Chapter 9
Brook and Alex arrived at the police station one after the other.
Alex identified himself and requested to view the surveillance footage.
After reviewing the footage, a young officer brought out Erica’s belongings.
“The footage shows that Miss Erica never left the villa after returning. It’s highly likely she perished in the fire,” the officer explained. “These are some items recovered from the scene.”
Inside a clear plastic bag were a diamond and a charred, unrecognizable red bracelet.
The diamond was identical to the one from Erica’s mother’s necklace.
When Alex recognized the items, all the color drained from his face, leaving him ghostly pale.
“These were Erica’s most treasured bracelet and diamond necklace,” Alex muttered hoarsely, his voice cracking as though his throat was stuffed with cotton.
It felt like a pair of hands were tearing at his chest, his heart throbbing in unbearable pain.
A wave of overwhelming regret crashed over Alex swallowing him whole.
Brook, too, felt as if the world was spinning. His vision blurred, and he could barely stand upright.
When Janis arrived, she immediately noticed something was wrong with Brook.
“Brook, what happened to Erica…” Janis started, her voice trembling.
Before she could finish, Brook turned sharply toward her, his gaze locked onto hers with a terrifying intensity.
Janis shrank back, her voice growing even more pitiful. “Brook, what’s wrong..
His
eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was low and harsh. “It’s all because of you. Erica wouldn’t have done this if it weren’t for you.
“When you weren’t around, the three of us were fine!”
“You’re the vile woman who sowed discord between us. You’re the reason I misunderstood Erica…”
“Janis, I won’t forgive you.”
“Brook, I know you’re devastated by Erica’s death…”
Janis’s eyes brimmed with tears again, just like before. But before she could finish, Brook shoved her aside.
“Get out!”
Chapter 9
Janis, now tearful, looked toward Alex for help.
But Alex merely turned his gaze away coldly.
Janis sat stunned on the floor, her heart growing colder by the second.
2/3
I settled down in a small, quiet country in the West. Life here moved at a slower pace.
Every day, I woke up naturally, went grocery shopping, and cooked meals at home.
After eating, I worked on design sketches or anything that caught my interest.
During my free time, I took walks, clearing my mind completely.
Occasionally, news from back home reached me.
For instance, my supposed death had made the news.
Or how Brook and Alex spared no expense in exacting revenge on Janis and her mother.
Alex publicly revealed that Janis’s award–winning work had been plagiarized from his late sister’s designs, presenting irrefutable evidence.
Janis, who had once basked in fame, instantly became a pariah.
It didn’t stop there. Brook and Alex repossessed every valuable gift they had ever given Janis,
Janis’s mother was exposed as a mistress who had destroyed another woman’s marriage, and Janis herself was revealed to be an illegitimate child.
Hearing these updates no longer stirred any emotion in me.
The sun rose, its bright light spilling across the earth.
This was my new beginning.
After a month of living here, I began job hunting under a new identity.
Nine days later, I landed a position at a new company.
Most of my colleagues were friendly and welcoming.
My boss was a stylish and beautiful woman who supported me greatly in my work.
Gradually, I established myself at the company.
Two years flew by.
I made new friends and even had a few admirers though I wasn’t ready for a relationship just
yet.
Recently, I signed up for an international design competition. I’m currently in the preliminary
Chapjers
round.
The event will take place in a nearby country, drawing significant attention from around the world.
I’ve put in a lot of preparation for it.
