Debbie didn't hide their plans from her friends. She said honestly, "Stephanie is James' biological daughter. He's evil, but he's a father. Carlos tortured her in front of James, so that his pain would be doubled as he watched his daughter suffer. Then, when he was on the brink of a mental meltdown, we began to torture him physically. We'll torture him bit by bit. After all that mental and physical punishment, we will trot out solid proof and lock him behind bars."
The four of them were stupefied. Jared had already put down his chopsticks. Debbie's narration about how Carlos had tortured Stephanie was far more interesting than the delicious food in front of him.
Kristina was the one who knew the least about everything that had happened. She asked in a weak voice, "Did Stephanie do something unforgivable? What did she do to you?"
Debbie lowered her voice because what she was about to say was absolutely confidential. "She made someone undergo plastic surgery to look like me and asked that person to kill Megan. She wanted to frame me for the murder. And at the seaside resort last time, Carlos and I were shipwrecked at sea. Stephanie was the one who had planned the accident. We were lucky to have survived it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be having dinner with you guys right now."
The four got goose bumps all over their bodies.
It sounded like some sort of horror story.
Kasie muttered, "I never expected Stephanie to be such a cruel woman. She had disguised herself so well. I actually thought that she was a nice person when we were at the seaside resort, except that she was aloof to the people there. It's true that you can't judge a book by its cover."
"Yes." Debbie was hungry now; her appetite had returned to normal. Taking a bite of a fish ball, she continued, "I thought that Stephanie and Megan were on good terms, but they weren't. Stephanie had even hired someone to **** Megan. Two men! Can you believe it? I'm not slandering her. I have proof to support all these claims."
They nodded, believing whatever Debbie said.
Debbie was pleased to see that her friends trusted her. "That's all we know so far. There must have been some other feuds between them, but only they know." She raised her head, and ran her eyes over them. "Hey! Remember that all this is confidential. Only Carlos, Frankie, Tristan and I know. And you guys. Don't let slip it to anyone else."
The four nodded again, assuring her that they would be tight-lipped.
Debbie bowed her head to focus on the food again. But something occurred to her all of a sudden. She shot her head up to give Kasie a meaningful look. "And the car accident three years ago…"
Kasie held her breath when the accident was brought up.
"Don't tell me that it was Stephanie who had plotted the accident," Jared couldn't help but ask.
Debbie shook her head. "It was James." The truth would go public soon. Debbie thought it was better to tell Kasie and the others now, before they heard the news from other sources.
Tears filled Kasie's eyes. She said with a sob, "So, that's the truth behind Emmett's death…"
"Yes. Carlos found out. He has all the proof. James' and Stephanie's fates are in Carlos' hands now." James had tried to flee abroad two days ago, but Carlos had his men bring him back before he could set foot in the airport.
Debbie comforted her, "Don't cry, Kasie. Carlos will avenge Emmett."
"Hmm," Kasie nodded. She believed Carlos wouldn't let James off easily.
As they ate their dinner, Debbie went on to tell them more about the crimes the father and daughter duo had committed. She also told them how Carlos had made Stephanie go through the abortion without any anesthesia. Jared wasn't satisfied. He said that Carlos was too benevolent on them.
After that, the five old friends dropped the topic about those disgusting people. They talked about their beautiful memories in school and university. They remembered the golden days of their friendship. In the end, the girls' eyes were red from all the tears they had shed over old stories. Dixon shook his head helplessly and said, "I can't believe that the four of you are married. I'm the only bachelor here. It's so unfair. Why didn't any of you wait for me?"
Debbie was the first to get married among them. She patted his shoulder and scoffed, "That's because you were the Straight A student. We all did so badly in school. If we were half as smart as you were, we would've gone for higher studies too." She had completely forgotten that she had once gone for higher studies abroad with Carlos' help.
"Exactly." The other three nodded, echoing Debbie's words. Dixon was the most excellent student in their class. It would have been a waste if he hadn't gotten the chance to do further studies.
Seeing that they had ganged up on him, Dixon quit arguing and bowed down his head to eat.
After dinner, Ivan came and took Kasie back home.
Layne also came on time to pick up Kristina, with her favorite drink in hand. It seemed that he really treated her well.
Debbie wanted Carlos to come and pick her up too, but he was having an important meal at a hotel. He had earlier asked Dixon to escort Debbie to the hotel after their dinner.
Jared was pretty much drunk. He had come with a driver, so he was fine.
On the way back, inside the Bentley
Debbie sat in the back seat with Dixon. After chatting casually for a short while, she suddenly asked, "Dixon, tell me honestly. Have you let go of the past?"
Dixon was stunned for a second, but then smiled.
Truth be told, before he had met Kristina earlier that night, he hadn't really forgotten their past. After all, she had broken up with him over money. But when he saw her rich husband and realized that she was living happily now, he finally felt relaxed. He didn't need to worry about her anymore. And it was time for him to move on too.
"Yes, I've dropped the past," he said firmly. He wasn't as excited as he had imagined he would be when he saw Kristina again.
Debbie felt relieved to hear his response. Patting his shoulder, she comforted, "Rest assured. I'll introduce you to a nice girl."
"No need. My mom has already arranged a blind date for me. I'll meet her soon."
"Really? But you just came back. Why the rush?"
"She's not in good health. I'm thinking of getting married within the next two years. Hope she has enough time to see her grandchild," Dixon explained, smiling bitterly. Even back when he was in a relationship with Kristina, his mother had been sick. She had been depending solely on medication to stay alive. But Kristina knew nothing about this.
He'd done several part time jobs after school. Every month, when he got his salary, he would wire three-fourth of the money to his parents, and he used to live on the little money that was left.
When he began to go out with Kristina, most of the remaining money would be spent on her.
There was a time when he was too poor to even have his basic three meals a day. Carlos had given him a VIP card to the fifth floor of Alioth. Dixon had always secretly gone there to buy himself a bowl of noodles using that VIP card. On a few occasions, he would order a bowl of rice or a simple dish to keep himself a little fuller.
Gradually, he had become familiar with the managers of Alioth. They were kind people and sometimes would give him a free dish.
This was the first time Debbie had heard Dixon talk about his mom's health. She asked worriedly, "Is your mom's condition severe? You have a stable job now. You can take your mom to a better hospital in the city."
Dixon shook his head. "It's not that severe anymore. When I began my studies abroad, Mr. Huo had arranged for a doctor to send the necessary medicines to my parents' house every month. Even though Mr. Huo had lost his memories later, the doctor continued to send the medicines as usual. My mom's health is much better now. Tomboy…" He paused and pushed his glasses up. Then he continued in a sentimental tone, "I owe you and your husband too much."
