淑女的欲望

An uncontrollable urge to burst into laughter welled up within her. It felt like the universe had played a cruel joke on her, turning her life story into a comedic farce.

Damn it!!

Scarlett took a deep breath and shifted her gaze back to Theodor, who still seemed lost in his thoughts, purposefully avoiding eye contact with her.

"Theo, look at me," Scarlett insisted, needing answers to the sudden questions swirling in her mind. She couldn't shake off her suspicions that Theodor was just spouting nonsense to gain sympathy from her. So that she does not kill him.

Their eyes locked, and a strange sensation coursed through Scarlett. It was then that she noticed the uncanny resemblance in their eye color and hair.

Her heart raced instantly as a startling thought crossed her mind. However, she quickly dismissed it, shaking her head slowly and silently smiling—it was impossible.

Clearing her throat, trying to calm herself down, then said, "You mentioned that you had feelings for me, right?" Scarlett's voice grew cold and intimidating.

Theodor nodded.

"But why, a year ago, did you send your people to attack me? You almost killed me!!" Her voice rose an octave, the memory of the ambush on a lonely road when she was heading to Canada still fresh in her mind.

Theodor fell silent at Scarlett's question, desperately trying to recall the incident she was referring to.

"Theodor, I can read your mind. Don't lie to me by pretending to have feelings for me to gain my sympathy!" Scarlett continued, her face radiating anger.

"What ambush?" Theodor raised an eyebrow, still struggling to recollect the incident. But within seconds, the memories flooded back into his mind.

"Scarlett, listen... I never intended to harm you. How could I want to kill you when I was desperate to acquire your hacking skills?" He paused, ensuring Scarlett understood his words. "Your abilities are incredibly valuable to me. Killing you would serve no purpose."

"Don't lie!" Scarlett snapped.

"I'm not lying, Scarlett! Can't you comprehend? I want your expertise. Killing you would offer me no benefit," Theodor tried to convince her earnestly.

Scarlett flinched at his words. He was right, to some extent. "I understand that... But perhaps you grew angry when I rejected you, and that's why you decided to kill me instead, isn't it?" she questioned.

"Certainly not!" Theodor replied sincerely. After a brief moment of silence, he continued, "If you're asking whether I wanted to kidnap you, then the answer is yes."

Scarlett frowned but remained silent, her mind filled with confusion.

"I've attempted to kidnap you several times, desperately searching for you. But you're so clever, Scarlett!" Theodor admitted. "You are always one step faster than me." 

Scarlett didn't register Theodor's words, too shocked by the revelation that he wasn't responsible for the attempt on that incident that day. 

She stared at him sharply before saying, "Theodor, let me ask you again. Are you saying the incident a year ago wasn't your people who tried to kill me?" Her voice filled with tension.

"You're right. It wasn't me or anyone under my command!" Theodor replied, recalling the events of that fateful day. "However, I was present at the scene..."

Scarlett narrowed her eyes, perplexed by his statement. 'He wasn't involved in the attack, yet he was there? What is he trying to tell me?' She felt utterly bewildered.

"But I wasn't the perpetrator," Theodor clarified.

"Explain!" Scarlett felt as if her memories of that day had been erased. All she could recall was being chased by multiple cars, then reaching an intersection where their path was blocked, leading to a sudden ambush that caused their vehicle to roll into a ravine, resulting in her losing consciousness.

What happened that day, she only knew through Seven's report. According to Seven, they managed to escape when their ally arrived in time and chased away the pursuers.

After their car reaches a ravine, Seven is not seriously injured. He can still take her and flees the location when he learns their assailants are after them. Seven ran for a few miles until their team members came to their aid and took her to the hospital. 

Although her injuries were not severe, the broken ribs required her to stay in the hospital for an extended period.

Both Rex and Seven claimed that the attackers were affiliated with Theodor. This revelation prompted Scarlett to conceal her actual appearance until they regained their strength to confront Theodor head-on.

Now, Scarlett was confused. Whose version of events was accurate?

Was Theodor being honest with her?

Could Seven and Rex's investigation be flawed?

Or was someone manipulating the situation, attempting to shift the blame onto Theodor? At the same time, the true culprit remained in the dark.

The thought sent shivers down Scarlett's spine. The possibility of the real culprit lurking in the shadows made her blood run cold.

Now, her mind was consumed by a single question: Who was that person?

Who else could possibly want her life apart from Theodor?

Scarlett racked her brain, attempting to recall anyone who knew both her identity as a member of Fox and her actual name as Scarlett Piers.

She couldn't think of anyone. Only Theodor and her twelve core team members in Fox were privy to that information.

Feeling perplexed, she furrowed her brows and pinched her forehead, desperately trying to figure out who could be behind it all.

...

Observing Scarlett's silence and contemplative expression, Theodor felt compelled to recount his side of the story.

He started to tell her...

On that fateful day, he had stumbled upon Scarlett's trail by chance. Acting impulsively, he discreetly followed her car from a distance, curious about her destination and contemplating another kidnapping attempt should an opportunity arise. However, as he trailed behind, he noticed three cars tailing Scarlett's vehicle with clear intentions of ambushing her.

"At that moment, I instructed my people to stay safe and not intervene. We were planning to find the right moment to kidnap you..." Theodor paused, a hint of regret showing at his previous intention.