Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Stephen rushed out of the house. In the dark night, the SUV sped away like an arrow tore through the rain like a drunk man staggered looking for his way back. The sound of the wind howling outside the window, rolling each raindrop around and then pounding on the windshield of the car.

Stephen didn't care about the outside scene. In his head, jumbled images were playing out. Each scene appeared in turn. The first is an image of Andrea and a bouquet of lilies. Then there was the conversation of Brian and the strange man in the bar. And finally, the image of Miranda just now.

From the bottom of his heart, Stephen realized his feelings for Miranda had changed. It seemed that every time he met her gaze, Stephen couldn't help himself. The hatred in his heart seemed to be washed away. Although Stephen kept saying that he hated Miranda, it was actually a lie. He is trying to deceive himself and remind him that Andrea's death still concerns her.

However, after Brian's conversation with the strange man, Stephen completely wanted to let go of his hatred for Miranda. Suddenly, from that moment on, he thought maybe Miranda was innocent.

Therefore, Stephen was unable to act rudely towards Miranda as usual.

The car still sped away and only stopped when it reached the gate of JD Corporation. The security guard who was dozing off at the entrance hurriedly opened the door when he saw the shadow of Stephen's car.

“Sir, why are you here at this hour today?” The guard awkwardly asked Stephen while he was struggling to open the door.

"If I hadn't come this time, how would I know how diligently you've been on guard." Stephen said while smirking.

Although he was joking, the guard trembled when he heard those words. He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead, trembling and said,

"I'm sorry. I will pay more attention."

“I was only joking.”

Stephen smiled and slowly pulled the car into the parking lot. The guard quickly bowed. Waiting for Stephen's car to disappear, he dared to look up, wiping his face with his arm.

Stephen went straight to his own room. Opening the door, he threw his coat on the arm of the sofa, walked over to the wine cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of red wine and a glass.

Then, Stephen sat down on the sofa, slowly pouring red wine into his glass. A ripple of red quickly spilled down the glass. Stephen lit a cigarette, leaned back on the sofa, held a glass of wine in his hand and picked up the scent. He shook the wine and took a gentle breath, then brought his lips to take a sip.

When he started to get a little yeasty, Stephen picked up the phone and called Jack. Long after the phone rang, Stephen heard Jack's voice on the other end of the line.

“Why are you calling me at this hour?” Jack's sleepy voice rang out.

"Darling, why don't you hug me anymore? Who are you talking to?" At the same time, a woman's voice entered the phone.

Stephen frowned. Maybe Jack was sleeping with some woman. The girl's soft voice made Stephen feel uncomfortable. He felt that the woman was frivolous and cheap.

"Another one-night stand?" Stephen grumbled.

There was a long laugh on the other end of the line.

“Haha! Stephen, are you jealous? But you know how. I'm only interested in women."

“Stop joking around!” Stephen said seriously. "I'm not interested in you either."

“Then why are you calling me now?” Jack asked.

“Can you leave your lover and talk to me?”

"Okay!"

Jack patted his mistress and went out to the bedroom balcony. The other girl didn't seem happy, but she couldn't stop Jack, so she pulled the blanket up and sulked.

“Okay, you can tell why.” Jack said.

“I was thinking about Brian and Andrea.”

"OH! After that conversation?"

"Right! And I think Miranda is probably innocent. Maybe she has nothing to do with this.”

“It can be right, it can also be wrong. But that's not why you're calling me now, anyway."

"Right. I need your help. I mean stalking Brian.”

“Come on, Stephen, don't be so awkward. You have a whole team of bodyguards to do this.”

“It is true that I have a group of people capable of doing that.” Stephen tries to convince Jack. “But you also heard him talk to the strange man. He is trying to bribe the people around me.”

"And you're starting to doubt them?"

"Let's just assume it is."

“But why did you choose to trust me?” Jack asked.

"Because we are friends." Stephen did not hesitate, immediately answered Jack.

Stephen's answer left Jack dumbfounded for a few seconds. Then he smiled and said,

“Okay, Stephen, for the sake of our friendship, I agree with you.”