Chapter 8 · The Billionaire Heiress Chose Me

Chapter 8

Page walked to the door, then stopped in her tracks.She said, "And one more thing, don't ever mention anything about my dad again."Or you'll be gone before you even get the chance."The door shut once more.This time, she didn't lock it.But I knew there were definitely bodyguards stationed right outside.I lay in bed, but sleep wouldn't come.3 billion dollars.Page's offer was tempting.But what I couldn't figure out was why Andy would leave a will like that.He knew full well I hated him.He knew Page hated me.And yet, he forced the two of us together.It didn't seem like he was out for revenge.Honestly, it felt more like he was trying to protect someone.I wondered who he was trying to protect.I wondered if he was trying to protect Page.Or maybe he was making sure his inheritance wouldn't fall into someone else's hands.I got out of bed.I started searching the room.Page wouldn't have let me stay here unless she was sure the place had been scrubbed clean.But I believed that no matter how careful she was, if someone had lived here, something had to be left behind.I checked the closet, the bookshelf, and even lifted up the carpet to see what was underneath.But I came up empty-handed.Finally, I turned my attention to an old-fashioned lamp on the nightstand.It looked completely out of place in this room, which was otherwise decked out in luxury.It was clear the lamp had been around for quite a while.I twisted off the base of the lamp.Something hard fell out.It was a small black USB drive.There was a single letter carved into it.It was the first letter of my surname.My heart started racing.I wondered if Andy knew I'd end up in this room.Maybe he had left something here for me.I plugged it into my phone to see what was on it.There was one video file.I tapped to open it.Andy's face appeared on the screen.He looked worn out, his eyes full of exhaustion and regret.Andy said, "Harding, if you're watching this, I might already be gone."I'm sorry for what happened in that car accident ten years ago."I know that no amount of apologies will ever give you those ten years back."But I had to do it."If I hadn't put you in prison, you wouldn't have survived until now."I froze.I wondered what he was talking about.He claimed that he sent me to prison to save me?'Andy said, "Page is sick. She's even crazier than I thought."There are monsters backing her, and they're out to devour everything the Stevens family owns."You're my only hope."Because you're the only person in this world who knows about that secret."The screen suddenly began to distort, warping and flickering.A wave of loud, chaotic sounds echoed through the video.It sounded like someone was pounding hard on the door.Andy faced the camera, giving a final low, urgent growl."Watch out for Eddie Santos!"The video cut off abruptly.The screen went dark.My palms were slick with cold sweat.I was surprised to hear that Eddie's name was mentioned.He always seemed like a refined and loyal legal advisor.However, he was one of those monsters Andy warned me about.Right then, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway."Mr. Clark, are you asleep?"It was Eddie's voice.His voice sounded especially cold and eerie in the dead of night."I brought you some calming soup," Eddie said.I quickly unplugged the USB drive and tucked it into my sleeve, making sure he wouldn't notice."I'm still awake. Come in," I replied.The door swung open.Eddie came in with a tray.He had that trademark polite smile on his face."Ms. Stevens asked me to bring this over. She thought you might have trouble sleeping your first night here," he said.He set the soup down on the nightstand.Eddie's gaze lingered on the lamp for a split second, pretending it was a casual glance."This lamp looks broken?" he said, sounding almost too innocent.He reached for the lamp, his hand moving toward it like he was about to check it out.I snatched his wrist before he could touch it, stopping him cold."It's not broken," I said.I locked eyes with him, making sure he caught every word.I said, "It's got a bit of a current leak."Be careful, Eddie."His smile stiffened on his face.For a moment, something dark flickered in his eyes, almost menacing.Eddie said, "Always joking, aren't you, Mr. Clark?"Drink the soup and get some rest."He withdrew his hand and walked out.I stared at the steaming bowl of calming soup.I grabbed it, headed for the bathroom, and poured every last drop into the toilet.My instincts screamed danger.If I took even a sip of this soup, I knew I might never wake up again.I went back to bed, about to lie down.My phone buzzed again.It was a new text message.[The evidence you need is in the dried-up well in the backyard of the Stevens Estate.]I looked out the window.The backyard was pitch black.It was like a monster, its mouth wide open, ready to devour me.

Chapter 8