Chapter 67 Wrapped Around My Finger...
Chapter 67 Wrapped Around My Finger...
Adrian's POV
My brows furrowed in confusion.
How?
My car had been locked. There was no way someone could have gotten inside and locked it back up so perfectly.
I pulled out my phone, dialing the mysterious man's number.
“Where are the files?” I shouted the moment he picked up.
“What files, Adrian?” he asked calmly.
“Don't play dumb with me.” I sneered. “I know you took those files, so don't act like I'm a fool.”
“You're talking foolish.” The man deadpanned.
“Why would I take the files back when I was the one who gave them to you in the first place?” he asked calmly.
For a moment, even I knew he was telling the truth.
I stayed silent, my breathing heavy.
“If you didn't take them, then who did?” I muttered, no longer willing to shout at him.
“Like I've said before, Adrian, I'm no psychic, but I might have an idea who could have taken those files.”
“Who?” I growled.
“Whoa, why don't you ask nicely?” The man said, and I scoffed.
“This is funny to you, isn't it?”
“It is kinda funny.” He replied.
I closed my eyes, trying not to lose my temper.
“Just tell me who took the files... please.”
“Now that wasn't so hard, was it?”
I tightened my jaw in order to stop myself from making any rude remarks.
The man snorted amusingly, like he knew exactly what I was doing.
“Well, I think... R-03 probably took them.” He said.
“Wait, R-03? How did he find me?”
The man didn't answer as he ended the call.
I looked at my screen, completely frozen as I stood there.
If R-03 took the files, does that mean he's been following me?
But that couldn't be possible. I would have sensed it if someone was onto me.
Still, something good might come out of this.
If R-03 was following me, then he might know things about the past. His memory had been erased, at least as far as I knew from the flashbacks I'd had.
Maybe if I could find him, I could finally get some answers.
New objective—find R-03.
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Raven's POV
After Dael left the room to get himself together, I remained sitting there, frozen.
I was unable to fully comprehend all that I had heard.
The door opened, and Dael entered with his mask back on.
He tossed a file toward me.
“Read it.” He ordered before rushing out.
I didn't know how long I stared at the file, contemplating whether to pick it up. I didn't know if I was ready for another revelation just yet.
I took a deep breath before reaching down and picking up the file.
It was better to know what I was dealing with than to remain ignorant.
I opened the file, and the first thing I saw was:
Rebecca Monroe Vale.
NOCTRIX—ACCESS KEY HOLDER.
My blood ran cold.
Access key holder?
What did my mother have access to?
I had completely forgotten about Noctrix and my mother's involvement with it during this chaotic time.
Aster had taken up most of my thoughts.
I sighed, looking away from the document for a moment. My heart was pounding.
Swallowing, I looked back at it.
I continued reading through it. Most of them were just reports and numbers that I couldn't understand, but then the final writing caught my attention and kept it.
It read:
Rebecca Monroe Vale—Access Revoked.
I closed the file immediately before throwing it onto the floor.
For my mother to have had access to Noctrix, she must have been someone important to them.
And then, getting that access revoked could only mean one thing.
She had probably betrayed them or done something against them.
Could that be why she faked her death?
Could she have gone into hiding, or was she actually dead and the photo I saw was forged?
Now, I needed to talk to Drew.
Find out all he knew.
I needed answers.
“Found your answers?”
My head snapped toward the door.
Dael stood there with his arms folded, his legs crossed as he leaned against the wall.
My eyes hardened.
“Is my mother still alive?” I asked.
But he shrugged.
“That is not an answer.” I spat.
“I have no answer to give.” He replied.
A tear slipped down my cheek, and I watched as Dael sighed and walked into the room.
“Look, Raven, I need you to trust me.”
I snorted, raising my gaze sharply to his.
“Trust you? You betrayed Adrian because of a crush you had on me.” I sneered.
I could see his jaw tighten as he looked away.
“I know, Raven. You don't have to remind me.”
“Don't I? Because I've noticed just how much you hate him, even though you're the one who wronged him.” I spat.
He swallowed, his fists clenched at his sides.
“Maybe I do hate Adrian sometimes, but I hate myself even more for what I had done.”
With that, he turned around and began leaving the room. He stopped once he reached the door.
“I know I didn't betray just Adrian that day, and I know I can't force you to forgive me, but I hope that one day you will come to understand my point. I hope you will finally realize that I'm not the bad guy here.”
I could hear the desperation in his voice, and I decided to use it to my advantage.
“Wait!” I called before he finally walked out.
He turned to me.
“You want me to give you a chance?” I muttered, moving closer to him. “You want me to understand you? To know you aren't the bad guy? Then prove it.”
Dael frowned.
“How?”
“Let me speak to Drew and Blade. They know things, and they probably know about us... and you.”
“Maybe, if they can vouch for you, then maybe, just maybe, I can see your side of the story.” I said.
I watched as his eyes flicked from me and back. He looked uncertain, like he was seriously contemplating the idea.
I couldn't help but panic.
I needed to convince him that this was a good idea, or else he would surely refuse.
So I decided to do the one thing I was certain would work.
I moved closer to him, placing a hand on his chest.
It took everything in me not to jump back in disgust.
I had to tell my mind to pretend I was talking to Adrian.
I took a deep breath before locking eyes with him.
“Who knows,” I whispered softly, “maybe we might just go back to the way we were as kids. But only if I can finally remember.”
I watched as his lips turned up into a smile, and I knew.
I had finally won.
I had gotten him wrapped around my finger.