Chapter 5
19 min left
You know I love you. I was just too scared back then, that’s why I divorced you…”
“I’ve got all the paperwork ready. Let’s go remarry right now, okay? I promise I’ll devote myself completely to you from now on and make you the happiest woman in the world!”
His sweet talk made Kathy and me feel sick to our stomachs.
“When the new project formula was leaked and your business partner ran off, I thought the company was definitely finished…” Dad was explaining when Kathy suddenly threw open the door. Her face was ice–cold as she stared at Dad and demanded, “How do you know the new product formula was leaked? I only told you that confidential documents were stolen. I never mentioned anything about a formula!”
Dad’s face turned red, then went pale. “I… I don’t know anything! I was just talking nonsense!”
The more panicked he got, the less he could hide it. I suddenly remembered what Larry had said when he was choking me that night. He’d said Kathy’s company would go bankrupt soon, as if he already knew something. Something was very wrong!
Kathy and I exchanged glances, and she immediately called over her bodyguards. Dad tried to run, but a bodyguard threw him to the ground with a shoulder throw. “Let me go! Let me go!”
Chapter 5
19 min left
He struggled desperately, screaming, but it was useless. The bodyguards dragged him into the villa, and what followed was a beating. Kathy showed no mercy, making him howl in pain.
“Let me go! It hurts so much!”
His face was covered in blood, swollen like a pumpkin. Finally unable to take it anymore, he confessed. “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”
We’d guessed right. This whole thing was planned by Dad and Larry. They thought Kathy wasn’t giving them enough money, so they conspired with Kathy’s company’s business partner to steal the company’s core secrets, then sold these documents to Kathy’s competitors for a huge sum. They made nearly eight million dollars total. But they were addicted to gambling and lost it all in the casino in a single night. Only after losing everything did Dad come to Kathy begging for forgiveness.
“I was so good to you, and you betrayed me!”
Kathy was shaking with rage, slapping Dad hard across the face repeatedly until blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. “You’ll pay for this!”
She decisively picked up the phone and called the police. “Honey, please don’t call the police! If they arrest me, Larry’s life will be ruined!”
Chapter 5
How ridiculous – even at the end, he only cared about Larry.
19 min left
Dad was tied to a chair by the bodyguards, desperately begging for mercy. “Please, let me go…”
But no matter how much he pleaded, Kathy and I wouldn’t soften our hearts again. The police sirens wailed, and his heart sank with them.
The police took him away for questioning. No matter how they interrogated him, he refused to reveal Larry’s whereabouts. With solid evidence against him, Dad was sent to detention, awaiting legal punishment. Larry still hadn’t been caught, and the police had issued a warrant for his arrest. He’d become a rat everyone wanted to catch
the moment he showed his face, he’d be finished.
–
Days passed, and Larry never surfaced. I successfully got into college, and Kathy even let me intern at her company. Life was peaceful yet fulfilling.
Until one weekend, trouble struck again. The company organized a team–building event, and we went to à nearby bar. Everyone had a blast, and it didn’t end until nearly dawn. Kathy called to say she’d send a car to pick me up. I thought it wasn’t far, so I politely declined.
Walking alone on the deserted street, I couldn’t help but shiver. Faint footsteps echoed behind me. I alertly quickened my pace, but the footsteps grew closer. Just as I was about to call for help,
Chapter 5
someone covered my mouth from behind.
“Dear sister, long time no see.”
–
Wobb 19 min left
My heart sank – it was Larry! He pressed a sharp knife against my throat. “I’ve had enough of living in the shadows!
“Call Kathy right now and have her transfer five million dollars! Don’t call the police, or I’ll kill you!”
So Larry was planning to escape…
To keep him calm, I had no choice but to comply. I called Kathy, and when she heard I was in danger, she agreed to pay the ransom without hesitation. While waiting for the transaction, I noticed something strange. He had clearly said he’d release me once he got the money, but he brought in several gas cans.
“What are you doing?”
“Shut up!”
He poured gasoline everywhere, then dumped the last can over my head.
“If it weren’t for you people, would I be in this situation? You think I’m going to let you off?”
He smiled coldly. “When Kathy gets here, I’m sending you both to hell together!”
Chapter 5
19 min left
With that, he slapped me hard across the face. Tied to the chair, I toppled over. He then stepped on my face, cursing nonstop.
Time ticked by, and Kathy was almost here. I was running out of time.
“Larry, you think killing us will help you escape? Dream on! Let us go, take the money and leave – everyone wins!”
Larry sneered: “Let you go? In your dreams! Nobody’s getting out alive today! I’m taking you all down with me!”
A car horn honked outside – I knew Kathy had arrived, Larry clapped his hands: “The show’s about to begin.”
He set down the gas can and walked toward the door, humming. That’s when I finally broke free from the ropes and lunged at him desperately, wrapping the rope around his neck.
“Kathy! Call the police!”
That was the most terrifying moment of my life. He struggled frantically, growing weaker as I tightened the rope. Soon his eyes rolled back and he passed out.
Kathy immediately called the police. When the sirens wailed, I finally relaxed, my whole body aching terribly.
Larry was arrested and taken to the station – it was finally over.
5/6
11:51
Chapter 5
19 min left
He confessed to everything, taking full legal responsibility. With multiple charges combined, he was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
The moment the court verdict was announced, both Kathy and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. The weight on our hearts had finally lifted.
We walked out of the courthouse hand in hand. Outside, the rain had just stopped and a rainbow stretched across the sky, breathtakingly beautiful. Free from these scumbags, our lives could finally see the light.
Kathy and I looked at each other and smiled.
The End.
