Chapter 31
ות הן כיון
The tennis club’s registration ended, and the preliminary list was posted online along with tryout date.
Willow, feeling confident, logged in to check the list with her friends.
But the moment she saw the first name on the list, her face fell.
She thought, her grip lightening. I tore up Eliana’s form… theres no way she should still be on the list after the initial screening!
“Of all people. Eliana made it?” one of her friends scoffed.
Willow clenched her fists under the table, her expression tight. Eliana always has good luck,” she said coolly. “Remember last time during boot camp when Landon, the tennis club’s president, spoke to her? They must be pretty close
Her friends exchanged knowing glances.
One of them chuckled. ‘Landon? Isn’t he the notorious player who’s had a string of girlfriends? You think he’s interested in
Eliana:
“Wow, now that you mention it, she does fit his type–tall, aloof another girl chimed in.
“Gross!” another chimed in, disgust curling her lips. “If she’s using that kind of connection to get ahead, I’m sick to my stomach. Eliana’s got no shame!”
The gossip spread like wildfire.
Soon, everyone in the performing arts department was talking about Eliana and her supposed “affair” with Landon.
Whispers hinted she was the reason Landon had broken up with his previous girlfriend, accusing her of being the other
woman
Eliana ignored Red Riding Hood for five days.
When she finally hacked into Red Riding Hood’s computer again, she found the text she’d left untouched.
But this time, there was a reply underneath: [Who are you? Are you Six Noir?]
Eliana’s alias on the dark web is Six Noir.
Eliana smirked. ‘So Red Riding Hood isn’t completely clueless.
It’s unclear how Red Riding Hood has been faring during the days she’s been ignoring him.
She typed a series of numbers, separated by a period, and left a smiley face emoji at the end.
With a few quick keystrokes, she covered her tracks and exited.
Meanwhile, in Isonstead University’s cafeteria, a man with long, unkempt hair slouched over his laptop, eating as he anxiously opened the file.
The moment he saw the numbers Eliana lefi, his face paled. It was his current IP address. She had found him.
If she wanted, she could show up at his door.
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12:04 Mon, Dec 2 G.
Chapter #
The emoji taunted him a challenge in disguise: You’re exposed, but if you have the guts, try to find. me.1
Hands shaking, Jaerod Geert typed many words, then hesitated
Deleting everything, he left only a single line: Why me?]
66%%
The weekend arrived, and Eliana set out early.
Her bag, with Lunchie ticked safely inside, bounced lightly against her side as the driver took her to Cedar Manor.
She stepped out of the car and took in the grand entrance of the luxurious apartment complex.
She was here to view her house–and to meet Willow, who had invited her.
The housekeeper, Ophelia Merritt, knew Eliana was coming and made a special trip down to the lobby to escort her upstairs.
Just as Eliana was waiting for Ophelia and the elevator, Willow and her three entourage happened to arrive as well.
“Oh, Eliana! Didn’t expect you to be here so early, one of Willows friends called out loudly, drawing attention.
Eliana turned slowly, her cool gaze meeting theirs.
It surprised her that Willow’s apartment was in the same building as hers.
I thought you didn’t want to come, yet here you are. So eagerly another one taunted. “Why not use the elevator?”
“She doesn’t have the access code or fingerprint, obviously,” the first girl said with a sneer. “No point in waiting.”
At Cedar Manor, access to each floor requires either a password or a fingerprint to use the elevator.
They weren’t wrong–Eliana came here for the first time and didn’t have fingerprint access yet, so her housekeeper was coming to help her.
Willow’s face lit up with a fake smile as she stepped closer. “Eliana, you should’ve called me if you were coming so early. We could’ve carpooled!”
“I was in the back of a stretch Rolls–Royce today–so spacious and luxurious!” one of Willow’s friends said.
Hearing their compliments, Willow couldn’t help but feel pleased. She raised her hand and placed it on Eliana’s shoulder. saying, “You don’t have to put on a brave face. You have my number, you can always call me…”
Eliana said nothing, but Lunchie’s fluffy head popped out of her bag, catching Willow’s attention.
Lunchie let out a yip.
Willow gasped, stumbling back in terror. “What is that?”
Willow’s fear was obvious–her wide eyes and rigid stance betrayed her. She had always been afraid of dogs, ever since one chased her when she was younger.
The three people behind Willow quickly supported her as she stumbled slightly.
Their eyes shifted to Eliana’s shoulder bag, and they immediately spotted a scruffy cub head peeking out from inside.
te do you have, Eliana, to
“God, that dog is hideous!” someone sneered, wrinkling their nose. “A mutt, right? What kind of taste do carry around such an ugly thing?
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12 04 Mon, Dec 2 G
Chapter 31
“Yealy And in your bag of all places! It nearly gave us a heart attack another chimed in.
Lunchie tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as if he understood every word.
His fur bristled, and he barked sharply as if protesting their insults.
Stop barking.” Eliana murmured, scratching his ears.
Willow steadied herself, her eyes narrowing with malice as she glared at Eliana.
That bitch must’ve brought the dog to scare me on purpose! she thought, her heart still pounding. Luckily, I reacted quickly enough–otherwise, I could’ve been bitten!
“Eliana, you know I’m terrified of dogs! Did you bring that thingust to mess with me?” she asked.
Eliana was surprised by her words.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced–Roman had once owned a Golden Retriever.
The dog had been gentle, and Eliana had petted it often.
But after Willow started dating Roman, the dog died unexpectedly, supposedly from eating something toxic.
Everyone had dismissed it as a tragic accident, but now Eliana had her doubts.
She really vicious, Eliana thought.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Willow, her voice dropping to a dangerous calm. “Lunchie only barks at people he doesn’t like. If you come any closer, I can’t guarantee he won’t bite.”
Willow went pale, retreating a step.
66%
One of her friends leaped to Willow’s defense. ‘Eliana, you’re horrible! Willow’s scared of dogs, and you bring one to her home?
“Yeah, it’s outrageous! You’re vicious, Eliana. Willow, don’t let her into your apartment!” another girl shouted.
