Chapter 4

I knew I had to give them one final push and make them expose themselves.

During a call with Lily, I deliberately let something “slip.” My old classmate at the bank had powerful connections, I told her. Through special channels, he was close to identifying the real owner of the payment account used to buy the virtual number.

“They used a fake identity, but my classmate says every online transaction leaves a trail.”

“Two days at most, and we’ll know exactly who it was.”

I let hope and anger color my voice.

I knew Lily was next door. The walls at her place weren’t soundproof, so she would hear every word.

Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, a furious argument broke out next door.

I’d already opened the recording app on my phone. I pressed it against the shared wall.

“Ryan, you said it was foolproof! Sophie’s friend is about to trace it back to you!”

Lily’s voice was sharp with terror.

“What are you panicking for?” Ryan sounded irritated.

“So what if they trace it to me? Without direct evidence, who can prove I did anything?”

“You’re the one who went to the bank and filled out the paperwork!”

“And who did I do that for? If you hadn’t lost all that money gambling, would I have needed to take this risk?”

“Sophie trusted me so much. I…” Lily’s voice broke.

“What’s the point of talking about that now?”

“We didn’t get a cent of that eight million. Those people overseas took it all!”

“We went through all this for nothing!” Ryan roared.

“No. We can’t wait any longer. We have to leave now.”

“Find a way to steal Sophie’s passport tonight. We’ll use her identity to get out of the country.”

“Use her identity again? Are you insane?”

“What else are we supposed to do? Use our own? We’ll be arrested the second we try to leave! Listen to me. This is our last chance!”

On the other side of the wall, I listened to the clear recording and shook with rage.

Not fear. Rage—and the crushing weight of betrayal.

They hadn’t just stolen money in my name and destroyed my credit. Now they wanted to steal my life.

I calmly saved the recording, then dialed another number.

“Mr. Brooks? I have some new evidence. I think we’re ready to close the trap.”