Chapter 131 Against the Marriage
The voice hit Bianca like a slap, sharp and sudden, freezing her in place. It was a voice she knew too well, from too long ago, and every cold, cutting word spilling from the recorder was hers.
Almost without thinking, she lifted her head toward Terrence, caught between guilt and panic, unsure what to do.
His lashes lowered, shadowing whatever lay in his eyes.
The recorder kept playing, each sentence striking like a blade.
Bianca pressed her lips together, regret flooding her chest. She could not deny it; those words were hers. Once upon a time, she had been blind, foolish.
In the suffocating quiet, Terrence clicked the recorder off. His face showed no change.
"I am exactly what you said I was," he said flatly. "A devil. My hands soaked in blood."
"No!"
Bianca lunged forward, gripping his hand tight.
"I never regretted marrying you. It was the best decision I've ever made."
She held his gaze, unwavering.
Terrence looked down at her fingers, small, fragile, yet holding with surprising strength.
He did not answer.
"Terrence..." Bianca drew in a breath, a glimmer sparking in her eyes. "I know words are empty, but I'll prove it. I love you."
"Yes, I said those things. But back then, people kept trying to stop me from marrying you. They fed me lies every day until I was poisoned by them."
"When I finally saw you for myself, I realized every rumor was false. I only believe what I see with my own eyes."
"I love you, Terrence. Whether you're unforgivable or pure as snow... I love you."
His fingers twitched, then turned over to cover hers, patting gently.
"Terrence..." She stepped closer, her body brushing against him. "I was scared back then. I was listening to too many voices. That's why I resisted."
His shoulders stiffened. His head stayed low. Silent.
"Marrying you... I never regretted it."
"So did I." His voice was low, emotion buried deep.
Bianca did not notice the weight in his tone. Her own was lighter, almost playful. "Terrence, I know I was wrong. I won't believe gossip again. Forgive me... please?"
He squeezed her hand, nodding. "Alright."
"Blair, where are we even taking her?" Melissa rubbed her aching thigh, her voice edged with complaint. "Can't we just take a cab?"
"Idiot." Blair's glare cut sharp. "A cab would be walking into a trap."
She shoved Jasmine forward. "Move. And don't try anything."
"But Blair, I can't walk anymore." Melissa's tone was petulant, and she stopped dead.
Blair halted too, irritation flashing. "Someone's meeting us ahead."
Melissa's face lit instantly. She started walking again.
A silver car waited by the curb.
Blair shoved Jasmine into the back seat, then slid into the passenger's side.
"Ms. Ember... who is she?" The driver glanced toward the back.
"Shut up. Lock the doors." Blair's voice was razor-edged.
The driver obeyed without another word.
Melissa reached for the door handle, only to find it locked. Her eyes went wide at the black glass. All she saw was her own disheveled reflection.
She pounded on the window. "Blair! What the hell? Let me in! You expect me to walk back through the middle of nowhere?"
Blair ignored her. "Drive."
"Being around you drags my IQ down. You think you're riding with us? Dream on."
The car pulled away, exhaust fumes hitting Melissa in the face.
Her eyes narrowed, brimming with malice. Pulling out her phone, she typed fast: [Blair took Jasmine.]
She sent it, exhaling hard, watching the silver car vanish into the distance.
The message went to Terrence. She had paid heavily for the number, bought from a former Crystal Gardens employee. It was supposedly his work line. Whether it was real or not, she would take the chance.
If Blair was going to burn bridges, Melissa saw no reason to hold back.
Inside the car, Blair sat with her arms folded, watching Jasmine through the rearview mirror.
"Think it over. Help me take Bianca down, and I'll make sure you finish Ravenswood University without trouble."
She reached back, yanking the cloth from Jasmine's mouth.
"You're dreaming." Jasmine's glare was pure steel. "You're my only real obstacle. You've already been fired. I'll graduate just fine without you."
The words hit Blair like a strike to the gut.
Her face darkened, hatred burning in her eyes.
"You two ruined me," she hissed. "If you won't cooperate, I'll destroy you."
"I want to see Bianca's face when she finds out. The more she suffers, the happier I'll be."
Jasmine edged back, a flicker of fear crossing her face. But she shut her eyes, refusing to answer.
In her mind, she whispered, 'Bianca... I can't protect myself like you do. I'm weak. If things go too far, I'll end it myself. I won't be anyone's burden. Not yours.'
The car surged forward, the engine roaring loud enough to rattle her bones.
"Is the tip solid? Was it really Blair who took Jasmine?" Bianca's voice was tight.
The distorted voice on the other end did not sound like Blair, which made her doubt. Still, suspicion was natural.
"Should be," Terrence said, pocketing his phone. "Do we change course?"
Bianca thought for only a second before nodding.
"Head to the Rodriguez Mansion."
Blair bringing Jasmine back was like dropping a boulder into a still lake, sending ripples far and wide.
"You're insane!" Glenn's eyes went wide. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I agreed to marry that old man. But I have one condition."
Blair's bloodshot eyes locked on Glenn, unblinking.
Glenn's lips pressed together. After a long moment weighing the risk, she asked, "What condition?"