?


    Once Reba had the money, she''d immediately inform Sullivan that she had set the timer and nned to let him live in fear for the next month. She was determined to make him experience what it was like to lose everything—and his freedom.


    Meanwhile, Sullivan grew increasingly anxious as Reba continued to ignore him. Though concerned, he wasn''t yet ready to hand over the money.


    He remained wary of her, unconvinced that paying her would guarantee she''d leave him alone. Reluctantly, he gathered the money and called her directly.


    The call connected after just two rings.


    Reba''s voice was cold. "Is the money ready?"


    "It''s ready, but I don''t trust you," Sullivan replied.


    At this point, both of them had discarded any pretense of politeness. There was no more pretending.


    Reba sneered. "You don''t have much of a choice, do you?"


    Sullivan snickered. "I know you''ve run from Saintornia. You must be desperate for money. No money means you''re stuck. If I''m right, you want to escape the country, don''t you?"


    There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before Reba''s voice grew more frantic. "So what if you know? If you don''t give me the money, I''ll find a way to make a living, but you''ll be the one heading to prison."


    "I''ll give you the money," Sullivan said. "However, I need to see the original evidence first. And I''ll only give you 75,000 dors now. A year from now, I''ll send you another 75,000 dors."


    Reba''s face darkened, and she gritted her teeth. "No. I want 300,000 dors, in one payment."


    "Don''t be hasty. If I give you all 300,000 dors now, you''ll just spend it quickly. But as long as you hold on to the evidence, I''ll give you 75,000 dors each year. That way, neither of us has to worry about the other double-crossing. What do you think?" Sullivan proposed.


    After a moment of thought, Reba found Sullivan''s offer somewhat reasonable. If he sent her 75,000 dors every year, her life would certainly be morefortable.


    300,000 dors sounded like a lot, but it wouldn''tst long.


    "Fine. I agree. Now, transfer the money," Reba said, abruptly ending the call.


    Sullivan kept his word and transferred 75,000 dors immediately.


    Reba received the money and was about to cancel the scheduled email when she heard a knock at the doorShe jumped in shock, almost dropping her phone.


    The knocking continued, and she froze, unsure who it was.


    After a moment, a male voice called from outside, "No one home? I''m leaving the takeout at your door."


    Then, the sound stopped.


    Reba had indeed ordered


    it


    She checked the app, and it w meters away. Conte??


    a


    the delivery person was


    belongs


    Relieved, she still didn''t dare open the door right away.


    She crept over to the window and peeked down, quickly spotting a delivery man in uniform riding away on his e-bike.


    It seemed like it really was the delivery. Maybe she''d been paranoid-Nathaniel wouldn''t have found her so quickly.


    She cautiously approached the door and checked the peephole. The hallway was empty, so it seemed safe.


    Gathering her courage, she opened the door.


    As expected, the takeout was sitting there.


    Just as she bent down to pick it up,


    the door next to hers suddenly


    et


    opened. Before she could react, someone grabbed her and yanked her into the neighboring apartment. ground


    Her phone fell to th


    swnow