Chapter 351 Laura's Old Trade

Chapter 351 Laura's Old Trade
Laura sighed and lowered her head, staring at her trembling hands. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, her eyes lit up. A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.
“Right. How could I have forgotten?”
Kenneth’s Office
Laura arrived early, pacing herself into calmness as she waited for James. She sat quietly, forcing down the nerves fluttering in her chest.
The door opened.
James stepped in and, seeing her seated so still, quirked a smile.
“Are you meditating?”
“Yes,” Laura smiled faintly. “It’s the best thing for clarity.”
Then, abruptly, she raised both hands to her chest and began signing:
James, I have something important to tell you.
She decided—no more secrecy. If she couldn’t speak freely, she’d use her hands to tell him everything. Every truth.
Strangely, James didn’t even flinch. As if he’d been expecting this all along, he calmly responded,
“Oh? Is that so? Go ahead. I’m going to skim through today’s headlines while you do.”
He raised his hand and casually signed back:
Finally decided to tell me the truth? I thought you’d keep dancing around it forever.
Laura’s fingers stumbled for a moment.
You knew I was hiding something? But all I did was ask about college…
James replied without pause.
No one suddenly starts bringing up someone who disappeared a decade ago unless they have a reason. The moment you mentioned Will, I knew—this wasn’t casual curiosity.
Laura sighed, guilt washing over her.
I didn’t mean to keep it from you. I just didn’t want you to be in danger.
Sensing eyes on them, James switched to speaking aloud.
“This wedding dress looks nice. Want to see it? If you like it, I’ll order one for our wedding.”
All the while, his hands kept moving, concealed behind a folder.
It’s alright. I know you’re worried about me. But if someone’s coming after me, I should be the one handling it. You shouldn’t get involved.
Laura responded quickly, out loud first:
“Really? Let me see. You have great taste. If you think it’s nice, I’m sure it’s beautiful.”
Then in sign language:
I chose to be involved, James. I just didn’t want to drag you down. But now we’re running out of time. I need to tell you everything. Will’s connected to all of this.
So, sitting side by side, they carried on a fake conversation with their voices—about dresses, trips, the weather—while beneath the surface, their hands spoke of danger and betrayal.
At last, Laura finished recounting everything.
That message from Will… besides you, who else could have seen it?
They both fell silent, flexing their fingers, numb from so much covert signing.
Then James raised his hands again.
Laura… if I told you I never saw that message, would you believe me?
Without hesitation, she nodded.
Of course I believe you. That’s why I’ve been digging. I wanted to see who else had access. But—
James gave a slight smile.
It won’t be hard. Only a few people ever touched my phone. Let me take care of this. I’ll prove to Für Elise that I’m not the one she’s looking for. But before that, we need to know—who saw a message I never even received.
Laura froze.
What did you just say? You never saw Will’s confession?
James nodded.
Never. Not once. I think someone else deleted it—maybe even used my name to hurt him. But it’s alright. I’ll figure out who it was.
Laura stared at him, heart pounding.
Who would do that? Who could be so cruel—to ruin someone for loving the wrong person? That’s not a crime. What are you going to do now?
James’ eyes darkened. Then, slowly, he signed:
Come here. Watch my hands. This is what we’re going to do. We expose the one who hurt Will—and bait Für Elise out of hiding.
Laura leaned in, her eyes locked on James’ hands.
Manhattan Hotel – 6:00 a.m.
Laura was fast asleep when the phone rang—sharp, jarring. She bolted upright, heart racing, and grabbed the receiver.
“H-Hello?”
“Laura, it’s me. David.”
His voice was tight. Urgent.
“Come to Royal Cherry Blossom Hospital right now—James has been in an accident!”
The words slammed into her.
“What did you say? James—? Is he—? What happened?!”
“He was in a car accident. It’s serious. He’s in critical condition. Hurry!” David sounded breathless, panicked.
Laura was already moving, tossing on clothes, voice shaking with tears.
“I’m coming! Just tell me—how bad is it?”
“I don’t know,” David said. “He was already in the ER when I got here. A bystander called it in. I have to go. Just get here fast.”
As soon as he hung up, Laura called Für Elise.
The line connected.
“You bastard!” she screamed before the voice on the other end could speak. “You tried to kill him! You gave me three days—it’s only the second! You couldn’t wait?!”
A pause. Then the man replied, calm but confused,
“What are you talking about? I never sent anyone. If I wanted James dead, he’d already be gone. I told you—you have to do it yourself.”
“Don’t give me that crap!” Laura’s voice was hoarse with rage. “He’s in the emergency room! His life is hanging by a thread—if he dies, I swear I’ll never let you get away with this!”
And with that, she slammed the phone down.
She burst out of the hotel, hailed the nearest taxi, and raced toward Royal Cherry Blossom Hospital—praying that James would still be alive when she got there.