Chapter 214
Devin’s eyes were bloodshot, veins protruding in thin red lines, yet his voice remained eerily calm—too controlled for someone teetering on the edge.
“Don’t worry, Miss Johnson,” he said. “All I want is a hundred thousand in cash. I’m sure that’s not a problem for someone like you.”
What he really desired, of course, was a face-to-face meeting. “Meet me at the third alley off 1st Avenue. You’ve got three hours. If you don’t show up with the money, don’t blame me for sending the recordings to Allison and the others.”
Melany’s face twisted in fury; her knuckles whitened as she gripped her phone. “Are you out of your mind? A hundred thousand in cash? How can you—” Before she could finish, the line went dead.
With a hiss of frustration, Melany threw the phone down and began pacing. “I should’ve known better than to get involved with that madman!” she muttered angrily. But this wasn’t the time for regrets. She had to get those recordings back. If they ended up in Allison’s, or worse, Kellans’ hands… no, she couldn’t risk it. If Colton or Lindy found out about her shady dealings with Devin, she’d be out of the Stevens family without a second thought.
Determined, Melany quickly gathered the cash. After packing the money into a heavy suitcase, she donned dark sunglasses and a hat and headed to the alley—one devoid of security cameras—where she was to meet Devin.
When she spotted the short, stocky figure, her face twisted with disgust. “Take the money,” she snapped, shoving the suitcase toward him. “Give me the recordings. Then get out of Ontdale.” Her jaw tightened. “Pathetic loser. Greedy leech. I’m giving you this hundred thousand, and we’re done. Don’t you dare come back and try to blackmail me again, or you’ll regret it.”
Devin’s grin widened as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her. His shadow loomed over the suitcase. “All you want is for me to take the money and disappear?” His voice was low, almost a whisper. “Easy enough. I’ll give you the recordings right now.”
His tone was calm, almost agreeable, but his mind was working a different angle. These rich bastards really thought he was stupid. Sure, they could try to buy him off now, but the second his back was turned, they’d come for him. He’d learned his lesson after the mess at the café with Allison. No, this time, Melany wouldn’t get a chance to make a move.
He stepped closer, stopping just a few feet away. Suddenly, his hand shot out, a chloroform-soaked cloth clamped over Melany’s mouth and nose. “Superior, huh? That’s what people like you think you are, right?” he murmured, his voice low and guttural as Melany’s eyes widened with panic. “Let’s see how you handle something worse than death.”
Melany hadn’t anticipated the attack. Shock paralyzed her limbs as she struggled for breath, her fingers desperately clawing at his wrist. She couldn’t scream. She couldn’t fight. Her vision blurred, then darkened. Before consciousness slipped away, one thought echoed in her mind: she was doomed.
When she finally regained consciousness, the world around her was an unfamiliar nightmare. The cold, empty space of an abandoned factory loomed ominously, and Devin’s dark, unyielding gaze met hers. Panic surged within her. She needed to play her cards carefully.
“Devin, please… I didn’t have a choice! We’re in this together, remember? I’ve kept every promise I made to you,” she pleaded, her voice thick with desperation. “It’s Allison’s fault. She’s the one who turned everything upside down! If you want revenge, go after her instead!” Her eyes flicked nervously to the gleaming blade in his hand, sending a fresh wave of terror through her. Tears spilled down her cheeks as her body shook uncontrollably. “I even found Allison’s address for you. She’s at the villa near Muisvedo! I’ll pay you, Devin. Just… let me go, and I’ll give you whatever you want. Money, connections, anything!”
Devin looked at her—pathetic and trembling—and a cruel, mirthless laugh escaped his lips. The memory of her earlier haughtiness flashed through his mind, sparking twisted satisfaction.
“There’s no rush,” he said, his voice low and mocking. “Both of you… both of you need to pay.” The sinister look in his eyes turned Melany’s blood to ice.
She tried to speak, but her throat constricted with fear. “Wait… wait! Listen to me! I’ll give you more, I swear I—” Her plea was abruptly cut short by the deafening bang of the door slamming shut.
She was locked in, completely bound and unable to move. Trembling, she could only listen to Devin’s chilling words echo in her ears. It was over. This time, it was really over, she thought, as despair crashed down like a tidal wave. This maniac had no intention of leaving anyone alive. He was going to drag them all down to hell with him.