Chapter 16: Go home at midnight
Wednesday arrived.
Erica felt more at ease after receiving information about her condition from the doctor. Overall, she had recovered well from the accident, and her wounds would heal quickly. Fortunately, Erica had no major injuries. However, she would still need to remain in the hospital for observation until she fully recovered or until the doctor approved her discharge. This natural course of events heightened Erica’s anxiety. She had to continue her treatment for complete recovery, which meant incurring more expenses. The problem was that Erica didn’t have a single penny to address this distressing issue. When it was suggested to reach out to relatives or friends, Erica avoided the topic. She can’t reveal her family situation because she doesn’t want anyone to know about her unhappiness. As for friends, Erica didn’t have any close, trustworthy companions. Erica had mentioned that she was an orphan without a father or mother, and that wasn’t entirely a lie since it was the truth. Additionally, nobody had informed Erica that the kind man who had brought her to the hospital had already covered all her expenses. Therefore, Erica contemplated running away from the hospital. She planned to do so at an opportune time when the hospital administration raised the issue of medical fees.
Days continued to pass without anyone mentioning the medical expenses to Erica. This made Erica believe that everything would be fine, and she was certain of it. And indeed, it turned out to be true. Finally, after seven days of hospitalization, Erica was given permission to be discharged. On the day of her departure, Erica mustered up the courage to inquire about her treatment costs. She wanted to request a deferred payment plan and settle the bill with the hospital later. However, Erica was surprised to learn that the man who had brought her to the hospital had already paid. Erica was eager to know the identity of her benefactor so she could express her gratitude. Unfortunately, the hospital staff shook their heads in ignorance. Ansel had decided to keep his identity hidden. The only information Erica received from the nurse was that he was a handsome and generous man.
This beautiful gesture seemed like a gift sent from above to a kind-hearted person. Erica decided that she would find out about her benefactor later. For now, she needed to stabilize her life. With that determination, Erica left the hospital. She planned to stop by her home to retrieve some of her hidden belongings. Erica believed that Kora and Mrs. Lani wouldn’t know where she had hidden her things.
Because she didn’t want to alarm anyone or let anyone know about her return, Erica sneaked home in the middle of the night. She used a spare key to enter the house, which was always hidden under the flower pot next to the door, something Mrs. Lani and Kora rarely noticed.
Moving cautiously like a cat, Erica swiftly made her way to her room. She couldn’t afford to waste any time; she had to gather her belongings now. Erica worried that Mrs. Lani and Kora would discover her actions, and she could potentially be accused of the crime of unauthorized entry.
After Erica finished collecting her things, including important documents and some savings, she quickly left. However, as she passed Mrs. Lani’s room, Erica had to pause because she overheard Lani’s conversation with a man.”How is the task I assigned you progressing?” Mrs. Lani asked impatiently, “How many days have passed?”
“The bank hasn’t contacted me yet,” the man replied, taking a drag from his cigarette.
“Why is it taking so long?” Mrs. Lani complained irritably, “Just bribe them with some money, and it will be done, and it will be sorted out immediately. Do I have to remind you of that?”
“It’s not as simple as you think,” The man calmly explained. He seemed unaffected by Mrs. Lani’s disrespectful attitude: “The procedures are complex and cumbersome.”
“Why is it so complicated? Just give them more money to sort it out. You’re working too slowly.” Lani grumbled again.
“I also want to finish it, but it’s not that simple.”
“Stop making excuses. If you can’t do it, I’ll let someone else do it,” Mrs. Lani interrupted, making a firm statement.
It turned out that Mrs. Lani was referring to the amount of money Erica had inherited. It should have been transferred to Kora’s name, as Erica had signed the transfer documents. However, when they went to the bank to withdraw the money, Erica was required to be present. Not to mention having to provide additional evidence and other requirements the bank wants. As a result, Mrs. Lani and Kora’s cruel plan had not been completely successful up until that day. Erica listened to their conversation but didn’t understand the specifics they were discussing. At that moment, Erica didn’t have far-reaching thoughts or any association with her inherited money.
Erica tried to get closer, peering through the crack of the door. Suddenly, she was surprised to discover that the naked man sitting on Mrs. Lani’s bed was none other than the lawyer. Apparently, the two had just fallen passionately in love. Erica came to the conclusion that they had colluded.
“If we have Erica, it would be great.” The man spoke up after a moment of silence. “Things will be resolved quickly.”
At the mention of Erica, Mrs. Lani immediately felt uneasy. She was furious for not anticipating the consequences. If she had known that Erica still held value as the key to obtaining the money, she would not have hired someone to eliminate her.
“We should find Erica,” the lawyer continued, expressing his opinion.
“Are you crazy? What good will finding her do? Do you think Erica will obediently do as you say?”
“We will find a way to make Erica listen to us,” the lawyer asserted confidently.
“What will you do? Threaten Erica? Force her to comply with your demands?” Mrs. Lani looked at the man with suspicion. Outside, Erica also wanted to know the intentions of these despicable individuals who had hurt her so much.
“If Erica resists and refuses to cooperate,” the lawyer revealed, speaking with indifference, “we will deal with her firmly. But if she knows what’s good for her, it’s a different story.”
“You speak so casually,” Mrs. Lani sneered, mocking him.
“That’s perfectly normal,” He asserted, expressing his concern. “The problem is, where is Erica now?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
“How should I know?” Mrs. Lani replied.
“Why did you drive Erica away?” The lawyer’s tone carried reproach. “Now we’re in trouble.”
“How was I supposed to know Erica still had value?” Mrs. Lani defended herself. “Besides, even if I hadn’t driven her away, Erica would have left on her own. After everything that happened, she can’t live with me and Kora anymore.”
The man sighed. Open your mouth to lament:
“Where is Erica, after all? She didn’t go to school. The police couldn’t find her either.”
“How would I know about that?” Mrs. Lani responded nonchalantly. She didn’t want anyone to know that Erica was dead.
Erica listened but still couldn’t understand anything. All she grasped was that these bad people were looking for her. She didn’t know why. Erica wanted to know more, but the conversation stopped when Kora’s voice intervened. From downstairs, Kora shouted, calling her mother:
“Mom, I’m hungry. Can you cook something for me to eat?”
Upon hearing Kora’s call, Mrs. Lani responded, “Just wait a moment, dear.”
Mrs. Lani turned to the lawyer, intending to dismiss him.
“Kora is back; you should go home too.”
She said this to the lawyer, then hurriedly got dressed. Before leaving the room, she looked at the lawyer and added:
“It would be best if you completed your mission quickly. And we don’t need Erica.”
“Without Erica, it will take much longer.”
“I don’t need to know how you solve the problem. Just do exactly what I say. Otherwise, you won’t receive a single penny.” She emphasized her point, alluding to a terrifying threat: “Don’t forget, your career will be in trouble if you dare betray me.”
After issuing the warning, Mrs. Lani stepped out of the room. At this moment, Erica had left the door and quickly returned to her own room to hide. The man also swiftly put on his clothes and left. He didn’t have the mentality to stay overnight here. The urgent task was to find a way to get the money without Erica. Otherwise, his plan would fall apart. Not to mention, his own career was at risk of going up in smoke.