Chapter 177:

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Kelly’s POV

I rushed inside Anderson’s mansion as soon as I stepped out of Pierce’s car. Emily was sitting on the couch, with Phoebe beside her.

My heart raced in my chest. I’ve developed a trauma. After everything that happened to me, situations like this make me anxious. I feel like I’m going to lose someone close to me again, and it terrifies me.

“Emily, what happened?” I asked, my voice filled with concern, drawing her attention.

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Emily looked at me as I walked toward her and sat on the couch across from her. Pierce followed, sitting on the armrest of the couch where I was. His hand rested on my shoulder.

I could feel his worry, his support, his comfort. Pierce has always been this way—supportive. And I’m so grateful that we’ve found each other again.

“Last night, Matt told me everything he discovered, and since then, he hasn’t shown up. It’s strange because he always messes with me every day.”

That is strange. From what I’ve seen, Matt likes Emily. There’s no way he’d disappear without a word. It’s clearly related to his father.

“Do you think his father caught him?” I asked, my voice tinged with worry.

Emily shrugged and showed me her phone. “I have the recording Matt gave me.”

“Play it,” I said, and she nodded, placing her phone on the coffee table.

The recording began, and I froze.

‘Hello?’

My eyes widened as I glanced at Emily and Pierce. I recognized that voice all too well. I’ve spoken to him on the phone several times, and I couldn’t be mistaken.

“Are you sure all the documents are burned?”

I clenched my fists. So, that was the document they purposely burned?

“Yes, Mr. Foster.”

“She’s still investigating. My son is already so curious about what’s happening. Just make sure Kelly never finds any more evidence that could link me to her mother’s death. I’m telling you, if she does, I’ll drag you down with me.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, Pierce’s hand gently rubbing my shoulder as if trying to calm me. But nothing could soothe me now that I had confirmation of his involvement.

“The documents are all gone, Mr. Foster. I made sure of it, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Good.”

I lifted my gaze and met Pierce’s eyes. “I know that voice. It’s Attorney Lee.”

Pierce looked at me, his expression full of concern. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

Why did he do that? Why did Attorney Lee set my house on fire deliberately after giving me the documents? He could’ve burned them before he found me. If he wanted to bury the truth, why did he still come to me?

What were his reasons for all of this?

A noise from the recording drew my attention back.

“Attorney Lee, you have to help me get my company back. I’m telling you, you can’t slack off like this! I need to regain my position as soon as possible!”

I was right. It’s him!

“I’m sorry, Mr. Foster. I don’t know what Kelly is planning.”

“You didn’t know because you cut off your connection with her!”

“I had to, Mr. Foster. She’ll doubt me. I can’t lose my job.”

“You’ll really lose your job if you don’t help me. I will drag you to hell with me, Attorney Lee. Remember that I know what your father did years ago. You’ll lose everything, I’m telling you.”

Attorney Lee’s father? My heart raced. The only thing that flashed in my mind was the kidnapping incident. Was Attorney Lee’s father involved in my mom’s abduction?

I swallowed hard, anger bubbling up inside me. My fists clenched, trembling with rage. He played me. Did he help me just to manipulate me, or was he initially trying to help, but my evil uncle blackmailed him into compliance?

I didn’t care anymore. They both deserved to be punished. They deserved to rot in prison for what they did to my mother and to me.

“There’s more, Kelly…” Emily said, her eyes fixed on the screen of her phone.

I swallowed again, bracing myself for whatever horrible revelation was coming next.

“Follow Kelly Monroe. Make sure you know everything she does and especially her plans.”

I laughed bitterly. The recording ended, and a deafening silence filled the room. Phoebe was staring at me, worry etched across her face. Emily kept her focus on her phone, while Pierce held my hand, squeezing it tightly.

I was thinking about confronting Connor Foster, but I knew that would only make him more cautious. The last thing I wanted was for them to slip away from this unscathed.

“What will you do now?” Emily asked, looking up from her phone with a sigh.

“I’ll let them do what they want.”

Emily’s forehead creased. “Kelly, they’re going to spy on you. We don’t know who he sent, but you can’t let him control your every move.”

I shook my head. “I can’t fight back, Emily. If I do, he’ll realize that I know about his plans.”

“Matt probably found out about this. He must know what’s going on.”

“We’re not sure about that. For now, I’ll let him watch my every move. But I need you to help me figure out who he’s sending to spy on me.”

Emily stared at me for a long moment before sighing and nodding.

“I’ll find Matt,” I reassured her.

She shook her head, pursing her lips. “I’m not worried about him, Kelly. Besides, we broke up.”

My brow shot up. “You broke up with him?”

She smirked. “It’s not like we were in a serious relationship.”

I pressed my lips together. Something felt off. Emily had called me just days ago, confiding in me about her feelings. I could tell she had developed feelings for Matt, and now she was acting like she didn’t care. Even when she called me earlier, sounding so scared and worried, it was clear something had changed. I couldn’t help but feel that something had happened, but I knew I couldn’t cross that line and press her for answers.

I bit my bottom lip and nodded at Emily. “Thank you, Emily. Please be careful. I don’t want to lose a good friend.”

She smiled. “I’ll use my father’s resources to find out who’s spying on you. You can trust me on this, Kelly.”

“I know…” I answered, glancing at Pierce. I squeezed his hand as he looked at me, his expression full of worry.

“Do you want to delay the wedding?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes. The disappointment in his face matched how I felt about the situation.

I was disappointed too, but I wouldn’t let this affect us.

I immediately shook my head. “Our lives won’t stop because of them, Pierce. We’ll proceed with the wedding. Rain or shine.”

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