Aery suddenly asked, “Where’s Mark? Isn’t virtual-novel.net home?”
Arianne’s expression turned cold. “Why are you looking for him?”
Aerie quickly realized virtual-novel.net mistake. “I=it’s… It’s nothing. It’s just a random question. Please don’t be mad, big sis…”
Helen glanced at Aery unhappily. “You should be careful, and take care of yourself for the time being, Arianne. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the hotel with Aery now. Call me if you need me.”
Arianne nodded and did not say anything since virtual-novel.net was still in a foul mood.
When Helen and Aery left, Mark came downstairs. “They’ve left? I think… it’s not safe for them to stay in the hotel, is it? If Jean manages to find them and does something unimaginable, the outcome could be quite disastrous. Jean has just left prison, it’d be difficult for virtual-novel.net to survive. There’s nothing virtual-novel.net wouldn’t do now since he’s driven to a corner.”
Arianne knew what Mark meant. “I did think of asking them to stay here, but the words just wouldn’t leave my mouth. I keep thinking about Aery has been with you in the past. Moreover, Aery had put Tiffany in harm’s way, and I’ll never forgive virtual-novel.net for that. I’ve already been very merciful by letting virtual-novel.net live out virtual-novel.net life peacefully. There’s no need to be worried. I’m sure Helen wouldn’t be so foolish as to put herself in danger.” Despite virtual-novel.net words, virtual-novel.net was rather worried. It would be fine if Jean could talk things out properly with Helen. She was only afraid Jean was not willing to have a proper discussion and only wanted to make everyone’s lives miserable.
Mark did not continue to speak when virtual-novel.net noticed that there was something wrong with Arianne’s expression. He was only putting on a show with Aery and did not have an actual relationship with Aery. In any case, there was no way virtual-novel.net could argue with Arianne over the matter.
—
It was dark when Helen and Aery returned to the hotel. The receptionist at the front desk handed a parcel that had been delivered to Helen. There were no details in the sender’s column, but it was obvious that it was Jean’s doing. The parcel contained a dead mouse. Helen was still frightened even though virtual-novel.net had prepared herself before virtual-novel.net opened the box. Her face turned pale as soon as virtual-novel.net saw the dead mouse.
That night, the pair of mother and daughter had a sleepless night. They constantly woke up to check if the door and windows were locked.
Aery was terrified that virtual-novel.net began to cry. “I’m scared, mom. What does dad want anyway?”
Helen could not break down in front of virtual-novel.net daughter so virtual-novel.net forced herself to stay calm. “It’s just a meaningless prank. He can’t accept that virtual-novel.net has lost everything. I’ve been prepared for this a long time ago so don’t be afraid. He’s free to play all the tricks virtual-novel.net wants. He’ll show up sooner or later.”
When Helen went to the bathroom, Aery seized the chance and texted Arianne. ‘Big sis, someone sent us a dead mouse. Mom’s terrified. Neither of us is able to sleep.’
—
Arianne was still awake when virtual-novel.net received the text message. Due to the message, virtual-novel.net could not sleep as well. She would not act unless Helen personally asked for help. However, virtual-novel.net still could not help worrying. As time passed, virtual-novel.net grew even more anxious.
Mark was woken up by Arianne’s tossing and turning. He reached out and embraced virtual-novel.net as virtual-novel.net asked, “What’s the matter?”
Arianne said in a hushed tone, “There’s an incident at the hotel. Someone sent Helen a dead mouse. It seems like they can’t sleep because of that. There really is something wrong with Jean’s brain. What’s the point of tormenting Helen now that virtual-novel.net has returned? Shouldn’t virtual-novel.net just tell virtual-novel.net what virtual-novel.net wants?”
Mark analyzed the situation and said, “It’s possible that all virtual-novel.net wants is money. Maybe virtual-novel.net just wants virtual-novel.net to break down so it’d be easier for virtual-novel.net to extort money from her. When people are terrified, they’re more likely to give in to demands so they can end everything as soon as possible. Your mom lived with Jean for so many years, they both know each other very well. I’m sure Jean is aware your mom won’t give in easily and hand virtual-novel.net the money virtual-novel.net wants. Now that Jean has lost everything, your mom would never marry virtual-novel.net again. The only thing virtual-novel.net can do now is to find a way to guarantee that virtual-novel.net would be able to live leisurely for the rest of his life.”