Chapter 28
By the time Sophie finished recording the video, Skylar burst through the door with a loud bang, scaring everyone in the room.
Jessica, who had been munching on snacks, was so startled she choked. She pounded Ther chest, coughing violently as if she were about to cough up a lung.
Ignoring the chaos, Skylar dragged over a chair and sat down gracefully. “Ms. Warren, you don’t look like someone on the brink of death, as you
claimed.”
Jessica’s face was beet red from the coughing fit. She grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down before she could catch her breath. “What do you
want?”
Legs crossed, Skylar offered her a faint smile. “Since you refuse to engage with us and resolve the matter peacefully, as the CEO, I can’t just let public opinion spiral out of control.”
“I had no choice but to come in person–to show you our sincerity,” she cast a mocking glance at the food in Jessica’s hand. “And what a show I’ve stumbled upon.”
Jessica suddenly found the food in her hand unbearably hot, and with an awkward panic, she threw it in the trash.
Trying to stay calm, she said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ms. Warren, before I became a businesswoman, I was a doctor.” Skylar pulled a silver needle from her pocket–fifteen centimeters long.
“To show my sincerity, I’m offering to treat you, free of charge. Once you’re cured, we can talk about everything else.”
There was nothing threatening in her words, but Jessica still felt suffocated, the pressure unbearable.
Skylar stood up and approached, holding the needle. “It might hurt a little, but I promise, one jab and you’ll be good as new.”
“Stay away from me!” Jessica retreated in fear. “Don’t come near!”
She flailed her arms in panic, trying to keep Skylar at bay. “I’m fine! I don’t need treatment!”
There was no way Jessica was letting Skylar near her with that needle. Who knew if she really was a doctor–or if she even knew how to use it?
Jessica knew if Skylar had any intention of harming her, that needle could be the end of her.
She resisted with everything she had, but she had nowhere left to run. Skylar grabbed her wrist and held her in place.
“Ms. Warren, if you’re sick, you need to be treated. Leave a minor illness unchecked, and it can become something much worse.”
“I’m not sick! I swear I’m not!” Jessica was shaking her head desperately. “Someone paid me to do this–please, Ms. Lambert, I’m begging you!”
Her psychological defenses shattered completely, and with just a little push, she spilled everything.
Skylar let go of her hand and put the needle away. “Then I hope you’ll come clean and tell us who’s behind this.”
Jessica looked sickly pale. “I don’t know who she is. Everything was done over the phone. She used a virtual number and her v
“Oh?” Skylar tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Then call her. Now.”
Jessica hesitated.
vas disguised.”
“You’d better cooperate while I’m still being nice about it,” Skylar warned with a cold smile. “After everything I’ve been through these past few days, might just return the favor.”
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08:16 Mon, 23 Jun
Chapter 28
The moment this scandal broke online, the insults had come flooding in–vicious and filthy.
Jessica had enjoyed watching the drama unfold on her phone at the time, never imagining she’d become a part of it.
“No, please don’t… ” she murmured, scrambling to pull out her phone. She dialed the number under Skylar’s watchful eye, terrified of making her wall too long.
The call connected quickly. Skylar gestured for her to put it on speaker and start recording.
Jessica did as told. “Hello? It’s me.”
“I know,” the person on the other side replied. “Why are you calling?”
“I’m scared… Can we stop now?” Jessica asked.
The voice on the other end instantly turned cold. “Everything’s going perfectly. Why back out now? You boarded this ship–there’s no getting off halfway, Don’t entertain that thought again.”
The voice softened ever so slightly. “Relax. Once this is over, you’ll get your share. If you think it’s not enough, I’ll add a little more.”
Jessica said nothing.
After a long silence, the voice snapped, “Cat got your tongue?”
“My dear little sister… I knew it was you,” Skylar replied instead.
Elianna’s grip on her phone tightened. It was Skylar.
She was confused. She had disguised herself so well–how could Skylar possibly recognize her? Skylar must be bluffing.
She bit her lip and didn’t respond. But Skylar continued. “You think I wouldn’t recognize your voice just because you used a voice changer?”
Skylar took the phone from Jessica. “Why so quiet? Getting scared?”
“What are you so smug about, Skylar?” Elianna finally snapped. “As long as I’m around, you’ll never have a moment of peace.”
“You’d better worry about yourself first,” Skylar replied, then hung up the call.
Elianna exploded. “Skylar! What the hell are you doing?”
But the only answer was the busy tone. Furious, she started screaming at her phone, then froze in panic.
What now? She thought. Skylar wouldn’t let her off easy. She’d use this to destroy her, ruin her reputation.
No. Elianna tried to calm down and told herself. She hadn’t become Mrs. Campbell yet. She hadn’t lived the life of a rich socialite. She couldn’t let this
happen.
She quickly destroyed the SIM card, burned her phone in the backyard, and buried the ashes in a small hole.
Just as she finished, Skylar arrived–alongside the police. They barged in past the butler, who tried and failed to stop t
Elianna’s palms were slick with sweat. “Officers, isn’t it a bit much to break into someone’s home like this?”
“You’re suspected of a crime. We have the right to take you in for questioning,” replied the police.
“I didn’t do anything!” Elianna insisted. “You’ve got the wrong person!”
The police played the recording in front of her. “Still want to deny it?”
Chapter 28
“Just confess already.” Skylar stood beside the police, her eyes cold and mocking.
“That voice sounds nothing like me! How could it be me?” Elianna tried to rally. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Skylar, I know you hate me.”
“I was the one who messed up your happy life with Mom and Dad. I came between you and your family. You’ve been gone for years, and now you come back just to destroy me? I don’t blame you.”
Skylar raised an eyebrow. She had underestimated Elianna. Even backed into a corner, she could still find an excuse.
“With all this evidence in front of you, you’re still playing the victim?” asked Skylar.
