Chapter 276

Chapter 276

In the end, Adeline pushed open the door to the study. Everything inside was untouched, as if no one had lived there for years. Her fingers traced a line through a layer of dust on the desk. She frowned. The downstairs was clean, obviously someone had been cleaning the house, which made sense. The villa had been bought and sold several times. But why was the study untouched?

Adeline didn't dwell on it. She got a broom and a cloth and started cleaning. As she was cleaning the bookshelf, she noticed a small indentation on the inner panel, almost imperceptible. She felt around and pressed it hard. The back panel of the bookshelf slid open, revealing a small, square compartment. Inside was a USB drive.

Her instincts told her something was wrong. She pocketed the USB drive, planning to check its contents later. Before she left, she took one last look at the study. She would never come back here again.

Her car broke down on the way. Adeline got out to call a tow truck. She noticed a shadow on the ground, cast by the sun. Someone was approaching. She froze, watching the shadow grow closer. She clutched her bag, and in a sudden movement, she swung it at the person's head.

Reed cried out in pain, clutching his head and stumbling.

Adeline kicked him hard in the groin. He crumpled to the ground, whimpering, his eyes blazing with fury. "You… bitch!"

Seeing him incapacitated, Adeline went to the trunk to get a tow rope. But as she turned, Reed grabbed her bag. Her heart sank. She thought he was going to hit her, but he just took the bag and ran. She started to chase him, but stopped after a few steps and called the police.

The police arrived quickly. After an investigation, they couldn't find Reed, but they did find her bag, discarded on the ground.

"Take a look. Is anything missing?" the officer asked. The bag was still heavy, it didn't feel like it had been emptied.

Adeline opened it. Her mirror, lipstick, tissues, keys, everything was still there. Only two things were missing. Her money, and the USB drive.

"Well? What's missing?" the officer asked.

"The money is gone," Adeline said, "and a USB drive I found at my old house."

"Did it have important files on it? Do you have a backup?"

"No." She had just found it. She didn't even know what was on it.

The police promised to investigate and find her money and the USB drive as soon as possible. All Adeline could do was wait.

When she got home, Olivia was with Lily. She immediately noticed Adeline's pale face. She sent Lily to her room and asked, "What happened?"

"I was just robbed."

"Robbed? Are you okay?" Olivia looked her over.

Adeline shook her head and sat down on the sofa. "I'm fine. I just don't understand. He took the money, but why the USB drive?"

"What USB drive?"

"I found it in the villa where we used to live. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to see what was on it." Adeline fell silent. Maybe he had been after the USB drive all along. That would explain everything.

"So what now? What did the police say? Can they find it?"

Adeline took a sip of water. "It's hard to say. We'll have to wait and see."

Two days later, the police called and asked her to come to the station. As she was leaving, Edward asked, "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

"No, it's fine. I'm just dropping off a USB drive."

Edward frowned. "I'm just worried." The fact that someone had followed her and stolen the USB drive meant it was important. Whoever was after it wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.

"I'll drive myself. I won't stop on the way. I'll go straight to the police station. Nothing will happen. Besides, he doesn't know where I live, and he doesn't know I swapped the USB drive."

"Then go and come back quickly."

Adeline got in her car and drove to the police station. The parking lot was empty, except for a black car that pulled in behind her. She glanced at it but didn't pay it any mind. She opened her door, and a figure suddenly appeared and slid into the back seat. A cold dagger was pressed against her neck. "Sit still. Don't make a sound."

Adeline slowly sat back, but the door was still ajar.

"Close the door." the man's raspy voice ordered. The dagger was cold and sharp, and it quickly left a thin red line on her neck. Adeline placed her hands on her lap and closed her eyes. "My money and cards are in the bag. Just take them."

"You're quite cooperative."

Adeline kept her eyes closed, not looking at the man. "I only have one request. Don't hurt me."

"Fine, I won't hurt you." But his words were unconvincing. The dagger remained at her throat. He rummaged through her bag, scattering its contents. But he couldn't find what he was looking for. "Where's the USB drive?"

"You're the one who stole my USB drive last time, aren't you?" Adeline said calmly.

"What, you're threatening me?" Reed said, unafraid.

"My life is in your hands. What good would it do to threaten you? I just want to know, you already took the USB drive last time. Why do you need another one?"

"Don't think I didn't hear you. You swapped the USB drive." Reed had been scolded by his boss when he had returned with the wrong one. He was still furious. He tapped Adeline's face with the dagger. "If you want to live, give me the USB drive. It's not something you should have. I'm saving your life, in a way. But if you're not willing… then I'm sorry."

"The USB drive is not with me." Adeline said.

"Where did you hide it?"

"Under that car."

Adeline's quick answer made Reed suspicious. He tapped her chin with the dagger. "Get out and we'll look for it together."

Adeline slowly got out of the car. Reed pushed her shoulder. "You go get the USB drive. I'll be watching you. Don't try anything funny, or you'll regret it."

Adeline slowly walked towards the black car. As she reached the driver's door, she glanced at the window. Reed sensed something was wrong. The car door opened, and Adeline was pulled inside. Then, Edward got out.

Adeline didn't need to do anything else. She just sat in the car and waited. Edward quickly subdued Reed. Reed, pinned to the ground, glared at Adeline, his teeth clenched. Edward kicked him hard.

"Don't hit me, I know I was wrong." Reed immediately begged for mercy.

"Why did you steal the USB drive?"

Reed's eyes darted around. "I thought it had important information on it. You elites, you company leaders, you always have business files on your USB drives…" He stammered, trying to come up with a plausible excuse. It didn't work. Edward kicked him again. He wouldn't talk, so Edward kept kicking.

"Stop kicking, I'm telling the truth! It hurts…" Reed wailed, but Edward just stared at him coldly. Finally, Reed couldn't take it anymore. He was going to be kicked to death if he kept lying. He grabbed Edward's leg. "I really know I was wrong! I've been following her for a while. I know you two are close, and she's a branch manager… I was just desperate for money… I promise, I'll never do it again! Please, just take me to the police station." He would rather go to jail than be kicked again. Edward was too strong. A few more kicks and he would be coughing up blood.