17
C
This time, Chase didn’t shield
“Jerk! Idiot!”
shield Anya. Rotten
eggs rained down on him too.
“You gave your girlfriend away! What were you thinking?!*
“Go to hell!”
eggs.
Chase stood impassively, taking the barrage of
The three were taken to the station for separate questioning. The situation had unfolded too quickly for them to coordinate their stories; under professional interrogation, nothing could be concealed.
Anya and Uri were arrested on solid evidence. Chase, having only made a call to Scarlett, which he’d forgotten about, was released.
Leaving the station, Chase encountered Anya and Uri being taken to their cells. Anya threw herself at his feet, sobbing.“Chase, help me! I did all this because I love you so much!”
Uri pleaded, “Bro, I don’t wanna go to jail!”
Chase kicked Anya away and left. He had to find Scarlett.
He called Scarlett, but the line was disconnected. A chilling premonition gripped him. His hands trembled as he checked his messaging apps; she’d blocked him.
He didn’t bother showering and took a cab to the villa. He pressed his finger to the fingerprint lock.“Beep!” The door opened.
Relief flooded him. He could still unlock the door; she must be waiting for him. The house, however, was empty. He searched the second floor, then the third. Except for his owr belongings, everything
find He couldn’t
was
gone.
a
of Scarlett. single trace
He slumped onto the stairs, burying his face in his hands. After composing himself, he remembered Scarlett would likely be at the university. He showered, changed, and rushed to the
garage.
The red Ferrari was still parked at the end. The vibrant red sparked a flicker of hope. It was worth over a million dollars; she loved it, and she’d come back for it. He would pick her up in this c Opening the door, he saw Anya’s black stockings on the passenger seat, and her shoe beneath His throat tightened. He slammed the door shut and chose one of his own sports cars instead At the university, he learned she’d withdrawn. Panic seized him; a gaping hole appeared in hi chest, the cold wind whistling through.
He sat in his car, smoked a cigarette and then called the detective agency. They had connection and could easily obtain information.
The reply came quickly: Scarlett had donated all the money he gave her, canceled all her accounts and documents, including her passport.
Chase’s mind exploded.“She even canceled her passport?”
The investigator confirmed.“Yes, she emigrated to France. She left on a morning flight to Paris We can’t track her information in France.”
2.5
Menu
Chase felt his blood rush to his head, his vision blurring. He took a deep breath, booked a flight to Paris. He had no idea how he’d find her once he got there, but he had to try. After booking the ticket, he called his assistant.“Make sure Anya and Uri get what they deserve. Don’t let the media cool off; keep the spotlight on Anya; dig up all her old scandals.” Meanwhile, Scarlett was on the plane. She loved to sleep, in a car or a plane. After admiring the clouds for a while, she fell asleep.
Yawning, she slowly opened her eyes. Something was dangling in front of her. Focusing, she realized it was… her watch!
She sat up, startled. Following the watch, she met a pair of deep, sapphire–blue eyes. It was him, the guy she slept with that night.
She sat up straight,
wary
of the
handsome
man
the in
seat
to next
her.
What are you doing here?!”
A smile played on his perfect features.“It’s a small world.”
“Is it?” she thought sarcastically. This was incredibly awkward. He handed her the watch.“Your watch.”
She quickly refused.“No, no,
no, this is for you… After all, you were very… helpful.” He said seriously, “I wasn’t exactly working alone. You contributed quite a bit, yourself.” Scarlett was speechless. This guy seemed to be more direct than she had expected.
