Chapter 3
"William," I called out instinctively.
He frowned, and I realized my mistake, "Sorry, I mean, Mr. Sinclair.
"Mr. Sinclair, what are you planning to do to Buddy?
"Buddy is the precious companion you gave me. He's been by my side for ten years, just like he's been with you."
"Just tell me where Olivia is, and I won't do anything," he added.
William gave Buddy's leash a light tug. The poor dog whimpered and moved forward reluctantly, letting out a pained cry.
"But if you don't tell me, then..." William looked down on Buddy, as if he was threatening me.
However, I couldn't give him an answer. I honestly had no clue where Olivia was. All I'd said at the party was just a desperate trick to buy time.
The only thing I knew for sure was that, in my previous life, she showed up at Sinclair Tower the day I jumped from the eighteenth floor. That day wasn't for another seven days.
"I can tell you," I said, trying my best to sound fearless. I forced myself to meet William's gaze without backing down.
"But I have two conditions," I finished, keeping my voice as steady as I could.
William's patience was wearing thin, and I could see he was itching to lose his temper. But the need for news about Olivia forced him to swallow his anger and hold himself in check.
"Say it," William snapped.
"First, I want your word that you'll never hurt Buddy," I said.
William took a deep breath and locked eyes with Edward, both of them barely keeping their anger in check.
"Alright. I promise," William replied.
"Second, I want you to clear up the misunderstanding from the party," I continued.
William's face went grim in an instant. He shot me a cold, dark look and spoke in a low, icy voice, "Charlotte, don't push it.
"Everyone already knows what went down at that party. If I step out and make a big deal about it now, do you expect me to throw the Sinclair family's name in the mud for the sake of some pointless explanation?"
He didn't waste any more time arguing. With a sharp wave of his hand, he signaled the two bodyguards, who hauled Buddy out of the room.
Then, leaning in close, he whispered in my ear, "Charlotte, it seems I wasn't clear enough. You've forgotten who really holds the power here."
I realized something, my hand trembling as I grabbed William's arm. "Mr. Sinclair, I... I don't need you to clear things up anymore."
He shot me a look full of contempt, then spat the words out slowly, like he couldn't even be bothered with me. "Too late."
Five minutes later, he casually took out his phone and showed me a video.
In the video, Buddy was sprawled on the ground, looking half-dead, a chain as thick as a man's arm wrapped tight around his neck.
His right front leg had taken a savage blow—bone shattered and jutting out, almost tearing straight through the skin.
"How could you do this?" I shouted at William.
"You're just a damn animal." I spat, raising my hand.
Without even flinching, William caught my hand in mid-air, blocking my slap effortlessly.
He said coldly, "You've got ten minutes to think it over.
"If I don't get the answer I want by then, I'll break another one of Buddy's legs."
The video stunned me so badly I could barely think, but I replied instinctively.
I blurted out, "She'll be back in a week, I promise.
"Mr. Sinclair, I really don't know more. Please, I'm begging you—just let Buddy go."
But by now, any trust William had in me was completely gone.
Or rather, ever since he'd discovered I was just a fake—living off the Sinclair family's resources for over twenty years, all while acting like his real sister—he refused to put any faith in me.
"Even now, you're still trying to mess with me," William said coldly. "Looks like maybe Buddy isn't as important to you as you claimed."
He raised his phone, issuing a chilling order to the person on the other end. "Do it."
"No. Please, don't." I threw myself forward, reaching for his phone. But in my panic, I completely forgot just how frail I was. My body gave out almost immediately.
Right as I started to collapse, a slender figure burst past the crowd and slipped underneath me, catching me before I could hit the ground.