Chapter 114
Eleanor followed behind the makeup artist, heading toward the back of the mountain. Halfway, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“Miss Donovan, my place is nearby,” the makeup artist replied. “I forgot something, and there’s a shortcut this way.”
Out of the blue, Eleanor asked, “Do you really think the Heaven Organization can satisfy you?”
The makeup artist stopped in her tracks. “I don’t get what you mean.”
Eleanor opened her palm, revealing a white, prism–shaped crystal necklace. “What do you think of this necklace? I put it on a 22K gold chain. Pretty, right?”
While the makeup artist was still confused, Eleanor suddenly gave the necklace a little shake. The chain dangled from her hand, and the pendant swung back and forth.
The makeup artist stared at the swinging pendant, her eyes suddenly going blank.
Eleanor waved her hand in front of the makeup artist’s face, but there was no reaction. “Seriously? Not even a hint of caution,” she muttered.
Eleanor quickly searched the makeup artist, found a phone, then chopped her on the back of the neck. The woman went limp and collapsed to the ground.
It didn’t take long for the phone to ring. Eleanor answered but didn’t say a word. After a moment, the person on the other end grew impatient, and a familiar voice came through, “Agent 029, why haven’t you brought her over yet?”
A cold smirk appeared on Eleanor’s lips as she nudged the woman lying on the floor with her toe. “Dad, is that you?”
There was silence on the other end for a while. Eleanor could just picture Ethan’s stunned face.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Dad? I’d never mistake your voice. I’m happy you could make it to my wedding.”
After a long pause, the man finally spoke, his voice conflicted. “Eleanor, it’s me. I wanted to see you, but I was scared. This was the only way I could think
of.”
“Dad, everyone’s saying you started that fire at home, but I don’t believe it.” Eleanor made her voice sound a little hurt on purpose. “Did you send this makeup artist? She said she was taking me to her place, which I thought was weird. Now I get it. Dad, are you hiding out at her house?”
“Where is she?”
“Dad, if you’re innocent, there’s no reason to hide. But if you really did it, you should turn yourself in. The law always catches up with you–you can’t run forever.”
“Eleanor, you have to trust me,” Ethan said.
“Dad, she suddenly passed out, so I have no idea where her place is. I just needed to know you’re safe. Oh, and good news–Mom’s decided t take over the company. If you can prove you’re innocent, you and Mom can finally enjoy some time together.”
Ethan’s voice was full of disbelief. “What did you just say?”
“Dad, you’re happy for me too, right?” Eleanor said with a smile. “I know you and Mom love each other. As for you and Serena, she totally seduced you. Serena’s nothing but a complete con artist. You only fell for her tricks because you were blinded by your feelings.”
The other end of the line went completely silent.
Eleanor let out a cold laugh. Even without seeing it for herself, she could easily picture just how furious Ethan must be right now. Hearing his breathing grow heavier through the phone, she decided to push him even further. “Dad, Serena isn’t your adopted daughter anymore. And let me tell you, the guy she married is a total loser. If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t even have a single percent of the company shares.”
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Chapter 114
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“Eleanor.” Ethan finally spoke, his voice tight. “Where are you? We need to talk.”
“Well…” Eleanor sounded a little troubled. “I still need to get my makeup and hair done. I’ll move the makeup artist to the gamekeeper’s cottage: Why don’t you come find me, Dad? I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Alright, I’ll head over now,” he said. Then, after a pause, “Eleanor, do you believe it’s possible for another soul to live inside someone’s body!
“I do,” Eleanor replied. “Honestly, I’ve been feeling that way myself lately. After I had this weird dream, I suddenly knew all sorts of things I never did before. I’ve never told anyone that.”
“Really?” Ethan’s voice sounded almost excited. “I’m coming to see you right now.”
Eleanor hung up, a cold glint flashing across her face. She couldn’t tell if her father was just that gullible, or if he’d been completely brainwashed–he actually believed such nonsense.
Eleanor found the gamekeeper’s cottage, stepped inside, and gave the place a quick once–over. Once she was sure everything was in order, she settled down off to the side, keeping an ear out for anything happening outside.
Then there were footsteps approaching, stopping right at the door. The hinges creaked as the door opened, but the person standing there hesitated to come in.
Honestly, Eleanor could understand his timidity. The small room was dim, the air musty, the candle flickering, the shadow ominous. It looked anything but cheerful. Most people would probably get the creeps just seeing it.
“Dad, you’re here! Why are you just standing there? Come in,” Eleanor called out.
Hearing her voice, Ethan finally mustered up the courage to
inside.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, the door behind him slammed shut, which made him panic and rush back to try the handle, but the door wouldn’t budge. At the same time, a thick white mist started to fill the room.
“What was this room originally used for?” Tyler asked as he watched the surveillance feed.
Detective Miller, standing nearby, replied, “You didn’t know? This is a room set up for immersive games–basically, it’s an escape room.”
Tyler’s eyes went back to the screen. He saw a few people suddenly appear in the room, but on a closer look, he realized it was just a projection–none of them were real.
Detective Miller sounded a little excited. “Mr. Langford, your wife is really brilliant. Most people wouldn’t be fooled by these projections, but the Heaven Organization gives its members hallucinogens every day and brainwashes them constantly, which even our toughest undercover agents couldn’t resist.”
Tyler asked, “So what happened to the undercover agent?”
A shadow flickered across Detective Miller’s face. “I only heard bits and pieces. No one really knows how it ended.”
“Got it,” Tyler replied.
Detective Miller’s expression turned serious. “Some people actually believe the dead can come back to life, or be reborn in someone else’s body. It’s crazy. This group is completely anti–human. Mr. Langford, even if we solve this case, I think you’ll still be on their radar. That’s why I think you should work with us to take them down for good.”
Tyler glanced at him. “Are you trying to drag me into this?”
“No, no, not at all. You’ve got it wrong,” Detective Miller said, waving his hands. “That killer at the hospital was one of theirs. Our investigation found he accidentally killed his mom and was eaten up with guilt. Someone told him if he killed seven wealthy women and then killed himself, he’d get to see his mom again.”
Tyler scoffed. “People actually fall for that?”
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Chapter 114
“You’d be surprised, but yeah, some do,” Detective Miller said. “Someone like your wife they’d definitely want her in their group”
Tyler’s face darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
“I’m not just trying to scare you. The members we’ve tracked down so far are mostly psychology experts who joined after they felt wronged.”
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Tyler’s voice was icy. “Then just wipe them out. The problem will be solved.” The anger on his face made Detective Miller shrink back a little, feeling the
pressure.
Tyler didn’t say anything else, turning his attention back to the monitors. Detective Miller did the same
