Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

Eason spent the whole afternoon identifying the owner of the international number.

He said, "The second missing woman is Yvette Craig from a small village near Yellowbrick River in Solance. She was the only top student who managed to get into Huma University. She was beautiful with a well-proportioned figure and long limbs."

"The villagers had a good impression of her when we went around for interviews, yet they all said that she had a tough life."

Yvette’s parents divorced when she was very young. She grew up with her grandmother as neither of her parents wanted to take her in. Her grandmother passed away the year she passed her college entrance exam. After that, she stopped keeping in touch with her family.

That was why Yvette’s parents had always thought she refused to contact them deliberately out of her hatred for them.

Eason continued, "Yvette later went overseas for an exchange program under her college’s arrangement. We’ve checked her overseas study records-she went missing after graduating overseas and returning to the country. We only found her entry record into the country,"

That meant that Yvette went missing in Huma and not overseas.

"The owner of the phone number is Tristan Lambert, the second son of the CEO of Horizon Group. He met Yvette during their exchange program overseas and is likely her boyfriend." Eason posted the objectives on the wall.

He said, "The third missing person is a man named Harry Zane, who went missing 18 years ago. He was tall and handsome, and he also came from a village in Solance. His striking looks landed him a job as a waiter in Huma Princeton Club at the age of 18."

"He then met Helen Hayes, a wealthy woman 20 years older than him. According to our investigation, Harry was using the alias Yoel Zane and had an illicit financial relationship with Helen. He was with her for two years before he went missing."

Eason continued, "The fourth missing case up until the 20th all happened 18 years ago. The number of missing persons has been rapidly rising recently, and it went down with the police’s implementation of the Netwatch Program nationwide."

"Yet about a dozen people still go missing every year."

Dexter and I looked up to study the missing persons in the conference room.

"They all have one thing in common. Before these people went missing, they all came into contact with... these so-called wealthy individuals."

This common factor seemed unsettling upon closer inspection.

"These so-called wealthy individuals were mostly on the cruise," Dexter mumbled.

I drew a sharp breath. It seemed to have come full circle.

Many of these wealthy individuals died on the cruise. That meant our trails were cut off following their deaths. "No wonder Genome Society blew up the entire cruise. They didn’t want their members to survive."

"Don’t you think this looks like some sort of sacrificial ritual?" Dexter got up and walked over to the wall full of clues. "In order to control the wealthy and its members, Genome Society requested them to offer a sacrifice. Only by having dirt on these wealthy individuals could they ensure control over them."

Dexter’s words sent chills running through our backs. His words made sense.

"Almost a dozen missing persons have some connections to this wealthy lady named Helen Hayes," Zion said. "It’s unfortunate that she died on the cruise."

Her death on the cruise meant the end of our trail. I massaged my temple.

One life would have been enough as a sacrifice. There was no need to sacrifice over a dozen lives-they were all precious human lives!

"Helen’s friends all knew she preferred young men. The men she supported ranged from 18 to 25 years old, and she never went for the older ones. The joy of the wealthy is truly unimaginable," Eason said gruffly.

"They shouldn’t be just mere sacrifices. Surely, some other transactions were involved." I looked at Dexter.

"So, did Sarah become Andy’s sacrifice as well?" I asked again.

Andy didn’t seem like that sort of person at all. Even if he no longer loved Sarah, he wouldn’t have offered her up to Genome Society, would he?

"Tristan Lambert, the person linked to the second missing person, Yvette Craig, is still alive. He was originally a guest of the cruise as well, but he couldn’t make it as he injured his leg during a car accident a week before." Eason looked at me.

We might have to start looking for clues from Tristan now.

Zion said, "Tristan Lambert is currently 38 years old. He’s married, but he and his wife have been living apart for many years, each living their own lives. He’s quite the playboy and has yet to take over their family business, which is currently under the management of his older brother."

"Tristan is just your typical second-generation wealthy troublemaker who lives extravagantly on the company’s fund and his family’s support," he reiterated the facts on Tristan.

"We’ll change our strategy this time to avoid alarming him. He might not tell the truth if we were to take him in for questioning or show up at his place directly," I whispered.

"So, we-" Eason looked at me.

"He’ll surely feel guilty if he’s responsible for Yvette’s death. We’ll lay out a suitable trap for him since he’s known for his lechery." I studied Yvette’s photo. "We could use makeup to imitate Yvette to lure him out and intimidate him."

Eason nodded. "Alright."

Tristan was intoxicated in one of the private rooms in Moonlight Bar. He had a beautiful woman in his arms as he smoked and danced in front of the screen.

"Drink up, Mr. Lambert." The woman poured him more alcohol, unaware of the undissolved white powder in his drink.

Feeling the effects of alcohol, Tristan slumped over the couch while laughing.

The door opened, and I walked in, holding a bottle of alcohol. I was dressed in a vintage plaid dress and wore similar makeup to Yvette.

Stunned, Tristan squinted before rubbing his eyes hard. The drug was clearly taking effect on him.

I smiled at him, "Drink up, Tristan."

Tristan sat upright instantly. His gaze was focused on me.

I poured him some alcohol before turning to leave. He scrambled up and came after me.

"Yvette?" he called out her name.

I swiftly walked into an empty private room. Tristan shook his head before following me in. "Yvette?"

I pushed him against the wall as soon as he entered the private room.

"You’ve ruined my life, Tristan-"My voice was tinged with anguish and intimidation.

Tristan was already trembling. "How... How did you manage to escape, Yvette?"

I snorted coldly. "You left me in that awful place, Tristan. I’m here to kill you!"

Tristan was shaking in fear. "Let’s talk it out, Yvette! It wasn’t me-it was my brother! Go to him if you want revenge!"