Unbeknownst to her, she was currently being projected on the LED screen in the banquet hall.
Suddenly, the sound system was abruptly increased in volume, overpowering the noisy chatter in the
hall.
âCan you really help him?â
âOf course, as long as you tell me who he is and describe his symptoms to me. You know,
schizophrenia caused by genetic mutation is the hardest disease to treat in the world right now, and
Iâve put a lot of time and effort in studying it.â
On the screen, the young man who was standing in the garden by the lake spoke in a clear voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, Frederickâs expression changed drastically, and the cup in his hand
fell to the table with a clang.
âMr. Hayes, are you alright?â Xandra cried out and moved to check on him.
However, Frederick shoved her aside and bolted up from his seat, roaring angrily at the screen, âWhoâs
doing this? Turn it off! Turn it off now!â
He was so furious that the veins on his neck were bulging.
The banquet hall instantly spiraled into mayhem. Everyone looked at a hysterical Frederick with
confusion sprawled across their faces, wondering what in the world was happening.
Matilda was as puzzled as everyone else.
Sebastian arrived right then. After alighting the car, he rushed to the banquet hall just in time to see this
chaotic scene, and the video displayed on the LED screen.
âHis symptoms⦠His symptoms are terrifying. When they act up, heâll become very violent, as if he
wants to destroy everything. Heâll also create a different personality for himselfâa very rare
manifestationâand he will use that personality to do whatever he wants, likeâ¦â
On the screen, Sasha finally trusted the man and was slowly disclosing the secret she had buried in
her heart for over ten years.
As if someone had hit the pause button, the banquet hall abruptly fell into a pin-drop silence. Even the
air particles seemed to have frozen in place.
In an instant, all the blood drained from Sebastianâs face. His eyes had gone wide as this scene
unexpectedly jogged a memory which was filled with blood and violence.
His expression turned monstrous.
Sasha Wand!
âN-No. Thatâs not right. I remember now. Iâve never⦠never told Dr. Kaye about this. W-Who are you
exactly?â
Just as the woman on the screen was going to tell the man everything, she stopped suddenly, looking
like someone who was jolted awake and trapped in an internal struggle.
Sheâs refusing to continue speaking and is starting to question who I am?
The man was taken aback, probably stunned that she became clear-headed. Hence, he immediately
stepped forward before she could react, making sure to capture her eyes with his own.
âMs. Wand, perhaps you have too much on your mind and your memory is failing you. You said so
yourself that back then, you asked Dr. Kaye about this matter, right?â
âI⦠Iâ¦â
Sasha backed away, feeling a terrifying force worming into mind to dig out the secrets hidden there.
Hypnosis!
This man is using hypnosis on me!
Being a doctor herself, Sasha realized what was happening. Suddenly, fear was born from what little
consciousness she still possessed.
âS-Stay away from me! W-Who are you?â
âBe good now. This isnât what weâre talking about. Tell me, who is that person? Who?â
Who?
Who? Who?
Imprisoned by his gaze, Sasha struggled hard to free herself from his influence. Like a devil whispering
into her ear, his voice broke through her defenses and urged her to say the name.
No. I wonât say it!
I wonât, even if it costs me my life!
Sasha bit down hard on her tongue, the sudden sharp pain pulling her back to her senses ever so
slightly. âGet away from me! Get away!â
She violently shoved him away and staggered to her feet, wanting to escape from that place even as
her head screamed in protest.
When the man saw that she could still resist him, a sneer formed on his lips. In the next second, he
caught up and grabbed her arm, dragging her back toward him.
Their eyes met once again.
But this time, he came so close to her that their eyes were mere inches apart.
âNot bad, Sasha. I guess being a doctor makes a difference, huh? But youâre no match for me. I told
you Iâm a psychologist. No one can fight against my hypnosis.â
Sasha felt her world spin. With the taste of blood in her mouth, her consciousness started to waver
again.
It turns out that this is all a conspiracy.
Someone had already planned for my downfall today.
Using every shred of willpower she had, Sasha pulled off the hair accessory pinned to the crown of her
head with a shaky hand. âIs⦠that⦠so? Then today⦠letâs see if I win, or you lose!â
With that, she stabbed the sharp accessory into her forehead.