- 10.
Things didn’t improve for Sebastian as he had imagined. Threatening calls and messages incessantly harassed him every day. The person began to make demands: he must publicly apologize and turn himself in. Sebastian started to numb himself with alcohol, attempting to escape the ceaseless mente.
In just over half a month, not only could he no longer perform his duties at the hospital, but he even started experiencing hallucinations. Whenever he saw someone, he would scream in terror, “I didn’t kill you on purpose! Stay away from me!”
For the sake of the Sterling family’s dwindling reputation, Julian had Sebastian admitted to a mental health facility and assigned guards to
watch him.
Another month passed, and Dominic’s trial began. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. He appealed the decision, but I heard the chances of overturning the verdict were almost nil.
The day I returned from court, an unknown number sent me a message: “Thank you.”
I replied, “Your travel documents are all prepared. Enjoy the rest of your lives in freedom.”
Then I cleared all records from my phone and began packing my luggage.
8:38 PM O
<
Julian believed that the consecutive misfortunes of my two brothers were no coincidence. He decided that Chloe and I should go with Ryder to his base to hide for a while. We were taken to a small village near the country’s border. It looked like an ordinary factory compound, but the guards had guns holstered at their hips and were exceptionally vigilant.
Chloe was trembling with fear. The moment she saw Ryder, she started crying and begging to go home.
*Smack!* Ryder slapped her hard. “Here, you don’t look around, ask questions, or wander off. Otherwise, I’ll lock you in confinement!”
At the mention of confinement, she immediately covered her face and lowered her head, not daring to say another word.
Ryder confiscated our phones. I seized the opportunity to ask him, “Brother, I still have a few study group assignments due. Could I occasionally borrow a computer? You can have someone watch me.” Ryder knew I was always obedient and diligent about my studies, so he readily agreed.
In the middle of the night, faint sounds of shouting, beating, and pathetic cries drifted from somewhere. Chloe huddled in the corner of the opposite bed, asking uncertainly, “Blair Sterling, are you asleep?” She must have also guessed where she was and what kind of business Ryder I was involved in.
In recent years, the authorities had intensified investigations into illegal human trafficking rings operating across the border, but the largest criminal organization had yet to be apprehended.
I ignored her. Finally, I was here. I needed to carefully consider my next moves.
I stayed there for several days, never leaving my room, simply studying my books as usual, trying to live according to the schedule Julian had set. Chloe didn’t want to share a room with me and couldn’t stand my self–initiated studying. She either chatted with the guards or stood in the yard, peering over at the opposite compound.
One day, I asked Ryder to borrow a computer, claiming I needed to upload a report. He sent his second–in–command with a laptop, instructing
him to supervise Chloe and me.
Unexpectedly, just as I finished uploading, Chloe screamed and rushed into Ryder’s
room
“Ryder! Blair Sterling is up to something! She used the computer to tip someone off!”
