The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Chapter 203

Carter’s Restaurant was closed for the festive season.

Claire, who had been busy for the past half a year, could finally rest comfortably for a while and prepare for Christmas.

After breakfast in the morning, she carried a basket and was about to go out. "I’m going to get groceries. What do you feel like eating?"

The few people who didn’t need to go out said, "Everything you cook is delicious. Buy whatever you want to eat."

Arthur gulped down a large bottle of milk and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Let me drive you there."

"There’s no need for that." Claire shook her head. "This place is not far from the market, and I’ll take my time grocery shopping. When you’re free, make a list of Christmas goods. Remember to write down anything you want. We’ll get them tomorrow and the day after. Don’t worry about the money."

Then, she held her grocery basket and slowly walked out.

The majority of the population in Rosemont City came from other parts of the country. Those who were born and bred here made up less than half of it. Many people’s hometowns were in the countryside. As soon as it was Christmas, the entire city felt especially quiet.

It was the same for Mid-Level Mountain Garden. Claire strolled down the street and barely saw anyone.

It wasn’t until she arrived at the market that the surroundings became lively.

She was about to go to the seafood section to pick some fish and prawns when her phone rang. It was an unknown number.

’It can’t be a scam call or a sales call, can it?’ she thought.

While she was hesitating, someone squeezed past her and quietly stuffed a "button" into her pocket.

She didn’t notice that. After pondering for a bit, she answered the call. "Hello?"

The person on the other end of the line asked, "Are you a family member of Zilvia Carter, the girl who disappeared 13 years ago?"

Claire’s eyes widened, and her breathing hastened. After a few seconds, she said with a trembling voice, "Y-Yes. I-I’m her mother. Do you know where Zilvia is? Have you heard from her?"

The other party said, "I stumbled upon a photo of a seven or eight-year-old girl. She looks very much like Zilvia, whom I once saw on television. But so many years have passed. I’m not sure if they’re the same person. Do you have a photo of Zilvia? If you do, can you send it to me? I’ll compare it with the photo I saw."

"Yes, yes, yes! I have m-many..." Claire’s voice was trembling and growing incoherent. Her hand rubbed her body reflexively. "I’ll send it to you now. Please, wait—"

After saying that, her body stiffened.

She didn’t have Zilvia’s photo on her.

In order to avoid triggering strong memories of Zilvia, Claire didn’t keep photos of her on her phone either.

For the same reason, everyone in the Carter family avoided storing photos of Zilvia on their phones. Plus, it had been so many years.

Claire asked her family for Zilvia’s photo, but they couldn’t send it to her immediately.

She could only beg the other party. "I-I’m sorry. I’m buying groceries now, and I don’t have Zilvia’s photo on my phone. I’ll go home and find it for you right away. Can you give me ten minutes? Just ten minutes. It won’t be long..." Claire pleaded.

The other party replied empathetically, "There’s no hurry. Save my number and send me the photo when you find it."

Claire was moved to tears. "Thank you. Thank you so much! You’re really a good person. I-I’ll go look for the photos now."

"Okay, I’ll wait for your photo," the other party said and hung up.

Claire was so excited that her head was spinning. She was so transfixed that she didn’t know what to do with her hands. After pacing back and forth a few times in the same spot, she sobered up a little. She muttered, "I need to hurry home to look for the photos." Then, she quickly walked to the side of the road, got into a taxi, and went straight to Mid-Level Mountain Garden.

On the way home, she sent a message to the family chat group: [Is Zilvia’s photo still at the old house? I need it urgently.]

Jaden replied: [The last time Avery asked me for Zilvia’s photo, I told her where it was. Avery might have taken it.]

Claire immediately called Avery to ask about the photo.

Avery was busy and hadn’t checked the chat group. "I took the photo from the old house, but I’ve put it back under the bed. Do you want Zilvia’s photo now?" she asked Claire over the phone.

Claire told her about the phone call she received at the market. Then, she said she was going to get the photos right away.

Avery felt that something wasn’t right. She said calmly, "Mom, Vlento Court is still far away. I’ll drive there. Give me that person’s number. I’ll send them the photo when I find it."

Claire didn’t hesitate and immediately gave Avery the number of the "good Samaritan." She then reminded Avery to tell her the outcome, be it good or bad.

Avery wrote down the number. "Okay, I’ll go now," she said, then hung up.

After that, she put on her coat and took her bag. As she went downstairs, she thought that this matter was too strange.

Weren’t there photos of Zilvia online?

Also, Mom’s phone number had been changed long ago. How did that person get her number?

What are they trying to do?

She suddenly thought of something. Without wasting a second, Avery used her phone to search for photos of Zilvia online.

But something eerie was going on.

She couldn’t find any photos of Zilvia!

Not only that—all the reports and articles about Zilvia Carter and the Carter family losing their twin daughters were gone.

It was as if a gale had swept through the internet overnight, blowing away everything related to Zilvia.

"Seems like someone wants to erase all traces of Zilvia’s disappearance. They don’t want anyone to recognize her and find her."

"This is a little tricky."

"Should I continue investigating this matter?" Avery looked at the gloomy sky as she muttered to herself.

At the same time, Joy heard Claire’s conversation with Avery through the bug she had planted on Claire. She immediately stepped on the accelerator and drove quickly to Viento Court.

Christmas Eve was nearing, and there were few pedestrians and cars on the streets. Joy’s journey was smooth, and it didn’t take her long to arrive.

Viento Court was also very quiet. As far as she could see, there was no one around.

The old guard, still on duty at the neighborhood entrance, was dozing off at the gate post and didn’t notice Joy’s car at all.

Following the information she had gathered, Joy quickly found Block 6. She parked her car downstairs, picked the lock, and went upstairs.

She was wearing a dark hat and a black face mask. Even if anyone saw her, they wouldn’t be able to see her face.

She reached the sixth floor and stood in front of the Carter family’s old home.

The combination lock was a piece of cake for her.

She took out a small spray bottle and sprayed its contents onto the lock.

Immediately, the color of five numerical keys darkened, and a thin layer of oily sheen appeared.

This meant these five numbers were pressed more often than the rest.

Generally, the lock code was most likely the birthdate of a family member—either in day-month-year or year-month-day order.

These five numerical keys could make up the six-digit passcode, with one number used twice.

She ran through the Carter family’s birthdays in her head. Confirming that these five numbers matched Josie’s birthdate, she entered them in year-month-day order.

’Hm, that’s not the right one,’ Joy thought.

Then she keyed in Josie’s birthdate in day-month-year order.

The door opened.

Joy slipped into the house and walked into the room. She shone a flashlight under the bed and saw a small box.

She pulled it out and pried open the lock. Inside were a USB drive and a large stack of photos—all of Zilvia.

Each one had been laminated and preserved carefully.

She looked at the photos in silence, her eyes wavering slightly.

But the hesitation lasted only ten seconds before her expression hardened again.

Joy carried the box into the bathroom and used a lighter to burn the photos one by one, flushing the ashes down the toilet.

Not a single photo remained.

She even flushed the USB drive down the toilet.

"Now, there’s nothing left," Joy muttered as she locked the empty box and placed it back under the bed.

Then, she walked out, closed the door, and strode downstairs.

Looking around, there was still no one in sight.

She left as stealthily as she had arrived.

In a corner diagonally opposite Block 6, under a large tree, Avery quietly watched Joy exit the building. She saw her get into the car and drive away.

Avery, too, didn’t make a sound.