Chapter 361 A Nightmare in the Flesh
"Ms. Grey, I received a strange text message a couple of days ago."
Hazel handed her phone to Katniss. The message was brief. [I can help you escape from here.]
She had Benjamin's contact information and Facebook, but Benjamin had blocked her.
She tried to get a message to Benjamin through the bodyguard, but Benjamin didn't come.
She could only relay the message through Samuel to get Katniss to come.
"I didn't reply. I think this person must be my brother's enemy. If I leave here, the baby in my belly will be in danger."
Katniss noted down the number and sent it directly to Benjamin, along with a photo of the message Hazel received.
Within three seconds, Benjamin called back, "What does this mean?"
"Exactly what it says. Someone sent Hazel this message." Katniss paused and then added, "If you don't leave her a way to contact you, who do you expect to relay messages between you two?"
On the other end, Benjamin responded decisively, "I'm just ensuring her safety."
"You know exactly what you're ensuring," Katniss said, not bothering to expose his true intentions. He wanted to make sure he wouldn't soften.
"I've delivered the message. How you handle this text is up to you."
Katniss hung up the phone and was about to return it to Hazel but then put it away. "I'll have Samuel get you a new phone later."
At least, this phone number could no longer be used.
Without any high-tech tracking methods, Hazel's location was exposed.
Seeing Katniss being so cautious, Hazel became nervous. "Is it that serious? I shouldn't have involved you. You should prioritize your own safety."
"If you encounter any trouble in the future and can't reach Benjamin, you can contact me." Katniss took out a piece of paper and a pen from her bag and wrote down a contact number.
The phone Hazel had used to contact her before was for work; this one was personal.
Seeing this, Hazel felt even more uneasy. "Thank you, Ms. Grey."
The autumn afternoon sun was warm, and leaves were falling from the trees outside the café.
Eudora had been sitting there for half an hour, finally waiting for the person she had arranged to meet.
Tristan walked over, dressed casually with a hat pulled low over his head, hands in his pockets, exuding a lazy yet noble air.
He sat down across from Eudora, leaning back in the sofa chair. "Go ahead, what's Sam's biological father's identity?"
"You're too direct." Eudora pursed her lips, feeling a bit unwilling. "Since I'm willing to tell you this, it means I want to help you."
"I'm not here to listen to your nonsense." Tristan had little patience. He believed Eudora had access to Sam's biological father.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have come.
Eudora remained silent. After those two people had asked her about Tristan and Katniss, they had instructed her to report their every move.
In fact, she didn't know Sam's biological father's exact identity, only a vague guess.
But she knew very well what they intended to do.
"Let's make a deal." Eudora gripped the edge of the tablecloth, speaking firmly. "Even if Katniss becomes the CEO of White Corporation, she can't help you with anything. It's hard for you to fight Sam's biological father alone. How about we work together?"
"What do you want?" Tristan replied. If the deal was harmless, he might consider it.
But Eudora's request was outrageous. "Break up with Katniss and marry me."
"Then there's nothing to discuss." Tristan's expression suddenly turned unpleasant, and he stood up to leave.
Eudora quickly stood up to block him. "What's wrong with me? I've liked you for so many years. Ever since I came to the Forbes family, I've been living for you. Why can't you see me? I was by your side before Katniss!"
Her hysteria was met with Tristan's cold gaze. He looked down at her hand gripping his arm. "Let go."
"When you were together, she stayed with you to take care of her stepmother. I can understand you pitying her, but why can't you pity me? I've never been lucky either. I was always the neglected one at home, and you know what I've been through since coming to the Forbes family!"
Tristan shook off her arm, his tone cold. "I pity you, but I don't pity her because I love her. I will help her so she won't be so pitiful. You shouldn't waste your time on someone who only pities you. You should find someone who can help you."
Someone who could help her? Eudora almost blurted out that there was no one.
Suddenly, Michael's image flashed in her mind. He had told her countless times that he would take her away from the Forbes family.
But she didn't like Michael!
And now Michael had caused her so much trouble.
She was no different from Katniss. Now... Katniss had taken everything from her.
This thought grew in her mind, impossible to erase.
Eudora looked into Tristan's eyes, which gradually filled with despair, and let go of his hand. "Fine, I understand. My feelings for over ten years are just a joke. Don't worry, I won't bother you anymore. You'll regret this!"
Sam's biological father's plan was cruel and bloodthirsty.
She didn't mention a word about it, just waiting to see how Tristan would protect Katniss.
Watching Tristan's departing figure, a thought suddenly sprouted in her mind.
Eudora returned to her car and made a phone call, speaking fluently in a foreign language, "Mike, I'm willing to fully cooperate with your experiment. Please convey to your boss that I am his most loyal and capable assistant!"
"My boss will be very pleased. Welcome, Miss Savoy, to our team. From now on, we are on the same side."
"I'm glad to be on your team. However... regarding the test subjects you want to capture, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you."
"Please go ahead. I will relay your idea to my boss. He is very open to suggestions," Mike said, always in a good tone.
Mike was confident he could control her. She had no chance to play tricks under their watchful eyes.
Eudora's voice echoed through the car, filled with schemes and unrequited love.
She would destroy everything she couldn't obtain!
Late at night, at the bar.
Eudora had a few strong drinks, but her mind was still clear.
When a few men approached her, she hesitated for a moment and then accepted their advances.
Since she was already tainted, there was no need to hold back. She came to this place to indulge.
They went into a private room and partied all night.
Around 3 a.m., the bar staff, fearing trouble, gave them some sobering soup, and they each went home.
Eudora got home around 4 a.m., the car's headlights illuminating Aaron.
He sat on the steps, hugging his backpack, wearing a thin jacket in the chilly early autumn night, shivering from the cold.
Even his breath was frosty.
Eudora got out of the car, holding her keys, and walked past Aaron without acknowledging him, heading straight inside.
Aaron moved his frozen body, smelling the alcohol on her, and frowned deeply, taking a long time to get up.
His legs were numb, and only after they regained feeling did he turn and go inside.
It was the weekend, and he had worked all day without sleep. He had to catch the bus to school at 6 a.m., leaving him with less than two hours to sleep.
So he headed straight to his room, ignoring Eudora, who had collapsed on the sofa.
"Stop. Get me a glass of hot water," Eudora commanded.
Aaron paused and said, "Get it yourself."
"Why do you think I support you?" Eudora suddenly stood up, glaring at Aaron's back. "You eat my food, use my things, drink my water. Shouldn't you listen to me?"
Aaron threw his bag on the ground, turned around, and looked at Eudora mockingly. "Do I need to remind you that I haven't eaten anything you bought? I buy all the food in this house with my own money! I earn my own living expenses at school. I..."
"Didn't I pay your tuition?" Eudora interrupted. "It's your choice not to take the living expenses I offered and insist on working. Can you blame me? You can work as a servant in Katniss's house for a little money, willing to give your life for her, but you can't even get me a glass of water?"
"Yes, I'm that unwilling!" Aaron reptorted fiercely. "Because you don't deserve my kindness. You are selfish, arrogant, and self-righteous! Katniss is a hundred times, a thousand times better than you!"
He spoke the truth in a moment of anger.
Eudora's response to his truth was a furious slap.
He turned his head, the five fingerprints on his face clearly visible, quickly swelling.
"You are all blind to think she's better than me. I will show you the consequences of betraying me!"
Eudora's eyes were red with anger. After slapping Aaron, she still felt unsatisfied and started throwing things around.
Seeing this, Aaron grabbed his backpack and left, not looking back, his eyes determined, as if he wouldn't return.
"I tell you, if you don't come back on time every day, I'll go to Katniss to get you. If you don't listen, I'll hold her accountable for how she's been educating you these past two years!"
Aaron's hand clenched into a fist at his side. He turned back, glaring at Eudora, unable to find words to describe her, and left with a cold snort.
But Eudora knew he would come back.
He knew he didn't want to trouble Katniss. After arguing with Eudora, he would still have to come back and face her, so he might as well endure it.
As long as he didn't die, he would change his situation. Once he graduated and started earning money, he could stay away from Eudora.
The bright moonlight shone into the room, illuminating Tristan's face. Tristan's brows were tightly knit, his breathing rapid.
Tristan was trapped in a nightmare. In the dream, Katniss left him, and he couldn't find her no matter where he looked.
The dream was so vivid, it felt real.
Evie was crying in his arms, looking for her mother. He felt powerless, the dull pain spreading through his body, making it hard to breathe.
Katniss woke up, startled by his grip on her wrist. She opened her clear eyes and met his still-terrified gaze.
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