Chapter 480

If he remembered correctly, her parents had died in a plane crash when she was young. She wouldn't remember much; she was a child and wasn't on the plane. Could her faint today be due to missing them?

Back at the Lodge family home, she hadn't shown any intense longing for her parents. Why the sudden faint? Could seeing Olivia's injured mother have been the trigger? She seemed to have a fragile heart.

"Something—something happened," he gasped, hiding in a messy room to make a call. The room was filthy, dark, and only slivers of moonlight illuminated the floor. "What are you panicking about? Didn't you say you'd handle it?!" The voice on the other end used a voice modulator. Though hoarse and strange, the impatience was clear. "I didn't expect such a large fire. And so many people were in that old building!" His hands and feet trembled even in the darkest corner.

He was genuinely surprised by the number of people inside. He'd assumed few lived in that old building. It was well past midnight, and dark; many homes had their lights off. How could there be so many people?

Hiding in the crowd, witnessing the bodies being carried out, and hearing the wails and cries nearly caused a mental breakdown.

"Idiot!" the voice on the other end scolded. "I told you to start a small fire to scare them. Who told you to start a big one?! Do you want to die?"

"I—I… You told me to set the fire! I—I'm just an accomplice!" he stammered, trying to calm himself. He was just following orders; he wasn't the mastermind. Even if the police found him, he wasn't to blame.

The receiver sneered. "Really? Any proof?"

"These calls aren't proof! Do you think the police will believe you? We've never even met!" His words drained the color from the man's face.

They'd only contacted each other online and by phone—all easily faked. He'd thought this was another minor incident, like a theft or petty vandalism. This was far bigger than he'd anticipated.

"I—I…"

"Don't panic!" The voice, like something from hell, chuckled. "Were you seen setting the fire?"

He licked his dry lips, thought, then shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"Don't assume! Be sure. That place was an old building; no surveillance cameras. As long as no one saw you, you'll be fine. Old wiring often short-circuits. They might assume that's what happened!"

The caller's words reassured him. He considered it; it made sense. "Yes! Old wiring! It's not my fault! I'm not involved!"

"Exactly!" the receiver laughed. "Still, leave the city. Go somewhere else and hide for a while. I've deposited money into your account; it should last you a while. Don't use this number again. Don't contact me!"

"Wait, I…" The call ended before he could finish.