Chapter 673 Meet James furrowed his brow, puzzled. He thought, "Didn't Erik say he'd be detained as soon as he crossed the border? How did he manage to get back?" Erik said, "I told you that woman had her ways, but she only promised to help my mother andreturn after Chloe was dealt with." Erik had followed the woman's instructions because she had managed to get him back to his country.
He trusted her completely, believing that once Chloe was out of the picture, he and his mother could go home.
"Do you even know that your brother is looking for you?" Michael's voice cut through the tension.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I don't have a brother," Erik said with a bitter laugh.
He had never considered William to be his brother; they were total strangers.
In fact, Erik thought that if it weren't for their striking resemblance, the two wouldn't have found him so easily. Michael's eyes were steely. "You mentioned contacting her by phone. So, call her now." Erik froze.
James, seeing his reluctance, tightened his grip on the gun. "Think carefully. Do you want to save your own life, or protect a woman whose identity you don't even know?" Erik, knowing he'd choose his own life, gestured toward his phone in his pocket.
James retrieved the phone, located the single call log, and dialed without hesitation.
James instructed, "Tell her you've taken care of Chloe, but you need to meet her in person. Otherwise, you'll go to the police and spill everything." Erik's eyes widened in disbelief.
He thought, "Is he out of his mind? I won't turn myself in!" But James raised an eyebrow; his gun still pointed unwaveringly at Erik's forehead.
Erik, trapped, saw the call connect. A voice crackled through the line. "Didn't I tell you not to contactunless it was an emergency? What's up?" Swallowing hard, Erik spoke as James directed, "Chloe has been dealt with." The voice on the other end perked up. "Really? Has she confirmed she's contracted HIV?" Michael and James exchanged a look.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yes." "Good job. As long as you providewith Chloe's confirmation report, I'll arrange for your mother to return home." Erik glanced at James and added, "I need to deliver it in person." The woman's tone grew stern. "You want to meet?" "Yes." "We agreed everything would be handled over the phone. Are you trying to back out now?" "Chloe's people are starting to suspect me. I need to meet face-to-face. It's safer. If you refuse, I'll go to the police and tell them everything you've haddo" Sove The line went silent for a moment before the woman's voice crackled with fury. "Have you lost your mind? Do you know what happens if you go to the police?" Erik said, "I don't care. You can either meetor not." More silence.
Erik, anxious about the possibility of James shooting him if the cattended badly, added, Think it over. If your identity is exposed, neither Michael or Chloe's people will let yout off easily."
"Fine, we'll meet. You set the time. But after we meet, it's over. If youn ever try to use this againstagain, | won't be so forgiving!" With that, the call ended abruptly. James confiscated Erik's phone, ensuring he could use it later to contact the woman again.
Erik pleaded, "I've done what you asked. Spare me. I'm just trying to protect my mother!"
He thought to himself, "I'm an illegitimate child, and life has never been easy just want my mother to go-back home. What's wrong with that?" At that moment, Michael stood up from the sofa and grabbed the gun from James' hand.
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