Soon, the investigation group reported back.

The phone had been submerged in water for too long and wouldn't power on. There were no fingerprints on the amulet either.

But fortunately, the patrol guards seemed to have found surveillance footage of me before my death.

As the head of the guard force, Damine didn't need to accompany them and check the evidence in person, yet for some reason, he felt an inexplicable urge to go along.

When he saw my image in the surveillance footage, my brother was completely stunned.

He mumbled blankly.

"Why does this person look so much like Sera?"

The young assistant's expression darkened as he recalled my name from the missing persons report he'd seen earlier.

"Mr. Ashwood, is Jocelyn really still alive?"

Was I really still alive?

Damine's breath caught in his throat.

He didn't dare to dwell on it.

Fumbling with his phone, he scrolled for what felt like an eternity before finding my chat window at the very bottom.

The last message was from me a month ago.

"Brother, how is your eyes recovering?"

He pounded on the screen as if that could release the fear building inside him.

[Been playing dead for a month now? My patience has limits! Reply within three seconds!]

[Don't think faking your death will work, I'll disown you if you push me!]

[Answer me!]

But brother, I'm really dead.

My brother, however, thought I was provoking him.

He stared at the unresponsive screen, his heart pounding.

That mix of panic and anger made his mind go blank for a moment.

He gritted his teeth and coldly dialed the pack's bank.

"Cut off all of Jocelyn's pack credit cards immediately. No one is to transfer her funds without my permission! If she wants money, let her come to me personally!"

Almost simultaneously, his phone rang again. It was our father.

"Why did you cut off Jocelyn's cards?"

"She hasn't replied to any messages for a month. She's clearly developed a taste for disappearing. If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll never learn her place."

Father was silent for a few seconds before his voice hardened.

"Good! That girl is getting more and more unruly! Nothing like Sera's maturity and obedience! Always causing trouble, Jocelyn needs to suffer and learn a lesson!"

Father's words gave Damine a sense of validation.

Father continued his rant.

"You won't believe what she did a month ago. She actually called me crying nonsense about being kidnapped and demanded three hundred dollars in ransom. Can you believe that?"

"Three hundred dollars? What kind of rogues ask for so little? I think she's just making up another ridiculous excuse to cause trouble. She's bringing shame to our family!"

As he spoke, father sighed. "Well, if she asks again, give her some. After all, she's been spoiled all her life, definitely not used to hardship. The house is actually quieter without her."

Damine also agreed. "Yes, she used to be so good. She knew to say thank you and would even save her pocket money to buy me gifts. Those were the good days. How did she become so arrogant now? Maybe some hardship will do her good."

After hanging up, something suddenly occurred to him.

I saw my brother's face freeze as if struck by realization, remembering that day.

After father refused me, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone.

The rogue wolf sitting beside me slapped my cheek with a blood-stained knife, mocking me and saying I had two more chances.

I wanted to stay calm, to maintain my composure.

But I was so terrified.

So the moment I connected to my brother's call, I was barely holding back tears.

"Damine... please help me... can you transfer me three hundred? Just three hundred. I've been kidnapped, brother, please save me..."

I don't even remember what I said after that.

But I remember my brother's words clearly.

He said.

"Jocelyn, have you had enough fun? If Sera's parents knew what you were like like this, they would have regretted saving you."

"You're too cowardly to get into real trouble? Stop trying to cause problems!"

Without another word, he hung up the call.

That call...

I saw my brother's hands suddenly begin to tremble.

But before he could speak again, his assistant's phone rang.

After answering, the young assistant's expression also changed.

His face was complex, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Mr. Ashwood... the DNA... the DNA comparison results are in."

"The deceased... is your sister, Jocelyn Ashwood!"