Chapter 1197

“No, let’s wait until tomorrow. I’ve studied the security system here. Without the specific key, the alarm will be triggered, drawing the police. That won’t be good for us,” said one of the suspicious men.

Blake heard their conversation and the fading footsteps as they disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Only after they were completely gone did she let her guard down. Closing her eyes, she felt as if all her strength had been sapped away. She slid down the wall, feeling like a survivor in the aftermath of a crisis.

That night, with a dagger in hand, she remained half-dozed, half-

awake. The heating was off, so she wrapped herself tightly in a black down jacket to ward off the cold.

The barking of stray dogs awoke her the next morning. It was only seven o’clock. Recalling the previous night’s events, Blake immediately called the police.

After the police arrived promptly, Blake showed them the surveillance footage on Kevin’s computer. The two officers tried to identify the suspects’ faces from the night before but could not find any matches in their system. Fearing she was being targeted, Blake requested the police take her to a specific location, Southern Haven Villas.

When the police agreed, Blake quickly packed and got into the police car. In the rearview mirror, she saw those two men from yesterday in a car, but they did not follow. She breathed a sigh of relief.

In a black car, a man with a tattoo on his neck made a call. “Ms.

Samford, Blake has taken a police car. We couldn’t follow, but as you guessed, she’s headed to Southern Haven Villas.”

“I know. Leave the rest to me,” Cecilia replied. She thought, ‘By going to Southern Haven Villas, do you think I won’t have any way to deal with you?’

Cecilia fiddled with the cell phone in her hand and sipped her coffee.” If one wishes to climb the social ladder, one can’t afford to have weaknesses. One must nip it in the bud. That’s what you taught me, Zach.” She caressed a photo of Zach, who had deep, striking features. It was the first photo she ever took of him.

Back then, Cecilia was just an ordinary girl, bullied and unexposed to the world. She had seen the worst of people and circumstances. To ascend the social ladder, she studied relentlessly. Then, she met Madelyn, the “innocent princess” envied by everyone.

Cecilia had always dreamed of shining like Madelyn, making those who looked down on her bow at her feet. Years ago, as a pawn for her father’s debts, she almost fell victim to vile men. In her darkest moment, she encountered Zach. That encounter made her his weapon.

Zach financed Cecilia’s education and provided her with a lavish lifestyle. She did not disappoint him, getting into a prestigious university and studying abroad.

Returning to Jardin Corporation, she stayed by his side as his assistant and his woman to dispel his loneliness. Men like him were irresistible to women.

Cecilia had seen his ruthless methods, his hands stained with blood.

And each time he killed, her love for him deepened.