7
In the car, Rachel’s face was so dark it seemed like it could drip with anger.
“Sorry! The subscriber you dialed can not be connected for the moment, please redial later.”
The same message came up three times in a row.
Rachel dialed Vivian’s number.
No one answered.
Clint noticed that Rachel didn’t even glance at him. He covered his arm and let out a soft hiss.
But Rachel still didn’t respond.
After two failed calls, Rachel grew increasingly frustrated. There was an intense look of anger in her eyes.
“Drive faster!” she snapped.
The driver nodded and pressed harder on the accelerator.
Clint gently put his arm around her shoulder, speaking in a soft tone.
“Rachel, don’t be mad.”
Normally, Rachel would have calmed down by now.
But today, she didn’t lean into his embrace. Instead, she frowned and quietly pulled away from him.
A deep sense of unease washed over her.
Clint looked at her and asked softly, “Rachel, do you think something really happened to my brother?”
“He’s lived such a pampered life…”
Rachel chose to forget about the few years Arland spent learning martial arts and sneered.
“You’re right. He’s always been spoiled. He can’t handle pain. So, this time, he’s definitely just tricking me again.”
Clint handed her a cup of warm water.
“Maybe he just cares too much about you. That’s why he lost his head. Please don’t be mad at him. It’s my fault. I can’t get my brother to like me…”
But Rachel didn’t seem to hear him. She made no reply.
Her calm face seemed to darken, as if a storm were coming.
Clint’s heart trembled. He put the cup back, not daring to say another word.
This relationship had always been one where Rachel was in control, and Clint was below her.
The car turned the last corner and entered the southern villa district.
Rachel stepped out in disbelief.
It was the familiar old place, but now it was nothing but ruins.
It was clear that the fire had burned for a long time. Many things had turned to ash.
The ashes had been drenched with water, and some of them seeped deep into the charred
earth.
Amid the wreckage, Vivian knelt on the ground, her hands hanging at her sides, dripping with
blood.
Rachel suddenly remembered the news she saw on the cruise.
It was true. Everything her friend had said was true.
The call she received from the police about Vivian was real.
Rachel staggered a few steps forward, staring at Vivian, her face pale as she murmured, “What happened? Why, after just a few days, has it turned into this?”
“Arland didn’t lie to us? The house really did burn down?!!
Vivian suddenly stood up, her eyes bloodshot. She slapped Rachel across the face.
Caught off guard, Rachel stumbled backward.
Clint cried out and tried to help.
But Rachel pushed Clint away and stepped forward to slap Vivian back.
They began to fight, struggling fiercely.
Soon, both of them were bruised, and the fight only stopped when others pulled them apart.
Vivian collapsed on the ground, her face ashen.
“Why did I ever believe your lies?” she cried.
“Why didn’t I answer the phone that day…”
“If I had believed him and come back in time…‘”
“No, Arland is still inside. I need to dig him out!”
Vivian screamed, as if she had lost her mind, crawling towards the wreckage, digging wildly.
Their friends desperately tried to stop her, but Vivian wouldn’t listen.
Rachel wiped the blood from her face and stood up, walking toward the exit.
“The police said they didn’t find a body. Arland must still be alive.”
“He was just angry and burned the house down, trying to make us think he was dead…”
Vivian’s dull eyes suddenly lit up.
“Yes, you’re right. Arland isn’t dead. I’ll send someone to find him now!”
She scrambled to her feet, stumbling as she made her way out.
“Rachel, sister… Ah!”
Clint, frantic, wanted to chase after her.
But he missed a step and fell hard against the charred rubble.
Vivian didn’t seem to hear his cry at all.
Rachel didn’t stop either. She simply instructed her assistant to take Clint to the hospital and got into the car without looking back.
The two cars sped off, quickly disappearing from sight.
