Chapter 216

Thea smiled admiringly at Henrietta. "Ms. Wade, you're truly impressive! This time, you've significantly improved the company's relationship with the Langstaff Group. Everyone should learn from you."

Henrietta's smugness intensified. She moved to Thea's side, who graciously made room. "Thanks for your hard work, Ms. Wade," Thea said. "How about this: you'll handle all future orders with the Langstaff Group."

Henrietta was delighted. Before she could respond, Thea had granted her wish. Henrietta looked at Thea with contempt, thinking, After all, Thea's a rich girl. So what if she's capable and learned management? This type of woman is easily controlled.

Henrietta sat at the head of the table, affecting an air of importance. "Mrs. Hendrix, don't worry. As long as you trust me and leave the company to my care, I won't disappoint you. You can go shopping or travel—I'll handle everything." Thea inwardly sneered but feigned happiness. "I've been feeling overworked lately. It seems we're on the same page."

After a while of acting with Henrietta, Thea felt exhausted. She left before five. Much work remained to re-establish cooperation with the Langstaff Group, but since Henrietta was eager to take charge, Thea let her. She wasn't worried about Henrietta slacking off; she knew Henrietta wanted her position. Given the chance, Henrietta would work hard, and Thea was happy to relinquish her duties.

Thea had just reached the underground garage when her phone vibrated. It was an unfamiliar number. Hesitating briefly, she answered. "Hello?" The other end remained silent.

Thea dismissed it as harassment or a wrong number. After hanging up, she prepared to leave. Suddenly, she felt a chill. Her instincts proved invaluable. She instinctively crouched, just as a woman lunged, knife in hand, toward the spot where Thea had been standing.

Thea's face paled. She saw Stephanie, her expression resentful. Stephanie, no longer her exquisite self, was disheveled, her clothes dirty, but her eyes were cold and murderous. Worse, Stephanie was blocking Thea's car.

Thea knew that trying to escape might get her killed before she could start the car. She thought, Didn't Nicolas say he'd controlled Stephanie? Why is she here? And she seems unstable.

Wariness etched on her face, Thea backed away. "What are you doing? Killing is illegal. Let's talk."

Stephanie advanced, laughing sinisterly. "Talk? Don't pretend you don't know you stole Nicolas from me! Are you satisfied now?" Thea's heart sank. "Calm down."

"Calm down?!" Stephanie screamed, her eyes blazing. "I know you saved Nicolas! What are you doing now? Using that favor to make him fall for you? But my brother saved him too—he died for him! How will he repay me?!"

Seeing Stephanie's derangement, Thea understood Nicolas's helplessness. She spoke up for him. "Stephanie, dare you say Nicolas treated you badly? He gave you everything but his love. Stop now, and things can improve. You're still a star. Nicolas can provide anything you lack. Why do this for a man who doesn't love you? Even if you kill me, what's the point? You and Nicolas can't go back. He won't fall for you; your relationship will only worsen. He'll feel no guilt about your brother. Is that what you want?"

Stephanie's eyes clouded with confusion. She seemed to be considering Thea's words.

Thea continued, "He treats you like a sister. It's not too late to stop. You don't want to lose your relationship with Nicolas, do you?"

The knife clattered to the ground. Stephanie crouched, crying. Thea breathed a sigh of relief and cautiously approached, not to help Stephanie (who'd just tried to kill her), but to retrieve the knife and call the police. Without the weapon, Stephanie was no threat.

Thea quietly picked up the knife, feeling relieved. But before she could stand, Stephanie, still supposedly crying, asked strangely, "Thea, what are you really doing?"

Thea's hair stood on end. Stephanie looked at her with a cold smile, her face dry. The whole scene had been an act.

Before Thea could react, Stephanie grabbed her hair, produced a handkerchief, and suffocated Thea. "You're so gullible. You won't escape this time. You'll never see Nicolas again!" Stephanie's words were a death sentence.

Thea struggled, but was no match for Stephanie. The world blurred. Before losing consciousness, she pressed the emergency call button.

Stephanie dragged Thea to the car, unaware that Thea's phone, having fallen to the ground, had successfully connected the call. On the other end, Nicolas anxiously asked, "Thea? What's wrong? Where are you?" Receiving no answer, Nicolas immediately knew something was wrong. He stood, urgently calling Darwin. His tone was icy. "Find Thea. Locate her phone. I want results in ten minutes. And if Thea is harmed, everyone searching for Stephanie is fired."