Chapter 12 The Brutal Truth Chapter 12 The Brutal Truth Lonnie heard the threat loud and clear . +5 Free Coins He had told Hunter there might not be a full payout of 10 million , but if he didn't come clean now , he knew his wife and child would suffer for his cowardice . In the city of Verton , Hunter was a man who could bend the world to his will . There was nothing he wouldn't do nothing he couldn't . Lonnie cursed himself for not messaging Celine to check if Hunter was with her before he made the call . But it was too late to regret it . He exhaled shakily , his voice trembling . " M - Mr . Gedge , it was Celine . She never lost her memory . Two years ago , she paid me a large sum to pose as a doctor and lie to you - make you believe she had amnesia so you'd pity her . " She orchestrated everything . That stunt at the hospital , seeing Ms. Archer break down - that was all to trigger her supposed memories and manipulate your feelings . She wanted you to hate Ms. Archer and punish her to satisfy her twisted desires . " It was all Celine's plan . I was just following orders - paid to play my part . This whole farce has nothing to do with me . Please , Mr. Gedge , you're a man of reason . Don't take it out on me . " As Lonnie spilled every secret , Celine closed her eyes in despair . Hunter's face darkened with every word , the fury in his expression deepening until it was as black as ink . He clenched his jaw , suppressing his rage . " And what about the 3 million ? And the 5 million you demand Celine pay up ? Did any of that have to do with Dana ? " " N - no ! Absolutely not ! " Lonnie stammered . " Celine said she was bringing you to the hospital today , and I should tell you her memory had fully returned . " She told me it was our last deal . Once it was done , she'd give me one million as hush money so I could take my wife and kid and leave Verton for good . " We agreed on one million a long time ago , but I felt one million wasn't enough to start over , so I asked for 3 million yesterday . She didn't respond . Then this morning , she finally agreed . But I figured a secret that big should be worth more . I told her I wanted 5 million . " I swear , Mr. Gedge , I never touched Dana . I only called to squeeze more money from Celine ! " Hunter let out a cold laugh . " You know , when you take someone's money , the rule is simple : take it and disappear . But you ? You kept raising the price , threatening her . Do you think you're some kind of saint ? " If it weren't for your greed , I might never have found out the truth . You could've walked away and started fresh with your family . But you got greedy , " Lonnie sobbed , " I know , I know ! I was wrong . Please , I beg you . Please spare me ! It was all Celine's idea ! " " I'm aware , " Hunter replied coolly . " But that doesn't make you innocent . Ever seen a murder accomplice get to walk free ? " With that , Hunter hung up . 1/4 2:57 pm G ppp . Chapter 12 The Brutal Truth 45 Free Coins He took screenshots of Lonnie's messages with Celine and sent them to his secretary , instructing her to draft a lawsuit - under Celine's name - accusing Lonnie of blackmail and extortion . That done , he turned his attention to Celine . Hunter crouched down in front of her , his gaze sharp and cold . Celine felt a chill run down her spine under his stare . Finally , he spoke , his voice low and steady . " You're bold , Celine . Faking amnesia , using me as a weapon to torment Dana - just to satisfy your twisted desire ? " You think I'm some fool you can play like a puppet ? " He grabbed her chin , his thumb brushing her jaw with unsettling calm . Celine could no longer talk her way out of this . She knew Hunter well - his calm voice only meant the storm was coming . She whispered , " I'm sorry , Hunter . I didn't mean to lie to you , I just- " " Just what ? Loved me too much ? " He cut in , mocking her . " Yes , " she cried . " That's exactly it . I did it because I love you ! " I just wanted Dana to see that you didn't care about her anymore so she'd give up . But she didn't leave . She stayed for three years ! " Hunter snapped . " Ridiculous ! Love isn't lies and manipulation . Since when does love mean using people , manipulating them , and breaking them down ? Just because you love me , I'm supposed to forgive everything you've done ? Be grateful even ? " Celine shook her head desperately , tears falling . " No , that's not what I meant , Hunter . " " Then what did you mean ? I thought you were kind . " His voice turned bitter . " But I was wrong . You're cruel , a hypocrite even . Who knows what else you've done behind my back ? " Hunter's words cut into Celine like blades across her chest . Once upon a time , she wouldn't even harm an ant . She had been that kind of girl - sweet , innocent , the kind who wore sunshine like a second skin . She was cheerful , generous , always smiling , the kind of presence people gravitated toward . When did she change ? It started when she lowered her pride and pursued Hunter , only to be turned down time and time again . When she refused to give up , people laughed behind her back , calling her pathetic and saying she didn't know her place . She had done so much . Given so much . Yet in Hunter's eyes , there was only Dana . Celine couldn't understand it . She was talented , beautiful , and driven . Why was she never enough ? Why couldn't she measure up to half of what Dana was ? 2/4 2:58 pm Chapter 12 The Brutal Truth +5 Free Coins Her pride took a brutal beating . Jealousy festered until it consumed her , until it twisted her into someone she barely recognized . That was the moment everything changed . She swore to herself that she would have Hunter and crush Dana under her heel . So when the chance finally came , when she could step into Dana's place , she didn't hesitate . She wanted Hunter to hurt Dana , to punish her , to make her feel small . It would feed the vanity Celine had buried under years of rejection . And that was how her plan began to take shape . But what Celine never understood - what she still refused to face - was that Dana was never the one who turned her away . Dana hadn't mocked her nor humiliated her . Every scar Celine bore came from one thing : her refusal to accept the truth . Hunter had a girlfriend . He was never hers to begin with . None of this mess had anything to do with Dana , but she became the one who paid the price . How could anyone admit they were wrong when denial was so much easier ? Celine knew whatever good impression Hunter once had of her had shattered beyond repair . So she dropped the act completely . She laughed bitterly . " So tell me , how do you think I ended up like this ? You never gave me any real sense of security . " I loved you more than anything . But what about you ? Did you ever truly love me ? You said you did . You said we'd get married . But your heart ? It's always belonged to Dana . You're with me because I saved your life . That's it , isn't it ? A debt . " I knew that as long as Dana was in the picture , what we had would never be real . I just wanted her gone so we could be together . Is that such a crime ?! " D Her voice rose higher , cracking as it turned into a shout . Hunter stared at her , shocked by how unhinged she had become . And then , without warning , he slapped her - hard . " You're insane , " he growled through clenched teeth . " Truly , utterly insane . I hate that I didn't see it sooner . I hate that Dana had to suffer because I was blind . " Celine , hear me now - if anything happens to Dana , I swear , I'll make you pay ." The blow sent her sprawling to the floor , her cheek blazing red , blood trickling from the corner of her lip . She wiped it away with the back of her hand and sneered . " Don't forget , Hunter . Every lie , every insult , every moment of pain Dana endured - didn't all of that come from you ? " And yesterday , on that island , wasn't it you who sent her there ? What did these events have to do with me ? " Hunter barked , " Don't twist it ! You told me to take her there - it was your idea ! How is that not your fault ? " Celine let out a cruel , bitter laugh . " Sure , I said it . But you didn't have to do it . What happened to the great Mr. Gedge ? When did you start taking orders from a girl like me ? " You were the one who took her there . You made that choice . So if Dana dies out there , the first person you should blame is yourself . " 3/4 2:58 pm GP pp . Chapter 12 The Brutal Truth Her words revealed a raw , bleeding truth , leaving Hunter seething with rage , his eyes blazing with murderous intent . Celine tilted her chin and challenged him . " What ? Are you going to kill me now ? " +5 Free Coins Hunter's jaw clenched so tight it looked like it might snap . " You saved my life once . That's the only reason I'm not ending your life here and now . But don't push me , Celine . If something happens to Dana - if she's gone - I'll make sure you wish you were dead ." Just then , Hunter's phone rang . It was Adrian . " Boss ! " came Adrian's breathless voice . " Good news . We cut open every single wolf . Not a trace - no human remains in any of them ! " 4/4