Chapter 94

"What truth?" Susan Thompson regretted asking the moment the words left her lips. There was only one truth—the truth about Bella Quinn's death.

Nicole Capra entered uninvited, settling gracefully onto the sofa. "The truth about Bella Quinn's suicide."

"Susan, last night was too crowded. Now I can tell you everything." Her cold smile widened as she glanced at the phone on the coffee table, confirming it wasn't recording.

"Those four men were specially arranged for Bella by Michelle and me."

"We watched as they tortured her to death."

Nicole smoothed her skirt with deliberate slowness. "Those beasts told us Bella jumped into the sea in utter humiliation. Do you know what we instructed them to do?"

She leaned close, whispering into Susan's ear, "I said—make sure not a single inch of her skin remains untouched."

Susan's nails dug deep into her palms.

"The blood on the cliff was all hers." Nicole's sweet laughter filled the room. "Can you imagine how brutal it must have been to leave that much blood behind?"

"Nicole!" Susan's eyes burned red, her entire body trembling.

"I told you this because I wanted to see you suffer." Nicole rose, looking down at her with icy satisfaction. "Your pain brings me joy."

Susan lunged, but Nicole easily shoved her to the ground. The agony in her stomach left her too weak to rise.

"With a body like yours, you should hurry and join your dead son." Nicole pressed her shoe against Susan's face. "If you take too long, I’d be happy to help."

The door slammed shut. Susan curled into herself, blood trickling from her lips.

She remembered Bella once asking, "Susan, what do you think is the most important thing in life?"

Back then, she had answered, "Happiness." But Bella had said, "Purity. To come into this world pure, and leave it the same way."

That reserved girl had only ever wanted to give herself to the one she loved. Yet in her most vulnerable moment, she had been defiled by filthy beasts.

Trembling, Susan reached for her phone and dialed Andrew Lucas.

"What is it?" His voice was cold.

"You promised to clear Bella's name."

"Only if you satisfy me." He scoffed. "And you’ve been anything but satisfying."

Susan clenched her teeth. "What do you want?"

"Nine tonight. Room 2208, A Variety of Beauties." The call ended abruptly.

Susan knew what that meant. But for Bella to leave this world pure, she swallowed her painkillers, wrapped herself in her coat, and stepped out.

The winter wind cut like knives. She stood shivering outside the upscale club.

When she pushed open the door, she finally understood Andrew's intention—

Ethan Sullivan was waiting inside the private room.