Chapter 148:

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Kelly’s POV

“Who are you?” I raised an eyebrow as I saw a man standing in front of my mother’s grave.

He took a moment to check me from head to toe before smiling. “You must be Kate’s daughter.”

I clenched my jaw. “I said, who are you?”

He lifted his chin, and his smile faded. “I could be an enemy… or an ally. What do you think?”

“It depends on your intentions,” I said, gritting my teeth.

He chuckled. “You’re definitely a Foster. Bold and strong. Do you want me to be an ally or an enemy?”

As he spoke, I could finally get a clear look at his face. He had thick eyebrows, long lashes, full lips, a proud, pointed nose, and an angular jaw. A thin stubble covered his chin and jawline, and he appeared to be around the same age as Pierce. He stepped forward and extended his hand, offering a handshake.

“Matt Foster.”

I furrowed my brow. “Foster?”

He smirked. “Hello, cousin.”

The realization hit me like a shockwave. He’s a Foster. There’s a good chance he’s an enemy.

ｍ𝚘𝚛ｅ ｕ𝚙ｄ𝚊ｔｅｓ 𝚒ｎ ɢ𝚊ｌ𝚗𝚘ｖ𝚎ｌ𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖

“I’m Connor and Diane Foster’s son. The eldest.”

I stared at him, the tension rising in my chest. I knew they had sons—twins. But according to the information I gathered, the twins had been living abroad, enjoying the benefits of the Foster family’s wealth. Now that they no longer had access to the company, they were back. And I was certain they planned to join their parents.

“Matt, let’s go! Mom’s calling,” a voice interrupted.

Matt Foster tilted his head as he glanced at the man walking toward us, holding a phone. “That’s Mason. My twin.”

The man named Mason slowed down when he saw me. He didn’t look welcoming. His expression immediately darkened, and I could see the tension in his jaw.

“Matt, let’s go. Stop talking to this greedy person.”

“Greedy person?” I couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh. “Really now? I’m the greedy one?”

Mason walked closer, towering over me, attempting to intimidate me. But he didn’t stand a chance. I wasn’t backing down.

I looked up at him and smirked. “Look who’s talking. I didn’t spend a cent of our grandmother’s money on anything useless, Mason Foster. I’m working in the company, unlike you, who’s just wasting the family’s money abroad without lifting a finger.”

“You—”

“Mason, stop it!” Matt Foster snapped, pulling his twin away from me.

Let go!” Mason shoved his twin’s arm, glaring at me before he turned to walk away. “I told you not to come here. Eva Foster already got to me a long time ago. What’s the point of being here now?”

“You bastard!” I couldn’t hold back. I attacked him and slapped him across the face.

“What the f**k?” Mason tried to slap me back, but before he could, someone pushed him, causing him to lose his balance and fall onto the grass.

Matt, witnessing what had happened, immediately lunged at the man who pushed his twin.

“Pierce!” I screamed as Pierce and Matt began exchanging punches. My eyes widened when I saw Mason getting up and helping his twin punch Pierce. “Pierce!” I screamed again, frantically scanning my surroundings. There was no one here to help us. No! This can’t be happening!

“Matt! Mason!”

“You asshole! Who do you think you are to push me?”

“You started it, bastard! How dare you try to hurt Kelly?”

“I SAID STOP IT!” I screamed once more, trying to pull Matt off of Pierce. He had Pierce’s arms held tightly, while his twin continued to punch him.

“MATT! STOP IT! MATT! F**KING STOP!”

I kept screaming, panic rising in me. I was terrified for Pierce. My relief came when Matt finally listened, grabbing his twin by the arm and pulling him away.

“Enough, Mason. You’ve already gotten back at him.”

“No! I’m gonna kill that asshole!”

“I said stop, Mason. I’m still older than you!”

Ignoring them, I rushed to Pierce’s side. My heart sank when I saw him sitting on the grass, looking up at me. His lip was split, and his cheek was red and bruised. Tears welled in my eyes as I fumbled through my bag for a handkerchief, gently wiping the blood from his lips.

“Are you okay? Were you hurt?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

I shook my head. “You should worry about yourself. You’re hurt, Pierce.”

His jaw clenched as he looked at me. “Who are they?”

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling. “My mom’s nephews. Matt and Mason Foster.”

His forehead furrowed. “Why were they here? Did they follow you? What did they do?”

I shook my head again. “I’m fine, Pierce. I’m more worried about you. You’re bruised, and they ganged up on you. You shouldn’t have—”

My words were left hanging when he suddenly pulled me closer, hugging me so tightly. I was shocked when I felt him wetting my neck. Is he crying?

My heart raced, and my throat went dry. Is he okay? Why is he crying?

“P-Pierce.” My hands gently tapped his shoulders, unsure of what to do. He was crying so hard, and it hurt me too. Did something happen? It doesn’t involve Snow, right?

“Pierce, tell me what happened,” I whispered, my lips trembling in fear.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered painfully. “L-Last night… something h-happened between me and… Lexi.”

My heart shattered into a million pieces. I tried to push him away, but he held on tighter. My lips trembled, and tears rolled down my face. Something happened? Last night? Just after what we talked about? After he promised he would never hurt me again? Oh, God… please!

“No…” He tightened his grip as I tried to break free.

“I-I was drugged… I was tied up… I was… stupid and helpless. I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

I was taken aback. What did he say? He was tied up and drugged?

Pain and rage surged through my heart as I listened to his sobs and felt his trembling arms around me. Lexi… did that? Lexi… that b****…

My chest tightened in fury, my breath coming in ragged gasps. That b****! That crazy b****!

“I’m sorry, Kelly… I’m really, really sorry…” He kept repeating it, breaking me further. He sounded so helpless, so desperate, so… pained.

I clenched my jaw. “Where is she?”

“I d-don’t know. I want to report it, but I’m too ashamed… I… can’t.”

I sobbed as I lifted my arms, hugging him back. My enemies are piling up, huh? Really? This is going nowhere. Will this ever end?

Later…

I cleared my throat and nodded. “I understand, Liam. I had my assistant transfer money to your bank account. Use it to start over. I promise I will never stop seeking justice for your brother.”

[Thank you, Miss Kelly. I will find Lucy and convince her to leave, so we can start over again. I-It will be hard for us, but I’ll do my best to take care of her.]

“Goodbye, Liam. Take care of your sister.”

After ending the call, I looked at Terrence and shook my head. “I’m back to zero.”

looked at my bodyguard. “The previous housekeeper knows my mom, right?”

“Yes, miss. According to the information I gathered, she was your mom’s previous nanny.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. I started walking toward the ancestral house. The housekeeper opened the door for me, and the maids immediately bowed their heads as soon as they saw me. They lined up in front of me, and I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

“Good day, Miss Kelly. I am Felicia, the current housekeeper,” she said with a respectful tone.

I nodded and gave her a small smile, but my expression immediately faded when I saw the man standing in the middle of the staircase, leaning casually against the railing. He flashed a smile as soon as he saw me.

“Hi, cousin,” he greeted.

My forehead creased. “What are you doing here, Matt?”

He shrugged and began walking down the stairs, whistling as he descended. He stopped in front of me and said, “The city’s too toxic. I prefer the fresh air here. How about you?”

I gritted my teeth. “I won’t trust you, Matt.”

He glanced behind me, his smile widening. “That’s a good defense. But why don’t you introduce me to the beautiful lady behind you?”

My forehead creased again, and I could hear Emily groaning in the background.

“Why don’t we go inside and get straight to the point of our visit, Kelly?” Matt continued, his tone casual. “This place has become polluted too. Too bad for the flowers.”

Matt chuckled and looked at me again. “I can help, Kelly. I’m not as bad as you think.”

I lifted my chin and locked eyes with him. “Prove it, Matt. My trust has been shattered too many times. Prove to me that you’re willing to help seek justice for my mother’s death. Only then will I trust you.”

His lips parted, as if he didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation. It seemed he didn’t know there was foul play involved in my mother’s death. But why was he at her grave, then?

I couldn’t trust him yet, no matter how convincing his words seemed.

Felicia looked shocked and anxious at the same time. “S-Sir Matt…”

Matt stopped in his tracks, pulling at his hair in frustration. He turned to face me, his eyes filled with disappointment.

“A-Are you saying this family is hiding a hideous past?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

I gritted my teeth. “If you don’t believe me, you can investigate it yourself. But be prepared… the truth might hurt you more than you expect.”

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