Having regained her composure, Vanessa worked hard to clear her name and mislead the investigation.
Back then, when father and daughter decided to bury me under the track, it was partly because the site was hidden and safer than disposing of my body elsewhere.
But also because, if suspicion ever arose, they could blame the transient construction workers.
Those laborers were hard to track, often moving across the country with incomplete records.
The police could never realistically identify each one.
Without concrete evidence, the officers could only question them routinely.
Just as they were about to take my remains to the forensic center for further autopsy, a furious shout pierced the air.
“You bastard! You killed Ms. Carter!”
“You heartless traitor!”
A handsome young man broke through the crowd and punched Daniel squarely in the nose.
The punch sent Daniel Brooks sprawling, blood gushing from his nose.
The scene dissolved into chaos as the police rushed to restrain the furious young man.
Panting heavily, he no longer struck at Daniel but instead collapsed onto my remains, weeping uncontrollably.
He wasn’t afraid of my horrific corpse, nor did he care about the foul stench. He clung tightly to my remains, unwilling to let go.
Seeing Jason Reed, I felt a flicker of comfort in my heart.
So, even after my death, there was still someone in this world who cared for me.
Jason should be in his second year of graduate school by now.
When he first entered the university, I had been his advisor.
Jason came from a poor background.
Though academically strong, he was often discriminated against by classmates. This left him insecure and withdrawn.
University life wasn’t pure anymore—it was a miniature society, full of vanity and prejudice, where wealth and status mattered more than integrity.
I always looked after Jason. I helped him apply for financial aid, and often even gave him part of my own salary to support him.
Though officially teacher and student, we got along more like siblings.
We shared similar fates—we had both lost our mothers early, and both had fathers who were indifferent and irresponsible.
So when slander was thrown at me, and everyone else turned their backs in ignorance, only Jason continued to believe in my innocence.
The crowd was still buzzing with noise when Richard Miller appeared.