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Wendy thought our first meeting was at the airport,when I"kindly"helped her.
It wasn't.When Jessica showed us that newspaper,everyone eyed Wendy.I clenched my fists.
After they left,I wanted to talk to her but didn't know what to say.
She sat beside me,dropping her usual flippancy,asking calmly,"Caleb,not even a thank-you?"
Among the three men she took down,one raped my mother.She died.
"How should I repay you?"
"Haven't decided yet,but I will soon."
She went on eating fruit,unbothered by her scars.
I couldn't sleep.I was pathetic.
Why didn't I just snatch her from Ethan?
Soon,she found me.
Removing her mask and hat,her face was ghostly,her hand resting on her stomach all the time.
I urged her to see a doctor.
"No point.Diagnosed before leaving my country—terminal.I've got to hurry with revenge."
"Caleb,I've been a cook for fifteen years.I know nothing about your elite world.I want revenge for my sister,but I can't just kill them—she'd be sad."
"Since I had once helped you,can you use all your means to avenge her?I'll stay by Ethan,feeding you intel."
"Refuse or expose me,I respect your choice."
I agreed instantly,vowing to handle it for her.
With her as a mole,I could easily siphon others'resources.
When Jessica tormented her sister,I was still studying abroad,only able to pay for details.
Besides Jessica,four others were involved.
Jessica,abroad,noticed her drugs'purity spiked.Thinking it a steal for her,she didn't know I rigged it.
Her addiction gradually grew uncontrollable.When Wendy told me it was time to strike,Jessica couldn't hide her addiction anymore,using in an airport bathroom before returning home.
Her family pulled strings to free her,planning a quick marriage for her.
I wouldn't let that slide so easily.
I pushed my dad.A bit more,and I'd be filthy rich.
At Jessica's dream wedding,I bagan to play all those dirty things she did abroad on loop on the big screen.
Two of the other four died mysteriously abroad,one went mad,and the mastermind became the prey.
Wendy stayed with Ethan to deliver a final blow.
For years,she had been drugging him lightly,masked by her cooking,effects subtle.
Over time,Ethan teetered on the brink of collapse.
Wendy said,"Caleb,trust me,he'll break.Someone who knows the truth but still lies to himself suffers more."
The last time I saw her was four years after my returning,at that time I was exhausted from taking over the family business.
Late at nights,after business meetings,I always recalled her playful banter abroad.
My secretary said a Miss Wendy wanted to see me.I rushed to shower and change,unsure why I cared.
I barely recognized her—she was all skin and bones.
She held back coughs,but I could see blood on her tissue.
Doctors I consulted said she could've lived longer.
But to fool Ethan,she upped her own dose.
"I heard about Jessica.Thanks.When she was at the auction with my sister's necklace,thank you for helping move her ashes."
"Since I'm dying,mind two more favors?"
"Tell me.I might surprise you."
"Heh,first,eight days from now,arrange a simple funeral at this address.Bury me next to my sister.Second,open a diner where I had my stall,20%off for neighbors,70%for cleaners,delivery guys,and farmers."
She gasped for air.I handed her warm water.
"My wages and our savings for freedom are all in this card.See how long it'll keep the shop running.My parents are useless,but our neighbors raised us.The world has good people—you're one too.I'll pray for you from hell."
I couldn't bare to look at her.Tears soaked my shirt,stabbing my heart.
Oddly,I had seen humanity's worst,yet I had a breakdown because of Wendy.
Words stuck in my throat—I didn't want to burden her.
I her prediction of her own death,moving there to care for her for half a month.
In her final half-hour,she sobbed in my arms.
"My sister,how could I live without you?The day before you died,I got my diagnosis."
"I planned to give you the money and take you to a place where our parents couldn't find us."
"My dear sister,you deserved a beautiful life."
"When those three cornered me in the kitchen,I was terrified.Every inch hurt.I saw my life flash before my eyes.Thank God neighbors called the cops.Thank God they didn't touch you."
"But I'm so useless.Those bastards dared treat you like that.I'll kill them all,make them pay for you!"
I was a mess,holding her frail hand,trying to comfort her.
In my breakdown,her final words came.
"Caleb,if I had met you,I could've taken your wealth and heart,been a tycoon's wife."
"Caleb,you shouldn't have come.This isn't for you.Sorry for scaring you."
As she had wished,I placed her and her sister's ashes together.
I hired staff for"Two Little Wendy Sisters,"I was CEO by day and waiter by night.
Wendy was right—her neighbors were good.
Somehow,the three men who beat her landed back in prison, and would spend the rest of their lives in their.
Ethan came,trying to punch me,like I'm a nobodhy!
He lay passed out in the market.I said he was drunk.
He woke up and scrambled to the shop.A flowerpot fell,giving him a concussion.
He woke up a madman.
Who cares?He deserved it.
