Chapter 331

---- Chapter 331 Gideon didn't hesitate. He dropped the case to the ground and brought his heel down hard. The plastic case cracked open. Before either of them could react, Chipper lunged forward and snatched something from the shattered box-a small bell. Giselle froze. She knew that sound instantly. Snatching it from Chipper's mouth, she stared at it in disbelief. It was Eastin's bell, the one she always fastened around his neck. Then she saw it. There was blood. Dark red smeared across the metal, glaring and unmistakable.

Her thoughts snapped back to Anne, to that night's dinner at the Holt residence. The strange change in her demeanor. The way she poured the wine, the way she smiled, the way she reached across the table and placed meat onto her plate. That piece of meat-Giselle remembered its shape, its color, the odd toughness she noticed when she bit into it. The taste that had made her put it down. Her mind roared as if struck by thunder. Her heart slammed against her ribs, her hands trembled violently , and the bell slipped from her fingers onto the floor.

"What is it?" Gideon saw her face drain of color, her eyes wide and vacant with horror. He grabbed her hands. They were icy cold. ---- "Eastin's gone." Giselle's voice cracked, muttering like someone possessed. " Eastin's gone. She killed him. I'll never find him again." The realization struck like a blade. The memory of chewing that piece of meat at the Holt family's table made her stomach churn. Dizziness overtook her, her chest seized with pain, and she couldn't draw breath. Her body collapsed, vision tunneling into black. "Giselle!" Gideon caught her before she hit the ground. "Calm down.

Breathe. Don't panic. I'm here. I'll make her pay for this. I swear it." "I... [have to go to the Holt residence. I have to. I-" Her words broke apart, barely coherent. Her body shook uncontrollably, her mind reeling. She gasped for air, fighting to stay conscious , clawing back the last shred of strength to keep herself from passing out." Take me... now. Hurry." "Alright. I promise. But stay calm." Fury lit Gideon's veins as the truth became clear. He guided Giselle into the back seat, slid behind the wheel, and let Chipper jump into the passenger side. Then he floored the gas.

The drive should have taken 30 minutes. He covered it in barely over ten, the car roaring up to the Holt residence just past nine. Inside, the housekeeper was still tidying the living room. ---- Tony and Renne sat on the couch, half-listening to the television as they chatted idly. Gideon ignored the household staff's protests and stormed straight into the room, Giselle staggering in behind him, pale and trembling. Chipper bounded in at their side. Startled, Tony and Renee shot to their feet. "Where's Anne?" Gideon's voice thundered through the room. "Bring her out. Now!"