Was Since Ignatius incapable of moving and now with no one in charge of the Lincoln family, I couldnât help but wonder who would have completely changed the household staff.
âThe previous butler fell ill and retired. Iâm the new butler. Please feel free to let me know if you need anything, Mrs. Lincoln,â the new butler informed me.
I found it puzzling and wondered if Steven was behind the complete overhaul of the helpers.
However, upon reflection, he likely didnât have the authority to do so, considering how everyone in the Lincoln family regarded him as a fool.
It didnât seem plausible that he possessed such power.
I absentmindedly entered the car and massaged my temples.
Lately, I had a sense of foreboding, though I couldnât quite pinpoint its source.
My phone buzzed, and to my surprise, it was Rachel.
Since my demise, Rachelâs demeanor had grown colder. She had nearly sacrificed everything in her relentless pursuit of solving the case and apprehending the murderer.
I felt sorry for her, but I didnât know how to help her.
She remained skeptical of my words.
âYasminâs child didnât make it. The lunatic is still after her. Thankfully, the police intervened just in time, but she lost the baby,â she said.
My heart tightened as I realized that the murderer remained determined to kill Yasmin.
âWhy are you sharing this with me? Donât you doubt me?â I inquired softly.
I didnât understand why Rachel was suddenly telling me these things.
âYasmin wants to meet with you,â Rachel said flatly.
âShe wants to meet with me?â I was surprised that Yasmin would want to meet with me. After all, I was now Stephany.
âYes, you, Stephany.â Rachelâs voice was chilly.
I felt a bit flustered. âWhen?â I asked.
âIâll be waiting for you outside Huma Hospital at 6:00 pm,â she replied.
âOkay.â After hanging up, I stared blankly out of the car window.
It was strange that Yasmin specifically requested to meet with me. Did Yasmin also know Stephany?
âAre the Lincoln Group and the Ford Group currently discussing cooperation?â I asked casually as the butler chauffeured me. I wasnât certain if he was wellâinformed about the companyâs affairs.
âIndeed,â he affirmed. Surprisingly, he appeared knowledgeable about the companyâs dealings.
âIs Michael personally in attendance?â I queried.
âYes, Mrs. Lincoln,â he repliedâ¦
I frowned, considering that Yasminâs heartbreaking loss should have caught Michaelâs attention.
However, he seemed unperturbed and still attended the collaboration discussion. His apparent indifference perplexed me.
He was once deeply devoted to Yasmin. He would be profoundly affected by even the slightest harm to her. Yet, he appeared unaffected in the aftermath of the loss of their child.
âWeâre here,â the butler announced.
Upon a at the company, I stepped out of the car.
Looking up at the towering office building of the Lincoln Group, I couldnât help but marvel. It was indeed the flagship enterprise of the Huma business district, and the entire building belonged to the Lincoln family.
âMr. Ford, this way, please,â a voice called out.
It seemed fate had brought us together. Just as I entered the company, I saw Michael Ford walking in as well.
He clearly noticed me too, and his gaze momentarily froze.
The oblivious assistant ushered us into the same elevator.
Although there were only a few of us in the elevator, the atmosphere felt heavy.
Upon reaching the secondâfloor lounge, a crowd of employees suddenly surged in. I found myself being pushed backward, but someone reached out and gently pulled me into a corner.
Instinctively, I looked up and met Michaelâs gaze. I instantly felt a surge of discomfort in my stomach.
I felt physically uneasy whenever I saw him.
His gaze seemed complicated, as if he were trying to see through me.
âMr. Ford, how leisurely of you. I heard your wife lost her child, yet you still have the capacity to discuss collaboration,â I remarked sarcastically.
Michaelâs body stiffened for a moment before he said, âSheâs not my wife.â
âOh? Werenât you head over heels in love with her before?â I found him disgusting. Was he already tired of her?
âMy wifeâs name is Stephanie Carlson, and she passed away.â He suddenly revealed, stating that Stephanie was his wife.
I felt as though I had heard something filthy and glared at Michael. I scolded him, âYou have no shame. When did she become your wife? Stop tarnishing her name!â
Michaelâs gaze toward me became even more complex. After a moment, he called out, Stephieâ¦â