The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 118

Just then, Lexi’s taunting voice broke the silence. “Chloe, darling, listen to her. She’s practically begging for a trip to the station. Why don’t we stop with the small talk?”

With that, Lexi took out her phone, opened a recording, and handed Suzie a pair of headphones. Suzie hesitated for a moment but put them on. She needed to hear for herself what crime she had supposedly committed.

She pressed play. Immediately, she heard the voices of Josie and an unfamiliar man.

Josie: “Here are all the files I gathered from Mirage Studio. I’m selling them to you for fifty thousand. Not a cent less.”

The man: “Done. Here’s your fifty thousand. And here’s another fifty thousand, if you want it.”

Josie: “What do you mean?”

The man: “You must know, selling this kind of information is risky. Wouldn't it be better if you had a scapegoat? Then this extra cash would also be yours.”

The man’s words hung in the air as the recording went silent.

Suzie’s heart began to pound with a sense of dread as she anticipated what would come next.

Soon, Josie’s voice returned, laced with panic. “Who are you? What is this?”

The man’s reply was calm and unhurried. “Who I am doesn’t matter. What you need to know is that I’ve recorded our entire transaction. If you cooperate, I’ll give you the other fifty thousand. If you don’t, well, if this ever comes out, you could be facing charges for leaking trade secrets. That means jail time, sweetheart. I’m done talking. You have one minute to decide.”

“You! Give me the files back! I don’t want to sell them anymore!” Josie’s voice was filled with rage.

“I don’t think so,” the man said with a hint of a sneer.

Listening to this, Suzie felt as if she’d been turned to stone. She was completely frozen.

Her hands began to tremble uncontrollably as she slowly removed the headphones.

Lexi, who had been watching her patiently, saw her chance. In one swift motion, she snatched the phone and headphones away.

Suddenly, Suzie realized the catastrophic meaning of that recording. Her heart hammered in her chest. She needed that recording! It was the only evidence that could clear her name. Without it, she was doomed.

She lunged for the phone, but Lexi was far quicker than Suzie, who was slowed by her heavy body.

Lexi deftly dodged Suzie’s outstretched hand and quickly turned the phone’s screen toward her.