?


    Howard narrowed his eyes and pulled out his phone. "They were supposed to arrive in half an hour, but they''re here early."


    Just as Howard was about to make a call, I grabbed the nearby knife and plunged it fiercely into his shoulder.


    "Ah!" he screamed in agony, his blood sttering into my eyes as I pulled out the knife.


    I knew Howard couldn''t die so easily at my hands; If he did, I''d be even in deeper trouble with the police.


    As Bobby tried to approach, I stabbed him with the knife in defense. Then, I cowered behind the bed, terrified, my legs giving way as I fell to the ground.


    The man with tattoos leaned against the car, watching me casually, seemingly enjoying my resistance.


    Suddenly, the sound of police sirens filled the air, and the entire scrap iron factory was surrounded.


    Howard''s face discolored instantly. He and Bobby tried to get up and flee, but the police tackled them to the ground; I remained on the ground, hugging my bare legs in fear.


    Meanwhile, as the police rushed in, the tattooed man took off his sunsses and wig. He then walked over to me and draped his jacket over my shoulders, saying, "Useless fool."


    Trembling, I gazed at the man before me, noticing his tattoos were all fake. Although he had applied dark foundation all over his body, I could still tell he was - Joel, the high schooler.


    I looked up at Joel, who dressed like a gangster straight out of a movie, feeling a surge of grievance for some reason.


    "Where''s Steve..." I sniffled, trying to choke back tears.


    Why didn''t Stevene?


    Joel furrowed his brow and said, "Seriously, if you don''t wise up, Steven might end up dead because of you sooner orter."


    I lowered my head, tears falling to the ground.


    Joel continued, "Steven asked me to keep an eye on Mrs. Ford all this time, trying to prove your innocence. He knew she would coborate with Peter. He specifically told you to stay home, but you just had to go meet Mrs. Ford, didn''t you?"


    Joel tossed away his cigarette butt and crushed it underfoot. "Actually, it''s a good thing you''ve turned into a a bit of a fool, but try not to be too stupid, will you? Back then you were


    Joel paused halfway through, staring at me skeptically, "Sometimes I really wonder if you''re


    the real Stephanie Carlson."


    My heart skipped a beat as I nervously stared at Joel. "What happened to Steve?"


    "Since these people finally acted, I need to ensure they take you away so I can assist the police in catching these filthy rats and uncovering the human trafficking ring behind them, don''t I?" Joel shrugged nonchntly.


    Obviously, he had used me as bait.


    "Does Steve... know about this too?" I clenched my fists, feeling a mix of relief and a sharp pang in my heart.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Did Steven know I was taken away? Did he cooperate with the police and agree to use me as bait to lure Howard, Bobby, and the human trafficking ring behind them?


    Though it was a sound tactic, capturing these individuals might help solve the case of missing teenagers...


    But still, why did I feel so upset?


    "You better go back now; otherwise, Steven might kill himself." Joel frowned.


    "What do you mean?" I grabbed Joel''s arm.


    Joel''s emotions were spiraling out of control. "Steven couldn''t possibly let you get into danger, could he? If he witnesses what just happened, nobody here would make it out alive!


    "You know damn well that every time you''re involved, he loses control. Yet, you keep putting him in danger over and over again. If I let hime, he''ll probably spend the rest of his life in the mental hospital!"


    He then took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I tricked him into the basement and locked him in a room. So, we better head back now. If he doesn''t see you soon, he''ll go crazy in there."


    I understood Joel''s concern. Howard and Bobby were crucial figures; they couldn''t die right now.


    However, if Steven had found them before the police, he would surely ensure they paid for their crimes...


    Joel had made the right call, but if Steven was locked up knowing I was in danger, he would really start hurting himself!


    Ignoring the pain in my legs, I struggled to stand and rushed outside, my bare foot stepping on the nails on the ground, causing me to wince in pain as I fell.


    But there was no time to dwell on it now.


    I had to see Steven immediately; I knew he would continue punishing himself until he saw me.


    "The human traffickers have been apprehended, and these two are in custody. Thanks for the information." Zion announced, having intercepted the traffickers en route here.


    Zion shook hands with his fellow officers, casting a concerned nce my way. "Stephany, are you okay?"


    Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at Zion. "Take me home. Steve is at home... Take me home."


    Joel was right. If I didn''t return home sooner, Steven might really harm himself.