Chapter 33

The snow in Marland had stopped, but the air around the dock remained damp and bitterly cold. Carly and Benjamin stood at the water's edge, watching as a black-clad man unceremoniously tossed the unconscious Celine onto the deck of a yacht.

Benjamin's gaze flickered between Celine and Carly. "Carly, how could you have someone bring Celine here? What have you done to her?"

Carly frowned. "Benjamin, are you questioning me? I've noticed something. You're changing. Your heart is starting to lean toward Celine, isn't it?"

Benjamin's expression faltered, and he quickly denied it. "That's not true, Carly."

Carly pressed on. "Do you still see me as your sister-in-law?"

Benjamin nodded. He had always believed Carly and Adam were a perfect match. "Of course," he said.

Carly narrowed her eyes. "Prove it. You've always despised Celine, right? She's unconscious now. Go onto the yacht, take her out to sea, and throw her into the water. Let her disappear forever."

Benjamin hesitated, stunned by the gravity of Carly's words. What he had initially dismissed as an angry outburst now seemed a cold, calculated plan. Carly was truly determined to make Celine disappear.

He remained still, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Carly"

"Are you refusing to help me?" Carly's voice cracked with frustration. "You and Adam have both been seduced by that manipulative woman, and I I"

She pressed a hand to her chest, gasping for air.

Benjamin's concern grew. "Carly, what's wrong?"

"My chest hurts," she said, panting. "Benjamin, will you help me or not?"

Benjamin looked at Carly and reluctantly nodded. "Fine, Carly. I'll help you."

Without another word, he boarded the yacht, which soon sailed away, vanishing from Carly's sight. A sly smile curled on her lips. She had known Benjamin would comply.

Out on the open water, Benjamin stared down at Celine, who remained unconscious. Her serene face seemed at odds with the hatred he had always felt toward her. He had never wanted to like her, but now, as he knelt beside her, he felt torn. He had been told to make her vanish, yet as he reached out to push her into the sea, something held him back. His hand hovered; he couldn't bring himself to follow through.

Back on shore, Carly waited for the news she expected. She had carefully manipulated Benjamin, knowing that once he complied, she would have him under her control. He would become her pawn.

Just as her thoughts lingered on her victory, her phone rang. It was Benjamin. Carly answered. "Benjamin, did you throw Celine into the water?"

Benjamin's voice came through faintly. "Carly, we can't do this. It's illegal."

Carly's smile vanished. Benjamin hadn't done as she asked.

"Don't you see the consequences, Carly?" Benjamin continued. "If Adam finds out, the fallout will be terrible. I can't do this. I'm bringing Celine back."

Her face darkened with fury as she tightened her grip on her phone. Benjamin hadn't listened to her; he was defying her. The line went dead.

Two men approached. "What should we do now?"

Carly's eyes glittered with cold, pitiless intent. "I won't let Celine come back," she said. "Since Benjamin's heart is wavering, let him disappear with her. He's useless if he can't be controlled. He'll have to be eliminated, just like Celine."

From her coat pocket, she retrieved a remote control and pressed a button. A countdown appeared on the screen. She had rigged the yacht with explosives, setting the timer for three minutes.

A twisted satisfaction crept over Carly as she watched the waves crash against the shore. "Benjamin, don't blame me. You've made your choice. Now you and Celine will disappear together."