Chapter 193 - Call Me
writer:Xincerely      update:2022-08-22 15:03
  Lina turned her head in time to see a single man. When they made eye contact through his camera lens, he ran for his life.

  "Oh no you don't!" Lina growled.

  Despite wearing heels, Lina sprinted after him. The man was quick. He showed no mercy to a woman running in heels. Instead, he was wild enough to run through the rushing traffic. She was just as crazy. Once they crossed to a different sidewalk, she took off one of her heels, aimed, and threw it.

  The heel hit him on the head. He stumbled and she took off another heel. This time, she tossed the sharp heel to the same spot…… Instantly, he staggered forward. Seizing the opportunity of his pain, she dashed up to him, yanked the camera from his neck, and smashed it to the ground.

  "I-I'm innocent—" the man blabbered, but it was too late.

  Lina took the SD card out of the camera.

  "Who sent you?" Lina demanded.

  "N-no one—"

  Lina grabbed his collar and yanked him to her height.

  "Was it Elaine?" Lina growled.

  At the mention of the name, his face went pale. He looked horrified that she knew the truth. Suddenly, he shoved her to the ground. She remained firm. That is, until he tried to smack her. When she shifted her head, her grip loosened. He quickly tried to cross the traffic again.

  He could've died. A truck quickly came speeding down the road. He jumped back in fear. Lina caught up to him already. Without warning, she yanked him back onto the sidewalk.

  "You think you can get out of this by dying?" Lina scoffed.

  "Y-yes—"

  "Screw you. I want to see you suffering on the streets, penniless, and ruined for trying to ruin me. And you will not deny me that pleasure!" Lina hissed at him, her grip tightening on his shirt.

  "Now tell me," Lina grounded her teeth. "Did Elaine send you?"

  "W-well I—"

  "Tell me the truth and I'll pretend nothing happened," Lina told him with a calm smile. "Tell me a lie and I'll target your family the same way you targeted me."

  He reacted like cold water was poured all over him. His skin turned the color of white paper. He glanced down at his hand and realized he wasn't wearing his ring. How did she know he was married?

  "You can get rid of the wedding ring, but never the tan," Lina icily remarked.

  Finally, the man hung his head in defeat.

  Lina took out her phone and turned on the voice recording.

  "Let me ask you again, did Elaine send you to take pictures of me?" Lina emphasized.

  "Y-yes…"

  "Elaine Hutch, the daughter of an ex-executive in charge of one of Ritan's largest publishing firms?"

  "Yes…"

  "To slander me?"

  "……" The man hesitated.

  Lina stared meaningly at his wedding finger. He let out a groan and nodded his head.

  "Yes."

  Lina nodded her head in satisfaction. She got what she wanted. Through violence, nonetheless. With that being done, she released him. With the evidence recorded on her phone, she was going to take matters into her own hands.

  "Please don't show the recording to Elaine," the paparazzi pleaded with her.

  "What? Is she threatening or blackmailing you?"

  "Yes, she is. You don't understand how frightening that woman is!" the man begged.

  Even more evidence had just been recorded. Lina held back a smile.

  "Don't worry, Elaine won't go after you," Lina reassured him. "At most, she'll threaten or blackmail you, but can't do anything. Her family has already lost their power."

  Lina turned off the recording. She left the last part in. Another leverage. Another means of ruining Elaine.

  "Now go fetch my heels," Lina said.

  With great speed, the man stumbled to the abandoned shoes. He took a good look at the pointy ends. How did women even wear these deadly weapons on their feet everyday? It baffled him. He was certain the heels had drawn blood from his scalp.

  Once the man settled the heels at her feet, he offered her another skeptical smile.

  "S-so am I free to go?" he asked.

  "Sure."

  The man didn't need to be told twice. He quickly scurried off, just as something brushed past him. He turned his head in time to see it was a tall and handsome man approaching the crazy woman.

  Tch. The taste of youngsters these days. Red flags looked green to them!

  "Are you crazy?" Atlantis reprimanded Lina. "Running through traffic like that, do you not care for yourself?"

  Lina ignored his loud nagging. She grabbed a hold of his upper arms as if he were a servant. Then, she slipped on her shoes and shoved him away.

  Throwing him a cold shoulder, Lina turned on her heels. She was going to take this matter into her own hands.

  "Lina—"

  Lina ignored him. She placed a phone to her ear and called her chauffeur, told him her location, and then stood by a spot on the sidewalk.

  "Lina, let's talk," Atlantis quickly told her. "I know my feelings were rash, but let's remain friends. You need me and I need you."

  Lina turned a deaf ear. She acted like he was a ghost whispering things to her. Luckily, this place wasn't far from the restaurant. Her chauffeur showed up in no time.

  At the sight of the gleaming black car, Atlantis frowned. His frown only deepened when he caught sight of the imprints on the leather seat. It was small, but it was there.

  The logo of DeHaven Conglomerate.

  "Get home safely," Atlantis finally told her. He decided to change his approach.

  At this, Lina slowly turned to look at him. She said nothing. It was how she planned on keeping it. Unless he was going to talk business, she decided it'd be best to keep her distance.

  "Call me when you do," Atlantis softly said. He closed the door for her. He raised his head towards the window, but discovered it was heavily tinted. The last glimpse he saw of her was the faint outline of her silhouette.

  Then, the car started.

  Once the car began to drive, Lina gave directions to Elaine's house. The chauffeur quickly obliged.

  Lina stared out the window, but saw nothing.

  "Man of my destiny," Lina scoffed under her breath. Did he really think he held such a benevolent title?

  "Give me a damn break."