Chapter 4
“Boss, headquarters just called. They said a victim was killed in an explosion. They want you to make a public apology,” Ryan’s assistant reported.
Ryan froze mid-step.
“When did this happen? I haven’t heard about any new operation and where did this victim
come from?”
Before the assistant could check the details, Hailey cut in with a gasp.
“Oh, I get it now… Natalie must be unbelievably cruel.” She turned toward me with wide, faux-shocked eyes. “Just so I wouldn’t win the award, she filed a false report, risking Sophie’s
life? That’s… terrifying.”
Her voice trembled with manufactured concern, as if she were truly worried for my child.
Whatever flicker of doubt Ryan had vanished instantly. He shot me a glare sharp enough to
cut glass.
“Natalie, was this really a false report?”
“I thought you loved Sophie, but clearly competing for my attention means more to you than
her life!”
Without another word, he swept the urn from my hands again.
This time, the ashes spilled into the aquarium, swirling in the water-impossible to recover.
My chest constricted, heavy and cold.
I could only watch as tiny fish nibbled away at what was left of her. Tears blurred my vision.
“Stop pretending,” Ryan snapped. “Stay here and reflect on what you’ve done. When I get back,
we’ll settle this.”
He glanced down at his watch, and his breath caught.
“If we don’t leave now, we’ll be too late. Come on, Hailey.”
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I watched his back as he rushed out the door, my silent scream clawing at my throat.
The person who’d already died was your own daughter.
But Ryan would never hear me.
And even if he did, he’d never believe me.
I cradled the now-empty urn, feeling something deep inside me splinter.
As I began sorting through Sophie’s belongings, her smartwatch tumbled out.
On it was a broken, grainy video.
“You little brat-you’re just as much of an eyesore as your mother. Competing with me for
Ryan’s love? You deserve to die!”
“But I’ll make your death worthwhile. If Ryan thinks I have talent and I blow you up, that’s
killing two birds with one stone, isn’t it?”
“Once you’re gone, I’ll take care of your mother next. Then the two of you can be reunited
underground.”
The kidnapper… was Hailey.
She had orchestrated everything-just to win his favor.
And Ryan… had become her willing accomplice.
The TV blared in the background, showing live footage of Ryan and Hailey, fully geared up, delivering a righteous, rehearsed speech.
Under the blinding camera flashes, the two of them exchanged warm smiles.
The people who killed Sophie should not be smiling like that.
I turned off the TV with trembling hands and dialed a number I hadn’t called in years.
“Would you… be willing to step back into the courtroom for me?”
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Meanwhile, Ryan handed Hailey a toolbox with a smile.
“You extended the last bomb’s timer perfectly. This one’s all yours.”
He looked at her with an almost tender gaze, lowering his voice.
“Go all out. With me here, this year’s Rookie of the Year award is guaranteed to be yours.”
During the press coverage, Ryan glanced at his watch, unease creeping into his chest.
“Let’s hurry upstairs. Sophie will be scared.”
As they climbed the factory stairs, he checked his watch over and over.
Fifteen minutes left on the countdown.
Plenty of time-yet a strange dread prickled along his spine.
He picked up the pace, only to have the scene that greeted him hit like a blade to the gut.
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