Chapter 17
Hunter left Serena’s body where it was and returned to the villa alone.
The housekeepers had cleaned thoroughly, restoring everything to its former state. There were no more foul odors or unsettling swarms of flies. Yet from the moment he stepped inside, Hunter couldn’t shake the sensation of an insect buzzing around him.
He ignored it and went upstairs, loosened his tie, and sank into the couch.
“Nadine, you should be satisfied now–Serena’s dead. I told you I’d take care of you for life, whether I loved you or not. I’ve kept my word and made her pay.”
He paused, then continued speaking to the empty villa. “I’ve investigated why Grandma did what she did as well. I wronged you all these years… I’m sorry, Nadine.”
It was his first apology to her. During their countless arguments before, their only language had been hatred. Now with no one left to hate and Serena dealt with, Hunter suddenly felt
hollow.
Leaning back, he stared at the ceiling where the imaginary flies still circled. His gaze grew unfocused as he muttered to himself.
“When are you coming back? I’ve been managing your family’s business. You’ll owe me principal plus interest when you return.
“Nadine, you never bowed your head to me before. Why aren’t you arguing with me now?
“Right… You’re dead. You can’t even smash my cars anymore.” A twisted smile crossed his lips as he said this before he staggered out.
Now, at a VIP lounge, Hunter ordered 18 models at once. Drunk and surrounded by women, empty bottles littered the floor at his feet. When his friends arrived after hearing the news, they froze at the sight of the shocking scene.
“That’s our Hunter! He wraps up his business and comes straight to play. See? What was Nadine to him? No way he ever loved her.”
“Hunter, wanna try that new club tomorrow? Heard they’ve got stunning ladies.”
“Nah, let’s stick to the old place. The old one’s better.”
They settled in comfortably, chatting with practiced ease. Hunter stayed silent, but a faint smile played on his lips as he stared blankly.
He sarcastically said, “If Nadine heard you say that, I’d be buying another car tomorrow.”
The group burst into laughter. That time Hunter partied with models all day, only for Nadine
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to smash his car afterward, had become legendary in their circle.
No one expected a woman to have such a temper. She was constantly challenging Hunter, living up to their “sworn enemies” reputation.
The conversation continued, but Hunter didn’t join in, and he just kept downing drinks. Suddenly, his phone rang. Squinting, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.
2/3
“That must be Nadine again. She throws a tantrum when I don’t come home. Ignore her–let’s keep going.”
Silence fell instantly as soon as he said these words. Only the persistent ringing filled the air. Hunter lasted only 30 seconds before snatching up the phone.
He yelled, “What the hell do you want, Nadine? How many calls have you made just tonight? Fine, I’ll come back later!”
He hurled the phone down after hanging up. But the room remained eerily quiet. After a long pause, someone cautiously spoke up in a hushed voice.
“Hunter… Nadine is… dead now. No one’s controlling you anymore.”
The words were soft, yet they made Hunter freeze.
Right. Nadine was dead. How could he have forgotten? The woman he hated most was gone.
No one would disturb him anymore, repeatedly asking if he loved her. No one would storm up to him with barely concealed affection burning in their eyes.
A sudden ache gripped Hunter’s chest. His lips twitched into a pale imitation of a smile.
“I’m so happy I forgot. Let’s keep drinking. Tonight’s on me.”
The atmosphere gradually livened again, but his heart could no longer join in the revelry. Memories of Nadine’s every gesture and expression flooded his mind, leaving a hollow, throbbing pain in his chest.
He mechanically poured more alcohol down his throat, hoping to drown the emptiness. However, the more he drank, the clearer her image became. Her familiar scowl began materializing before him.
“Are you just trying to die? Why are you always drinking so much? Why don’t you just drop
dead in this bar?”
“Oh, feeling bold now? You’re even spreading rumors about us? Just get your ass home!”
“Hunter, you absolute madman! How dare you lock me in the freezer? I could’ve died! You deserve to freeze too! Maybe I’ll fish you out when I feel like it!”
Each recalled instance played out clearly within him, and surprisingly, a small smile touched
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his mouth.
