With that pleasing thought in mind, Monica let out a triumphant smile. She cast a glance toward her three prisoners and left the room. Nina and Maya were by Sophiaâs side while she slept. They attempted to work out what was going on.
Maya was of the opinion that, like them, Sophia was tricked by Monica.
âSuch an evil woman!â
Nina thought differently, âBut did you see the strange look on Grandmaâs face when she walked in just now? It looked like she was manipulated by Monica. Letâs ask her when she wakes up later.â
âOkay.â Maya nodded in agreement.
They continued to keep watch as Sophia slept.
After an hour, the older woman finally opened her sleepy eyes.
âGrandma, youâre awake?â
âGrandma, are you feeling okay?â
Nina and Maya each grabbed onto her arms and asked anxiously.
Sophia looked at both of them, still in a daze. âWhere are we? What happened to me?â
âThis is Monicaâs lab, Grandma.â
âWhy are you here, Grandma? Were you also tricked by Monica?â
Their questions alerted Sophia, who straightened up her body. As she started to assess the shabby laboratory that they were in, her mind drifted back to her last memory in a café with Monica.
âItâs slowly coming back to me. I remember I was talking to Monica, and thenâ¦â
At some point during their meeting in the café, Monica raised a finger in front of her. Sophia noticed a peculiar pattern on that finger, and soon after, she felt as though the pattern was spinning fast before her eyesâ¦
That was all she could recall.
Sophia looked at her granddaughters and sighed. âIndeed, I was tricked by Monica.â Are you guys all right? Did she hurt you?â
Sophia checked Nina and Maya to make sure they were unharmed.
âWeâre okay, Grandma, but Monica said she wants everyone in our family dead, and that is all because Grandpa killed her father. Is that true?â
Sophia looked like she had swallowed a bitter pill. She looked at them pensively and replied, âYes, your grandpa did her wrong. I can understand if she still holds resentment against both of us. But to take her anger out on so many people is just wrong.â
âBut Grandma, why would Grandpa do such a horrible thing to Monicaâs father?â
âThatâs a long story. Please let me rest for a bit and Iâll tell you later.â
Sophia was hesitant to tell them what really happened. If she told them what Jonathan did in the past, that would really stain their image of him.
Jonathan would have wanted her to keep her mouth shut.
However, looking at their innocent faces, Sophia felt obliged to reveal the truth to them. After all, they were very much wrapped up in this mess as she was.
Before she could make up her mind, the door swung open as Monica walked in.
âI see youâre already up,â said Monica. Her voice was full of contempt.
Sophia slowly stood up. âWhy did you bring us here for?â
âWhat a stupid question. To take revenge, of course,â Monica replied matter-of-factly.
âCome for Jonathan and me if you want your revenge. Weâre the ones who are responsible. The kids are innocent. Please let them go, and Iâll stay. If thatâs still not enough, take Jonathan also. We owe you one life, and now weâre paying you back with two,â Sophia pleaded.
âTwo lives for one?â Monica laughed dryly. âI donât think so. Even if your whole family goes to hell it still wonât quench my thirst for your blood. My initial plan was to first take down Jonathan, then slowly, everyone in your family, and finally the Seet Group. But then I came up with a better idea; I can use you guys as bargaining chips to force Jonathan to destroy Seet Group. Then Iâd make him watch as I slaughter you one by one. But donât worry, he wonât be devastated for long, since he will be finished off soon enough to meet you guys in hell. This is such a good plan itâs exhilarating. So, if you think I will change my mind and let you go, donât hold your breath.â