Ch. 1561..1570

Chapter 1561

Chapter 1561

As time passed, Sasha became increasingly anxious. She wondered why Fleur and Chris were taking so long in the kitchen preparing deep-fried fish. Was Fleur dissatisfied with Lena and intentionally leaving her hanging?

While these thoughts consumed Sasha, Zachary sent her multiple messages containing photos of Lena in the hidden room.

Sasha: [I understand.]

Sasha: [Please keep an eye on her. And refrain from sending me any more messages. I don't want Chris to see them.]

As she finished typing, her second phone rang-the one she used exclusively for communication with the Chrisses.

Upon seeing the caller's name on the screen, a trace of disgust briefly crossed Sasha's face. She reluctantly answered the call. "What do you want?"

"What do you mean, 'what do you want'?" Elijah sounded impatient. "When will you come for the compatibility testing?"

Sasha got up, avoiding the service staff in the living room, and moved to a corner while lowering her voice. "You're asking me? My dear brother, it's evident that your wife's sincerity is lacking."

"You..." Elijah paused and spoke more slowly. "Nala's condition has worsened. Can't you at least come to see her?"

"I have something to attend to right now."

"You want money, right?"

Sasha remained silent.

"I'll give you money," Elijah said coldly. "How much do you want? Just ensure you take care of my daughter!"

"It's not about money..."

"I can agree to all your conditions!" Elijah emphasized. "Sasha, I also hope you'll keep your promise! You said you'd save my daughter!"

Sasha covered the phone's speaker and looked around cautiously. She didn't want to create a scene in the Hamertons' home, so she reluctantly agreed.

"I really can't come right now... Give me some time, and I'll come over soon," she said.

Just then, Fleur entered the living room with a smile, followed by Chris, carrying a plate of deep-fried fish, which he placed on the dining table.

"Lena!" Fleur warmly called. "Come and join us for a meal!"

Sasha's expression appeared somewhat unnatural.

She forced a smile. "Apologies, I... I suddenly remembered some unfinished work I must attend to immediately..."

"Oh, work?" Fleur raised an eyebrow and smiled. "No worries. It's a shame to miss this meal."

"After I finish my work, I'll definitely join you for dinner, alright?"

"Of course!" Fleur held her hand. "Whatever you say! Chris can accompany you."

However, Sasha immediately declined, "No need!"

Chris's eyes darkened, and he clenched his fists at his sides.

"I mean... Chris should stay here with you," Sasha stumbled over her words. "I have already been rather impolite and can't bear to inconvenience you further." After hastily saying her goodbyes, Sasha rushed out of the front door.

Chris was about to chase after her, but Fleur stopped him and signaled to two trusted subordinates on either side.

Chapter 1562

Chapter 1562

Chris wanted to speak, but Fleur interrupted with a composed smile, waving her hand.

The individuals from the Warnocks, whom Fleur had brought along, were unquestionably reliable. Despite their youth, the siblings displayed remarkable agility and sharp minds thanks to rigorous training. They possessed extraordinary talent and were Fleur's trusted aides.

"Do you still have concerns about my associates?"

"No, not at all. It's just-"

"I understand," Fleur interjected, meeting his gaze. "You wish you could follow her and see what's happening yourself. I understand your feelings, but remaining calm in situations like this is crucial. By staying composed, you can identify the right solutions and focus on the key issues."

In a dimly lit room.

Lena regained consciousness. It took her some time to adjust to the darkness. Her temples throbbed faintly, and her mind felt empty. Struggling to sit up, she tried to recall recent events. The hospital, the corridor, the middle-aged man...

She jolted up suddenly, accidentally bumping her knee into a nearby cabinet and creating a loud noise in the silence. Her heart raced as she heard the doorknob turning.

Footsteps approached, and a man's hoarse voice broke the silence. "You're awake?"

Lena was startled. "You..."

A dim light illuminated the room, revealing the man before her.

"Mister?" she exclaimed.

Zachary looked serious as he crouched beside Lena. He moved with agility and displayed better physical condition than some younger individuals. His years of experience in his line of work had endowed him with a calm and resolute demeanor.

"It's you... It's really you!" Lena's voice quivered. "How could you..."

"It is me," Zachary replied in a deep voice. "To be precise, you should call me Zachary."

Lena realized something was amiss, staring at him as she asked, "Who are you?"

Zachary was straightforward. "Krystal was my savior."

Lena was even more shocked, struggling to find words.

A moment of frozen silence passed as they locked eyes. Lena could hear her own heart pounding.

After a long pause, Zachary spoke again. "You must be wondering why someone who considers your mother a savior would treat her daughter like this."

"You..."

Lena did want to pose that question, but she remained bewildered. She couldn't comprehend why this man, who claimed her mother was his savior, had brought her to this place. Was he there to protect her or harm her?

Instinctively, she reached for her back pocket, only to find her phone missing.

She hadn't yet deciphered the layout of the dark room or understood the situation outside. How could she escape? How could she contact Chris?

Lena took a deep breath and acknowledged her difference from ordinary girls in such a situation. Most girls would likely be terrified, but although she felt fear, she could quickly regain composure amid the chaos in her mind.

Chapter 1563

Chapter 1563

Zachary's eyes flashed with a touch of darkness. He paused for a moment and placed several photos in front of Lena.

Lena froze, her gaze fixed on a face identical to hers in the photos. It felt as if a lightning bolt had struck her, instantly silencing her turbulent thoughts.

"Her name is Sasha Harding," Zachary said in a hushed tone. "She's your younger twin sister."

"T-Twin sister?" Lena could hardly believe what she was hearing.

Zachary looked at her and chuckled. "Madame Krys never mentioned this to you, did she?"

Lena shook her head in bewilderment.

She had always believed she was alone in the world. After Krystal's death, she thought she had no family left. The revelation of a twin sister, sharing her blood and bearing her exact likeness, was beyond her wildest imagination.

"When Madame Krys gave birth to both of you, it was out of wedlock, with no names or status," Zachary explained gently. "At the time, she had a questionable reputation and constantly feared arrest. She couldn't keep both of you with her, so she left your fate to chance, flipping a coin."

Listening to Zachary's words felt like hearing someone else's story.

Zachary continued. "Sasha stayed with her. "But you, Lenny... You were sent away.

"Madame Krys entrusted you to Drake and sent money every month. She chose to hide you in that remote village because it was nearly cut off from the outside world, making it difficult to find. You know what she did for a living. If the police ever targeted her, your and Sasha's lives would be ruined."

Lena was stunned before she managed a wry smile. "Did you think that little mountain village was really that great?"

Zachary frowned. "You didn't... live well during those years?"

Lena's eyes welled up slightly as she forced a self-deprecating smile.

"Madame Krys sent most of the money to you."

Yeah, most of the money... which Drake had squandered.

Drake had not only embezzled her money but also had sinister intentions. Growing up, Lena had never had enough to eat or proper clothing. Her childhood was bleak, much like the ever-present fog in the mountain village.

However, Lena didn't want to discuss all this with Zachary. She didn't want to revisit the scars of her past.

"So... what do you want from me now?" Lena looked at him, her fearless gaze making Zachary's heart skip a beat.

Zachary suddenly found himself unable to utter, "I want you dead."

He clenched his fists. He saw Krystal's face in his mind, hearing her voice as if she were saying, "Zachary, are you really going to harm my daughter? Are you truly going to pit them against each other, unable to coexist?"

Zachary's knees weakened, and he staggered back, leaning against the wall and gasping for breath.

Lena sneered. "Are your legs truly injured, or are you putting on an act before me?

"Tell me your intentions directly. But I need to know why you're doing this! Is it for my twin sister?"

Zachary's eyes dimmed, and he remained silent. He simply bit his lip and turned to leave.

As he turned away, a noise caught his attention. He abruptly faced Lena, who was rushing toward the door, but her target wasn't him-it was the door itself.

Zachary gasped and grabbed her arm. The two grappled briefly, but Lena couldn't match him in the dimly lit room. Within moments, he pushed her to the ground.

The sound of the door locking echoed in Lena's ears once more. Enduring the pain in her knee, she rose and summoned all her strength to pound on the door that remained closed to her.

Chapter 1564

Chapter 1564

Sasha had just arrived at the hospital when two of Elijah's men seized her before she could react. Her mind went blank, and she didn't understand what was happening.

The bodyguards restraining her were tall and strong, making it impossible for her to break free. Just as she was about to scream, they forcefully stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth, leaving her only able to make muffled noises.

These men appeared to know the hospital layout well, skillfully avoiding surveillance cameras as they swiftly dragged her into a laboratory.

Elijah stood by the window with his back turned to her. The sunlight streaming in highlighted his cold and stern figure.

Sasha's eyes widened, and her muffled sounds grew more urgent.

"Ms. Harding, I apologize," Elijah said coldly. "I had to resort to this method to meet you."

After speaking, he gestured to two individuals in white lab coats beside him. The doctors understood his meaning. With a wave of their hands, the bodyguards pinned Sasha onto an operating table. "Mmph!"

"Sasha, I advise you not to struggle," Elijah watched her intently. "The more you resist, the more painful the process may become. However, if you cooperate, the pain might be alleviated. It's your decision!" With that, he ordered the cloth in her mouth to be removed. A rush of oxygen entered Sasha's lungs, and she gasped for air, looking at Elijah in fear. "W-What are you planning to do?"

"I just want you to keep your promise."

"Elijah=--"

Elijah said slowly, "Sasha, you may not understand the feelings of being a parent. For parents, their children are their lives...

"My daughter is in critical condition and needs you for bone marrow typing. But you kept evading and refusing to cooperate. I truly have no other choice but to use this method!" "What do you want? Are you going to force me into this bone marrow match?!"

Elijah smirked and signaled to the doctors, who immediately began their procedures. The cloth was stuffed back into Sasha's mouth. She struggled, her neck veins bulging as she cried out. However, she was injected with anesthesia after a while and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Elijah paced back and forth, waiting outside the room.

Time passed second by second.

A doctor came out of the lab, holding an expedited report.

"Mr. Chriss, please take a look."

Elijah eagerly took the report. Besides the bone marrow match, they also conducted a DNA test. However, the results shocked Elijah to his core.

"W-What does this mean?!"

The doctor adjusted his glasses and spoke respectfully. "Her DNA matches yours, Mr. Chriss. It confirms that you are blood relatives."

Elijah stared, momentarily speechless. He had always harbored suspicions about Sasha, but he had never expected that his doubts were inaccurate. Sasha was, in fact, his younger sister. Elijah was stunned for a while before he brightened up in delight.

"So, you mean there's hope for Nala?" He turned to the doctor. "Since she's a Chriss, there's a chance for a bone marrow match, right?"

"In theory, that's correct," the doctor replied, but he couldn't avoid being realistic. "However, your and Mrs. Chriss' tissue types aren't compatible either. It's best to be prepared. Her bone marrow match may not

"When will the results of the match be available?"

Chapter 1565

Chapter 1565

"This will take some time. Please be patient, Mr. Chriss," the doctor said.

Elijah licked his dry lips and tugged his tie, letting out a deep sigh. Waiting was the only option he had at the moment.

Restlessness suddenly overcame him as he glanced at Sasha on the surgical table, still unconscious under anesthesia.

Curiosity got the best of him. As her brother, he felt compelled to see her true face. He needed to understand the extent of any disfigurement and what kind of surgeon he should seek for reconstruction. With determined steps, Elijah entered the room and hesitated only briefly before unveiling Sasha's face.

In that split second, shock and astonishment filled his eyes. "This is... Lena?!"

Meanwhile, Chris anxiously paced in the living room.

Not long after, Fleur's two trusted subordinates, Cody and Tessa Kovac, returned. They had received professional training, making them agile and quick thinkers, highly valued by Fleur. Fleur eagerly asked, "What's the situation?"

Cody and Tessa reported, "We followed Ms. Harding closely, and she neither met anyone nor answered any calls. However, upon arriving at the hospital, she put on a unique mask from her bag, made of gold with gemstone inlays. It seems quite valuable."

"A mask?" Chris frowned. "Lenny never wore a mask before. This is unusual..."

"What else did you observe?"

"We witnessed Ms. Harding being abducted, with someone forcibly silencing her. It was clear they were working for Elijah Chriss."

"Elijah kidnapped her?" Fleur's confusion grew. "This doesn't make sense."

"Yes, we found it puzzling, too," the siblings added. "But we decided to report back before following further."

Tessa asked, "Madam, Could Ms. Harding be collaborating with the Chrisses for some reason?"

"Unlikely," Chris replied. "Lenny wouldn't conspire with outsiders, and she's close to the Chrisses. Elijah wouldn't harm her like this."

As they discussed, the intercom on the wall suddenly buzzed with commotion.

Fleur instructed the security team to investigate.

Upon their return, they reported, "It's Mr. Chriss. He entered the villa and insists on seeing Mr. Chris, claiming it's urgent."

Fleur furrowed her brow, considering their limited interactions with the Chrisses. If there were any connections, it likely involved Lena. Could Elijah's arrival be related to her? Chris's heart raced, and he couldn't wait any longer. He allowed Elijah to enter.

Elijah wasted no time and immediately asked, "Where's Lena?"

Fleur raised her hand to stop her son and approached Elijah with a smile. "Didn't you summon her? Lenny went to the school to finish some work."

Elijah took a few deep breaths and tried to steady his voice as he showed Fleur a DNA test report with Sasha's name on it.

"Mrs. Hamerton, things are quite complicated," Elijah said in a low voice. "Sasha Harding here is my younger sister, yet she has the exact same face as Lena."

Chapter 1566

Chapter 1566

Chris was taken aback and stunned for a moment.

"So..." He turned to Elijah. "The person I've been with these past few days isn't really Lenny!"

"What?" Elijah was equally confused.

"She's not Lenny!" Chris grew agitated. "Lenny must be with her, and she intends to harm her!"

"Mr. Hamerton, please calm down. I can't understand you!"

Chris didn't want to waste time and grabbed a pistol from the room before leaving.

Fleur calmly stopped him. "We need to discuss a plan now. With your emotions high, what can you achieve?"

Elijah scratched his head, speechless.

Fleur asked, "Mr. Chriss, how much do you know about this Sasha?"

"She's my father's illegitimate daughter," Elijah confessed openly now. "But I never tried to find her until my daughter needed a bone marrow transplant. None of our relatives matched." Fleur furrowed her brows. "Where did you find her?"

"It wasn't too difficult," Elijah replied. "Based on my father's clues, my people brought her from Southeast Aciatic. But as soon as she returned, she started wearing a mask, claiming disfigurement. However, she did have something proving her connection to my father."

"And then?"

"Afterward, her behavior became quite strange, raising my suspicions."

"Who's her mother?"

Elijah stated firmly, "Krystal Harding."

Chris' expression changed instantly.

Fleur quickly pieced the puzzle together. "I suppose... Krystal gave birth to two daughters, didn't she?"

Elijah was silent.

"Krystal, Lena, Sasha..." Fleur chuckled. "So, they're all a family!"

"So, you mean..." Elijah widened his eyes. "I have two sisters?!"

His tone changed. "You mean Lena is my sister, and I never knew?!"

Now, Chris looked at him with disdain.

This analysis seemed highly likely.

This unexpected revelation dumbfounded Elijah. However, he quickly realized that with another sister, there was another glimmer of hope for Nala.

"So... where is Lena? Find her now!"

"Do you think I don't want to?" Chris snapped. "It's definitely Sasha... your lovely sister, who has harmed Lenny!"

"Chris, you need to calm down." Fleur tugged at him. "No matter what, we've gathered some clues now. Sasha likely has captured Lenny... But we can't tip our hand. You still need to play along. When Sasha falls into our hands, well... Then it won't be up to her!"

As the anesthesia wore off, Sasha slowly regained consciousness, finding herself alone on the operating table in eerie silence.

Without thinking, she mustered her strength and jumped off the table, searching for the hospital exit.

The hospital was oddly dark, with only green exit signs illuminating the corridors, giving it a horror movie vibe.

Sasha's heart raced as she finally reached the exit. She rushed home, where Zachary scolded her for being late.

Sasha's legs gave way, and she collapsed on the rug.

Her phone rang, and she flung it away in alarm.

Zachary retrieved it, and she answered with effort. "Hello?"

On the line, Lina's voice was cheerful. "Lenny, hope I'm not bothering you."

Sasha struggled to speak. "Of course not."

"That's great!" Lina said with a smile. "There's a party this weekend. You must come!"

"What?"

"It's a celebration! Sol Entertainment, under the Thompson Group, has done well this year, training new talented individuals. They're inviting celebrities to give these newcomers opportunities."

"Oh..."

"You don't sound enthusiastic. Don't you want to come?"

Sasha massaged her temples, feeling agitated.

"Lenny? Are you listening?"

"Mm, I am." Sasha massaged her brows. "Don't worry. I'll be there."

"Great!" Lina laughed heartily. "Bring Chris along! By the way, Zuko's Uncle Neil, an award-winning actor, will be there. I'll introduce you two!"

Sasha responded half-heartedly.

Lina kept talking after discussing the party.

Sasha feared Lina might sense something amiss and endured the hour-long call until her phone overheated. Exhausted, she hung up and slumped on the sofa.

A low voice said, "Are you going to that party?"

Sasha was startled by Zachary's cold gaze.

"I advise against it," Zachary said softly. "Tonight's call was strange. Ms. Thompson doesn't engage in idle chatter. Her change in behavior suggests a reason."

"She and Lena are close, right?" Sasha said wearily. "Friends chat more."

Zachary sighed lightly.

"I want to go to the party!" Sasha insisted. "I can replace Lena!"

"It's not that simple..."

"Stop discouraging me!" Sasha shouted. "You've been like this since I was a child. No matter what I do, you find fault with it! In Southeast Aciatic, every decision I made, you said it was wrong!" "You were making wrong decisions, and I couldn't not say anything," Zachary retorted. "I did it for your good."

"Stop controlling my life with that excuse!" Sasha was hysterical. "My mom entrusted me to your care, not your control!"

"You..."

"Zachary, if you truly care for me, eliminate that woman in the dark room! Do you hear me?"

Chapter 1567

Chapter 1567

Zachary gazed at her, feeling utterly helpless. He switched on the TV, and a surveillance video popped up, revealing Lena inside the secret room.

Lena sat huddled in a dim corner, clutching her knees tightly.

She kept count of the days-this marked her third day there. It hadn't been long but felt like an eternity in this gloomy environment.

Surveying her surroundings, she found no escape route. Facing whoever lurked beyond was equally challenging. She had no choice but to wait for an opportunity.

During these days, Zachary diligently delivered her meals. Even though they lacked flavor, she ate every crumb. She understood that losing hope wasn't an option in such dire circumstances. She had to wait patiently, preserve her energy, and prepare for her escape.

Zachary paused the video and turned to Sasha, his eyes searching for answers.

"Do you... truly want me to eliminate her?" he asked.

Sasha was visibly irritated and rolled her eyes. "Why do you have so much to say?"

Zachary sighed again. "Even if you're not twin sisters, Lena... She's far from ordinary, and eliminating her won't be easy."

"What are you getting at?" she asked.

"You witnessed it yourself. She can eat and sleep in these conditions. What does that mean? She's conserving her strength, figuring out how to deal with us!"

"Then we should eliminate her even more!" Sasha snapped. "Zachary, you're not going soft on her, are you?"

Taken aback, Zachary fell silent.

"In any case, I don't want to see her anymore!" Sasha glared at Zachary. "You promised my mother you'd take good care of me. When I was young, you promised to help me with anything I wanted. Are you thinking of going back on your word now?"

"Sasha..."

"Enough!" Sasha's voice trembled. "You're just a stray dog my mother rescued! What right do you have to control my life?!"

Zachary's eyes widened, and his fists clenched.

Disbelief consumed him.

He never imagined that the girl he had raised with such care, the one he had protected at all costs, the girl he had been willing to steal and rob for when they had almost no money, viewed his years of devotion as nothing more than a stray dog begging for scraps...

Zachary smiled bitterly.

"I'm tired!" Sasha looked at him disdainfully, then turned and headed to her room. "I'm going to buy some clothes for the celebration party tomorrow morning. When I return, I hope that woman is no longer in this world!"

The next morning, heavy footsteps woke Lena from her slumber.

She was naturally alert, even in sleep. These footsteps seemed to resonate from the depths of hell.

Zachary opened the door, allowing a faint light to creep in.

Lena stirred slightly, observing him as he bent down to place a tray of food before her.

Today's meal was rather extravagant, but Zachary's demeanor was unnaturally cold.

"Is this..." Lena smirked. "Is this my final meal?"

Zachary didn't deny it.

Lena looked up at him. He appeared haggard with dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well.

In truth, he hadn't. Sasha's label of him as a stray dog weighed heavily on his heart, suffocating him.

Lena began eating calmly.

Zachary crouched in front of her, silently watching. Lena, like Krystal, remained calm and composed even in life-and-death situations. She radiated unwavering strength in the face of peril.

It was something Sasha couldn't muster.

Although their characters vastly differed, they were twins.

Suddenly, Zachary wondered what might have happened if Lena had been the one standing by Krystal's side. Could the outcome have been different?

Lena took a sip of soup. "You've been with my mother for many years. Has it been challenging?"

Zachary squinted at her but remained silent.

Chapter 1568

Chapter 1568

Lena smiled and glanced at the door from the corner of her eye. Zachary had left it ajar when he entered, either overly confident in his skills or underestimating her due to her young age.

"Eat quickly," Zachary said, eyeing her. "Once you finish, I'll need to send you away."

"Mm, I understand."

"Aren't you scared?"

"Why should I be?" Lena replied with a faint smile. "The one who should be afraid... is you."

Zachary met her gaze, feeling the sharpness in her eyes like a dagger to his heart. Memories of Krystal flooded back, the promise he had made to her, and now he was about to harm her daughter with his own hands...

Lena was right. The one who should be afraid was him.

Restless and sleep-deprived from the previous night's turmoil, Zachary felt lightheaded and dizzy. His breathing grew rapid, and he sensed suffocation creeping in.

Instinctively, he reached for his pocket and realized he had left his inhaler behind.

Clutching his chest in the midst of an asthma attack, Zachary gasped for air like a fish out of water.

"Quick... quick..."

He tremblingly pointed toward Lena, seeking her assistance.

Lena hesitated, unsure of what was happening. Her initial reaction was that this man was lying again.

Suddenly, she stood up and knocked over the meal tray, causing Zachary to fall to the ground in agony.

Lena glanced at his pale face and the door that hadn't been properly closed. This was her best chance to escape. "Medicine..." Zachary struggled to say, "My medicine...

"Lena... please..."

Lena bit her lip.

"Help me... Lena, save me!"

After a brief moment of hesitation, Lena rushed to check the door. The villa was eerily quiet as if no one else were present. "Sasha is gone." Zachary panted, "No... No one else... Lena, I'm in pain... My medicine, it's in the living room drawer. You..." Lena dashed out but took a long time to return.

Just as Zachary thought he might die in that room, he suddenly felt someone lift the back of his head and administer the inhaler. Gradually, his breathing eased, and he regained composure. He looked up at Lena and managed a weak smile.

"Thank you..."

Lena handed him the inhaler back.

Zachary struggled to get up. "Lena, let's go. I'll take you away."

Since she had rescued him from a life-threatening situation, he felt obligated to repay her as per the underworld's rules.

Zachary led Lena outside, and only then did she take a closer look at the villa.

Photos of Sasha adorned the living room. Lena walked over and gazed at the person in the pictures as if she were staring into a mirror.

"She's your twin sister," Zachary murmured in a low voice.

"Heh, I never thought there was another me in this world," Lena mused, a mix of wonder and chills running down her spine. "I also never thought this other me would want to kill me."

Chapter 1569

Chapter 1569

Zachary winced, and a trace of bitterness flashed in his eyes as he opened the door, revealing the outside scenery to Lena.

The late morning sun bathed the surroundings in bright light while a gentle breeze danced through the tree branches. Birds chirped and soared freely in the air.

Taking in the refreshing air, Lena turned her gaze toward Zachary.

"Go now," Zachary whispered. "Lena, can I ask you for one favor?"

"What is it?" she asked.

"After you meet your boyfriend, please don't mention anything about Sasha, alright?"

Lena furrowed her brow.

Zachary stepped closer, his gaze sincere. "I've raised Sasha, and she's like my own daughter... Please trust me. I'll take her away from Centrolis right away, and I promise you won't have to see her again." "So, you want me to spare her?"

"Lena, she's your twin sister, and you..."

Lena stayed silent, swiftly grabbing a fork from the dining table and pressing its sharp end against Zachary's neck!

Zachary was taken aback, reaching for her wrist, but he felt the chilling edge pressing against his artery. Lena had aimed for a critical spot.

"Lena, you-"

Lena's voice turned icy. "Zachary, a little more pressure from me, and your life ends here. I've checked, there are no surveillance cameras in this villa. If I eliminate you and vanish, no one will know who did it." Zachary's expression darkened. "You think the police won't figure it out?"

Lena smirked bitterly. "I'm pretty confident in my ability to evade detection."

"Lena!"

"Zachary, I don't want to harm anyone. But why won't you let me go?"

"It's Sasha's fault!" Zachary's voice quivered. "She's lost her way, thinking she can replace you... but I won't let that happen!"

"That's already happened, hasn't it?" Lena remained intensely vigilant, like a stalking leopard in the grasslands, her eyes keen and composed.

"It has, but instead of figuring out how to guide your 'daughter' properly, you want me to forgive her? Let me tell you, that's not happening!" she stated.

Zachary dared not move, beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks. "Lena, what do you want?"

Lena smirked. "First, hand over my phone!"

Lena first noticed her missing phone upon awakening in the dim room. She assumed Sasha had used it to contact Chris and the others in her quest to replace her.

"I can't do that," Zachary confessed honestly. "Sasha took your phone."

"Alright, then use your phone to call Chris!"

"No!"

"What did you say?" Lena pressed the fork harder.

The cold, pricking sensation caused Zachary to tremble. He had spent years in the criminal underworld and experienced killings, pursuits, and bullets whizzing past his ears. However, he had never felt as terrified as he did now.

He understood that Lena possessed formidable skills. This young woman would be a formidable opponent even in a direct confrontation.

Yet, he suddenly had the eerie feeling that it wasn't Lena holding the fork against him-it was Krystal! It was Krystal wielding Lena's hand to punish a treacherous scoundrel like him!

Sweat beads dotted Zachary's forehead, and a lump seemed to block his throat. He felt the urge to cry.

Chapter 1570

Chapter 1570

After some time, he slowly took his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Lena.

"You can make the call," he whispered. "You must remember Mr. Hamerton's phone number clearly, but I recommend calling Ms. Thompson first."

Lena stared at him, somewhat surprised, because that was exactly her plan.

Lina possessed a tracking device. If she called Lina, it would lead her there. Zachary and Sasha would also face consequences.

"Curious how I found out?" Zachary grimaced. "Ms. Thompson called Sasha last evening. She doesn't beat around the bush, yet she talked to Sasha for a long time. My guess is she was tracking her!" Lena's expression eased.

She withdrew her hand slowly and dashed toward the door, keeping a distance from Zachary before he could react.

Zachary watched her but didn't seem intent on chasing her. There was a mix of emotions in his gaze.

"Don't expect forgiveness for Sasha," Lena said coldly. "And don't expect me to forgive you either! I live by the principle of not harming others unless they harm me first. You harmed me! Talking about sibling affection with me now is quite ridiculous, isn't it?"

With that, she ran off.

Zachary observed her retreating figure with pursed lips and a jumble of emotions in his heart.

After Lena left the villa, she headed forward without looking back. She felt somewhat fatigued on the quiet path, and it seemed like the bustling city center was still quite a distance away.

Centrolis was vast, and she hadn't explored every corner. She could only estimate the general direction, and not having a phone complicated matters. She wiped the sweat from her brow, uncertain about her next steps.

Suddenly, the sound of a car engine echoed on the quiet road.

Her heart skipped a beat. Then, she heard the screeching of brakes!

Chris leaped out of the car.

Lena stared at him blankly.

"Lenny!" Chris couldn't wait and rushed toward her, pulling her into his arms.

Lena stood still. It took her a moment to react. She raised her hand and stroked his broad back, tears welling up in her eyes.

Chris examined her carefully from head to toe, reaching out to touch her face, his eyes filled with the joy of reuniting with something lost.

"Lenny... It's really you..."

"Yeah!" Lena nodded vigorously.

They gazed into each other's eyes. Despite their few days apart, it felt like they had been separated for centuries.

"Are you hurt?" Chris held her shoulders, asking anxiously. "Did anyone harm you?"

Lena shook her head with a smile, tears flowing uncontrollably.

She was then surprised to see that Elijah had also exited the car!

Elijah stood behind them, his eyes fixed on her, emotions rapidly changing within him.

"How did you..." Lena was still in the dark. "How did you both come together?"

Elijah didn't utter a word. He approached her and opened his arms, blocking Chris behind him. He then embraced her tightly.

Lena was startled, but his embrace was as firm as steel. She was almost breathless in his arms.

"M-Mr. Chriss..."

Elijah suddenly made a choked sound, earning an eye-roll from Chris.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Chris stepped forward to separate them. "Can you be a bit more composed?"

"Why should I?" Elijah defended himself. "You should be polite to me from now on!"

Only Lena remained entirely bewildered. "What are you two... talking about?"