Chapter 24: 23

Ruby and Lesley had both been poisoned by the Swiss knife their grandfather had given them. But my heart was gripped with more fear for Ruby, I had seen her collapse right in front of me, and that image wouldn’t leave my mind.

Now, we were at the hospital. Karla was in the next room, keeping watch over Lesley, while I stayed by Ruby’s bedside.

She was sleeping peacefully, her breathing steady, her face calm as if she wasn’t just on the brink of poison. I couldn’t help but stare at her, at the soft curve of her lips, at the way her lashes fluttered ever so slightly. A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed hard.

“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered, my fingers gently wrapping around hers.

As I held her hand, my mind couldn’t stop racing. Something about this entire situation didn’t sit right with me.

Who the hell uploaded that video? And where did they even get the files?

As far as I knew, I was the only one who had copies of all those records. I had collected them a long time ago, driven by my own twisted need to see the people close to Ruby crumble one by one.

Has someone stolen my files? Or worse—was there a traitor inside Sedes?

A chill ran down my spine at the possibility. If someone had access to my collection, then this was no ordinary leak—this was calculated. Premeditated.

My thoughts were cut off when I heard a weak but familiar voice call my name.

“Sanae?”

I immediately looked down to see Ruby’s eyes fluttering open. A wave of relief washed over me.

“Hey, you’re awake,” I said softly, smiling as I leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

She took a deep breath before answering, “I’m fine. What about Lesley?”

“She’s okay now. She just needs to rest,” I reassured her. “Secretary Karla already called her parents, so they’ll be here soon.”

Ruby nodded, but I could already see the determination creeping into her expression.

“I need to be discharged by tomorrow,” she said firmly. “I need to talk to my investigator and find out who uploaded my cousin’s video. I’m going to ruin their life. I swear to God, I will make them rot in prison.”

There was no hesitation in her voice, no room for doubt.

She wasn’t just angry—she was out for blood.

I reached out, cupping her cheek gently. “Ruby, baby, you need to calm down and rest,” I said, my voice soothing. “Do you want me to handle the investigation?”

She shook her head almost immediately. “I don’t want to put you in dange—”

I cut her off by pressing my lips against hers. The moment our lips met, she went still for a second before slowly relaxing into the kiss.

When I pulled away, I looked into her eyes. “Ruby, didn’t I tell you before?” I said firmly. “I’m with you in everything. No matter how dangerous this gets, I don’t care. I’ll make sure you’re protected. And I promise I’ll be careful.”

I took her hand again and squeezed it. “Please, baby. Let me and Karla handle this.”

She stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding.

“I love you,” she whispered.

I blinked, taken aback. “What?”

She held my gaze, her expression unwavering. “I love you, Sanae.”

A warmth spread through my chest, but before I could respond, she continued. “Please be careful. Here’s the key to my house—you already know the passcode. Karla knows where my office is. The two of you should investigate from there. Trace the uploader and let me know their location immediately.”

I took the key from her, nodding. “I will.”

As I looked at her, something in me shifted. This wasn’t just about Lesley anymore.

Whoever did this wasn’t just trying to hurt Lesley.

They were trying to destroy everything Ruby held dear.

And I wasn’t going to let that happen.

________________________

Watching Lesley’s world crumble right before my eyes brings me an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Seeing her break, seeing her unravel piece by piece, it’s exhilarating. But this is only the beginning.

Because my real target isn’t Lesley.

It’s Ruby.

I will make her feel what it’s like to lose someone she loves. I will make her experience the agony of watching everything she holds dear be ripped away from her, one by one. I will make her suffer. And when the time comes, when she finally realizes that she has nothing left, it will already be too late.

She once stood so high, so untouchable, like a queen on her throne. I used to idolize her, used to admire her strength, her brilliance, her presence. But now? Now, all I feel is pure, unfiltered hatred.

And the only thing that will satisfy this hatred is watching her fall.

But I won’t just destroy her. No, that would be too easy. Too quick.

I want to break her.

I want her to drown in pain, to choke on the very suffering she has caused others. I want her to beg, to scream, to plead—but no one will be there to save her.

And the best part?

I won’t even have to lay a finger on her.

I’ll use Sanae against her.

The one person Ruby trusts the most, the one person she lets her guard down for—I will turn her into a weapon. I will mold her into the perfect instrument of destruction, and she won’t even realize what’s happening until it’s far too late.

Ruby will die by Sanae’s hands.

And when the time comes, when Ruby takes her last breath, no one, no one—will ever suspect that I was behind it all.

They will never know that every single move, every single misfortune, every single loss Ruby has suffered was orchestrated by me.

And when she finally breaks completely, when she loses the will to fight, to live, to breathe, when she finally understands what it means to suffer beyond redemption, only then will my masterpiece be complete.

Sanae will be the instrument of her destruction.

And Ruby?

Ruby will finally taste the karma for all the lives she has ruined. Sanae will be her karma.

And I will be there to watch.

Smiling.