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He looked gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes, a far cry from the smug, depraved man I remembered.
He seemed broken, almost pitiable.
Zoe scoffed at his warning, mocking ,Evan, drowning in debt, and you show up here?"
Unfazed by her jab, he grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the exit.
He must truly loved Zoe.
And truly hated Nathan.
But I didn't get it. Zoe loved money. He had money. Why not buy her affection?
Why take it out on me?
I glared at Evan, wishing he'd lose it and jump overboard.
Nathan clapped, smirking. As Zoe neared the door, he ordered it shut.
"Evan, can't handle it? Get lost. Don't ruin Zoe's fun."
Zoe, thrilled by Nathan's attention, pried Evan's fingers off and ran back to Nathan.
Nathan laughed, tears in his eyes.
He sent the game players away, then taunted Evan."Still so useless. If you like her, take her.I'm not that into her."
"For old times'sake,I'd let you have her. Didn't you know?"
"That night, I even asked if you wanted to take my place."
He kicked the coffee table, shattering glasses."You said you didn't want it!"
The crowd, confused, thought Evan's pursuit of Zoe angered Nathan.
They chimed in," Brothers over women."
That phrase again.
Nathan's face hardened."Get out!"
The room cleared, leaving just them.
Evan, no fool, knew Nathan was targeting him.
He sat on the couch, pouring himself a drink.
"Nathan, you say we're friends, but do you mean it?"
Before Nathan could answer, he shook his head.
"You don't."
Sipping, he continued," You're the Carter Group's sole heir.I'm just a disfavored son. Where's my money?"
"No money, Zoe doesn't want me."
"You've got money, Zoe wants you."
"But you shouldn't have humiliated her with it."
"You're disgusting!"
Evan, buzzed, grew animated.
"Nathan,you're a golden boy. You didn't need to stoop this low."
"Who told you to get serious?"
"Hah, so rich, pretending to be poor to trick girls. You deserve this."
Nathan glared, his knuckles white on the armrest.
Evan relished his reaction, laughing.
"You scorn Zoe for loving money, but your Sissy loved it too, or why was she here?"
"$10,000—laughable, right?"
"You, Mr. Carter, toss out more than that, yet your girlfriend served other men for $10,000."
He tried to sow discord.
But Nathan had found my diary at home.
He knew I came to save for him, for our wedding.
He saw my bank account:$90,000.
In my diary, I wrote,"No $300,000 dowry needed. At $100,000, I'll marry Nathan! Two of us, forever."
$90,000—just$ 10,000 short.
Evan looked at Nathan with pity."When she was under me,didn't you come in…"
Before he finished, Nathan punched him to the ground, stomping his hand.
"Guess who set up tonight's game?"
"Your Zoe's getting what she deserves. You love her—gonna save her?"
Fear flickered in Evan's eyes.
Nathan continued," Shock yourself three times, head to toe, and I'll let her go. Deal?"
Evan laughed." I liked Zoe ages ago. Women are clothes. Why would I hurt myself for her?"
Nathan lifted his foot.
Evan bolted, frantically checking rooms.
Nathan followed leisurely.
He'd searched for me like this once, lying in the corner where I died for hours, possessed.
A door was kicked open, a nauseating stench hitting.
The room was empty, a large bed glaring in the center.
I saw myself—shocked, tortured.
Zoe lay lifeless on the bed, a Rolls-Royce model beside her hand.
Tragic.
Evan, trembling, picked her up.
Nathan watched coldly, not stopping him.
After they left, he cleared the room, set the ship on fire, and watched it burn.
"Sissy,you hated this place."
"I burned it. Rest in peace."
My soul grew fainter.
Zoe's death was reported as a suicide due to depression, but I knew better.
Nathan wouldn't have let her go; he blamed her for what happened, for causing my death.
But he and I were the real culprits.
He just preferred blaming others to ease his conscience.
He didn't spare Evan either, threatening bankruptcy to force the Price family to disown him.
As an orphan, I craved family, a home. I doubted the Prices would abandon Evan.
But one day, Evan called Nathan, his voice hoarse and chilling.
"Nathan, keep your promise—leave my family alone. Break it, and I'll haunt you."
Nathan scoffed, saying he had no right to bargain,adding," Don't die in the sea."
Two days later, Evan jumped from the Carter Group tower, his body mangled.
Nathan kept his word, sparing the Prices.
Later, he went to the sea.
It was a clear day.
He walked into the water until it swallowed him whole.
James arrived too late.
Nathan's last words were," Sissy,I'm sorry."
At that moment, I vanished.
