Chapter 223

Lindsay froze. “How did he die?”

“Bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth,” Yves said, his face grave. “And it wasn’t just Arthur. Every other survivor except for us is dead. They all died the same way.”

Lindsay covered her mouth in horror. “Why was their cause of death so specific? It’s different from how the others on the cruise died. Does this mean the four of us are now the primary suspects?”

“Yes. A special task force is opening a case, and we’re their focus.”

Thousands of lives had been lost, and as the only survivors, they were naturally seen as the most likely culprits. Regardless of the ship’s illicit activities, a mass murder had occurred, and it had to be investigated.

“So we can’t leave Haven for now?”

“Right. Not until the task force finds the real killer.”

“And if they never find them, we can never go back to Skyrim?”

“We’ll have to see how things develop. It’s hard to say right now,” Yves admitted. “Lindsay, you’re exhausted. You should get some rest.”

Lindsay held up a hand. “Wait, Yves, this doesn’t add up. If the only survivors were the four of us, and Cheryl was with me… we three aren’t the killers. That only leaves Jessica.”

“You’ve figured it out too.”

“You knew she did it?” Lindsay’s brow furrowed in suspicion.

Yves thought for a moment before answering. “At first, I only suspected. But when I saw her incredible psychological resilience-smiling and showing no fear after so many people died-I knew she wasn’t simple. Even someone like Cheryl, who has seen her fair share of things, was terrified. But Jessica, just a young girl, had a stronger stomach than any of us.”

Lindsay fell silent.

“The only reason we’re still alive,”

Yves continued, “is probably

because you showed her

compassion that day and saved her. She’s grateful to you. Otherwis everyone would have died that night.”

Lindsay’s hands began to tremble. She started to question whether her actions that

day had been right.

“So what do we do now? Report her?”

“We don’t have any evidence. We’re

already listed as suspects. If we accuse Jessica now, the task force will likely think we’re just trying to. shift the blame, it’s better to tak things one step at a time,” Yves suggested.

Lindsay nodded. She suddenly recalled what Cheryl had said in the car and looked sharply at Yves. “Do you remember the questions Cheryl

asked us? Do you think she sawe

something? Or knows something?

“She’s clearly terrified of Jessica. She must know something we don’t.”

“I’ll go ask her when she wakes up.”

As soon as the words left Lindsay’s mouth, a frantic pounding came from the door.

Yves went to open it. The moment it swung open, Cheryl stumbled in and threw herself into Lindsay’s arms, her entire body shaking.

Lindsay’s heart ached for her. She soothed her in a soft voice, “It’s okay. We’re off the ship now.”

Cheryl shook her head, tears streaming down her face. Her mental state was shattering. Every time she closed her eyes, she was plagued by dreams-horrific, bloody images, and flashes of a car crash.

“Lindsay, we have to go back to Skyrim. I can’t stay here another second. I want to go home. This place is terrifying.”

Yves had never seen Cheryl so broken. She was always so strong, so optimistic.

Lindsay tried to comfort her. “We can’t leave just yet. The investigation into what happened on the ship is still ongoing.”

Cheryl’s demeanor suddenly shifted. She became agitated, violently shoving Lindsay away. Lindsay nearly fell, but Yves caught her just in time.