Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Stephanie followed instructions and made her way to the front desk of Winter Courtyard Hotel, grabbing her keycard.

Heading up to the ninth floor, she unlocked room 915. As she walked in, the door closed behind her. Surveying her surroundings, she found the room

empty.

Suddenly, she caught a whiff of a strong, unfamiliar scent.

She narrowed her eyes and recognized that it was a potent sedative scent, likely to induce confusion within a minute.

Struggling to maintain her composure, she attempted to leave but found herself unable to turn the doorknob.

As the scent intensified, she tugged at her clothes, feeling herself becoming disoriented, swaying against the wall

Just then, the door swung open and a man walked in.

Hesmirked, “Stephanie, you’ve finally fallen into my trap!”

Stephanie pressed herself against the wall and edged further into the room, saying, “Douglas, it’s you! You’re the one who abducted Julia and used her against me!”

Douglas casually tossed his suit jacket aside as he approached, fingers deftly unbuttoning his shirt, and said, “So what if I did? Think you can report me? I’ll film it all f you even try, I’ll make sure the whole world sees you begging for mercy!”

Stephanie shook her head as she backed away, saying “You’re despicable

With a dismissive gesture, Douglas discarded his shirt. “Despicable? You’re the famed Dr. Summer, right? The one who rendered me impotent with your acupuncture! Since you crippled me, you’re responsible for fixing mel Get it?”

Stephanie retreated toward the window and said, “Stay back, or I’ll jump!”

Douglas sneered, “You don’t even have the strength to jump now. But if you want to, why not leap into my arms and let me spoil you? That loser, Vincent, can’t satisfy you, Let me be the one to fulfill your desires!”

He lunged forward, but Stephanie evaded him, leaving Douglas grasping at empty air.

ou think yo

you’re going?” he demanded.

“Where do you

Stephanie staggered to the edge of the bed, collapsing onto it. “Where’s Julia?” she demanded.

Douglas smirked as he unbuckled his belt, pulling out the leather strap. “Somewhere you’ll never find her. She’s in good hands,” he taunted, advancing toward her. “Let me show you how to be properly taken care of for a change!”

With a menacing swing, he lashed out with his belt at Stephanie.

In a flash, Stephanie’s dazed expression turned sharp. With a swift movement, she dodged, and the belt struck the mattress instead.

Taking advantage of Douglas‘ astonishment, she reached out, snatched the belt, and promptly executed a solid shoulder throw

Pinning Douglas Armly to the ground, she pressedher foot forcefully against his chest, demanding, “Tell met Where have you taken Julia?”

Douglas winced in pain as he struggled to speak. “You… you didn’t fall for the trap!”

Stephanie’s

seyes narrowed, her gaze piercing, as she increased the pressure on his ribs

one give way.

Douglas cried out, feeling the bone

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Chapter 88

“Now that you’ve guessed my identity, do you really think I didn’t plan for this?” Stephanie countered, her voice cold and determined.

Douglas gritted his teeth and said, “underestimated you! Why the act with the scent earlier?”

Upon entering the hotel, Stephanie noticed that signal jamming for phones had been activated within the premises.

Unsure if Giovanni had found Julianna, she swiftly gathered evidence and confronted Douglas

Obviously, for evidence. A scumbag like you deserves to rot in jail!” she retorted, a chuckle escaping her lips.

Her amusement faded abruptly, and she asked, “Where’s Julia?”

Douglas clenched his jaw, refusing to speak.

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Stepping on his ribs once more, Stephanie remarked, “A person has twenty–four ribs, twelve on each side. You’ve already cracked four. You’ve got twenty left to go!”

“You’re a murderer Douglas shouted.

Stephanie smirked, “It’s called self–defense!”

Noticing the murderous intent in her eyes, Douglas reluctantly divulged the location, “Basement of a seafood restaurant in Fourth Alley, Havenwood Road, Old Town District.”

“Where’s the signal jammer?” Stephanie demanded.

“In my left pants pocket,” Douglas grumbled.

Stephanie stooped to retrieve the device, swiftly deactivating it. Almost instantly, the phone signal returned. She wasted no time, dialing Giovanni and passing on the address.

Giovanni assured her he was close by and would go over right away.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Came the knocking on the door.

“Your backup?” Stephanie queried.

Douglas, assuming his reinforcements had arrived, smirked. “You’re doomed…”

With a resounding crash, the door swung open, slamming against the wall. Zane strode in briskly, pushing Vincent forward.

Vincent hoisted himself up from the wheelchair using both hands, his expression deadly serious, reminiscent of Hades emerging from the underworld.

Glancing at Douglas sprawled on the ground, bare–chested, Vincent immediately sensed the malevolent intentions lurking within him.

He walked toward Stephanie and asked, “Stephie, are you alright?”

Stephanie stopped over Douglas‘ chest and walked up to him, holding his hands. “I’m fine. Douglas abducted Julia to threaten me. I’ve recorded the evidence. This time, he’s going to pay for it behind bars!”

“Good.” Vincent nodded. Then he stepped toward Douglas, glaring down at him,

Douglas” eyes widened in terror. “Uncle Vincent, your legs!” he exclaimed.

Vincent sneered coldly, “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted to prove and witness?”

“No! I have no idea what you’re talking about, Uncle Vincent, Douglas protested, realizing Vincent would show no mercy.

He reached out, grasping at Vincent’s trousers, pleading. “Vincent, please forgive me. I was wrong. I just wanted to give Stephanie a scare…”

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Chapter 88

Vincent’s expression turned cold as ice. He pressed his foot onto Douglas‘ hand, applying force, and retorted, “I don’t buy a word you’re saying!”

Douglas winced in agony. “I’m being honest. Stephanie used acupuncture on me, leaving me impotent. I just wanted her help to recover

Vincent scoffed, his tone frigid. “And your idea of recovery involves stripping down to frighten her? That’s laughable.”

With a swift kick to Douglas‘ face, blood spurted from his nose, and his front teeth dislodged,

Removing his suit jacket, Vincent crouched down, delivering punches to Douglas‘ face and body until he coughed up blood.

As Douglas lay on the ground gasping for breath, Vincent ceased his assault. He stood up and looked at Stephanic, his voice extremely gentle, as if the earlier violence had never occurred. “Stephie, are you scared?”

Stephanie shook her head and replied, “No”

Vincent smiled, then headed to the restroom to clean the blood from his hands.

When he returned, he phoned the police, providing a brief explanation of the situation. The police assured him they’d dispatch assistance soon.

Meanwhile, Douglas reinforcements found themselves all pinned down by Zane’s men.

“I’ll send the evidence to Zane. Now I’m going to find Julia,” Stephanie declared.

Vincent nodded and said, “I’ll go with you.”

“Sounds good,” Stephanie replied.

Hastily, she and Vincent departed, leaving Zane to await the authorities.

Douglas seethed with anger, powerless to act. Prison loomed ahead.

Sitting in the car, Stephanie forwarded the recording to Zane and steered toward the seafood restaurant,

Glancing at her, Vincent voiced his concem. “Stephie, why didn’t you call me? Do you realize how dangerous it was back there!”

“I tried, but couldn’t get through,” Stephanie explained.

Vincent remembered the signal jam and remarked, “The security system got an upgrade, leading to the activation of the signal jam within the premises.”

“What a coincidence,” Stephanie remarked, finally grasping the situation.

“But when did you try to call?” he inquired.

“Check the call log on my phone,” Stephanie suggested.

Vincent picked up the phone and noticed that Stephanie’s attempted call coincided with the building’s signal jam.

Furrowing his brow, he muttered to himself, “Quite the coincidence for the signal jam at that exact moment”

But Stephanie didn’t pay much attention to it, considering it a normal occurrence during a security upgrade.

Vincent’s gaze grew distant as if contemplating something.

Stephanie glanced at him, curious. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.” Vincent replied vaguely, feeling upsure and seeing no reason to share his thoughts. He mused to himself, ‘What if it truly was just a coincidence? It could lead to misunderstandings

The car continued its journey down the road.

3/4

10:33 Thu, 30 May BB

Chapter 88

Vincent loosened his tie, sensing an unusual warmth spreading through his body, as though his blood were on the verge of boiling.

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His throat bobbed nervously as he fixed his gaze on Stephanie, his eyes growing intense. “Stephie, I’m feeling incredibly parched,” he confessed.

Stephanie glanced at Vincent, noting the flush creeping across his face.

“Damn it! He must have been exposed to the scent when he entered the room. He’s been affected!‘ she realized, pondering the situation.

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