First Test

(Bryce Carter's POV)

(Somewhere in San Fransisco in Simpleton Estate near the sea)

[After Bryce has come back to his estate with Valerie.]

After 2 years you are back to where you ran away from. You tried so hard but at last, you had to come back. You have become boring Valerie. You are acting really weak. I don't hate this peace but I'm still not used to you being this cooperative since that day.

'It's already past 6 do you want to see go to the beach to see the sunset? It's been years since we last watched the sunset together.'

I always need to check what is going on in that useless brain of yours.

'Sorry but I'm really tired. Do you know a thing called jetlag?'

Good to see you resist. Looks like you are yet to come to your senses. I was just starting to get the wrong idea that you might be planning something behind my back.

'V, don't try to provoke me. I was just trying to be nice. If you don't want then I'm never going to force you to do something against your will.'

'Hmm, I know...'

Good girl. Keep being like your usual self, resist as much as you want. I have plans already made for you. You will be left with no other choice than to marry me and be mine as you were supposed to, from the very beginning. That lady wasn't even your actual mother, you know that yet you acted like I did something horrible to your own family.

[Suddenly Bryce's phone vibrates cutting off his thought process and seeing the caller's name he leaves Valerie alone to attend his business.]

[After completing his conversation with his secretary Bryce seems somewhat disturbed and he heads toward his study.]

Why people working for me are so useless?! They can't even handle a rat!

[Bryce looks at his pc screen. It is showing a mail containing a picture which has nothing but a sealed ample named 'Opm-54-mxs', and there's a message written above it.]

"I think most of your business partners won't like this photo. If you don't want them to find out this picture or the thing shown in the picture make sure you give me what I need."

What do you think? I'll be scared to death with only a random picture. Even if you know about "Opm-54-mxs's " existence you can't do anything. You are nothing more than a lowly rat how could you even dare to threaten me?! I'll make sure you get paid for your deed properly. Just you wait.

My V came back to me after 2 years. I'm really happy right now that's why I'll let you run around a little longer. After her 'Welcome Back' party I'll take care of you.

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[Two days later....]

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(Valerie hart's POV)

[It's another morning, Valerie is lying down on her bed staring blankly at the ceiling as various thoughts are running wild inside her head.]

It's already been two days since I came here. I haven't seen Bryce neither have made any progress in finding that person. I'm just wasting my days laying down like this. Tomorrow Bryce has arranged a party to announce my return and our engagement date. I still can remember how our engagement got canceled three years ago...

[Valerie closes her eyes and gets a sudden flashback...]

A woman is lying on the floor of Bryce's office in a pool of blood. Valerie is kneeling beside her holding a bloody knife and she has blood on her hands and clothes. Bryce is standing near the scene turning his back towards them.

'Uhh!'

[Valerie opens her eyes and sits straight up. A tear rolls down her face.]

I need to get my head straight! Why even I am thinking of that night again. That night three years ago won't repeat itself. I've to make sure that it doesn't.

(ting~)

--unknown sender--

'Hey, it's me again. I gave you some time to get settled there. Hope you are doing well. Send back a "Hi" when you read this message. I have some work for you.'

Is it god's sign or what?! I just had that flashback and now this message. I don't know who this is but I think I'd need their help if I want to get justice for mom. For now, I've to find out who this is and what they are up to.

'Who are you?! Why are you doing this to me? I've tried contacting this number of yours but I couldn't contact you. How can I just trust you?'

[2 minutes later...]

'Ms. Hart what you say and what you do really doesn't add up.'

'What do you mean?!'

'I think because my messages gave you some sort of hope you went back to the Simpleton Estate. And now you are questioning my intention? Before knowing who I am you need to prove that you are trustworthy.'

'I don't know you, neither your intentions and now you want me to prove my loyalty to you?'

'Ms. Hart if you really want to prove Officer West's innocence and get out of Bryce Carter's grip then I think you need to prove your loyalty to me before asking any further questions.'

'How do you know my mom was innocent? What do you want me to do? Just tell me!'

'This is how you should have acted from the start, Ms. Hart. For now, I don't need you to do something big. All you need to do is run a link I'll be giving you in Bryce Carter's pc.'

'That's all?'

'I don't think it'll be easy so that will be all for now. You will get your answers after you pass this test.'

(You've received an unknown link!)

So all I need to do this run this link. But why they said it'll be difficult. I've to do it no matter what. They know my mom was innocent and if they testify I can at least stand against Bryce in a legal battle. So I've to win their trust no matter what!

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[That person can be seen putting their phone down on a side table and go stand in front of a huge window. Their back can be seen as they are watching the sea and their low voice can be heard.]

'Valerie if you try and fail to do the task that means you are safe and can be trusted. Otherwise, either you can be in danger or you are in the same team with that Carter guy!'

[That person is getting the same flashback as Valerie. In their flashback, Valerie can be seen sitting beside a dead woman holding a knife and Bryce is facing his back towards the scene. That person is seeing everything from afar and nobody seemed to notice them.]

'I've to know what actually happened that night before I reached there, how Officer West ended up dead, and how much Valerie is truly responsible for that.'