Chapter 291

Luke rushed to Cynthia, declaring, "I found Silas's body."

After hesitating, he braced himself and explained, "That night, I was wandering around the reservoir, planning to rob a fisherman for money to buy cigarettes. Instead, I stumbled upon a body by the shore. Getting closer, I realized it was Silas."

Cynthia looked surprised. "My investigation showed the reservoir manager discovered Silas and reported it to the police. How can you claim you found him?"

Luke replied, "I found Silas the day before the police retrieved him. He was dead. I took his gold chain and rings, then threw him back in the water. That's why someone else found him the next day."

Cynthia, surprised by this twist, smiled slightly. "And what am I supposed to do with this information? I want to know how Silas died and if his death is connected to Lilian."

Luke continued, "I also found a phone in Silas's coat pocket, and I still have it. It's water-damaged and won't turn on. If you get it fixed, you'll find what you're looking for."

Cynthia found this useful. "Give me the phone."

Luke asked, "If I give you the phone, will you clear my remaining five-million-dollar debt?"

Cynthia nodded. "Sure, but I need it now."

Overjoyed, Luke replied, "It's here. I'll get it." He had no fixed residence and carried valuables with him.

He'd investigated Lilian and knew she was marrying into the wealthy Yates family in Roncrity. He planned to use the phone to extort money from her once it was repaired. The contacts and information on Silas's phone could also be valuable, but he'd been unable to get it repaired.

Luke quickly returned with the phone, saying, "Ms. Jones, let's make this an even trade." He worried Cynthia might back out; the phone was practically worthless. He'd taken it to numerous repair specialists without success, fearing she'd break her promise if it couldn't be fixed.

Cynthia called Oliver and instructed, "Clear Mr. Janssen's ten-million-dollar debt."

Oliver nodded respectfully, bowing slightly. "Yes, Ms. Jones."

Luke stood dumbfounded, wondering who Cynthia really was. He couldn't believe a word from her cleared his ten-million-dollar debt.

But Oliver stopped him.

Cynthia took the phone and left. Luke, relieved, was about to leave, determined to avoid gambling for a while.

"Mr. Janssen, how will you pay the remaining one million dollars you owe?"

Luke was puzzled. "My debt was just cleared?"

"Ms. Jones agreed to clear ten million dollars, but your total debt is eleven million dollars."

"What? I only owed ten million dollars!"

"The ten million was your gambling debt; the remaining one million covers your expenses here: your suite, food, drinks, fine wines, and premium cigarettes—totaling one million."

Luke was taken aback. "Let me talk to Ms. Jones again. If she handled ten million easily, an extra million shouldn't be a problem."

But Oliver signaled to two guards to block his path. "Ms. Jones isn't someone you can bother. She agreed to settle ten million, and that's final."

Luke understood Cynthia never intended to clear his debts. If she wanted to help, she wouldn't care about a measly one million dollars. He realized this was premeditated; he couldn't pay either way.

He recalled Oliver's attitude shift. When he owed two million, Oliver stopped pressing for repayment and offered more loans. Something was going on behind the scenes, possibly at Cynthia's direction.

Luke realized he'd been tricked. Cynthia not only failed to solve his problems but also swindled him out of his two best chances. He was furious.

Meanwhile, Cynthia took the phone to a repair shop, only to be told it was too water-damaged to fix. She'd anticipated this and wasn't disappointed.

That evening, Cynthia stared at the phone. Jonathan hugged her, asking, "What's this?"

Cynthia sighed. "A Pandora's box, but it can't be opened."

Jonathan took the phone. "Let me see."

Cynthia explained it was waterlogged and beyond repair.

"Maybe it was impossible before, but now you have a solution."

Cynthia was puzzled. "What do you mean? I don't know how to fix phones."

"Keith does. He's a mechanical whiz. In college, he could repair phones damaged by water or even fire."

Cynthia was surprised. "Keith has skills like that?"

"He's capable, just a hopeless romantic."

Cynthia remembered his username, "Eat-Sleep-Love," and laughed. She called Keith.

Keith replied, "No problem. Just send it over." His family had returned to their home in Betrico.

"I'll send it tomorrow. How long will it take?" Cynthia asked.

"Repairing it will be quick—no more than three hours. Shipping might take longer, but you'll have it back, fully functional, within three days at the latest if you send it tomorrow," Keith replied.

Three days later was Lilian and Filip's wedding. Lilian had tried to get Cynthia to attend the rehearsal but Cynthia hadn't gone. Lilian sent her the dress.

The day before the wedding, Shirley went to court. The outcome was unexpected. The photographer changed his testimony, claiming full responsibility and admitting to spiking the drinks. With insufficient evidence, the police would have to reopen the investigation.