?Chapter 561:


    “Of course.”


    At Carl’s signal, Jules stepped forward.


    “I’ll go with you.”


    Without waiting for a response, he followed her.


    Carl waited until the door clicked shut, then turned to Jayden, his eldest son.


    “Have you figured anything out?”


    Jayden’s jaw clenched.


    “The perpetrator left no trace. Surveince footage waspletely wiped.”


    Carl exhaled, staring at the ceiling. His expression was unreadable, but his silence carried weight.


    Corrine stood before the water dispenser, her thoughts heavy.


    “Have you checked the surveince around the cemetery?”


    Jules leaned against the counter, arms crossed.


    “We did, but there was nothing.”


    Whoever had stolen Kiley’s ashes had been meticulous. Every move had been calcted, every detail ounted for.


    Had it not been for the night shift cemetery staff, the culprit would have stolen the ashes unnoticed.


    A sense of unease curled in Corrine’s gut. Her mind drifted back to the figure she had encountered at the cemetery that day. Could it be connected?


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    A suspicion—nothing more—but once the seed of doubt was nted, it took root quickly, turning a mere possibility into a chilling certainty.


    Lost in thought, she failed to notice the water overflowing. A sharp sting snapped her back to reality as scalding liquid sshed against her leg. She hissed and instinctively stepped back.


    Jules was at her side in an instant. He turned off the tap and frowned as he took in the reddening skin.


    “Go rinse it,” he instructed.


    Corrine didn’t argue. She went to the restroom, let the cool water soothe the burn, and then returned to Carl’s hospital room.


    By then, Carl had already fallen asleep.


    Jayden and Waldo were discussing who would stay to keep watch.


    “I will stay,” Corrine said softly.


    Jayden and Waldo exchanged a nce before Jayden spoke.


    “Corrine, I’ll stay tonight. You should go home and rest.”


    She shook her head, her gaze settling on Carl’s sleeping form. Though her voice was quiet, there was no room for argument.


    “I want to stay here.”


    Jayden sighed, rising to his feet. He walked over and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.


    “The doctor said he’s stable. Go home, rest, ande back tomorrow.”


    Before she could protest, Waldo added,


    “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”


    They weren’t asking. They were telling.


    Reluctantly, Corrine allowed Waldo to lead her out of the hospital.


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