Chapter 35: Chapter 35

I don’t believe you.” Jessica said quietly after Charlotte dropped her bombshell. Charlotte had just told her that Sebastian’s uncle, Mr. James was the one who ordered her kidnap, torture, and finally, death.

“Yeah. I know that you won’t believe me. You never believe anything I say unless I give you proof. Tell me, which one is harder to believe? That Sebastian got married to another woman five months after you disappeared, or that his uncle, who used to be a notorious drug dealer wanted you tortured and killed after you cheated on his beloved nephew? These people kill for things that are way less than that. Everyone knows this.”

“I know, but Mr. Sebastian loves me very much.”

“I think 'loved' is the word that you’re looking for. People like this do not care one bit about whatever relationship they had with you in the past once you mess up your loyalty to them, and you messed up big time.”

“So you’re saying that Mr. Sebastian asked you to do all this to me?”

“Tell me one thing. Why on earth would I kidnap and torture you when I have better things to do with my time?

“Um…” Jessica began, trying to think of suitable reasons…

“Yeah. That’s what I thought. Look, you don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to. It’s left for you. I’m just telling you the way things are.”

“So why are you telling me all of this?”

“Trust me, it’s not because I like you. I have my reasons for not killing you like I was paid to do and forgetting about your existence. I need you to do something for me. I need revenge on James.”

“You said that before, but if you had some sort of beef with Mr. James, why on earth will you work with him and accept a job from him?”

“Ever heard of the saying ‘keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer?’”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure that I believe any of this. Why did you keep me alive all this while instead of just telling me all this and getting your revenge immediately?”

“Why do you think, dimwit? I did it because I needed to show Mr. James proof that I was following his orders to torture you.”

“Wow!” was all Jessica could say. She reached up to scratch her bony head, utter rage swelling within her immediately.

“I know you think I’m lying, but I want to assure you that I will not hesitate to put a bullet in your brain if I find that you are of no use to me. So now that I have entertained all your questions, I need to get an answer. Are you in or not.”

“I’m in. I’m.” Jessica said hurriedly. Less than three hours ago, she had been wishing for death, but now that she had tasted just a little bit of freedom, she realized that she would do anything to keep it. Besides, if what Charlotte was saying was true, and Mr. Sebastian had ordered her kidnap and death just because she had cheated on Sebastian, then she would also want her revenge.

“Okay. I can see that I’ve convinced you, but I want to show you one last proof…the icing on the cake. I have the messages with Mr. James on my phone.” Charlotte said, scrolling through her phone for some seconds before she turned the screen towards Jessica so that she could see what was on it. There were a series of chats and pictures showing Jessica in the cage that had housed her for the past six months, starting from when she had been newly captured to when she had begun to emaciate due to starvation. In most of them, she had not even been aware that her picture was being taken. Looking at the pictures caused a slow, burning rage to start within her and tears filled her eyes as self-pity engulfed her.

“I would make them pay!” She thought fiercely to herself. “I will make them all pay even if it is the last thing I do.”

Charlotte must have seen the rage on her face because she chuckled and raised her hands on lock surrender.

“Don’t kill the messenger. I only did what I was told to do. If there is anybody you should be angry at, it’s Sebastian and his uncle. Sebastian for not looking for and saving you, and his uncle for condemning you to such a fate just because of a little mistake you made.”

“What do you want me to do?” Jessica asked through gritted teeth. She would take her revenge on Mr. James and then she would find this sharp-mouthed bitch and kill her, even if it was the last thing she did.

“Ah-ha. Now we’re getting somewhere. You’re going to go back into the real world and go and tell Sebastian all that his uncle has done to you.”

“Are you crazy? Why will I want to do that? He’ll simply hire someone else to finish the job you started.”

Charlotte got up with the quickness of a striking snake and gripped Jessica’s jaw in her palm with a surprisingly strong grip.

“Don’t advantage of my jovial nature. I will not bat an eyelid if I have to kill you and will simply find another way to do what I want to do. The only reason I want to use you in the first place is that I want to see the shock on James's face. So, if you go mouthing at me again, I’ll make sure you’re sorry.” She ground out.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“You’ll have my protection when the time comes. James would not be able to do anything to you. I assure you of that fact. For now, I’ll have you gagged, blindfolded, driven away from here, and then released. I’ve prepared an account with more than enough money for you to start a new life with. You just live your life normally, but stay away from Sebastian. I’ll be in touch when it is time and you will get orders from me. Got it?"

“Yes, ma’am.”

“In the meantime, you’ll keep a low profile and stay away from Sebastian. The minute I find that you’re flouting my instructions, I’ll off you. Capiche?”