Clearing my browsing history, I immediately put on a hat and mask and arrived promptly at the unassuming coffee shop.
🙂)
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11:57 Sat, Oct 18 M…
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at the unassuming corree shop.
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Julian was already there. He’d chosen the most secluded corner, a untouched coffee in
front of him, his expression tense as he watched the door.
“You came.”
He saw me, his voice hoarse for some reason.
I didn’t speak, just sat opposite him and took off my mask.
“I’m sorry.”
Julian hung his head, hands clasped, looking uncomfortable and avoiding my gaze.
“That day in the study, what I said, none of it was true.”
My heart stirred, but my face remained expressionless as I quietly watched him.
“Oh really? It didn’t look that way to me.”
“I had no choice!”
He suddenly looked up, his eyes red.
“Aspen, believe me! I did it all to protect you, to protect our family!”
I didn’t reply immediately, instead, I scoffed and leaned back in my chair.
“Pushing me out of the country, giving my scholarship to an outsider–that’s what you call protection?”
“She’s not an outsider! She’s…”
Julian stopped, a flicker of light suddenly in his eyes.
11:58 Sat, Oct 18 M
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“It’s just like what you found…”
He lowered his voice, leaning forward, and quickly told me everything.
It turned out that before Serena showed up, Julian had accidentally overheard Richard, our dad, on the phone with Mr. Davis, his business rival.
The rival had been gloating on the call, saying he had a “secret weapon” that could ruin the Blackwood family’s reputation.
Julian hadn’t paid much attention at the time.
It wasn’t until Serena appeared that everything suddenly clicked into place for him.
He suspected Serena was that “secret weapon,” but he had no proof.
“Mom and Dad were completely blinded by blood ties. They wouldn’t have believed anything I said. I had to pretend to side with Serena, to gain her trust, so I could uncover
the truth!”
“I suggested you go abroad because I was afraid they’d get desperate and do something to harm you! Mr. Davis is capable of anything!”
Julian grabbed my hand, his grip surprisingly strong, making my hand ache faintly.
“Aspen, trust me. How could your brother ever hurt you? Don’t eighteen years of love
mean anything?”
I looked at his red eyes, and the hardest ice in my heart slowly began to melt.
It turned out I wasn’t fighting alone.
It turned out someone was still standing with me.
“I found a five hundred thousand dollar transfer from the Davis Group to Brenda Hayes’s
account, three months ago.”
11:58 Sat, Oct 18 M
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:
Hearing my words, Julian’s expression finally calmed, and he slowly sat back in his
seat.
“That five hundred thousand is proof of their deal!”
“Not enough.”
I shook my head, frustrated.
“With just a transfer record, they could claim it was a loan. We need more powerful evidence, something undeniable, to ensure they can never rise again.”
Julian looked at me, his eyes shining.
“So, you have a plan?”
I curved my lips into a smile, leaning forward slightly, and slowly outlined my idea.
After listening, Julian gasped, looking at me like I was a monster.
“Aspen, are you… are you sure you want to do this? It’s too risky!”
“Can a play be brilliant without a climax?”
I picked up the lemon water in front of me, took a sip, the cold liquid sliding down my
throat.
“Julian, you just need to do as I say. The rest, leave it to me.”
I smirked, my gaze slowly shifting to the window.
The day of the National Physics Competition Finals had finally arrived.
My “departure abroad” was also scheduled for this very day.
Early in the morning, I pulled my suitcase downstairs.
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11:58 Sat, Oct 18 M
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The whole family was there. They planned to drop Serena off at the competition venue
first, then take me to the airport.
Eleanor grabbed my hand, tears welling up again.
“Aspen, take care of yourself over there. Remember to call Mom often.”
Richard patted my shoulder, looking like he wanted to say something, but in the end,
didn’t.
Serena stood nearby, wearing a brand new dress, her face alight with poorly disguised excitement and triumph.
“Sister, take care. When I win the gold medal, I’ll send you pictures.”
I smiled, my expression indifferent as I looked at her.
“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”
Julian walked over, taking my suitcase with practiced ease.
“I’ll take Aspen to the airport. You guys go to the competition venue first, don’t be late.”
My parents nodded and left with Serena.
As the car drove out of the mansion, Julian immediately hit the gas, turned the wheel, and sped towards the competition venue.
I turned to him and asked, “Everything arranged?”
“Don’t worry”
Julian handed me a tiny earpiece, an irrepressible smile playing on his lips.
“Equipment’s been tested, signal jammer’s ready. If she dares to use it, we’ll catch her red–handed.”
11:58 Sat, Oct 18
I put on the earpiece, leaned back in my seat, and closed my eyes.
Serena, Brenda Hayes, Mr. Davis.
Your elaborately staged drama is about to end.
And I, Aspen Blackwood, am the director who decides the finale.
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