Trapped With The Untouchable CEO Chapter 07
Matthew came by once, carrying a thermos of soup.
“Ms. Bennett, Mr. Sterling asked me to bring you some light soup. It should be easier on your stomach. Mr. Sterling asked me to tell you that Mia has been sent home and she’s calmed down a little.”
I took the insulated food jar, my fingertips feeling a little cold. “Is he… doing okay?”
“Mr. Sterling went to handle company affairs right after getting his stitches. The dark web live stream has been cut off, and the police are tracking down the people behind it.”
Matthew paused. “Also, Mr. Sterling said you don’t need to return that shirt. He said you can throw it away.”
Feeling a sense of loss, I nodded and watched Matthew leave, ultimately failing to say a single “thank you.”
Early the next morning, I checked myself out of the hospital and left the hospital early.
Maybe it was better if we didn’t see each other again, after what we’d seen of each other at our worst.
Sitting in the taxi, I sent him an email to express my gratitude, attaching a layout of the warehouse I had drawn and an analysis of the vent structure.
For a while after returning home, I locked myself in my studio, picking up my craft knife, then setting it down again, unable to settle down.
I couldn’t figure out who exactly was trying to harm me.
I called the police a few times to ask, and they said they were still investigating, telling me to wait patiently.
I didn’t dare to close my eyes. Every time I did, the glaring lights in the warehouse, the screen full of malicious comments, and the madness and restraint when Alexander kissed me replayed behind my eyelids.
People like that wouldn’t stop just because the stream had been cut off. They would definitely continue with an unfinished task.
What could it be?
I suddenly remembered those cameras. The video from the warehouse would have been transmitted to the terminal immediately.
So, if the police hadn’t seized the footage, all they had to do was clip the moments where Alexander and I were tangled together…
A chill ran down my spine, and I abruptly grabbed my phone.
At the same time, an anonymous message popped up: “Is the woman in here you?” Followed closely by a forum link.
With trembling hands, I clicked the link. There was no full video in the post, only a few blurred screenshots.
One of them was a picture of Alexander and me kissing and entangled.
The comments were even uglier than the ones in the warehouse.
“Begging for uncensored GIFs.”
“Bro, got the video? Please share.”
“Who is this woman? So pretty! The guy is hot too.”
“This is huge gossip.”
“Who cares about all that!”
I slammed my phone shut, my chest so tight I couldn’t breathe, as if I had returned to that shameful night.
Who was it?
Who exactly was it?
Why would they do this to me?
Just then, my phone rang. The sudden ringtone made me jump in fright.
It was my stepmother, Martha Higgins.
I hesitated for a moment before answering the call.
Her voice was laced with anxiety. “Chloe? Did you get the message? I… I just received an anonymous message.
“The woman in the forum looks a… a bit like you!
“When I asked Mia, she just cried and wouldn’t say anything. I’m worried sick!
“Tell me, has anything happened to you lately? Is the woman in here you or not?”
We weren’t especially close, my tears still welled up in that instant.
“Don’t cry, please don’t cry! What did the police say?”
“The police said, the police said… they only caught two lookouts. They couldn’t get anything out of them, so there are no leads for now.”
“But the photos have been leaked now! We can’t let your dad know about this yet, I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it.
“We shouldn’t talk about this at home. Let’s do this: tonight at seven, at Le Mirage. You, me, and Mia, we’ll figure out a plan together.”
“Okay,” I nodded, sobbing softly.
Mentioning Mia reminded me of how she argued with me that night with red eyes, looking absolutely terrified. The little bit of anger I had left in my heart vanished instantly.
I put the bracelet I bought for her into my bag. I had specially designed and custom-made it for her, hoping to cheer her up.
After some thought, I emailed the forum link to Alexander.
To my surprise, I received a call from him very quickly. I was so nervous that my hands were shaking, and I clumsily pressed the answer button.
“I saw the email. I’ll have someone take care of it, so you don’t need to worry.”
He fell silent for a moment, then added, “How have you been lately?”
I held my breath and said, “Um, I’m doing okay.”
He spoke again, “Let’s have dinner tonight. My treat.”
My heart raced instantly. Since I’d already agreed to meet Martha, I told him I had family plans tonight.
He gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and hung up.
I felt a sense of loss, yet also a bit relieved. To be honest, after that night, I didn’t quite know how to face him.