Chapter 69 The Ex–fiancé Keeps Pestering Her
Chapter 69 The Ex–fiancé Keeps Pestering Her
Shiloh briskly strode to the window, parting the curtains and peering downward.
“Hmm? Where did she go?”
He had just caught sight of a figure that brought Julia to mind, passing by only moments before. Now, it seemed to have vanished. Perplexed, Shiloh scanned the surroundings in the dimly lit night, finding nothing to explain the disappearance.
“Could I have been mistaken?”
Shiloh rubbed his eyes, attributing the lapse to his gaming session. With a sigh, he closed the curtains, extinguished the lights, and settled in for the night.
Meanwhile, Julia emerged from behind a large tree, her gaze directed toward Shiloh’s room.
‘Staying up at this hour, you truly are a night owl, Julia muttered in her thoughts before moving on.
Soon, she arrived at the old villa located behind the main residence. It was here that the car owner and the group of killers responsible for the accident over a decade ago were being held. Their isolation worked to Julia’s advantage as she navigated the premises.
Entering the car owner’s room, Julia carried her prearranged hypnotic tools. With a gentle extension of her foot, she roused the slumbering car owner.
“Time to wake up.”
Startled from slumber, the car owner blinked drowsily.
It was an opportune moment for hypnosis, and Julia wasted no time initiating the process. Half an hour later, she emerged from the old villa, visibly fatigued.
Exhaustion tugged at her, urging her back to sleep.
The following day, during breakfast, Joseph burst in, clutching his mobile phone with urgency. “Boss, there’s an anonymous email I just received.”
Jared’s curiosity was piqued. He wondered what sort of email could prompt Joseph’s hurried
entrance.
Meanwhile, Julia continued her meal with composed indifference, seemingly unfazed by the commotion.
Shiloh’s curiosity stirred, but he refrained from craning his neck to catch a glimpse. Assuming it pertained to company affairs, he maintained his focus on his breakfast. Different from his brother, Shiloh’s interests didn’t extend deeply into business matters.
Jared tapped on the video, and the car owner implicated in the accident sat on the bed, his eyes dull as he mumbled, “I did receive a sum of money back then and was asked to hit someone intentionally.”
Upon hearing this revelation, both Jared and Shiloh were taken aback. Shiloh set down his chopsticks and approached Jared.
Observing the scene, Julia contemplated the carton of milk in her hand. Should she also join the discussion? It may seem too abrupt if she displayed no interest at all. Deciding to feign curiosity, she discreetly moved behind Jared, milk in hand.
With a voice changer at the ready, Julia posed her query, her voice taking on a masculine tone,
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Chapter 69 The Ex fiance Keeps Pestering Her
“Who gave you the order?”
The car owner responsible for the accident offered an honest confession, “An unfamiliar person approached me. I was strapped for cash then, and they assured me my safety wouldn’t be compromised. So, I reluctantly agreed.”
Julia pressed on, her tone unyielding, “Do you have any knowledge of this person’s identity?” “I’m clueless,” replied the car owner, his expression vacant.
“Have you managed to glimpse any distinguishing features?” Julia persisted.
“The individual was veiled so thoroughly that I couldn’t discern any details.”
“Reflect deeply. Can you recall any distinctive traits?” Julia prodded once more.
After a pause that stretched for several seconds, the car owner finally spoke, “I recollect. As he extended his hand to seal our collaboration, I noticed his hand was missing a palm.”
The video neared its conclusion.
Jared selected another video to view, revealing the hypnotic session involving the group of killers. The queries posed to these assailants paralleled those directed at the car owner.
The orchestrators behind Shiloh’s targeted harm were meticulous, their actions shrouded in an almost impenetrable veil of secrecy.
If the car owner responsible for the accident hadn’t stumbled upon the other party’s identity by chance, he might never have gained such a clue. While this lead appeared fragile, Julia had confidence that after years of investigation, Jared would manage to piece things together.
“Did you trace where it was sent from?” Jared turned his attention to Joseph, his query hanging in
the air.
Joseph’s countenance held a peculiar mix of emotions, pausing for a brief moment before he responded, “Africa.”
A hush descended upon the room at this revelation. Africa? The incredulity was palpable. Clearly, this was a deliberate ploy orchestrated by the unknown adversary.
“Who could secretly be assisting us?” Shiloh’s murmured query reflected his contemplation. Suddenly, a memory stirred–he recalled Julia’s words from the previous day. She had insinuated that hypnosis was sufficient, asserting that Jared need not resort to extreme measures. Glancing at the video’s entranced subjects, he found their behavior consistent with hypnotic influence. Then, there was the enigmatic figure from the prior night. Could it be a mere coincidence, or was there a deeper connection?
Vertigo? Collaboration? Or perhaps, Julia herself?
Caught in a surge of thoughts, Shiloh turned his focus to Julia. “Did you leave the house last night?”
Julia met his gaze serenely, her response calculated, “Last night? I was immobilized under a pillow, in case you were wondering.”
Shiloh’s gaze shifted between Julia and Jared, detecting a subtle shift in her demeanor. He wondered if her dismissive tone was a façade concealing something more.
“What’s the matter? Do I have something on my face? Perhaps some leftover crumbs?” Julia deflected playfully, attempting to change the subject.
Shiloh’s probing gaze persisted, but another interruption arose before he could delve further. A hand extended towards Julia’s face, eliciting her instinctive recoil.
ger on The Ex hance Korps. Pestering Her
“Stay still,” Jared’s directive prompted a pause as Julia puzzled over the intent behind his action. Was she truly unaware of some blemish on her face?
With gentle precision, Jared’s fingers reached her mouth, quickly wiping away the residue. Julia blinked, flustered, her attention divided between his touch and Shiloh’s astonishment. Witnessing this exchange, Shiloh found himself unwittingly partaking in a spectacle.
Yet, Julia’s unease subsided as Jared’s manner exuded refinement rather than mischief. Still, the awkwardness lingered, casting an unusual pall over her meal.
Jared’s mellifluous voice broke through amid this atmosphere, proposing a weekend movie outing. The unexpected invitation caught Julia off guard, prompting her to regard Jared with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
A movie together? Could this be interpreted as a date, an expression of genuine interest?
Before she could articulate her thoughts, Jared intervened once more, his tone light but decisive. “Considering the help you extended earlier, let this be my way of returning the favor,”
With Jared’s rationale, any inclination to refuse was swiftly suppressed. “Alright, then.”
And so, a simple gesture of gratitude evolved into a weekend plan, weaving the threads of their connection a bit tighter.
While Julia assented, she concealed her amusement internally. This man truly embodied the stature of a Brooks family leader, silencing her reservations with just a few words.
A soft “ding” signaled the arrival of a V–letter notification. Julia retrieved her phone and tapped the
message open.
I wish to meet you.]
Julia’s brow furrowed. With their history, why would he still seek her out now?
[I’m busy She replied succinctly.
Carter’s countenance darkened upon receiving her response. Recalling the past, he mused how Julia had often extended invitations to him, only to be met with excuses of busyness and
unavailability. Was this her way of getting back at him?
[There’s something important I need to discuss with you.]
An irritable scowl etched itself onto Julia’s face. [You need my help, and suddenly I must drop everything to comply? Our business is already concluded, isn’t it?]
Another “ding” echoed, heralding Carter’s swift reply.
[Julia, I understand your lingering anger, but can you truly envision me as a stranger, choosing to ignore me moving forward?]
Yes.] Julia asserted firmly, her response unwavering.
Carter’s expression turned stormy, frustration bubbling to the surface. [Meet me in person. I want to see you.]
Exasperation prickled within Julia. This man was relentless! Just as she was about to revise her response, a familiar large hand reached out and deftly retrieved the phone from her grasp. “Staring at your phone while eating isn’t good for digestion,” Shiloh remarked a hint of mischief in his voice. He returned to his meal, eyes fixed on his plate, where not just a feast but a banquet of “dog food” was laid out for him.
After dinner, only Jared and Shiloh remained in the living room. The atmosphere tinged with a
3/4
sense of camaraderie.
“Brother, I sent you something. Take a look,” Shiloh beckoned, drawing Jared’s attention. “What is it?” Jared inquired, puzzled.
[Chapter on Successful Dating Strategies in Films]
Jared’s gaze shifted between the message and his brother. “Help me? Weren’t you rather averse to
her?”
Shiloh offered a wry smile. “Circumstances have evolved. Let’s say my perspective has shifted.”
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Chapter 70
