Chapter 75
CHARLOTTE
For the past three days, I had been watching. Waiting.
Every morning and evening. I sent those messages–short, simple threats designed to dig under her skin. Watch your back. I’m coming for you. It was amusing how easy it was to make someone crumble with just a few words.
aw
And crumble, she did. And funny enough. I had stopped receiving the blackmailing messages for a while.
I stopped by at Damien’s company unannounced these past three days and I had watched her shrink into herself, flinching
at every shadow, her wide, fearful eyes darting around like a trapped animal. The way her hands trembled when she picked up her phone. The way she rushed to walk away, as if she could outrun the fear crawling up her spine.
Pathetic.
She thought she could step into my world, breathe my air, and get away with it? That she could play games with me? That she could poke at me like some insignificant little pest and not suffer the consequences?
No.
She was nothing. And I was about to make sure she never forgot that.
This morning, my men had finally done their job.
The girl and her two little siblings were now in my grasp, exactly where they belonged. An abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, far from prying eyes, far from any rescue. Just me, my men, and a lesson waiting to be taught
I took my time getting there. There was no rush. The fear had already set in. The panic. The hopelessness.
By the time I pulled up. I could already feel the delicious tension in the air.
The scene was perfect
The cleaner and her two little siblings were tied up, their hands bound behind their backs, their small, fragile bodies shaking with terror. The younger ones whimpered, their faces streaked with tears, their little chests rising and falling in uneven gasps. The girl–the so–called blackmailer–looked up at me the moment I stepped out of the car, her eyes wide, frantic. filled with the kind of fear that made my lips curl.
I didn’t speak right away.
Instead, I took my time.
The slow, deliberate click of my heels against the cold concrete echoed in the empty space, the sound stretching through the air like a promise.
Fear
It was thick. It clung to the walls. It pulsed in the air around them. It smelled delicious.
I stopped a few feet away, tilting my head as I studied her.
The girl was a mess–sluking, bound, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. Her little siblings were curled up beside her, terrified and helpless. The younger girl sobbed quietly, her small body trembling as she clung to her brother, who looked
petrified but was trying–pathetically–to put on a brave face.
Pathetic
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Chapter 75
I let my gaze settle back on the girl, the so–called blackmailer. I could see it now–her fear, the way her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, the silent pleas in her eyes.
I smiled.
“You look surprised to see me,” I murmured, my voice smooth, almost gentle.
Her breath hitched. She swallowed hard, her body stiffening as if preparing for a blow. “I–I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Miss Charlotte Thompson. Why are my here? What have I done?”
I let out a soft, amused laugh. “Oh, so you know me?”
She nodded frightfully, “you are one of Damien’s top business partners.”
“Well since you know me, you must know that I don’t like when people play dumb. Don’t do that. It will save us the time.”
“I am not playing dumb. I genuinely don’t know what or why I am here and have done to warrant this treatment. Let me go please. She frantically pleaded.
I crouched down slightly, just enough to bring myself closer, just enough to watch her flinch.
“Don’t insult my intelligence.” I continued, my tone sharp. “You know exactly why you’re here.”
She shook her head wildly, panic shining in her eyes. “I swear, I don’t!” she pleaded, her voice cracking with fear. “I–1 haven’t done anything! Please, let my siblings go! They have nothing to do with this!”
I arched a brow, pretending to consider her words. Then, I let out a low chuckle.
“Nothing to do with this?” I echoed, my voice dripping with amusement as I stood up to stand erect. “And what about you?”
Her breathing turned erratic. “I–I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered.
I clicked my tongue, shaking my head in mock disappointment. “See, that’s a problem,” I murmured. “Lying. Right to my face?”
“I’m not lying” she insisted, her voice laced with desperation. “I swear, I don’t-”
I cut her off with a sharp slap.
You think I’m stupid?” I asked, stepping closer, my shadow swallowing her small frame. “You think I don’t know who are? You think I don’t know what you’ve been doing?”
Her lips trembled, more tears spilling over her cheeks. “I haven’t done anything! I swear, I would never-”
I exhaled sharply, already growing bored of her pathetic act.
you
Without another word, I pulled out my phone, scrolling to the numerous blackmailing messages I had received. I turned the screen toward her, holding it right in front of her face.
*Explain this. Explain what in heaven’s name gave you the temerity to think you could blackmail me and walk away scot
Her eyes darted to the screen, and for a second, I saw it–the sheer panic.
Then, her face twisted in shock
-I didn’t send those!” she gasped, shaking her head furiously. “I swear, I didn’t!”
I let out a slow, cruel smile
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Chapter 75
“Oh, really?” I drawled. “So someone just decided to frame you? To threaten me out of nowhere?”
She sobbed, shaking her head so hard it looked like she was trying to rip it off.
“I don’t know anything about this! Why are you so certain that I’m the one? I am just a cleaner. How can I blackmail you? Please, I swear on my life–I don’t even-”
I rolled my eyes. I was so sick of this.
And then I saw it. The ring.
My gaze locked on her hand, my blood turning ice–cold and my anger rising. The audacity she still had to parade herself with this ring.
“This stupid ring gave you away! Want to know how I figured it out? Fine. When I met the blackmailer, she was covered head to toe–but she was wearing that exact ring. Then I ran into you at the office and saw the same damn ring on your finger. And you’re still wearing it. Either you thought you’d never get caught, or you’re just a complete fool.”
Her eyes widened in sheer horror, “It’s not for me I swear. Oh God. I swear it’s not mine. You have to believe me.”
She must have really thought I was a fool.
“Ok let me act like I believe you for a second. Then where did you get it?” I asked, my voice low, dangerous.
Her breath grew ragged, her pulse wild beneath my grip.
“It was it was given to me,” she stuttered.
“By who?”
She licked her lips, her throat bobbing. “Miss Ross,” she whispered. “One of Damien’s partners just like you–she gave
me
it to
I stilled.
Miss Ross?
I knew every single person who partnered with Damien. And I had never heard that name before.
Miss Ross.
Who the hell was she talking about?
My fingers tightened around her wrist, my nails digging into her skin.
“Miss Ross?” I repeated slowly, suspicion dripping from my tone,
She nodded frantically. “Yes! She said her name was Miss Ross–I don’t know anything else, I swear! She gave me the ring”
Lies.
She was playing me..
And I had had enough
My patience snapped like a brittle thread.
Before I even processed the movement, my fingers wrapped around the cool steel of the gun at my goon’s waist.
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Chapter 75
The cleaner’s eyes widened in horror.
“No–please, please don’t-”
BANG
The gunshot rang out, sharp and deafening in the empty space.
She let out a strangled cry, her body jerking violently as blood seeped from her arm.
Her siblings screamed.
24%B
The younger girl sobbed uncontrollably, shaking so hard she could barely breathe. The boy trembled violently, his mouth open, but no sound coming out.
I lowered the gun, tilting my head as I watched the girl writhe in pain, gasping and shaking.
I took my time stepping closer, my heels clicking against the cold concrete.
She whimpered, her entire body shuddering.
Her pain was delicious.
I crouched down again, gripping her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look at me.
Her tears mixed with the dirt on her face, her lips quivering uncontrollably.
“This is your first and last warning,” I said, my voice so calm it sent a chill down my own spine. “You will leave this city before the week ends. If I so much as hear your name again, I will kill you. And if you should ever mention a word about this to anyone. I swear I’d completely erase your entire family from this earth.”
I leaned in, my voice dropping lower.
“And this time?” My nails pressed into her skin. “I won’t miss.”
Her lips trembled. More tears, more silent begging in her eyes.
“Please she whimpered.
I sneered
I hated beggars.
I shoved her face away in disgust, standing up and dusting off my coat like she was nothing more than filth I had accidentally touched.
“Untie them and let’s go, I ordered my men.
My goons nodded.
As I turned. I caught sight of her little sister–the way the child’s tear–streaked face was twisted in terror, the way her tiny fingers clutched at her brother’s sleeve like it was the only thing keeping her upright.
She was so young. So small.
I let my gaze linger for a second.
Then, I scoffed.
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Weakness.
They were all so weak.
And that was why they would never win.
24%血
Without another glance back. I turned on my heel and walked away, the sound of their desperate cries fading into nothing behind me.
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