin shook her head and defended herself. “Rachel, earlier I went to see Timothy. You saw me there yourself. After our conversation, i came straight back–and found Zahra like this. It’s impossible I could’ve done it in that short a time.”
“You say it wasn’t you, but Zahra is in your room. How do you explain that?” Greta challenged.
“I can’t explain it. But the police will. They’ll find the real killer.”
Caitlin’s voice was cold and steady. Her eyes swept toward Carmen, who raised her chin arrogantly.
Sebastian and James had already been alerted by Caitlin. James immediately began checking the Yuncey family’s surveillance system. Sebastian rushed to Caitlin’s side.
He arrived just as the crowd had formed. Caitlin glanced at him and nodded, signaling that she was okay.
After taking in the scene, anger flared in Sebastian’s chest. Who would pull such a childish stunt to frame Caitlin?
The crowd kept murmuring and speculating until the police finally arrived, led by Detective Shaw, along with the forensics team.
Shaw stepped forward and announced, “We’re with Departure City PD. My name is Shaw. We received a report of a murder. What’s the situation?”
Greta rushed to respond. “Officers, you’re just in time! The victim is our longtime housekeeper, Zahra. Please, find out who the killer is. Don’t let them get away with it!”
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