Chapter 448 Important Recording
I pushed open the door, and the hallway sensor light flickered on, casting a warm yellow glow that carried the familiar aroma of home-cooked meals. My hand on the doorknob trembled slightly; Melissa had cranked the heat up to the max, making even the metal doorknob feel hot to the touch.
On the fridge door, a drawing of our family of three by Skylar was held in place by a rainbow-shaped magnet. She had written "Love you, Mom and Dad" around the edges in crayon, the words traced over so many times they looked almost embossed.
My fingers unconsciously brushed over the drawing, and suddenly, the strap of my crystal dress slipped off my shoulder. The fabric, stained with dried blood, grazed my hand, reminding me of the hidden pocket in the dress's bodice. With trembling fingers, I reached inside and felt the cold, tiny recording device. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest. This was what Edward had slipped to me in a moment of crisis, claiming it held crucial evidence against Nicholas and Jeffrey.
Curled up in the corner of the couch, I pressed play. The device first emitted heavy breathing, like someone trying to stifle sobs. Then Anne's hoarse, broken voice filled the silent room, "Edward, I was wrong. I was so wrong."
The sound of static crackled, followed by the clinking of chains dragging across the floor. Edward's steady voice came through, "Take your time. Tell me about Nicholas and Jeffrey's plan."
Anne suddenly burst into sobs, "They tricked me. They said if I played along, you'd trust me completely. But by the time I realized they were planning to kill you, it was too late."
Her breathing was ragged, her words broken by sobs, "Nicholas had Jeffrey set a trap in the warehouse. They said if you and Diana died there, all your assets would go to Nicholas."
"Is that all?" Edward's voice was calm, almost cold. "Are Jeffrey and Nicholas using Fiona's family's overseas connections for arms trafficking and other illegal activities?"
Anne gasped in terror, "Edward, how did you know? They transport guns in the hidden compartments of cargo ships. The ledger is in a secret safe in Nicholas's office. Nicholas said once you were blamed for this, he'd clean up the arms business and frame Diana for smuggling, bringing you both down. But Fiona doesn't know any of this."
Her voice was suddenly interrupted by violent coughing, "Edward, they've kept me prisoner for so long. They let me out just to use your sympathy against you on the day they move the arms."
A heavy thud echoed in the background. Anne screamed, "They're back! The evidence is in the metal duct of the warehouse's ventilation system. The USB drive has recordings of Jeffrey's deals with the arms dealers! Edward, run, don't worry about me!"
The recording cut off abruptly, leaving only the harsh static in the silent room.
I collapsed onto the floor, the dried blood on my crystal dress now a dark brown. So Nicholas had orchestrated all this, not just to take back the Howard Group that Lucas had handed to me, but to frame Edward and me for his arms dealings. Anne's terrified voice, trembling as she spoke of "arms trafficking," still echoed in my ears.
It matched perfectly with what Fiona had told me at the hospital last night.
I never imagined that Nicholas, who had always been so caring towards me, was plotting such a scheme behind my back. If his plan succeeded, I couldn't fathom what fate awaited Edward and me. Once Nicholas controlled the Howard Group and leveraged the wealth and connections from the arms trade, he could dominate not just the business world of Wind City, but potentially reshape the entire national and global commercial landscape.
I looked at my reflection in the glass of the fridge door, my face as pale as a sheet. The torn zipper on the back of my crystal dress looked like a gaping wound, silently recounting the dangers of the previous night.
The static from the recording device was piercing in the silence. I gripped it tightly, my knuckles turning even whiter. Nicholas had planned everything meticulously; he wouldn't leave any loose ends. If he discovered this recording, not only would Edward and I be doomed, but Skylar and Melissa could also be dragged into this mess.
I stumbled to my feet, my slippers making faint scuffing sounds on the floor, and hurried to the study. The lingering scent of Melissa's cooking mixed with the cold sweat on my palms, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
The safe was hidden behind a secret panel in the bookshelf, the combination being Skylar's birthday. Each click of the dial felt like a hammer to my heart. Cold sweat trickled down my wrist, making the dial slippery. When the door finally clicked open, a draft swept through the hallway, causing the ajar door to creak. It felt like someone was pushing the door from the shadows, startling me so much that I bumped into the bookshelf, sending heavy business books crashing to the floor, stirring up a cloud of dust.
I practically knelt in front of the safe, carefully wrapping the recording device in velvet and tucking it into the bottom, covering it with three layers of documents.
My fingers brushed the cold metal interior of the safe, ensuring no gaps were visible. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding so hard it hurt my ears, and silently vowed, No matter what, I would make Nicholas and Jeffrey pay for what they had done and protect my family and loved ones.
Outside, it had started raining again, the raindrops hitting the window with a dull thud. I stood by the window, staring at the rain. The water trickled down the panes, blurring the view below. The greenery outside was a gray blur in the rain, and I could make out several dark figures moving among the plants, their movements obscured by the rain, like lurking predators.
I guessed they were Nicholas' or Jeffrey's lookouts. My hand on the windowsill clenched involuntarily, my nails digging into my palm as my anxiety peaked. It felt like the entire city was filled with Nicholas's spies, leaving me nowhere to hide.
My phone buzzed with a message from Melissa, "Mr. Howard is stable. Get some rest."
I stared at the screen, feeling a mix of emotions. The top of the chat showed a location shared ten minutes ago, with Melissa's icon in the hospital parking lot.
After replying "Okay," I noticed the word "careful" popping up in the predictive text, sending a chill down my spine. The strap of my crystal dress slipped again, grazing the scabbed wound and causing a sharp pain.
I looked down at the dried blood and dirt on my dress and headed to the bathroom.
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