Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I was staring intently at the hem of his shirt, trying to discern something, anything, but it seemed like there was nothing to see.

"Ronald mentioned you did a thorough job with the report last time, wants you on board again."

"Did we fail to catch the culprit last time?" I asked, nibbling on my lip, a question that had been burning on my tongue. I thought maybe following the trail of the culprit could lead us somewhere.

But Max gave me a stern look, "There are things we do not inquire about."

After all, when it came to the case details, Max usually kept his cards close to his chest.

I looked down, pondering over how to unearth some leads when Max said, "If you're that curious, I'll ask Ronald for you today."

I couldn't help but smile at that.

Finding a lead on the culprit in this life seemed unlikely. But if given the chance, I was willing to give it a shot.

After completing the autopsy work at the detective squad, Max handed over the items to Ronald and casually asked, "Did we ever catch the culprit from last time?"

Ronald seemed a bit frustrated, "We finally caught him, but the guy committed suicide. Thought we could close the case, but now there's someone out there using the same M.O. We're thinking it's not a solo act but a group." Ronald was about to continue when he glanced at me and decided, "Better not scare the young lady here. You know, you shouldn't go hiking alone. It's always the girls who go off by themselves who end up in trouble."

I frowned slightly.

In my past life, I too had an incident while hiking. So, before my own misfortune, many innocent girls had already met with trouble?

I needed to find a way to get Kate to ask me to go hiking with her.

Then, I would surely encounter those who had harmed me before.

Max, unaware of when he had moved close, said, "Scared you? Maybe I shouldn't bring you along next time."

I looked up at him, my eyes misty with unshed tears.

"I'm scared, but I'll be okay," I murmured, biting my lower lip and shaking my head.

Walking ahead of him, I felt somewhat dispirited as we left the detective squad.

"How about I treat you two to dinner?" Ronald suddenly offered, pulling me back to reality.

I glanced at Max, "It's okay, I don't want to intrude."

They probably wanted some time alone, and I didn't want to be the third wheel.

"Let's go together."

Max didn't look at me but simply grabbed his car keys, "I'll drive."

Following him, still pondering over how to get Kate to invite me for a hike, Max asked, "Something on your mind?"

He always seemed to see right through people, though I never admitted it.

"No, nothing," I lied.

During the meal, Max hardly spoke to me. They chose a regular diner, nothing fancy, just some comfort food, and then we headed back.

But when Max offered to drop me

off at visit

The Won't be going b mement, I said, "I think I'll e apartment tonight." Cont

"Just be safe," he said, leaving without asking any further.

I caught a cab back to Claude's mansion.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Kate was there too not yet gone. She was dressed in a red slip dress with a sheer robe thrown over, looking like she was planning an advance on Claude tonight.

"Claire, what brings you back today? Thinking of moving back in? Claude would be thrilled, might even secure that scholarship spot for you," she said, her voice strained as she tried

tomask her irritation.

I kept quiet. They held the power, and it seemed all too easy for them to make my life miserable.

At this moment, I was too vulnerable, forced to lie low.

"Kate, where's Claudy?" I inquired.

She pointed upstairs to the study, "Working in his study. I just made some soup, was about to take it up to him."