Chapter 168
On the other end of the line, Rhett's respectful voice came through. "We've got everything, Mr. Harris."
"From the kidnappers' communication records, we recovered the calls they deleted."
"In the last call, the other party gave explicit instructions—leave no witnesses. Clean up everything."
After hearing this, Alexander let out a cold laugh, his eyes darkening.
"Clean up everything. She's really got a heart of stone."
"All right. Got it."
He immediately hung up and dialed another number.
"Hey, Will. You've got one hour. I want Chloe gone from this world completely."
"Yes, Mr. Harris."
Just as he was about to hang up, a hand gently tugged at the corner of his jacket.
Alexander froze. Looking down, he realized that at some point, Charlotte had woken up.
Her eyes were half-open, and she looked extremely weak.
"Alexander, stop."
"You're awake? Are you feeling all right anywhere?"
He immediately reined in the murderous aura surrounding him, bending down to check on her condition.
But Charlotte was unusually stubborn, gripping his jacket and repeating what she'd just said.
"I said, stop."
He didn't quite understand. He frowned.
"She tried to have you killed."
"I know." Charlotte pressed her lips together, her expression calm. "So this debt—I'll settle it myself."
"But your condition right now—"
"It's fine. There'll be plenty of chances later."
Charlotte shook her head, her expression resolute.
"Alexander, this is between her and me."
"I'm grateful you're willing to help, of course."
"But ending her with my own hands—that's something I have to do myself."
"Otherwise, I won't be at peace."
Alexander stared at her for a long moment before finally choosing to back down.
"All right. I'll agree to that."
"But you have to promise me that until you're fully recovered, you won't do anything reckless."
Charlotte nodded and released his jacket.
Alexander picked up his phone, called Will again, and said simply, "Cancel the operation."
After that, he sat down beside Charlotte's bed, reaching out to gently clasp the hand that wasn't hooked up to an IV. His large palm closed slightly around hers, using his own warmth to warm her icy fingertips.
"Then... three days from now."
The sudden statement left Charlotte looking confused. "What?"
"Three days from now, she'll be back at the Johnson Mansion." Alexander paused, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his mouth. "I imagine everyone in the Johnson family will be very eager to see us come home."
At those words, Charlotte instantly understood what he meant. Her eyes lowered slightly, something dark flashing in their depths.
Yes. Three days from now, the show would begin.
Three days later, at the Johnson Mansion.
Today was a big day for Henry and Susan—this was Benjamin and Chloe's first visit back since the wedding.
In the living room, Henry wore an eager smile, pushing fruit and snacks toward Benjamin.
"Benjamin, try some of this. These are imported treats I had someone bring back specially. I'm sure you'll like them."
"That's right." Susan nodded with a smile, her face carrying a hint of flattery. "This fruit was just flown in from overseas too. It's especially sweet."
Watching their enthusiasm, Benjamin cast a faint glance their way but didn't even bother moving his hand. His attitude was lukewarm.
"No need. I don't like sweets."
Instantly, the smile on Henry's face froze.
He considered himself an elder, and now he was chairman of the Johnson Group—a figure who commanded respect wherever he went.
Yet here he was, losing face in front of his son-in-law. He felt somewhat displeased.
He was about to pull rank and say a few words when Chloe stomped hard on his foot under the table.
"Benjamin, I know you don't like these things. Have some coffee instead."
"My parents are just so happy to see us, they brought out all the good food at once."
As she spoke, she shot Henry a pointed look.
"Dad, if Benjamin doesn't want it, just forget it."
"And besides, have you forgotten what Benjamin told you before?"
At those words, Henry's expression immediately changed.
A few days ago, he'd tried to leverage the Harris family's reputation to push through a large loan at the bank.
The matter had reached Benjamin's ears, and he'd called Henry directly, chewing him out without mercy.
Thinking of that incident, Henry's expression grew uncomfortable.
"I... of course I remember that..."
When Benjamin heard this, he didn't even bother being polite anymore and let out a cold snort.
"It seems Mr. Johnson's memory isn't quite that bad after all."
"Since certain things have already been laid out in the open, I'll say this one last time."
"The Harris family's reputation is not a tool for you to throw your weight around. Mind your own business and your own company. Don't touch things you have no business touching."
The words were utterly blunt. Henry's face turned the color of liver, a breath stuck in his chest with nowhere to go.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the entire living room had become painfully awkward. Chloe and the others fell silent in unison.
Just then, the front door opened from outside, and a clear, pleasant voice drifted in.
"Looks like we've come back at a bad time."
Everyone turned their heads at once.
When they saw Charlotte standing in the doorway in a white dress, everyone froze.
She wore light makeup, and though she looked a bit thinner than before, her complexion was good.
Standing beside her was Alexander in a black suit, his presence commanding.
When Chloe saw clearly that it was Charlotte, her face went deathly pale in an instant, and the coffee cup in her hand clattered to the floor.
"Charlotte?"
"You... how could you..."
She had arranged for those men—vicious criminals who would never have let Charlotte come back alive.
Seeing her perfectly fine now, Chloe's face was full of shock and disbelief.
"What? Surprised I'm not dead?"
"I..."
Chloe's lips moved, her eyes flickering uncontrollably.
Benjamin noticed her reaction and couldn't help but frown.
After his gaze swept between the two women, he could only suppress his doubts for now, standing up to greet them.
"Uncle Alexander."
"What happened?"
Alexander stared at Chloe for a long while, his eyes full of disgust and coldness.
"I'm not the one you should be asking."
The pointed remark made Benjamin's expression turn thoughtful as he glanced again at Chloe's ashen face.
Charlotte paid no attention to what anyone else was thinking. She walked straight up to Chloe, looking down at that guilty face from above.
"My dear sister, I suppose you didn't expect the people you hired to be so unreliable?"
"Though I guess it's not that surprising. After all, in your eyes, those Bloodaxe thugs probably seemed pretty impressive."
"Of course, I nearly did die at their hands."
Charlotte sighed as if feeling somewhat wistful, even regretful.
"But too bad—I got lucky. I survived. And now I've come to see my sister who wanted me dead."
"You... you're making things up! Talking nonsense! What Bloodaxe? I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Chloe finally snapped out of it and began shouting defensively.
Seeing her deny it as expected, Charlotte wasn't surprised in the least. She smiled faintly.
"It wasn't you? Want me to bring out the witness testimony, the physical evidence, and the recordings of your calls with the kidnappers for everyone to see?"
"Chloe, if you don't want people to know, don't do it in the first place."
"There's no such thing as a wall without cracks in this world."
Now Chloe completely panicked, her beautiful eyes going wide.
She came to her senses and began shaking her head frantically.
"No... I didn't... you're lying..."