Chapter 303

"Vicious? If Cynthia doesn't die, we both will!" Shirley seethed. Her rage stemmed from Luke's uselessness. This might be their only chance to kill Cynthia, and now, with Lilian injured, the entire city would be in an uproar. Luke couldn't be caught.

Shirley's eyes fell on the gun in Luke's jacket pocket. He was still dreaming of Damianus.

"Even though I failed to kill Cynthia," Luke said, "I'm taking the fall for you. Once I'm abroad, you'll have a clean slate. But if I stay, you'll be dragged down too."

"What do you mean?" Shirley asked.

"You still owe me sixteen million dollars," Luke replied, his focus unwavering. He needed to leave the country, and Shirley had to help. He feared she'd back out after his failure. Without the money, Damianus was pointless.

Shirley understood. "Don't worry," she said coldly. "Everything's ready. I won't cheat you." Luke's face lit up. "Ms. Jones, you have a grand vision! I doubted you!"

The car sped along the overpass and stopped at Bright Moon, a dilapidated area with few remaining residents. Luke knew it well—he had lived there.

Shirley exited the car, followed by Luke. "Why are we stopping here? Aren't we going to the airport?"

"I left your supplies at your house," Shirley replied. "You need your passport and new ID." Luke's face darkened. "Let's get them and leave. The cops will be on us."

Luke hurried inside, spotting a large black suitcase. As he approached, Shirley grabbed it.

"What are you doing?" Luke asked.

"This suitcase contains everything you requested: sixteen million dollars, a new identity, passport, and ticket. Live your dream life in paradise," Shirley said.

Luke's eyes gleamed. Damianus was a gambler's paradise. "Give it to me!"

Shirley stepped back. "But it's not free. Once you're broke, don't come back. This money severs our ties. We're strangers."

"Fine," Luke replied hastily, eager to leave. "Give me the video, and we're even."

Luke was momentarily confused. "Video? What video?"

Shirley's face darkened. "Luke, don't play dumb. The video you took of me."

Luke remembered his blackmail—he'd claimed to have recorded her killing Dennis. Shirley had believed him.

Luke laughed. "Video? There was no video. I didn't record it."

Shirley was stunned. "What? No video?"

Luke moved closer, snatching the suitcase. "I saw you stabbing your father. I was too shocked to record. I was bluffing." He smirked. "You're too easy to fool."

Shirley trembled. "You didn't even have a video, and you threatened me!" Had she known, she wouldn't have feared him. Rachel had already taken the fall.

Ignoring her, Luke opened the suitcase to examine the sixteen million. He was stunned. It contained only funeral money. No ID, passport, or ticket.

Luke's fury erupted. He threw the suitcase down. "You witch! What is this?!"

He realized he'd been played. Shirley, calm and almost smiling, asked, "Where's the money?"

"The dollars, not this!" Luke roared.

Shirley laughed. "Isn't the money all there?"

Luke's eyes widened. "I'm talking about dollars! Are you messing with me?"

Shirley laughed. "Sixteen million in cash? You need to declare just five thousand dollars at customs! You've never even been abroad! The ID and passport were a six-dollar image. You really thought I'd help you? You're naive!"

Luke was ready to kill her, but he hesitated. "If you won't help me, we'll go down together!"

Shirley was fearless. "You have no evidence. I'll tell the police you're framing me. I'll charge you with defamation."

Luke lunged at her, screaming, "I'll kill you!"

Shirley pulled a gun from her coat and shot Luke in the head. He collapsed, his eyes wide, staring at her in agony.