What do you mean? Rosalie immediately asked.
Justin clenched his fist and knocked again, saying, It’s hollow.
He glanced around and spotted a hammer on the ground. He bent down and picked it up.
Rose, step back, he instructed.
Okay. Rosalie retreated, holding Steve tightly in her arms. She was worried the noise might frighten him.
Justin raised the hammer and struck the wall.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After a few heavy hits, part of the wall broke away. The layer of cement shattered and fell to the ground, revealing a small opening.
There seems to be something inside the wall, Justin said. He used the hammer to strike the edges, widening the hole. Finally, a small safe was revealed. The wall was thin, and the safe was compact.
Rosalie’s heart raced with excitement at the sight of the safe, and she hurried forward. Could my bracelet be inside?
Let me open it and check, Justin replied.
He took the safe out of the wall.
The safe had a lock, but it didn’t appear very sturdy. Given its small size and its concealed location in the wall, it was unlikely to have been easily discovered.
Using the hammer, Justin broke the lock. With a crack, the safe was opened. However, there was no bracelet inside-only a piece of paper. Justin picked up the note and read the handwriting on it. The bracelet isn’t safe here. I’ve kept it for you and will return it another day.
Rosalie took the note and, upon reading the words, was shocked. Who could this be?
Justin frowned deeply. It seems someone has been here before us and taken the bracelet.
He examined the note, noticing it seemed relatively new. The handwriting was clear, and the paper didn’t look like it had been there for long.
Who could it be? Rosalie wondered aloud. Who else would know about this bracelet? Could it be Laila?
Justin thought for a moment. I don’t
think Laila could have done this. If she could take the bracelet, she would’ve done it long ago. This note looks new. Someone must have come here before us. That person likely knows you and is aware of your situation.
Rosalie felt a chill run down her spine. Who could it possibly be?
Justin, after a moment of contemplation, said, It’s very likely the same person who emailed you, telling you that Theodore doesn’t have cancer.
Rosalie’s heart trembled. That does make sense.
She still hadn’t figured out who had sent her that email. No matter how much she investigated, she couldn’t find any clues. It was a mystery. Now, with this new incident, she was even more puzzled. Who could it be?
Rosalie couldn’t make sense of how someone like this could exist around her.
At that moment, a phone started ringing.
With Steve in her arms, Rosalie couldn’t easily answer her phone.
Justin quickly wiped the dust from his hands and took Steve from her.
Rosalie picked up the phone and answered it, turning on the speaker so Justin could listen too.
A man’s voice came through the phone. It was icy cold, and that person was using a voice changer.
I have the bracelet. It looks pretty valuable, and it’s custom-made.
Who are you? Rosalie demanded. When did you find out, and how did you get to the bracelet before us? Forgot about me already? The man chuckled softly.
Rosalie mentally went through all the people she knew, but she still couldn’t figure out who this man could be. Who are you? I don’t know you! she snapped. She felt as though someone was watching her from the shadows.