Chapter 16

Sarah's Story

After leaving the building and getting to the motorcycle parking lot, Samantha let go of Sarah's hand.

"Okay, so tell me, you seemed really hesitant inside, but then you were all for it after he whispered something to you. What was that about?" Samantha asked.

Sarah went quiet and looked down, her face showing fear. Samantha then reopened her skill screen and turned off her Intimidation skill.

"So? Can you tell me?" Samantha asked.

Sarah lifted her head, then looked at Samantha, who was flipping her hair and standing with her hands on her hips.

"Um... it's kind of a long story. Is that okay?" Sarah asked.

"It's fine," Samantha replied.

Finally, Sarah told her everything. She explained that she had a boyfriend, but he had terrible grades at college. Instead of studying hard, her boyfriend asked Sarah to seduce her professor, and it turned out he actually sold her to the professor for grades. After being with the professor at a hotel, the professor recorded everything and threatened to expose it all to Sarah's parents if she didn't obey him.

Since her parents had a good reputation and were well-known real estate moguls, she ended up just going along with it because her grades actually improved because of the professor. After that, the professor introduced her to Carlos, who knew Sarah's dad was a big shot. He asked her to convince her father to invest in his investment program, promising a 200% profit annually from the investment amount.

"Hmm, no wonder that guy said what he said earlier," Samantha mumbled to herself, listening to Sarah's story.

"I'm sorry, sis, you got involved in my mess," Sarah said anxiously.

"Why didn't you report it to the police if you were being blackmailed and threatened like that?" Samantha asked.

"I-I didn't want my case to tarnish my family's name. My parents would be furious, and they might disown me," Sarah replied.

"But if it keeps going like this, you're the one who'll suffer. You have to stand up for yourself and don't let people like this win," Samantha shot back, annoyed.

"B-but, my boyfriend is also involved, and he's from a well-known family too," Sarah said.

"Who is this boyfriend of yours? How dare he sacrifice you for his own benefit?" Samantha demanded.

But before Sarah could say anything, just as she opened her mouth, suddenly, "Sarah!" a man called out to her. Sarah turned around because she recognized the voice, and it turned out Samantha recognized it too. She saw her younger brother, Derek, approaching Sarah.

"What are you doing here?" Derek asked, holding Sarah's shoulders.

"Shhhht," Samantha pulled Sarah back, and her foot was once again at Derek's throat. Of course, Derek's eyes immediately widened, seeing Samantha standing behind Sarah.

"Whoa... Big Sis Samantha? Why are you here?" Derek asked.

"So he's your boyfriend, Sarah?" Samantha asked, without lowering her foot.

"Y-yes," Sarah replied, looking down.

"Good... very good," Samantha said (lowering her foot and walking in front of Sarah. "Gyuuut," she grabbed Derek's collar and pulled his face close to hers). "So you're a scumbag, huh? I can't believe my own brother is such a piece of shit bastard. Break up with Sarah right now, because I know you don't love her, or all your crap goes straight to the police, the university, and Dad. Dad will flip out," Samantha said in a low, sharp voice.

"P-please, sis (he turned to Sarah), Sarah, why did you tell her everything? She's my sister!" Derek yelled.

"Hey... look at me. Don't threaten your ex-girlfriend. You know I can bury you here without anyone knowing. Don't mess with me," Samantha said, still not letting go of Derek's collar.

"Y-yes, sis, I'm sorry. Please don't tell Dad anything, especially not the university or the police," Derek replied.

"Okay, but promise not to bother Sarah again, got it?" Samantha asked.

"I know... I get it," Derek replied.

"Now go. Go home," Samantha said.

"O-okay, sis. Sorry again, sis," Derek replied.

Derek immediately turned around, his shoulders slumped like someone who had been soundly defeated. He walked to his Lexus parked by the side of the road. After Derek got in his car and drove off, Samantha turned to look at Sarah, who was stunned and crying.

"Why? You didn't want to break up with him because you still love him?" Samantha asked.

"N-not that, sis. The reason I was dating Derek was because my dad's company owes his dad's company money," Sarah replied.

"Huh... why didn't you say anything earlier? How much?" Samantha asked.

"Um... $250,000 when Dad mortgaged his company to Derek's dad's company, but I don't know the current amount," Sarah replied.

"Grrrr... damn old man," Samantha muttered to herself.

She immediately opened her bag to get her smartphone, but it wasn't there. She then tried to search for it but still couldn't find it. Suddenly, she remembered leaving her smartphone on the bed when she was changing clothes.

"Ah, that's right. My smartphone is still at home. I forgot to bring it because I was in such a hurry," she mumbled to herself.

Samantha immediately turned to look at Sarah, then she moved closer and held Sarah's shoulders, who flinched when Samantha touched her.

"Call your dad right now. Ask how much the debt is. Hurry," Samantha said.

"Y-yes, sis," Sarah replied.

She immediately took out her smartphone and called her father right in front of Samantha. When the call was answered, Sarah asked her dad about the debt to Robert's company. Her father sounded hesitant to answer, but in the end, he told her the amount. It turned out the amount was still the same because her father had consistently paid the interest without missing a payment. Without further delay, Samantha opened her bag, took out her checkbook and pen, then wrote the amount of $250,000 on her check. "Creek," she tore off the check and handed it to Sarah.

"Clang," Sarah dropped her smartphone to the ground, and her mouth hung open in shock, seeing the amount on the check Samantha had given her.

"Hello... hello... Sarah?" her father asked on the speaker.

Sarah immediately crouched down, picked up her smartphone, and said, "I'll call you back later, Dad." She immediately hung up and stared at Samantha in front of her. Since Sarah just stood there not taking the check, Samantha finally took Sarah's hand and placed the check in Sarah's palm.

"Give this to your father tomorrow and tell him to pay off the debt. You two have no more ties with my family," Samantha said.

"I-is this serious, sis?" Sarah asked.

"Of course. Tonight I got $750,000, and deducting $250,000 is no big problem at all (technically true, not bragging, you know)," Samantha replied.

Sarah carefully held the check. Tears started to stream down her face, and her expression looked incredibly relieved.

"Then tomorrow, report everything to the police. I mean, that professor and Carlos. Don't include Derek, of course," Samantha said.

"Y-yes, thank you, sis... really, thank you," Sarah said, crying.

Samantha stepped forward and hugged Sarah so Sarah could let out everything she was feeling. Suddenly, she remembered something.

"Hey, System, what happened in the elevator won't become a police matter, right?" Samantha asked.

[It won't be a police matter, sir. I've manipulated all their thoughts except the women and when you get home, please check your email. I've documented everything; it just needs to be taken to the police, without Derek involvement, of course.]

"Hmm, okay, thanks," Samantha replied.

[Reward Elixir x1 received.]

[Reward $750,000 received.]

[Reward new skill Sharp Instinct (passive) received.]

[Reward BMW i8 sporty, all paperwork and keys in home garage received.]

"Status."

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Status:

Name: Samantha Whitmore

Age: 23

Gender: Female

Level: 300 / 1000 (max)

Strength: 1500 (+1000)

Agility: 1500 (+700)

Stamina: 1500 (+1000)

Dexterity: 1500 (+700)

Luck: 300 (+100)

Sickness: Chronic allergies to women (Elixir 3 / 20) (usage cooldown: 29 days)

Skills: Mixed martial arts mastery (passive), Sharp mind (passive), Charm (passive), Intimidation (passive), Manipulation (passive), Taunt (passive), Sharp Instinct (passive).

Functions: Full resurrection, Dimensional storage, Third eye.

Total reward money: $3,850,000

Death count: 3

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"Okay, perfect," Samantha said.

[Happy to help, sir.]