Chapter 177: Chapter 177

“Michael abducted me, threatened my husband, and assaulted him…” I told the truth in a low voice.

Michael’s gaze deepened as he stared at me and sneered. “I abducted you? Where’s your proof?

Officer, I’m willing to cooperate with your investigation.”

Then, before he left with the cops, Michael took another glance at me.

“You’ll regret this, Stephany,” he said.

Michael was certain that Steven would kill me one day. And when the time came, I would regret not having believed him.

“Stephie…” Steven came to me with a pale expression. He leaned on me and rested his chin on my shoulder, as if he was drained of all strength. “It hurts.”

My body tensed up slightly as I softly asked, “Did you inform the police before you came?

“Uh huh,” Steven admitted that he had asked someone to call the cops.

Apparently, Steven wasn’t stupid at all.

Michael had met his match this time.

“Mr. Lincoln was worried about you,” Ewan respectfully said.

I stared at Ewan with a complicated expression.

I wondered what connections he, Howard, and the murderer shared.

Were they working for Steven?

Suddenly, Steven pulled my hand, trying to leave.

However, I stood there motionless.

Steven turned to me with a bewildered look, seeming somewhat afraid.

“Who was that guy at the courtyard?” I stared at Steven and asked in a hoarse voice.

Instead of harboring suspicions, I’d rather lay all the cards on the table.

Steven stared back at me for a long while before saying, “He’s Simmie. He’s also from the orphanage. 15 years old. Survivor of that fire. From Dorm 403.”

Dorm 403 was the dormitory room adjacent to the room where Steven and Simeon had been trapped in.

In that fire, many children had died. But Simmie was one of the lucky survivors.

However, due to his severe burns, I couldn’t make out his features or tell his age. All knew was that he was tall and slender–just like the killer in my memory.

“He’s not the murderer…” Steven explained in a soft voice.

I turned around and looked at Zion, puzzled.

Zion nodded and said to me, “He’s right. That guy’s only 15 and underage. He rarely gues out of the house because his body’s in bad shape from the burns. He lives with his elder sister. She’s the only family he has. I also checked his arms no red birthmark.”

I rubbed my temple, feeling a headache coming on.

Did I remember it wrong?

No, he was definitely the person who had spoken to me at my house that day.

Simmie?

But I was certain that the man who murdered me had a red birthmark on his arm.

“He’s been to Stephanie’s house, right?” I asked Zion.

Zion nodded. “That kid often sneaks into houses to steal because he has no income. He’s just a thief.”

“Which means that he’s the one who knocked Rachel out, right? Then the body found at Stephanie’s house was…” I anxiously asked.

Zion shook his head. “It wasn’t him. He has an alibi–every month, he goes to the hospital to get his prescription. The doctors, nurses, and even the surveillance camera. can prove that he was at the hospital the entire time. So, he didn’t hurt Rachel or kill anyone that night.”

But I still couldn’t buy it. My instinct was telling me that something was definitely off about that guy.

“Why did you send him food?” I turned to Steven, hoping that he would tell me the truth. “He has no income, and no one wants to hire him.” Steven approached me and tried to hold my hand, but I dodged.

“How about Ewan then? Why did you meet up with Howard?” I wanted to hear everyone’s side of the story, I didn’t want any more secrets.

“Mr. Lincoln doesn’t want you to further get involved. He’s concerned about your safety, “Ewan explained indifferently. But he didn’t seem to be lying either.

However, I wouldn’t dare to trust them entirely.

“Let’s go,” I said in a low, suppressed tone and led the way.

“Simmy… Simmie,” I murmured to myself.

Their names sounded alike, but their ages didn’t match.

“Stephie… Let’s go home,” Steven cautiously took my hand and spoke softly. I glanced at him. “Do not lie to me, ever. Even if it’s just a white lie.”