Chapter 362 Jenny's Suicide

Chapter 362 Jenny's Suicide
Jenny suddenly doubled over, clutching her stomach. A blood-curdling scream tore from her throat—then, from the corner of her mouth, a thin line of crimson spilled.
Everyone froze in shock.
Everyone except Laura—still bound in place—and James, still paralyzed by the anesthetic. David and Michael lunged toward Jenny in alarm.
“She’s poisoned herself!” David shouted. “We need to get her to a hospital, now, or she won’t make it!”
But Jenny managed a pained smile, even as her face twisted in agony. “Don’t bother,” she whispered. “This is what I deserve. Everything I said just now—it was true. I wasn’t lying. I did something unforgivable, and this is the price.”
Her screams grew harsher. The poison was setting in fast.
James’s expression shifted from fury to panic. “Take her to the hospital!” he barked. “Right now!”
David and Michael didn’t hesitate. They hoisted Jenny up and rushed for the door. She struggled weakly at first—instinct, not defiance—but she couldn’t even lift her arms. The toxin had already drained the strength from her limbs.
Within moments, they were gone.
The room was left in eerie silence. James, Laura, and Robert sat in the wreckage of what had once been suspicion, betrayal, and heartbreak. No one knew what to say.
Eventually, Robert exhaled and moved toward James. He disappeared briefly into the next room and returned with a syringe. Without a word, he injected the antidote into James’ arm, then walked over to Laura and gently unraveled the wires binding her wrists.
Freed, Laura didn’t even notice how numb her legs were. She stumbled toward James and grabbed his arm, frantically checking him over.
“James! How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do we need to get you checked—”
James chuckled and took her hand, gently squeezing it. “I’m fine. It was just an anesthetic, nothing serious. Really. I’m okay. It’s just…” His smile faded. “Jenny…”
Robert stepped forward, his tone calm—almost warm. “David will handle it. You rest for now.”
His voice had changed. No longer bitter, no longer seething with hate. He sounded like an old friend again—one long estranged but finally at peace.
“All those years,” Robert said, “I thought you were the one who ruined me. I hated you. I should’ve missed you… but all I did was resent you.”
James looked stricken. “I’m sorry, Robert. I—”
“No.” Robert held up a hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He even smiled—small, but real. “Back then, I thought we were like brothers. You always looked like you counted on me. So how… how did we end up like this?”
James lowered his eyes. “Because I was arrogant. Careless. I made a lot of enemies, and you got caught in the crossfire. That’s on me.”
He took a deep breath. “At least now… we can finally set things right.”
Robert nodded. “Yeah. And thank god I didn’t do something I’d never forgive myself for.”
There was still a faint tremor in his voice. Some part of him hadn’t stopped trembling.
Laura, who had stayed quiet until now, suddenly blinked. “Wait—Mr. Robert… you’re Für Elise, aren’t you?”
Robert turned to her with a soft chuckle. “That’s right. I’m Will.”
Laura’s eyes widened. “Are you with the Blood Shadow Syndicate?”
James stiffened immediately. “Laura, don’t ask—”
But Robert just laughed. “Relax, James. It’s fine. Laura knows when to stop. And if you trust her, so do I.”
James hesitated—then nodded.
“So it’s true?” Laura asked again.
Robert didn’t flinch. “Yes. I’m the current leader of the Blood Shadow Syndicate. The organization’s under my command now. Other than a few high-ranking members, only you two know this.”
James blinked. He looked like he was trying to find the words, but Robert beat him to it.
“What? Hard to believe?” he said, grinning faintly. “You never imagined your quiet bookworm buddy would end up like this?”
James gave a hollow laugh. “Honestly? No. It’s… hard to take in. You went from university student to… this. You must’ve gone through hell.”
He paused. “And your face. It’s not the one I remember.”
Robert’s smile turned wistful. “I’ve been through a lot. No need to go into detail. After that night, I ran away in the middle of the night. I didn’t know where I was going—I just wanted to disappear. Maybe even die somewhere no one would find me.”
He looked away for a moment, then continued, “But fate had other plans. I met the former leader of the Syndicate. He saw something in me. Offered me a new life… a new name. I said yes. I didn’t care about anything anymore.”
“And the face?” James asked.
Robert nodded. “Plastic surgery. Overseas. I wanted a fresh start—and a mask. I didn’t want you recognizing me too soon. Not before I got my revenge.”
James gave a slow, knowing sigh. “So that was part of it. Revenge. You knew if you looked the same, I’d figure it out.”
“Exactly,” Robert said. “Back then, I was sure you were the one who destroyed me. I couldn’t let you see Will—not if I wanted to make you pay.”
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “Funny thing is, you once told Laura I was like a phoenix rising from the ashes. And you were right. Jenny’s plan burned Will to death—but the Syndicate gave birth to Robert. With this new identity, I could get close to you again. Make you suffer, just like I had.”
He looked straight at James. “You’ve always had sharp instincts. I was terrified you’d catch on. But I covered my tracks well. I buried Will deep enough that you never saw him.”
James could only nod—quiet, hollow-eyed, and stunned. And somehow, more heartbroken than angry.