Chapter 282

"Send it now!" Andrew Lucas commanded coldly before ending the call.

The VIP hospital room had excellent signal. The surveillance footage from Leo Miller arrived almost instantly on his phone.

It was just an ordinary clip, yet Andrew's finger hovered over the screen, hesitating to press play.

He feared confronting an unbearable truth.

Feared that Susan Thompson might truly be as vicious as the rumors claimed.

Most of all, he feared discovering he meant nothing to her.

Taking a deep breath, he finally tapped the video.

The grainy footage had clearly been restored. Though timestamp-free, it unmistakably showed Henry Bartley in a hotel parking garage.

Henry stepped out of a red sports car, glancing around furtively before dragging a bulging burlap sack from the backseat.

The thin fabric clearly outlined a human form inside.

Hoisting the sack over his shoulder, he hurried toward the elevator.

The video ended abruptly.

Andrew closed his eyes. When they reopened, all light had drained from them.

He'd clung to excuses, convincing himself Susan couldn't be this monstrous.

Reality had slapped him hard.

Their love story had been his solo performance all along.

Nicole Capra leaned in, recognizing the carefully staged scene she'd orchestrated. She'd instructed Henry to carry a mannequin that night, fabricating kidnapping evidence.

This was the only clip she'd allowed to survive—Andrew's smoking gun.

"So...this is how I was delivered to that room..." Nicole collapsed dramatically, covering her face with theatrical sobs. "Why me? What did I do to deserve this?"

She pounded the floor hysterically. "The whole world knows about my...my accident now! Just let me die!"

"You won't be disgraced." Andrew gripped her wrist. "I'll make you shine brighter than ever."

His voice turned glacial. "As for Susan...she'll pay."

"The female lead in 'General's Oath' is yours."

Nicole's eyes flashed with triumph. The coveted role in the blockbuster adaptation had been destined for rising star Bella Lucas—until now.

She feigned concern. "But with my reputation..."

"I decide who's worthy." Andrew cut her off.

Nicole seized the moment, rising on tiptoes to kiss him.

Andrew stiffened. The sight of her tear-streaked, snot-smeared face repulsed him.

Suddenly he remembered kissing Susan's tear-damp cheeks. Back then, he'd only felt tenderness—never disgust.

"Nicole!" A furious shout erupted from the doorway.

Ethan Sullivan stormed in, face contorted with rage. "Drop the act! You make me sick!"

"Ethan?" Nicole adopted a wounded expression. "How could you—"

"Shut up!" Ethan slapped away her reaching hand. "You reek of piss. Stay away!"

He wiped his palm on his pants with visible revulsion. "I came back to tell you—you're no sister of mine!"

"Susan is my real sister!"