“Mom…”

Kinsley’s sobs echoed from the doorway. Caroline, seated in the corner, smirked coldly and squeezed the stress ball in her hand, her face carefully blank.

Mae shot up from the couch and rushed to her panicked daughter. “Kinsley, what’s wrong?”

“Mom…” Kinsley threw herself into Mae’s arms, her cries muffled against her mother’s shoulder.

Seeing her daughter so hysterical, Mae’s own anxiety spiked. “Kinsley, what happened? Tell me!”

Kinsley lifted her head, tears streaming down her face, looking like the world had just ended.

“Mom, I… I accidentally killed someone.”

“Killed someone?” Mae’s furrowed brow eased. “I thought it was something serious. It’s just one person. We can make it go away with money. Don’t cry.”

“But Mom…” Kinsley’s sobs grew louder. “It was someone from the Palmer family.”

“What?” Jeffrey, descending the stairs, nearly tripped over his own feet at his daughter’s words.

He grabbed the handrail to steady himself as a housekeeper rushed over.

“Sir—” the housekeeper began, but Jeffrey waved them off and kept coming down.

“What did you just say?” Jeffrey’s sharp voice made Kinsley flinch. Tears welled in her eyes again as she turned to face him.

“Dad, I…”

“Say it again,” Jeffrey demanded.

“Dad, I… I accidentally caused a Palmer family member’s death.”

“You fool…”

Jeffrey raised his hand, ready to scold her, but the housekeeper cut in.

“Sir, someone from the Palmer family is here.”

“What?” Jeffrey was stunned by how fast they’d come. And almost as soon as the words left his mouth, the Palmer entourage walked in.

At the front stood a middle-aged man, flanked by seven or eight bodyguards.

He walked straight up to Jeffrey and looked down at him with open arrogance. “Mr. Hall, Ms. Kinsley’s actions caused the death of a Palmer relative. Mr. Palmer knows. Out of respect for the Halls’ long-standing reputation, he’s decided not to pursue the matter. However…”

Jeffrey’s heart nearly stopped at the first part, then eased slightly at the next. But that ominous “however…” hung over him.

For those few tense seconds, his heart felt like it was on a roller coaster, leaving him shaky in front of the man.

The middle-aged man continued, “However, Ms. Kinsley must marry into the Palmer family and care for Dereck Palmer.”

“What?” Jeffrey’s head snapped back in disbelief. He stared at the man.

“Didn’t you hear me?” The man gave him a condescending look.

Jeffrey trembled and raised his hands in submission. “No, I… I heard you.”

The man snorted. “Tomorrow, someone will come to collect Ms. Hall. Get her ready.”

“Yes, of course…” Jeffrey didn’t dare oppose him. He nodded vigorously and saw the man out.

Once the Palmer group was gone, Jeffrey nearly collapsed with relief, barely holding himself together with Mae’s support.

Mae helped him to the couch, where he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Before he could relax, Kinsley threw herself into his arms again.

“Dad, I don’t want to marry him. I don’t want to…”

“But it’s the Palmer family! We have no choice. My hands are tied!” Jeffrey said with a heavy sigh.

“But… but,” Kinsley protested, her eyes swollen from crying, “Dereck Palmer isn’t just disabled—he’s critically ill! Dad, how can you let me marry a man who’s practically on his deathbed? I’ll be a widow within a year!”

“But…” Jeffrey avoided her gaze, painfully aware of the truth. Rumor had it that the Palmers’ Third Young Master really was terminally ill.

“I don’t care… I won’t marry that dying man!” Kinsley cried again. “If anyone should marry him, it should be Caroline.”

Her offhand remark caught Mae’s attention. Mae turned to Caroline, who was quietly observing from the corner. A new idea sparked in Mae’s eyes.

Caroline’s lips twitched. Was she really being dragged into this mess? She was just an innocent bystander!

Although Kinsley hadn’t meant much by it, she stopped crying and gave Caroline a genuine smile.

“Sis, you’re getting married. Aren’t you happy?”

Caroline noted that this was the most genuine smile Kinsley had given her since she’d returned. She calmly assessed the situation.

Following their gaze, Jeffrey turned to look at Caroline. Seeing her blank expression, he frowned.

“No, it won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Why?” Mae and Kinsley asked in unison, turning to Jeffrey.

Jeffrey’s frown deepened. He glared at Caroline with disdain.

“Look at her. The Palmers aren’t fools. Why would they marry someone who’s mentally unstable?”

Mae felt a wave of relief at Jeffrey’s reasoning.

“Jeffrey, the Palmers didn’t specify Kinsley. They just said a daughter from the Hall family. Caroline is also a Hall daughter.”

“But she’s not suitable,” Jeffrey hesitated, fearing backlash if they sent Caroline instead.

“Dad, Mom’s right. The Palmers didn’t specify me, so let Caroline marry him. It’s a rare opportunity for her—and it could greatly benefit our company.”

Hearing Kinsley’s argument, Jeffrey’s furrowed brow finally softened.

He struck the table decisively. “Alright, let’s do it. Tomorrow, we’ll send Caroline to the Palmers.”

Caroline listened to their conversation with a cold chuckle, raised her eyebrows, and prepared to enjoy the show.

Early the next morning, Caroline was still dead asleep when Mae and Kinsley came barging into her room and jolted her awake.

“Hey, sleepyhead, rise and shine. It’s your wedding day!” Kinsley announced, practically vibrating with excitement.

Caroline groaned, scrunching her brow as she slowly blinked her eyes open and rubbed them. Her voice was thick with sleep and tinged with playful innocence as she protested, “What are you two doing? I was still sleeping!” She stretched her arms out wide and accidentally smacked Mae and Kinsley in the face.

Kinsley and Mae winced at the unexpected smack, their expressions darkening with irritation. They bit back their anger, barely resisting the urge to snap at Caroline.

Mae frowned at how oblivious Caroline seemed, then called to the maid waiting just outside the room, “Come in and help her get changed. The Palmers will be here soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the maid replied, entering with a new outfit.

Caroline glanced at the clothes but didn’t protest as the maid helped her into them. The outfit had clearly been meant for Kinsley and ran a little short on Caroline, but she didn’t care. If anything, the thought made her smile inside.

Mae was still fuming over her daughter’s reddened cheeks. She gritted her teeth. After a moment, she turned to Kinsley, tone cautious. “When the Palmers get here, make sure you’re out of sight.”

“I understand, Mom,” Kinsley replied dutifully.

“Let’s go. This place is full of bad vibes,” Mae said, leading Kinsley out of Caroline’s room.

Once Caroline was dressed, she grabbed a big teddy bear and bounded down the stairs with more energy than anyone else in the house.

She walked into the sitting room, where Jeffrey and another middle-aged man—not the one she’d seen before—were waiting.

“Daddy!” Caroline called out cheerfully, bouncing over to Jeffrey’s side.

Startled by her lively entrance, Jeffrey worried the Palmers might notice something was off. He quickly plastered on a warm smile, trying to play the doting father.

“Caroline, watch yourself on those stairs. You don’t want to trip,” he chided gently, then turned to the Palmers’ man with an apologetic smile.

“Mr. Wilson, please excuse her. She’s just full of life. I trust you’ll look after her once she joins your family,” Jeffrey said, hoping to smooth things over.

Kaisen Wilson, the Palmers’ representative, cut Jeffrey a sidelong glance before turning his attention to Caroline.

“Miss, it’s getting late. We should be going,” Mr. Wilson said.

Caroline blinked innocently, looking between Mr. Wilson and Jeffrey, then spoke with childlike curiosity.

“Daddy, isn’t a bride supposed to bring wedding gifts with her?”

Jeffrey froze. He had clearly overlooked the gift—or never intended to provide one. Under Mr. Wilson’s piercing gaze, he broke out in a cold sweat.

“Of course, of course. You’re my precious daughter, and you deserve a generous gift,” he stammered, scrambling to improvise. “We only heard about the wedding last night, so we didn’t have time to prepare. How about you come back in a few days, and I’ll have everything ready for you?”

Caroline mulled over his words, then turned to Mr. Wilson with wide eyes.

“Uncle, are gifts given on the wedding day or later?”

Mr. Wilson raised an eyebrow and smiled at Caroline. “They’re given on the wedding day.”

Reassured, Caroline looked back at Jeffrey. “Daddy, you run a company and have a lot of money, right?”

The question made Jeffrey nervous, and he took a moment to regain his composure. “Yes, but... Caroline, you’ll get your gifts. Just remember your siblings, too.”

Caroline rested her chin in her hand, deep in thought, before responding. “I’ve thought about them. I’m the older sister, so I should have more to help look after them.”

Jeffrey nearly fainted at her logic but quickly cut in. “Caroline, time is of the essence. You must go to the Palmers. I’ll have your gifts ready soon.”

Without waiting for her reply, he hurried upstairs. If he delayed any longer, he feared Caroline would make more demands. He wasn’t afraid of her—he still assumed she was naïve. He was afraid of the Palmers realizing the deceit. That would be catastrophic.

Caroline didn’t press him further. She knew this was only the start, and she had plenty of time to claim what she was owed. After a brief wait on the sofa with Mr. Wilson, Jeffrey returned with a document in hand.

“This is your gift, my dear. Keep it safe,” he said, handing it to her.

Caroline took the document without opening it. She knew that in their eyes, she was still a simpleton who wouldn’t understand it. She tucked it away and casually remarked, “Daddy, I should show this to Dereck when I get there.”

Jeffrey shivered at the thought, his brief relief evaporating. He wanted to protest, but he couldn’t express his doubts without drawing suspicion. Retrieving and altering the document now was out of the question, so he urged them to leave, anxious they’d miss the auspicious moment.

Observing Jeffrey’s anxious expression and the sweat forming on his forehead, Caroline smiled inwardly and left the house with Mr. Wilson, stepping into the car bound for the Palmer estate.

The car headed toward the eastern suburbs. For the whole drive, Caroline stayed silent, her gaze flicking to the scenery racing past the window.

An hour and a half later, they pulled up to an estate that could've passed for a castle.

Mr. Wilson got out, rounded the car to Caroline's side, and opened her door.

"Ma'am, we've arrived."

"Okay." Caroline climbed out and studied the estate. It was unnaturally quiet—so silent it felt lifeless, not a single sign of celebration.

Mr. Wilson gestured politely.

"Ma'am, if you'll follow me."

Caroline didn't know what the future held, but for now, she had no choice but to take it one step at a time. She took a steadying breath and followed him into the castle.

They walked through a maze of corridors, took an elevator, and finally stopped at a room.

"Ma'am, please go in."

Without a word, Caroline stepped into the dimly lit room.

Make yourself at home, she thought wryly.

Once she was inside, Mr. Wilson told her someone would bring food soon, then left.

Caroline scanned the room. No cameras. She let out a breath of relief. Then she pulled out her suitcase, found an empty wardrobe, shoved it inside, and returned to the couch.

Before long, someone brought her a meal. Caroline wasn't overly worried. A family this rich wouldn't bother poisoning someone with no money and no status. So she dug in without a second thought.

But as she ate, something felt off. With every bite, her mood sank.

Smack. She slammed her fork onto the table and opened her palm. Sure enough...

Caroline stared at her palm, now darkened, and let out a cold laugh. Then, keeping her face blank, she quietly fished a pill from her pocket and swallowed it.

Determined, she finished every bite of the poisoned food on the table. Then she lay down on the bed.

Her plan to play oblivious turned into a deep sleep. She had no idea how long she'd been out. When she woke, the room was pitch black.

She cursed under her breath. Just you wait.

Just as she was about to sit up, she heard the lock click. Caroline bit back a laugh and went still, holding her breath.

The door opened. Two sets of footsteps approached. Someone stepped up to the bed, checking for her breath.

"How is she?" a voice asked from the doorway, cold and detached.

"Sir, she's not breathing," one of the men by the bed replied.

A cold voice cut in. "Throw her out. If the family keeps sending people here, this is what they'll get."

"Yes."

The two men by the bed answered and flipped on the light, ready to drag Caroline out.

Suddenly, Caroline's eyes flew open. She stared right at them.

"What are you doing?"

At her shout, the two seasoned bodyguards froze in fear, then bolted for the door.

"It's a ghost!"

"It's a ghost!"

The man in the wheelchair by the door didn't even flinch, as if nothing could surprise him.

His face was an impassive mask, his gaze cool as it landed on the woman sitting up in bed. "Interesting."

His words stopped the fleeing bodyguards cold. They turned back to stare at the woman they'd poisoned.

"Are you human or a ghost?"

Caroline worried she'd blown her cover. She quickly wiped the anger from her face and replaced it with wide-eyed innocence.

She rolled out of bed and stumbled toward the cold-faced man with a naïve little charm. As she moved, she pinched her thigh, hard, until tears welled up.

"Dereck, I'm scared..."

The cold-faced man watched her clumsy approach, his expression darkening.

The bodyguards formed a human shield, ready to protect their master from this freshly resurrected ghost.

When she couldn't get past them, Caroline rubbed her eyes and let the tears fall.

"Dereck, I'm so scared. I can’t stop crying…"

The cold-faced man grimaced, his brow furrowing, his face darkening further.

"Aren't you the woman who got someone killed?"

At his icy words, Caroline blinked, forcing more tears, and put on a look of pure confusion.

"What are you talking about, Dereck? I don't understand."

The man sneered. "The Hall family has some nerve, trying to fool the Palmer family. They must be tired of living."

Seeing she'd hit a nerve, but worried he might be bluffing, Caroline decided to play along.

She widened her innocent eyes and cautiously edged closer to him.

"Dereck, are you like my sister and mom said..." Caroline purposely trailed off, looking hesitant and afraid.

Sure enough, the man's veins bulged, his expression turned stormy, and his knuckles cracked with tension.

"Very well."

He gritted his teeth and turned his wheelchair to leave.

Caroline rubbed her chilled arms and smirked. The Halls were in for a very bad autumn.

She hoped he'd leave quickly. But unexpectedly, he turned his wheelchair and came back into the room.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as he approached.

"Dereck, you..."

He sneered again. "Trying to pull this act so I'll leave?"

Then he motioned to the bodyguards at the door. "Throw this troublesome woman out."

"No." Acting fast, Caroline grabbed his arm. She still needed this identity as cover. She couldn't be thrown out yet.

Realizing that, she clung tighter to him, her eyes wide with feigned innocence and desperation.

"Dereck, please don't throw me out. I'll behave. I won't cause any trouble. I promise I'll be good," she pleaded, looking pitiful as she begged Dereck for mercy.