Chapter 4Reborn At Five, Save The Heiress

Whispers began to ripple through the onlookers.

"Why is that adopted girl pointing fingers at the teacher?"

"Her sister is missing, and she's busy framing people."

"Maybe she's the one with issues. Did you see how she refused to let her sister perform earlier?"

Those whispers mirrored the anonymous letters from my past life. My blood ran cold. Teri was the monster who had stolen Mona, yet a few tears from her had everyone doubting me.

Hearing the word "adopted," Mommy's face paled further. She looked down at me. My heart stopped.

Would she suspect me too? Would she think I had harmed Mona, just like before?

I choked on my tears. "Mommy, I didn't do it. I didn't hurt her."

Mommy stared at me for a fraction of a second, then she knelt and pulled me into a fierce embrace. "I know, sweetie. I know. You're scared too. Don't listen to them."

I froze in her arms, my tears flowing faster. She believed me. Even though Mona was gone, she still chose to believe me.

Daddy strode over, lifting me into his arms. "Rebecca, look at Daddy. You said Teri did this. Did you see anything else?"

I sniffled, forcing my panicked mind to think. Before the lights went out, the red string on Teri's wrist. The scent of fresh paint on the culprit. The fragrance of gardenias in the dark. And when Mona was dragged away, the sound of her bells moving to the right.

The right side. The prop corridor.

In my past life, the police eventually discovered that a massive peacock prop box had left the venue early. By the time they found it, it had been burned to ashes. But right now, Mona was likely trapped inside that very box.

I pointed toward the right corridor. "The big bird box! Mona is inside the big bird box! Go to the side exit!"

Teri's expression stiffened for a split second. She quickly chimed in, "Rebecca, there are hundreds of props backstage. You're just making wild guesses. Finding Mona is what matters, not playing games because you're angry with me."

Daddy ignored her completely. Holding me tight, he sprinted toward the right corridor, with Mommy close behind.

Teri tried to block our path. "Mr. Bennett, the organizers said the right corridor is blocked with equipment. It's off-limits."

Daddy glared at her. "Get out of my way."

"But..."

"Stand down, or I will have you arrested as an accomplice to kidnapping."

Teri went pale and stepped back.

We rushed into the right corridor. The air was thick with dust and the sharp smell of wet paint. On the floor lay a tiny silver sequin from Mona’s dress.

I wriggled out of Daddy's arms, picked up the sequin, and sobbed, "She was here."

Mommy gasped, nearly collapsing. Daddy caught her, his eyes bloodshot. "Search. Open every single box."

The bodyguards immediately began tearing through the crates.

Just then, from the far end of the corridor, we heard the squeak of rolling wheels. Someone was pushing a heavy object toward the exit.

I pointed. "She's in there!"