Plot Twist, The 'Dead' Ex is Thriving

Chapter 14

Vincent staggered forward, his face deathly pale as he stared at Daniel. "What happened? How could things turn out like this after just a few days away?"

"Lauren wasn't lying to us this time. The house really burned down?"

Daniel suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot, and slammed his fist into Vincent's face.

Caught off guard, Vincent was knocked to the ground.

Emily gasped and rushed to help him up, but Vincent shoved her aside and lunged at Daniel.

Soon, both men were bruised and bleeding.

They only stopped when exhaustion forced them apart.

Daniel collapsed onto the ground, his expression hollow. "Why did I believe your lies?"

"Why didn't I answer the phone that day..."

"If I had trusted her, if I had come back sooner..."

"No—Lauren must still be in there. I have to dig her out."

Like a madman, he crawled toward the ruins, clawing at the debris.

Friends desperately tried to reason with him, but Daniel wouldn't listen.

Vincent wiped the blood from his face and stood, turning to leave.

"They didn't find a body. Lauren must still be alive."

"She's just angry. She burned the house down to make us think she's dead..."

A flicker of hope lit up Daniel's devastated eyes. "You're right. Lauren isn't dead. I'll send people to find her—"

He scrambled to his feet and stumbled away.

"Vincent! Daniel—ah!"

Emily, frantic, tried to follow.

But she missed her footing and fell hard onto the charred wreckage.

Daniel didn't even seem to hear her cries.

Vincent didn't stop either, only instructing his assistant to take Emily to the hospital before getting into his car without a backward glance.

The two vehicles sped off, vanishing into the distance.