Rebirth Into My Second Chance

As Max's figure disappeared around the corner, a nagging suspicion took root in my mind. Could he be behind the surveillance? He always had an air of mystery about him.

Ronald barged through the door, finding Daniel visibly shaken. "Mr. Collins, save me! I'll spill everything I know. Just keep me alive!"

That was a stark contrast from his previous demeanor. Ronald wasted no time and began to take notes.

"What do you know?"

"Mr. Collins, could we have the room?"

Daniel shot a nervous look at the young detective tailing Ronald, his face spelling out pure fear.

With a nod from Ronald, the room cleared, leaving only the two of them inside. Daniel began, "I saw Kate about two weeks ago. She handed me a stack of cash and told me to hold Claire for a few days. 'Don't kill her, just scare her,' she said. Later, someone else came to pick Claire up. They did, I swear. Kate said to play but not to kill. But then, I heard those guys ended up killing her, and I've been scared out of my mind. That's why I was tailing Kate, but she wouldn't meet us. Then, this boss contacted us and told us to follow his orders. But it wasn't us who killed Claire!"

Daniel's confession was chilling in its brevity. Just a few sentences confirmed my worst fear.

the simplicity of Daniel's admission

ragged gasps. He pulled out a photo of me from his folder, the photo likely given

one who should

Kate and double-check the identities of the other two bodies to see who they

left to find Claude with evidence of my death and the recording in hand.

going to face

Claude's perfect

arriving at the Hart estate, Ronald was straightforward

isn't here, but I

about the evidence of my death and the recording, Gabrielle staggered back, disbelief and

called for the servants, "Bring Mr.

finish her sentence before she

that moment, I felt Gabrielle had taken me as part of the Hart family from her heart. Apart from