Chapter 92

The Jordan family sure knows how to play the game.

Both sides are putting on quite the show.

But what I told Brandon yesterday wasn't off the mark. With his sharp mind, he probably figured out that the storm brewing in the city was stirred up by Earl behind the scenes.

This family is something else. I thought Earl was plotting against Brandon, but it turns out they're both scheming against each other.

I drove home, knowing today was the day to verify the funds. All my planning over the past few weeks would come to fruition today.

As soon as I got home, my phone rang. It was Kathy.

She sounded frantic. "Something terrible has happened!"

I was taken aback and quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

"Elora is dead."

My mind went blank, and I felt a ringing in my ears.

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. "Say that again? How could Elora be dead?"

Kathy was almost in tears. "I'll send you a video."

She quickly sent over a video, which seemed to be recorded by Simon.

In the video, Elora was standing on a rooftop, with a crowd below trying to talk her down.

Most of them were cursing at me.

"This is too much, driving someone to this point."

"That woman not only kidnapped children but is also a potential murderer. Look at what she's done to people!"

"Don't jump! If you're going to die, take that woman with you!"

Elora ignored the voices behind her, raised her arms, and jumped, falling straight to the ground.

The last scene of the video showed Elora lying in a pool of blood, the ground stained red.

I was so shocked that I threw my phone away.

Kathy called again, and I stared at the ringing phone, my heart pounding, before finally picking it up.

"Caroline, don't go out these days. The online backlash over Elora's death is unprecedented. You need to stay home."

"I'll find someone to protect you. Just wait."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "Can you find out why Elora jumped?"

Kathy nodded. "Simon is investigating now. We don't know what happened yet."

I hung up, my mind filled with the image of Elora's death.

But I didn't think Elora was the type to commit suicide. What could have driven her to such despair?

Suddenly, I thought of Jason. Could something have happened to him?

Panicking, I called Simon. "Hey, listen to me."

Sensing my distress, Simon spoke softly. "Calm down and speak slowly."

I took a deep breath. "I heard from Paula that Shirley took Jason. Can you check if something happened to Jason that made Elora desperate enough to kill herself?"

"I feel like there's more to this. Elora must have been driven to despair."

Simon nodded, his voice serious. "I understand. Don't go out. The public opinion is very unfavorable to you right now."

I murmured a response and went back to my room, drawing the curtains to rest.

I had to force myself to rest because there was nothing else I could do.

I fell into a light sleep, dreaming of Elora's jump.

In the dream, she stared at me with dead eyes.

Then she crawled out of the blood and came straight at me.

I woke up with a start, hearing noises from the kitchen.

Covered in cold sweat, I grabbed a vase and crept out of the room.

The noises continued in the kitchen. I rushed in, shouting, "Who's there?"

Just as I was about to smash the vase, it was caught firmly.

"It's me."

Royce's deep voice sounded. He looked at me and said, "Kathy called me, saying you weren't doing well, so I rushed back. How are you?"

I was stunned to see Royce. Fear and a mix of emotions overwhelmed me, making it hard to think.

I threw myself into Royce's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Royce hesitated, then hugged me tightly, patting my shoulder.

"It's okay. I'm here with you. Don't worry."

His comforting words gradually calmed me down.

He said, "I made some porridge for you. Have some."

I nodded and sat at the table, eating two bowls.

Royce said, "I'll clean up. You should go outside and get some sun. You look pale."

I nodded and stepped outside, only to see the front of my house splattered with red paint, the word "Murderer" scrawled across it.

The color was eerily similar to Elora's blood.

I was stunned and fainted on the spot.

When I woke up, Kathy and Royce were standing by my hospital bed, looking concerned.

"Caroline, how are you feeling? Any better?" Kathy asked as she saw me wake up.

I looked around, confused. "What happened to me?"

Royce, standing behind her, frowned. "You were too shocked. You've been unconscious since yesterday."

I was stunned, looking at the sunlight outside. "What about Brandon?"

Kathy seemed to know what I was worried about. "Don't worry. The funds have been verified, and the partnership is basically confirmed."

"After you fainted, Brandon held a press conference, announcing that you had nothing to do with the previous incidents and that you had reported it to the police."

"Once public opinion shifted, Brandon attended the fund verification ceremony."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Our efforts over the past few weeks hadn't been in vain.

Kathy tucked me in. "You should rest. Your health wasn't great to begin with, and the recent shocks have taken a toll. You'll need a long time to recover."

I nodded. Just then, someone burst into the room. It was Brandon.

"Honey, how are you?"

He rushed in and hugged me tightly.

He seemed unusually cheerful, as if celebrating something.

Anyone who didn't know better might think I'd just had a baby.

I forced a smile, suppressing my disgust as he held me.

Royce frowned and left the room.

Brandon didn't seem to notice, holding my shoulders. "I was so worried. Are you okay?"

Kathy rolled her eyes. "If you were so worried, why didn't you come sooner? I've been here all night."

Brandon's smile faltered, but he quickly recovered. "I was really busy yesterday, entertaining some foreign executives. If I don't secure the overseas sales channel, my wife will be mad at me."

Kathy couldn't stand his act and left the room.

Now it was just me and Brandon.

I looked at his cheerful face and asked, "What happened with Elora?"