Chapter 8
1050words
Someone knows my true identity.
But who? Serafina? Unlikely. If it were her, she would confront me directly rather than using a voice changer to make an anonymous call. Jax? That's not his style either. So... who could it be?
I immediately sent a message to Julian: "We're being watched. Someone knows who I am."
A few seconds later, he replied: "Do we need to pause the plan?"
Looking at that text, I curled my lips into a cold smile. Pause? No. Quite the opposite.
"No," I replied, "Continue as planned. Even accelerate it. The more anxious the threatener becomes, the easier they'll expose their identity."
I pressed the send button on the group text.
---
Within hours after sending that group text, my phone began vibrating non-stop.
The first reply came from Sara: "What do you mean? What secret does Rio know?"
Then came Matthew's: "This has nothing to do with me. I barely have any contact with Rio."
The most interesting was Jax's response: "If someone wants to play games, they'd better think about the consequences."
I sent a more precise message to Serafina separately: "Where were you the night Rio disappeared?"
Three minutes later, she replied: "What gives you the right to ask that?"
Then I sent the same question to Jax and several others individually. Soon, I could imagine their current state—each person guessing if someone had made a move, each defending their own innocence while secretly suspecting others.
That afternoon, I received a call from Julian.
"I did what you said," his voice carried a strange excitement, "The reporters at 'City Gossip' have already started investigating 'The Mysterious Disappearance Case Surrounding Jax Thorne.'"
"Good." I closed the file in my hand, "Anything else?"
"I want to see you." He paused, "Tonight."
"Why?"
"Because..." his voice grew deeper, "I like the feeling when we do these things together."
That night, Julian appeared at my apartment door right on time. He brought medical alcohol and gauze, because he noticed that I had been unconsciously touching my left shoulder lately—where there was a scar from fifteen years ago that would ache faintly whenever I was under too much pressure.
"Let me see it." He took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
I removed my top, revealing the ugly scar on my shoulder. It was cut by Serafina with broken glass, the wound was deep at the time, requiring more than ten stitches.
Julian's fingers gently traced over the scar, anger flashing in his eyes. "What did they do to you?"
"Do you want to know?" I turned to face him, "The real story?"
He nodded.
"They tied me up in the school storage room, burned my skin with cigarette butts. Carved letters into my body with razor blades. They even forced me to eat..." I paused, "Never mind, you wouldn't want to hear it."
"I do." Julian's voice was soft, but his tone was firm, "Tell me everything."
While he was cleaning my wounds, I described in detail the torture I had endured back then. With each detail I shared, I could feel his muscles tensing and his breathing becoming rapid.
"Do you understand now?" I asked softly, "Why I'm doing this?"
"I do." He put down the cotton swab and held my face in his hands, "I not only understand, I want to help you. Really help you."
"Even if it means..."
"Even if it means destroying all of them." His gaze was resolute, "When my father died on the operating table, I swore to take revenge on those who caused his death. But I could never find the opportunity, nor did I have the courage. Until I met you..."
Our lips pressed together, this kiss carrying the sweetness of revenge and the pleasure of conspiracy. His hand moved down my spine, carefully avoiding each scar, as if worshipping my pain.
"The reporter from 《City Gossip》 needs more material," he said against my lips, "I can tell them about some 'special operations' at Jax's shop."
"What special operations?"
"Money laundering. And some... not quite legal antique dealings." Julian's hand slid to my waist, "I have evidence."
I pushed him away, looking at him in surprise. "How do you have these?"
"Because one of my patients happens to be a senior customs official. He told me about some of Jax's 'side businesses'." Julian revealed a dangerous smile, "I've been waiting for the right moment to use this information."
Just then, my phone rang. Sara's name appeared on the screen.
"Answer it," Julian said, "Let me hear how panicked she is."
"Sara?" I pressed the speakerphone button.
"Ella, save me!" Sara's voice was hysterical, "My father received some photos... about me... he wants to cut ties with me!"
"What photos?"
"You know! Those photos from the party! And... and photos of me using those things!" Sara began to cry, "Who sent them to him? Was it Rio? But Rio is missing... who could it be?"
I looked at Julian, who was listening with interest.
"Sara, calm down a bit." I said in the most innocent voice, "Are you sure it wasn't Rio who arranged for someone to mail them before he disappeared?"
"Impossible... impossible..." Sara's voice was trembling, "Ella, do you think it's possible... possible that someone among us wants to... clean up everyone who knows?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if Rio is really dead... then we're all in danger."
After hanging up the phone, Julian smiled. "She's starting to suspect her friends."
"This is just the beginning." I leaned against his chest, "Tomorrow you'll contact that journalist and tell him about Jax's money laundering operation. Let this fire burn even more fiercely."
"As you command, my queen." He gently kissed my forehead, "Any other orders?"
I looked up at him, in the dim light, his handsome features carried a seductive shadow. This once good doctor was, under my guidance, turning into a dangerous accomplice.
"Yes." I climbed on top of him, my hands pressing against his chest, "Stay tonight. I need you by my side."
His arms encircled my waist, desire and loyalty burning in his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere."
