"You got it spot on," Arabella chimed in, "Next up, the puppet master's gonna be peeping at our every move. What we gotta do
ain't to mess up our own game, but to lock up these hitmen and keep spreading the word that Erik's hanging by a thread and ready
to spill the beans on the past at any moment. That'll make them antsy enough to slip up."
Arabella continued, "With holidays coming, both kin and business associates are likely to drop by—especially after my identity's out
in the open—we'll have even more visitors. If our mystery foe wants to check if Erik's really kicked the bucket, they'll probably
csnooping around themselves."
With a sly smile, she added, "Then, we'll see who's too curious about Erik, and who wants to sneak down to the basement. That's
when they'll show their true colors."
"You're right on the money," Hans agreed, "With New Year around the corner, | reckon they won't stir the pot in the next couple
days, so as not to raise any alarms."
Chasel grinned, "Just as sis said, we wait for them to cknocking during the festivities, and everything will be clear as day."
After all, those who didn't know them had no reason to harm them. It had to be someone close who planned the clinic fire back in
the day.
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What the mastermind had aimed to snuff out were Kenneth and Louisa.
Arabella was just an unintended pawn in this conspiracy, which led to a whole series of events.
"As we nabbed all the hitmen today, they'll know we are gonna beef up security, and would definitely not waltz in here to meet
their maker in the next few days," Clark confirmed.
"Now, we just need to hear how Sean's holding up."
No sooner had Arabella finished speaking than the head of security stepped forward, "Ms. Bella, we've thoroughly checked the
basement; it's clean of any bugs. We've scoured the place inside and out, multiple times."
Arabella nodded and whispered her next instructions.
Hearing Ms. Bella's plan, the security chief was impressed with her smarts and promptly saluted, "Understood."
"Sis, your noggin's sharper than a tack. They'll likely buy into it." Clark patted Arabella's head, amazed at her calm and strategic
mind in the face of danger.
Meanwhile.
Ophelia had just left the Collins residence when she realized she was being tailed.
As a pro race car driver, she spotted seven or eight cars doggedly pursuing her. Though she managed to shake off a few, the rest
clung on stubbornly.
While passing under a bridge under construction, her car skidded after a silenced shot took out her tire, and crashed into a bridge
column. Glass shattered all around her.
The airbag deployed just in time, but a shard nicked her forehead.
A dozen hitmen jumped out, firing at her car relentlessly.
Ophelia unbuckled and ducked low, as bullets turned her car's interior to swiss cheese.
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Someone tossed a smoke grenade inside. The smoke was thin, but it made her drowsy. She tried covering her nose, but the fatigue
was relentless.
She saw the potted plants Bella had given her had toppled over, soil scattered all over. She reached out, but as her bun was
peeked out by the hitmen, she got shot and was forced back down.
Suddenly, more vehicles approached fast and stopped nearby.
Ophelia knew her luck had run out.
She pulled out her phone wearily, and the first contact was Bella.
She sent Arabella a voice message, "Bella, looks like your plants won't make it. Next time, bringsomething cheaper, or I'll feel
bad. Drop by my folks, and marry Romeo soon. Live a safe and happy life and no more dangerous stunts"
Including avenging her.
Ophelia released the button and sent her voice message. As footsteps approached, she knew it was the end.